22 ASPIDIT7M. 



typical one, expanded, flattish, or almost 

 recurved, and overlapping. Indusium fre- 

 quently shrivelling away. Scales on the 

 stem simple, pointed, light brown, with a 

 darker centre. Sori abundant and dis- 

 tinct, in a row on each side of the midrib, 

 and sometimes appearing on the yet unde- 

 veloped head. April. Deciduous, but re- 

 maining till late in the season. Common 

 in moist woods. Easy of cultivation, and 

 peculiarly graceful and ornamental. 



FILIX MAS. (Male Shield-Fern.) 



Fig. 8. From 2 to 4 feet. Growing in 

 circular masses. Dull green. Pinnae alter- 

 nate, and often low down. Frond wide and 

 spreading, but rather contracting below. 

 Stem very scaly at the bottom. Pinnulets 

 oblong, rounded, with their edges slightly 

 notched, and their surface somewhat fur- 

 rowed. Sori towards the centre, on the 

 upper half of the frond and the lower half 

 of the pinnulets. Rather variable in form. 

 April. Deciduous. Easy of cultivation, 

 and hardy. One of the commonest, and, 

 with a larger bolder sort having its pin- 

 nulets more deeply and generally incised 

 all round, to be met with almost every 

 where. From its feathery character and 

 free growth, to be strongly recommended. 



