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 thisarea. 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 filtx-mas) is a widely dis- 
tributed species. It is plentifulin 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 
