ASPIDIUM MUNITUM.—CHAMISSO’S SHIELD-FERN. 163 
of flowering plants and many other ferns, before enjoying a 
study of its beautiful form, for like its Eastern relative it is ever- 
green and furnishes material in excellent condition for examina- 
tion all through the winter season, and while yet, as Lowell 
would say, there are 
“« Low stirrings in the leaves, before the wind 
Wakes all the green strings of the forest lyre.” 
In the correspondence of our botanical friends are many 
references to this beautiful fern which will give a fair idea of 
how it behaves when it is at home. Ina letter from Dr. C. C. 
Parry, of Davenport, Iowa, who collected in California, we find 
“In the shade of Pine woods grow robust clumps of Aspidium 
muntum. In these situations it attains its greatest perfection. 
It is much in habit like the Eastern A. acrostichotdes, and like 
that an evergreen when slightly protected by snow. It is very 
firm in its texture, and when, as they generally are, abundantly 
invested with fruit dots, they have a particularly rich appearance.” 
Dr. C. L. Andrews, of Santa Cruz, writes: “In moist, shady 
places of our section of country, we find Aspidium munitum 
usually in company with Asprdium argutum and Pleris aquilena. 
Sometimes it will find itself where some little stream trickles 
down a gulch under the shade of the Red-wood (Seguoza semper- 
virens), when it is of surpassing luxuriance, often three to four 
feet high, almost rivalling the Woodwardia of our coast in size, 
It will not live long after it finds itself in open spots, nor does it 
choose level places unless well sheltered and moist. When the 
atmospheric conditions suit, it is not particular about the soil, for 
it is found clinging to rocks and thriving in poor gravelly places. 
Moisture and a place to cling to it evidently regards as es- 
sentials.” 
Again, Dr. W. A. T. Stratton, of Petaluma, on April 12th, 1879, 
says: “Some of our ferns grow to a great size here. Some 
years ago] came ona group of Asprdium munitum and Wood- 
wardia radicans in a deep ravine in Morin county, beneath 
