GENERA AND SPECIES. 71 
PLATE XXII. 
ASPLENIUM THELYPTEROIDES. Michx. 
This fern is also tall and graceful, with the same habitat 
as the A. angustifolium, and is often found along with it. 
The fronds are pinnate, the pinne deeply pinnatifid. The 
fruit-patches are arranged on the back of all the fronds, in 
pairs, on each side of the mid-vein. It is, likewise, very 
tender, though apparently more hardy than the Narrow- 
leaved Spleenwort. However, it dies early in autumn. It 
is very common in all our rich woods, on the shady banks 
of streams, and loves plenty of moisture. It can be easily 
cultivated if placed in the proper soil. 
This stately fern presents a very striking and elegant ap- 
pearance as it unfolds its large, downy fronds, and, in strong 
contrast with some of the diminutive forms of this genus, 
develops into a plant of graceful beauty. Figure 2, show- 
ing the uncurling of the frond, was sketched from the liy- 
ing plant. I have tried to represent the succession of the 
leaflets still folded up in the head. Though it appears to 
be hardy, its texture is quite soft and delicate. It grows 
well in shaded mounds, but is too large for the ordinary 
Wardian case. 
