160 
ASPIDIACE^. 
city therefore of the fern is no argument against its being truly 
indigenous. I gathered all the fronds I saw, but left the root, 
and think that I could find it again. Not being acquainted with 
the species I preserved it unnamed, until I happened to see the 
Cryptogamic collection of Mongeot and Nestler, and was at once 
struck with their Aspidium monianum as being identical with 
my new fern.” I have also to acknowledge my obligation to 
Mr. Wilson for the loan of several fronds, thus affording me the 
opportunity of making an exact figure ; and also to the Botani- 
cal Society of London for the loan of a specinen presented by 
Mr. Wilson. 
The geographical range of this beautiful fern appears to be 
very extensive. It occurs in Norway, Sweden, Germany, Hun- 
gary, France, Italy and Spain. I am indebted to Mr. Ward for 
a very perfect specimen, gathered in Norway, by my late la- 
mented friend Mr. William Christy. Mr. Smith, of the Kew 
Botanic Garden, has shown me specimens from the Western 
States of North America : it is generally described as occurring 
on rough or stony ground, sometimes in woods and in suhalpine 
regions : 2700 feet is given as its elevation. 
There is an excellent figure of Cystopteris montana in 
Schkuhr,* but with this exception I do not recollect seeing a 
good representation of it. 
The specific name of this plant has undergone no change 
as far as I am aware, but as our authors have aimed at the sub- 
division of groups it has been repeatedly provided with a new 
generic appellation. Hoffman made it a P olyp odium ; Swartz, 
Schkuhr, Sadler and Decandolle an Aspidium ; Sir J. E. Smith 
(in the ‘ Turin Transactions ’) and Roth a Cyatliea, a genus sy- 
nonymous with the earlier one of Cystopteris, in which it is now 
generally placed. 
The roots and rhizoma I have never seen ; the latter is figured 
by Schkuhr as creeping : the stem is long, slender, erect, and 
has a few scattered scales, more especially near the base : the 
figure of the frond is triangular, and much resembles that of 
Polypodium Dryopteris or P. calcar eum ; it is pinnate, the first 
* Sclikulir, t. 63. 
