104 FERNS AND THEIR ALLIES 



discovered the surface to be velvety-hairy long 

 before finding an author who mentioned it as a 

 distinguishing characteristic. 



The fronds taper both ways from the middle, 

 — the only fern of this group with such form, 

 although some varieties of the Lady Fern are a 

 little narrower at the base than in the middle of 

 the frond. 



This fern grows from one and one half to 

 three feet high, and is found in rich, moist 

 woods, or along the shady banks of streams. It 

 is wanting in many localities, and yet, strictly 

 speaking, it is not rare. 



Silvery Spleenwort might often be mistaken 

 for the New York Fern, so close is the resem- 

 blance in form. Usually it is larger than the 

 latter, and the segments or lobes are wider. If 

 examined closely for the fine hairs and the mi- 

 mttely toothed lobes it can readily be identified. 

 Certainly no confusion can arise when it is 

 found in fruit. This is beautifully arranged in 

 long, opposite rows, from three to six in num- 

 ber, each side of the midvein, slightly curved 

 outward, and set obliquely to it. 



The fern receives its common name from the 

 shining, silvery indusia which cover the fruit- 

 dots. These are sometimes double and persist 

 for a long time. The fruit can be found in good 

 condition from July to September. 



