open fields. Miss Lilian
A. Cole, of Union, Me., reports a colony as growing on land above the swale
in which Twayblade and Adder's Tongue are found, "around rock heaps in
open sunlight on clay soil, but homely and twisted," as if a former woodsy
environment had been long since cleared away while the deserted ferns
persisted.

(2) MASSACHUSETTS FERN

_Aspidium simulatum_. THELYPTERIS SIMULATA
_Dryopteris simulata. Nephrodium simulatum_

Fronds pinnate, one to three feet long, oblong-lanceolate, somewhat
narrowed at the base. Pinnae lanceolate, deeply pinnatifid, the lower most
often turned inward. Veins simple. Indusium glandular. Sori rather large.

Resembles the marsh fern, of which it was once thought to be a variety.
In some respects it is also like the New York fern, and is in fact
intermediate between the two.

[Illustration: Massachusetts Fern. _Aspidium simulatum_ 1. Sterile Frond.
2. A Fruiting Pinnule. 3. Pinnule enlarged showing venation (From the "Fern
Bulletin")]

That it is a distinct species was first pointed out by Raynal Dodge in
1880, and it later was named _simulatum_ by Geo. E. Davenport because of
its similarity to a form of the lady fern. It may be identified by its
thin texture and particularly by its simple veins. On account of its close
resemblance to the marsh fern, Clute would call it "The lance-leaved Marsh
Fern," instead of the irrelevant name of Massachusetts Fern. Woodland
swamps usually in deep shade, New England to Maryland and westward. Often
found growing with the marsh fern.

(3) NEW YORK FERN

_Aspidium noveboracense_. THELYPTERIS NOVEBORACENSIS
_Dryopteris noveboracensis. Nephrodium noveboracense_

Fronds pinnate, tapering both ways from the middle. Pinnae lanceolate,
pinnatifid, the lowest pairs gradually shorter and deflexed. Veins simple.
Indusium minute and beset with glands.

[Illustration: New York Fern. _Aspidium noveboracense_]

Very common in woodlands, preferring a dryer soil than the marsh fern.
August. The fronds are pale green, delicate and hairy beneath along the
midrib and veins.

[Illustration: Sori of New York Fern (From Waters's "Ferns," Henry Holt &
Co.)]

[Illustration: New York Fern. _Aspidium noveboracense_]

When bruised its resinous glands give out a pleasing, ferny odor. This
species can be distinguished from every other by the greatly reduced pinnae
at its base. Throughout North America east of the Mississippi.

THE BEECH FERNS