FERN FAMILY 27 



The fronds lie on the ground during the winter. 

 It grows everywhere, especially in hilly and 

 rocky places, varying greatly in height from 

 a few inches to two feet, according to its loca- 

 tion. 



There is a great contrast in the color of the 

 young and old fronds, the young ones being a 

 light, delicate green, the mature ones rather 

 dark blue-green, smooth, and somewhat leathery 

 in texture, with conspicuous veining. 



The fruit -dots are large, round, and close to 

 the margin, whence the common name of the 

 fern. They mature in August. The indusium 

 is smooth, fixed by its sinus, and persistent. 



We illustrate forma Davcnportii which is 

 crested and variable. 



CRESTED SHIELD FERN. 



Aspidium cristatum (Dryopfcris cristatd). 



Frond lance-shaped or linear-oblong in out- 

 line, narrowing slightly at the base. It is nearly 

 twice pinnate, the pinnrc deeply cut into obtuse, 

 oblong, finely serrate, or toothed divisions. The 

 lower pairs of the pinna; are broadest at the 

 base and somewhat triangular in form.- Some- 

 times a few of the lowest lobes near the rachis 

 extend nearly to the secondary rachis or mid- 

 vein. 



The veins make a deep impression on the 



