indusiate glands. The collector needs to study authentic specimens and
have in mind the type, with its rather long, narrow blade as an aid to the
verbal description, and even then he will often find it an interesting
puzzle. Shaded swamps throughout our area.

[Illustration: _Aspidium Boottii_]

(6) SPINULOSE SHIELD FERN

_Aspidium spinulòsum. THELÝPTERIS SPINULÒSA

Dryopteris spinulòsa. Nephrodium spinulòsum_

Stipes with a few pale brown deciduous scales. Fronds one to two and
one-half feet long, ovate-lanceolate, twice pinnate. Pinnæ oblique to
the rachis, the lower ones broadly triangular, the upper ones elongated.
Pinnules on the inferior side of the pinnæ often elongated, especially the
lower pair, the pinnule nearest the rachis being usually the longest, at
least in the lowest pinnæ. Pinnules variously cut into spinulose-toothed
segments. Indusium smooth, without marginal glands.

The common European type, but in this country far less common than its
varieties. They all prefer rich, damp woods, and because of their
graceful outline and spiny-toothed lobes are very attractive. They can be
transplanted without great difficulty, and the fern garden depends upon
them for its most effective lacework.

Var. _intermèdium_ has the scales of the stipe brown with darker center.
Fronds ovate-oblong, often tripinnate. Pinnæ spreading, oblong-lanceolate.
Pinnules pinnately cleft, the oblong lobes spinulose-toothed at the apex.