16 ASPIDIUM. 



Evergreen. Not common. Moist caves 

 and rocks near the sea, in the milder parts 

 of England and Ireland. Requires the 

 shelter of glass, but succeeds fairly there- 

 under. The warmer the room the better. 

 Very graceful and ornamental. 



ASPIDIUM. 



Sori on the back, in round masses. Indusimn 

 round like a shield, and fixed in the centre 

 only, as in the family of Lonchitis; or 

 appearing somewhat like a kidney, from 

 having a deep connecting indentation from 

 the centre to the extremity, as in the rest. 

 Character feathering. 



Root tufted in all but Thelypteris. 

 Round Indusium. 



ASPIDIUM ACULEATUM. (Soft Prickly Shield- 

 Fern.} Fig. 1. From 9 to 15 inches. 

 Growing in circular masses. Texture very 

 thin and light. Dark green. Stem slight. 

 Frond compact, narrow, feather-shaped. 

 Pinnae running low on the stem, inclining 

 to slant upwards, and, with the pinnules, 

 closely set on, short, and markedly alter- 

 nate. Pinnules very small, egg-shaped, 

 equably tapering off to a beautiful fineness 



