I 2 6 THE MARSH FERN TRIBE. 



pinnules, lanceolate pinnae and simple veins. In The- 

 lypteris the veins normally fork once. 



Aspidium simulatum is at present known to grow in 

 most of the New England States, New York, Penn- 

 sylvania and Maryland. Its partiality to spruce and 

 tamarack swamps is most pronounced. In the two locali- 

 ties known for the fern in New York State, it grows in 

 dark cedar swamps in company with Woodwardia angus- 

 tifolia and an occasional marsh fern. It is a singular fact 

 that it thrives best in spots too shady for Thelypteris to 

 be fruitful, and in moisture too great for Noveboracense to 

 be common. It is the opinion of many botanists that 

 this species is nearly as widely distributed as the ferns it 

 mimics but is not reported because confused with the 

 others. There is a tendency in some sections to call this 

 the Massachusetts shield fern. But since the fern is not 

 confined to that State, and is common in localities far re- 

 moved from New England, such a name is both unfortu- 

 nate and misleading. Many suppose that this species 

 was named simulatum because of its resemblance to 

 Noveboracense and Thelypteris. While this thought may 



have occurred to its 

 describer, he writes 

 that it was so named 

 because it simulates 

 a narrow woodland 

 VENATION. form of the lady 



fern (Athyrium Filix-fozmind). Even the young col- 

 lector, however, ought to be able to distinguish it 

 from the latter. Our illustrations are from specimens 

 collected by the author near Babylon, Long Island. 



The generic name, Aspidium is from the Greek and 



