18. NARROW-LEAVED SPLEEN 

 WORT 



Aspleniutn angustifoliunt 



Canada to Kentucky, in moist woods. Two 

 to four feet high. 



Sterile fronds. Thin, smooth, lance- 

 shaped, perishable, once-pinnate. 



Fertile fronds. Taller, narrower, longer- 

 stalked ; pinna more narrowly lance-shaped 

 than on sterile fronds ; fruit-dots linear, a 

 row on each side the midvein ; indusium 

 slightly convex. 



If we make an expedition to the 

 woods early in July we may, per- 

 haps, find some plants of the Nar- 

 row-leaved Spleenwort. At this 

 season they are specially attract- 

 ive, with smooth, delicate, pale-green fronds, so re- 

 cently unfolded as to be full of little undulations, 

 which they lose more or less at maturity, and 

 which are as indicative of youth as the curves and 

 dimples of a baby. 



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