FERN FAMILY 15 



twist out of a horizontal position, tlie tips often 

 bending downward. 



The fruit-dots are small, and soon become 

 confluent near the margin, which is strongly re- 

 flexed. They mature in August. The indusium 

 is delicate, kidney -shaped, and fixed by its sinus. 



NE^W YORK FERN. 



Aspidmm Novcboracense (Dryoptcris Novehoracensis). 



Frond pinnate, the pinnas deeply cut into 

 narrow, oblong, obtuse, and entire segments, — 

 the lower pairs of pinnae gradually becoming 

 shorter, often reducing to mere lobes. It is 

 slightly hairy on the under surface following the 

 veining, which is simple. 



It is very noticeable for its oval outline, the 

 frond tapering both ways from the middle. 

 This alone serves to distinguish it from the 

 Marsh and Dodge's Ferns, to which in some 

 other points it is similar. It is also a paler shade 

 of green and more delicate than the former fern, 

 and its manner of growth is much more graceful. 



It is said to prefer swamps and moist thickets, 

 although we have seen it, apparently at its best, 

 in somewhat dry, shady situations. It grows 

 from one to two feet high, and is cjuite common, 

 frequently being found in large beds. 



The fruit-dots are distinct and near the mar- 

 gin, which is not revolute. They mature in 



