MALE SHIELD FERN. 13 



cognized as a species even by the experienced botanist. 

 Mr. Newman and others, however, think it convenient 

 to assign a name to every plant which the accustomed 

 eye acknowledges to be distinct, and in conformity 

 with this principle we give Aspidiv/m dilatatum as a 

 species, 



MALE SHIELD FERN. 



ASPIDIUM FILIX MAS. 

 \Swartz, Smith, Hooker, Bentham.] 



(Fig. 8.) 



^ 



SYNONYMS. 



LASTREA FILIX MAS. Presl, Babingtvn. 

 DRYOPTERIS FILIX MAS. Newman. 



THIS is a most abundant fern, deriving its name 

 from its robust appearance in contrast with the more 

 delicate though similar Lady Fern, Aspidium Filix 

 Fcemina. The stipites or stalks are densely scaly. The 

 fronds grow in circular clumps about two or three feet 

 in height : they spring in a circular manner from the 

 large scaly rhizome, and, in the early part of the year, 

 as they uncoil themselves from their ring-like condi- 

 tion, have a very beautiful appearance. The upper 

 and lower pinnse are much shorter than those of the 

 middle, which gradually taper off to the point. The 



