AUGUST. 355 
(the spring species not being branched,) leaves smooth. 
Flowers green, in long interrupted spikes. 
ee 
CRYPTOGAMIA. FILICEs. 
FoLiacE®. FILIcks. 
ASPIDIUM. (SuHIELp-FErn.) 
Generic Character. Seeds in round or kidney-shaped spots, 
arranged on each side the nerve of the leaflet. 
AspIpiumM FILIx mas. (Plate XIX. Fig. 76.) Blunt 
Shield-fern. To be found in every part of the kingdom ; 
most abundant in rich soils and shady situations. A beau- 
tiful species, making its first appearance in May, and pro- 
ceeding from the ground, rolled up imto a circle, then 
extending itself into the form of a hook; and lastly, ex- 
panding into the elegant shape it takes in maturity. Its tall 
and graceful fronds are arranged in a circle round the root, 
- and droop like feathers. The back of the leaf is covered 
with the seed in August; but it lasts green throughout 
great part of the winter, and often attains the length of two 
or three feet; the lower part of the stalk is covered with a 
brown, chaffy substance, which is remarkable in the young 
AA 
