CRESTED SHIELD FERN. 11 



ber, soon after which, except in very mild seasons, 

 they perish by frost. This fern is often confounded 

 with Aspidium Fitix Mas, which, however, differs in 

 many important points, as will be seen. 



This plant is very local in its distribution, being 

 confined to boggy heaths and moors, and occurring but 

 in four counties of England ; viz., Nottinghamshire, 

 Cheshire, Norfolk, and Suffolk. The places recorded 

 as producing it, are Bansey Heath, near Lynn, Fritton 

 Dersingham, and Edgefield, in Norfolk ; Oxton Bogs 

 and Bulwell Marshes, in Nottinghamshire ; and Wy- 

 bunbury Bog, in Cheshire. The Suffolk station is 

 doubtful, but Mr. Davy is said to have gathered it on 

 bogs among alder-bushes, at Westleton, in that county. 

 Mr. Mackay gives this fern as a native of Ireland, and 

 Sir W. Hooker as a native of Scotland. It is not 

 uncommon in moist and boggy places in Europe, Asia, 

 and North America. 



It is not a difficult fern to cultivate, and bears a 

 change of condition better than many plants which 

 are considered more hardy. It succeeds best in a turfy 

 peat soil without any admixture, and bears drought 

 better than would be imagined from its love of damp 

 shady situations. It is better adapted for out-door 

 cultivation than for glass. 



