136 THE WOOD FERNS. 



interesting superstitions connected with them. Thus, 

 marginale has no reputed mysterious powers to its credit, 

 but is considered of much value as an anthelmintic, a 

 quality which it shares with the male fern. 



The marginal shield fern is found from British 

 America to Alabama and Arkansas, being fairly abun- 

 dant throughout most of this area. It is sometimes called 

 the evergreen wood fern, but in latitudes where several 

 of the wood ferns are evergreen, this title is somewhat 

 misleading. It may be added, however, that it endures 

 the winter better than any of the others. The name 

 of rock fern is somewhat more appropriate. The species 

 is an excellent one for cultivation in shady situations 

 about dwellings. 



The Male Fern. 



The male fern (Aspidium filix-mas) is a widely dis- 

 tributed species. It is plentiful in many parts of Europe 

 and Asia and is found in Greenland and the mountains 

 of South America. In North America, its range is 

 mostly beyond the limits of the United States. It is 

 not uncommon in Canada and has been found in Michi- 

 gan. In the mountains of the West, it is reported to 

 extend as far south as Arizona. 



In general appearance this is so much like the margi- 

 nal shield fern, that one description would almost 

 answer for both ; in fact, short-sighted botanists have 

 called them but two forms of the same species. They 

 are, however, not likely to be so classed by any one 

 who has seen them growing. The frond in this species is 

 broadest above the middle and at base is usually appreci- 

 ably narrowed. The pinnules are conspicuously toothed 



