94 HANDY BOOK OF 
in size, according to soil and situation. In damp and. shady 
places, beside streams, and en dripping rocks, it becomes the 
Filixfemina of English botany, according to Professor Don, 
in the Transactions of the Linncean Society, vol. xvii. 
p. 436 ; in more open and exposed situations, the Aspidium 
irriguum of Smith. But in ne tber of these states is it to 
be regarded as a distinct form. Newman further mentions, 
that the margins of each pinnulae are folded together, in that 
variety of which the segments are of a more delicate texture 
and that they are so convolute as nearly to meet, which 
character causes each pinnula? to look very narrow from 
above ; whereas, such as pertain to the other variety are 
spread out, and flat the serrature, or lobes, being perfectly 
displayed. 
The root is fibrous, black, and wiry ; the rhizoma is ver- 
tically elongate, rising, in some specimens, several inches 
above the surface of the ground, even occasionally (o a foot 
in height, and thus evincing "considerable proximity to 
the Dicksonia), and other tree-ferns." The fronds appear 
in May ; and the bending downward of the apex, after the 
fashion of a shepherd's crook, causes them to resemble those 
of the Filix mas. 
Examine the frond. ' ' In form it is somewhat lanceolate 
and pinnate ; the pinna? are linear, more or less crowded, 
acute at the apex, and regularly pinnate ; the pinnulse are 
very distinct and distant, either deeply serrated, pinnatifid, 
or pinnate ; one-fourth of the rachis is naked, but has 
numerous black scales." 
Observe, also, that the mid-vein of the pinnula is waved ; 
that the side-veins are forked shortly after leaving the mid- 
vein ; that, further, the anterior branch of each is elegantly 
varied, about half-way between the mid- vein and margin, 
with an elongate, somewhat reniform mass of thecae, which 
is partially covered by an indusium attached on the con- 
cave side of the mass. When approaching maturity, the 
