474 



THE FEKN FAMILY. 



Leafy part of the frond gradually narrower to the base, frequently tapering down 

 to a point, and usually extending the whole length of the rachis. 



• 

 Frond simply pinnatifid, the pinnules entire, or slightly serrate, and exceedingly 



numerous. 

 Pinnules lanceolate, an inch or more long. Fronds twelve 

 to twenty inches high, the sterile and fertile ones 



dissimilar 17. Haed-fern. 



Pinnules oval, about a quarter of an inch long. Eachisi 12. Common Spleen- 

 black and shining. Fronds densely tufted i wokt. 



Frond doubly pinnatifid ; the pinnules, which are very numerous, being deeply 

 cleft into "segments," and the segments usually serrated. Eighteen inches 

 to three feet high. 

 Segments, or at least tliose near the rachis, more or less 

 distinctly stalked, and serrated. 

 Sori linear. Segments mostly with little stallcs, and 

 finely and deeply serrated. No broivn scales, or 

 scarcely any, on the rachis. Frond thin, very 

 delicate, light green, and deciduous. (Fig. E.).. 11. Lady-feun. 

 Sori circular. Lower segments crescent shaped, much 

 larger than the others, and auricled on one side. 

 Rachis very scaly. Fronds evergreen. 

 Only the lower segments stalked. Frond veiy rigid. ) 9. 



(Fig.A.) I 



Segments all distinctly stalked 10. Prickly Shield- 

 fern. 

 Segments all attached by a broad base. Sori circular. 

 Sori along the margins of the segments. (Fig. C). . . . 5. Sweet Mountain- 

 fern. 

 Sori in a double row up the centre of the segments. 

 Segments finely serrated. Frond very large and' 

 broad. Indusia large, purple while young. 



(Fig. D.) 



Segments quite entire (i. Marsh-fern, 



Lunate Shield- 

 fern. 



Common Shield- 

 fern. 



Frond triply pinnatifid, the pinnules being very deeply cleft into " segments," and 

 the segments again cut into "lobes." 



Frond one to three feet high, ovate- lanceolate, the rachis' 



stiff, and more or less scaly. Indusia fiat and 



circular 



Frond four to six inches high, very delicate and fragile; 



rachis without scales. Indusia bladder-like while 



young 15. Brittle-kern. 



8. Moouij\ndShield- 



FKKN. 



