CRESTED SHIELD FERN. 



As;^iaium cristatum (L.) Sw. 



T EAVES linear-otlong or lanceolate, compound, witK 

 -*— ' conspicuous veming. Pinnae numerous, separated, tri- 

 angular-oblong, the lower ones broadest, and sliort-stalked, 

 deeply cut into several oroad olunt segments whicli are finely 

 toothed, the upper pinnae confluent and less divided, all of 

 tne pinnae snowing a tendency to turn tneir faces toward 

 the apex of the leaf. Son in two rows on the divisions of 

 the pinnae, separated, ■with rounded or kidney-shaped thin 

 indusia. Stems more or less covered Avith light hrown scales, 

 from a stout densely chaffy rootstock. Leaves dark green, 

 the sterile ones shorter and evergreen, the fertile sometimes 

 two feet long. 



One seldom sees this Aspidium in the Dells. It gro-ws 

 in damp places, preferably in shaded bogs. 



