midvein, the sides of the sinus often overlapping. South central Maine to
New York and westward. "Rare in New England attaining its best development
in western sections." (Dodge.) Mt. Toby, Mass., Hanover, N.H. July. Fine
for cultivation.

[Illustration: Crested Shield Fern. _Aspidium cristatum_ (Reading, Mass.,
Kingman)]

[Illustration: The Crested Shield Fern. _Aspidium cristatum_]

[Illustration: Clinton's Wood Fern. _Aspidium cristatum_, var.
_Clintonianum_ (Gray Herbarium)]

CRESTED MARGINAL FERN

_Aspídium cristàtum X marginàle_


Both the crested fern and Clinton's fern appear to hybridize with the
marginal shield fern with the result that the upper part of the frond is
like _marginale_ and the lower like _cristàtum_, including the veining and
texture.

This form was discovered by Raynal Dodge, verified by Margaret Slosson and
described by Geo. E. Davenport, who had a small colony under cultivation in
his fern garden at Medford, Mass., and to him the writer and other friends
are indebted for specimens.

Found occasionally throughout New England and New Jersey. Other supposed
hybrids have been found between the marginal shield and the spinulose fern