FERN FAMILY ii 



pair very large and long, broadest in the middle 

 and pinnately lobed, tire segments serrate. 



While similar in form to the Long Beech 

 Fern, there are points of difference which can- 

 not fail to distinguish it. It is more broadly 

 triangular, — often from five to ten inches 

 broad, — and gi'ows more erect than the Long 

 Beech I-^crn. It is also darker in color, thinner 

 in texture, and the lowest pinnae are broader, 

 much elongated, and arc not often dejle.ved. 



It grows in similar situations with the others 

 of this group, viz., moist, shaded places, but 

 it prefers open woods. It is a common fern in 

 southern New lingland, but is found only occa- 

 sionally in the north. 



The fruit-dots are naked, round, small, and 

 not exclusively near the margin, although 

 mostly so. They mature in July. 



ASPIDIUM. Shield Fern. ^Wood Pern. 



The name is from the Greek aspidion, a small 

 shield, referring to the form of the indusium. 

 This is kidney-shaped or circular, fixed either at 

 the sinus or centrally. 



Another nomenclature which is rapidly gain- 

 ing in favor, includes under Nephrodiuji all 

 species with kidney-shaped indnsia, and under 

 PoLVSTiciiUJi all species with free veins and 

 circular indiisia fixed centrally. 



