662 THE FERN FAMILY. [Aspidium* 



variety, usually more divided, with more distinct segments, the lower 

 ones evidently stalked. 



3. A. Thelypteris, Sw. (fig. 1289). Marsh S. Rootstock creeping, 

 with single, not tufted, erect fronds as in Polypodium Phegopteris, to 

 which this fern bears considerable resemblance. It is taller, usually 

 1 to 2 feet high, quite glabrous, with a rather slender but stiff stalk, 

 without scarious scales. The leafy part lanceolate, pinnate, with deeply 

 pinnatifid pinnas, which are not crowded, and the lowest rather distant 

 and smaller ; all attached to the central stalk by their midrib or by a 

 very short stalk ; the lobes or segments entire, obtuse or scarcely pointed. 

 Sori in lines near the edges, distinct at first, with an indusium attached 

 near the edge, but soon covering nearly the whole under surface and 

 concealing the indusium. Lastrea Thelypteris, Presl. Nephrodium 

 Thelypteris, Desv. 



In boggy or marshy places, throughout Europe and Russian Asia, 

 except the extreme north, and in North America and New Zealand. 

 In Britain local, but dispersed over England, Ireland, and southern 

 Scotland. Fr. summer and autumn. 



4. A. Oreopteris, Sw. (fig. 1290). Mountain S. The stature, mode 

 of growth in circular tufts, and the general shape of the fronds are those 

 of A. Filix-mas, from which it may be distinguished by a lighter colour, 

 especially of the stalk, and by the lobes or segments of the pinnas all 

 quite entire, with the small sori in a line near the margin as in A . Thelyp- 

 teris. From the latter it differs in its larger size, the stalk bearing brown 

 scarious scales, the pinnas so closely sessile as almost to lap over the 

 central stalk ; and from both this species may be known by the minute 

 resinous or glandular dots on the under side of the fronds, from whence 

 a fragrant smell is imparted to the plant when rubbed. Lastrea Oreop- 

 teris, Presl. Nephrodium Oreopteris, Desv. 



In mountain heathy districts, and moist open woods, in temperate 

 Europe, from northern Spain and Italy to Scandinavia, and eastward to 

 Moscow. Generally dispersed over Britain, especially in Scotland, north- 

 ern and western England, and in Ireland. Fr. summer and autumn. 



5. A. Filix-mas, Sw. (fig. 1291). Male Fern. Rootstock short but 

 thick, woody, and decumbent, or rising sometimes obliquely a few inches 

 from the ground. Fronds handsome, in a large circular tuft, 2 or 3 feet 

 high, stiff and erect, broadly lanceolate, with the lower pinnas decreas- 

 ing, as in most Aspidiums, regularly pinnate, the pinnas deeply pinnatifid 

 or pinnate j the segments regularly oblong, slightly curved, very obtuse, 

 slightly toothed, connected at the base or the lowest ones distinct ; the 

 main stalk very shaggy with brown scarious scales. Sori rather large, 

 near the base of the segments, with a conspicuous, nearly peltate or 

 kidney-shaped indusium. Lastrea Filix-mas, Presl. Nephrodium Filix- 

 mas, Rich. 



In woods and shady situations, along moist banks, &c., throughout 

 Europe and central and Russian Asia, from the Mediterranean to the 

 Arctic regions, and in Africa and the Andes. One of the commonest 

 and most variable of British Ferns. Fr. summer and autumn. The 

 barren fronds of young plants often resemble those of A. spinulosum, 

 but the fruiting ones are almost always very distinct. 



6. A. cristatum, Sw. (fig. 1292). Crested S. Resembles in some 

 jtespects A. Filix-ma*, but the frond is less erect, the pinnas less regular 



