22 
BRITISH FERNS. 
fern is especially desirable, for it grows freely and in- 
creases rapidly. It is a native of Germany. 
Strut hiopteris Pennsylvania . Pennsylvanian Ostrich- 
fern . Caudex creeping; fronds 3 feet high, pinnate; 
leaflets blunt; fertile fronds 1 foot high, contracted, 
central. A native of Pennsylvania. 
Woodsia mollis. Downy Woodsia . Caudex tufted; 
fronds lanceolate, bipinnate, and hairy; pinnae oblong 
and blunt ; leaflets oblong and sessile, notched at the 
margin; height 12 to 18 inches, light green in colour. 
This fern suits well the south exposure of a rockery, and 
is becoming a favourite in English gardens. 
Woodsia obtusa. Blunt Woodsia. Caudex tufted ; 
fronds lanceolate, hairy ; pinnae triangular ; leaflets long- 
oblong, notched. A dwarf species, very pretty, and well 
suited for the fernery. 
Aspidium acrostichoides. A crosti chum - like Shield-fern . 
Caudex tufted; fronds 2 feet high, lance-shaped, pin- 
nate; leaflets narrow, stalked, and with long hairs. 
Sori on the upper part of the frond, which is contracted ; 
stems and caudex scaly. A very pleasing fern, noble 
and spear-like. A native of North America. Evergreen. 
Aspidium marginale. Bordered Shield-fern. Caudex 
tufted; fronds lanceolate, bipinnate, pinnae oblong 
pointed ; leaflets ovate, notched ; stems chaffy. This is 
a peculiar and beautiful fern, its most notable character- 
istic being the line of pure white involucres which border 
the edge of the frond. It is a native of North America 
and Canada, and grows in magnificent crowns. 
Aspidium setosum. Bristly Shield-fern. Caudex tufted; 
fronds bipinnate, ovate, pointed, 2 or 3 feet high ; pin- 
nules oblong, acute, eared, and fringed with stiff hairs. 
A native of Japan. 
