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NRLF 


GIFT  OF 
Scollav  Lvon 


LIBRARY 

G 


OUR  ?.:JV       0f 

NATIVE  ?F -f 


AND 


THEIR   ALLIES 


WITH 


Synoptical  Descriptions  of  tbe  American 
Pteridopbyta  North  of  Mexico 


LUCIEN    MARCUS    UNDERWOOD 

l\ 


FIFTH    EDITION,    REVISED 


NEW   YORK 

HENRY    HOLT    AND    COMPANY 
1896 


u. 


BIOLOGY 

UBRARY 

6 


COPYRIGHT,  1888, 

BY 
HENRY  HOLT  &  CO, 


V 


DRDMMOND  &  NEU. 

Electrotypers, 

New  York. 


PREFACE. 


THE  first  edition  of  this  manual  was  published  in  1881  and 
the  second  in  1882  ;  the  continued  call  for  copies  of  the  work  is 
the  only  apology  for  a  new  edition.  During  the  past  six  years 
the  interest  in  ferns  has  largely  increased,  and  has  resulted  not 
only  in  a  wider  and  more  thorough  study  of  known  forms,  but 
in  the  less  explored  portion  of  our  territory  new  species  are  con- 
tinually being  brought  to  light.  Of  the  true  ferns  (forming  the 
order  Filices)  140  species  were  described  in  the  first  edition  and 
145  in  the  second;  in  the  present  edition  156  species  are  re- 
corded, while  three  species  recognized  in  former  editions  have 
been  reduced  to  varieties. 

The  Fern  Allies  are  here  augmented  by  the  addition  of  a 
genus  new  to  this  country  (Salmnta),  and  five  species,  two  of 
which  are  here  described  for  the  first  time  ;  a  reduction  of  three 
species  has  resulted  from  a  more  extended  study  of  large  suites 
of  specimens,  so  that  68  species  are  here  recorded. 

While  the  general  plan  as  developed  in  the  former  editions 
has  not  been  greatly  modified,  the  details  of  the  entire  work  have 
been  thoroughly  revised  in  order  that  it  may  be  in  harmony 
with  the  present  aspect  of  structural  and  systematic  study  which 
every  year  is  adding  to  the  sum  of  our  knowledge. 

The  work  is  intended  as  an  introduction  to  the  study  of  ferns 
and  a  manual  for  the  easy  determination  of  our  species  ;  as  such 
it  has  aimed  to  be  suggestive  in  methods  of  study  ;  to  this  end 
the  student  is  referred  to  the  necessary  literature,  classified  ac- 
cording to  subjects,  at  the  close  of  each  chapter.  It  is  hoped 
that  the  introduction  of  eight  pages  of  references  to  the  intro- 
ductory literature  of  plants  lower  than  the  pteridophytes  may 
prove  valuable  to  students  who,  like  the  writer,  have  been 
obliged  to  grope  in  the  dark  with  no  kindly  suggestion  as  to 
what  works  were  valuable  for  beginners. 

(v) 


vi  PREFACE. 

Acknowledgments  are  here  rendered  to  those  who  have  aided 
in  the  preparation  of  this  edition.  Especially  we  would  men- 
tion Dr.  Sereno  Watson,  of  the  Botanic  Gardens  at  Cambridge 
for  access  to  numerous  specimens  ;  Professor  Daniel  C.  Eaton, 
of  Yale,  for  elucidating  the  synonymy  of  Asptdium  pattdum  ; 
and  most  of  all,  Mr.  George  E.  Davenport  for  very  many  kindly 
suggestions,  specimens,  and  courtesies  extending  through  a 
series  of  years. 

SYRACUSE  UNIVERSITY, 
Feb.  18,  1888. 


PREFACE  TO  FIFTH  EDITION. 


IN  the  fourth  edition  (1893)  numerous  changes  were  made: 
(i)  by  rewriting  several  of  the  chapters,  (2)  by  the  addition  of 
four  species  new  to  our  flora,  and  (3)  by  the  modification  of 
the  nomenclature  to  conform  with  the  "  Rochester  rules."  The 
further  amendment  of  these  rules  at  Madison,  Wisconsin, 
in  August,  1893,  renders  necessary  two  or  three  additional 
changes.  It  is  also  a  pleasure  to  record  two  additional  species 
which  have  been  found  in  the  country  since  the  fourth  edition 
was  published,  viz.,  Dryopteris simulata  from  New  England,  and 
Equisetum  Mexicanum  from  Southern  California,  the  former 
described  by  Mr.  George  E.  Davenport,  and  the  latter  discov- 
ered by  Prof.  A.  J.  McClatchie  of  Pasadena,  California.  The 
total  number  described  is,  therefore,  230 ;  of  these  1 59  are  ferns 
and  the  remaining  71  are  fern  allies.  In  other  respects  the 
present  edition  is  essentially  the  same  as  the  fourth. 

AUBURN,  ALABAMA, 
Nov.  15,  1895. 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS. 


PAGE 

INTRODUCTION,       ,    .    .  ix 

ABBREVIATIONS, xii 

CHAPTER    I.     Haunts  and  Habits  of  Ferns, I 

II.     The  Organs  of  the  Growing  Fern, 8 

III.  Fructification  in  Ferns, 10 

IV.  Germination  of  Fern  Spores, 19 

V.     Fern  Structure 24 

VI.     The  Fern  Allies, 28 

VII.     Classification  and  Nomenclature, 41 

VIII.     The  Fern's  Place  in  Nature, 48 

IX.     Distribution  in  Time  and  Space, 62 

X.     Methods  of  Study, 70 

OUR   NATIVE   PTERIDOPHYTA. 

ORDER    I.     FILICES: 75 

II.    MARSILEACE/E, 125 

III.  SALVINIACE/E 127 

IV.  OPHIOGLOSSACE/E, 128 

V.     EQUISETACE^: 132 

VI.     LYCOPODIACE/E, '.    .    .  135 

VII.     SELAGINELLACE^E 140 

VIII.     ISOETACE^: 142 

INDEX  AND  GLOSSARY, 149 


INTRODUCTION. 


IN  the  entire  vegetable  world  there  are  probably  no  forms  of 
growth  that  attract  more  general  notice  than  the  Ferns.  Deli- 
cate in  foliage,  they  are  sought  for  cultivation  in  conservatories 
and  Wardian  cases,  and  when  dried  and  pressed  add  to  the 
culture  of  many  a  domestic  circle  by  serving  as  household  deco- 
rations. They  furnish  to  botanists  a  broad  and  inviting  field 
for  investigation,  and  he  who  examines  their  more  minute  struc- 
ture with  the  microscope  will  find  deeper  and  still  more  myste- 
rious relations  than  those  revealed  to  the  unaided  eye.  Ferns 
thus  appeal  to  the  scientific  element  of  man's  nature  as  well  as 
to  the  aesthetic,  and  while  they  highly  gratify  the  taste,  they 
furnish  food  for  the  intellect  in  a  like  degree. 

The  Fern  allies  have  also  played  their  appointed  part  in  the 
domestic  and  decorative  economy  of  this  and  other  generations. 
The  scouring-rushes  served  our  ancestors  for  keeping  white  their 
floors  and  wooden-ware  in  the  days  when  carpets  were  a  luxury. 
The  trailing  stems  of  various  species  of  Lycopodium  have  long 
been  valued  for  holiday  decorations  ;  while  their  burning  spores 
have  flashed  in  triumphal  processions,  and  have  added  their 
glow  to  the  fervor  of  political  campaigns. 

In  olden  time  the  obscure  fructification  of  the  common  brake 
led  to  many  superstitious  ideas  among  the  common  people,  and 
the  older  poets  have  woven  these  popular  notions  into  our  litera- 
ture. Butler  tells  in  Hudibras  of  bugbears  so  often  created  by 
mankind : 

"  That  spring  like  fern,  that  infant  weed, 
Equivocally  without  seed, 
And  have  no  possible  foundation 
But  merely  in  th'  imagination." 


X  IN  TROD  UCTION. 

Shakespeare  only  reflects  a  prevalent  belief  of  his  time  when 
he  says : 

"  We  have  the  receipt  of  fern  seed  ;  we  walk  invisible." 

Others  allude  to  the  falling  of  the  seed  on  the  anniver- 
sary night  of  the  birth  of  John  the  Baptist.  The  old 
simplers  with  their  lively  imagination  were  impressed  by  the 
fancied  resemblances  of  some  parts  of  fern  growth  to  various 
organs  of  the  human  body,  and  introduced  them  into  their 
system  of  specifics.  Traces  of  their  influence  still  remain  in 
the  names  of  some  of  our  common  ferns,  as  spleenwort  and 
maidenhair. 

To  form  a  correct  understanding  of  ferns  we  must  study  the 
ferns  themselves  as  well  as  the  text-book,  as  it  is  only  by  direct 
contact  with  nature  that  we  gain  definite  and  satisfactory  informa- 
tion. The  text-book  is  useful  only  in  giving  directions  how  to 
investigate.  To  understand  thoroughly  an  animal  we  must  study 
its  habits  in  its  native  haunts.  To  know  its  structure  and  posi- 
tion in  the  animal  kingdom  we  must  carefully  dissect  a  large 
number  of  specimens,  and  study  the  development  of  the  individ- 
ual from  its  beginning.  In  like  manner,  to  understand  fully  a 
fern  we  must  search  where  nature  has  planted  it,  watch  it  as  it  un- 
coils from  the  bud,  matures,  produces  its  fruit,  and  finally  returns 
to  the  earth  ;  examine  it  with  needles  and  lenses,  and  discover 
its  minute  structure  and  its  life-history.  These  pages,  which 
aim  to  give  an  outline  of  the  forms  of  fern  growth,  the  methods 
of  fruiting,  the  germination  or  growth  from  the  spore,  and 
finally  the  more  minute  structure  of  the  entire  plant,  can  only 
be  thoroughly  understood  by  taking  the  ferns  in  hand  and 
studying  them  in  connection  with  the  text.  For  the  first  three 
chapters  and  the  determination  of  species  a  strong  pocket  lens 
and  a  few  needles  mounted  in  handles  for  dissection  will  furnish 
the  necessary  outfit.  Chapters  IV.  and  V.  will  require  a  com- 
pound microscope  with  its  appliances  for  successful  investiga- 
tion. Those  unused  to  such  an  instrument  will  need  special 
directions  in  regard  to  the  care  of  a  microscope  and  the  methods 
of  using  it.  Such  directions  will  be  found  in  the  laboratory 
guides  recommended  in  Chapter  X.  The  following  will  also  be 
useful  and  suggestive : 


INTRODUCTION.  Xi 

STOKES  (A.  C).    Microscopy  for  Beginners.    I2mo.   New  York, 

1887.    (Harper  &  Brothers.) 
BAUSCH  (Edward).      Manipulation  of  the  Microscope.      I2mo. 

Rochester,  N.  Y.,  1885.     (Bausch  &  Lomb  Optical  Co.) 

A  collection  of  the  native  ferns  of  the  country  is  interesting 
and  attractive.  Good  specimens  should  include  roots  so  as  to 
show  as  much  as  possible  of  the  method  of  growth.  They 
should  be  mounted  on  standard  herbarium  paper  sixteen  and 
one  half  by  eleven  and  one  half  inches. 

Let  no  one  imagine  that  the  study  of  ferns  will  be  an  easy 
one.  Patient  application  and  careful  observation  are  essential 
to  success,  yet  he  who  becomes  once  interested  in  the  work 
will  find  a  subject  that  deepens  in  interest  with  every  step,  and 
even  becomes  enchanting  as  he  seeks  to  determine  the  mysteri- 
ous processes  of  fern  development  and  the  marvels  of  fern 
structure. 


ABBREVIATIONS. 


ADANS M.  Adanson. 

AIT W.  Aiton. 

ANGS J.  Angstroem. 

BEAUV P.  de  Beauvais 

BERNH ..  J.  J.  Bernhardi. 

BIGEL J.  Bigelow. 

BRACK W.  D.  Brackenridge. 

A.  BR , . .  A.  Braun. 

R.  BR R.  Brown. 

BONG  Bongard. 

BRONG A.  Brongniart. 

CAV A.  J.  Cavanilles. 

CHAPM A.  W.  Chapman. 

DAV G.  E.  Davenport. 

DC A.  P.  DeCandolle. 

DESK R.  L.  Desfontaines. 

DESV N.  A.  Desvaux. 

EHRH F.  Ehrhart. 

ENDL S.  L.  Endlicher 

ENGELM G.  Engelmann. 

H.&A Hooker  and  Arnott. 

H.&G Hooker  and  Greville. 

HBK..Humboldt,  Bonpland  and  Kunth. 

HITCH E.  Hitchcock. 

HOFFM G.  F.  Hoffman. 

HOOK  W.  J.  Hooker. 

HUDS W.  Hudson. 

HUMB Baron  von  Humboldt 

Juss A.  L.  Jussieu 

KAULF  ... G.  F.  Kaulfuss. 

KOCH W.  D.  Koch. 

KUHL Kuhlewein. 

L C.  von  Linne  [Linnaeus]. 

LAM J.  B.  de  Lamarck. 

L'HER C.  L.  L'Heritier. 

LIEBM F.  Liebmann. 


LINDL J.  Lindley. 

LINN.  F C.  Linnaeus  (son). 

MART.  &  GALE... Martens  and  Galeotti. 

METT G.  Mettenius. 

MICHX  A.  Michaux. 

MUHL G.  H.  E.  Muhlenberg. 

NECK  N.  J.  Necker. 

NUTT T.  Nuttall. 

PLUM C.  Plumier. 

REICHENB H.  G.  L.  Reichenbach. 

RICH C.  L.  M.  Richard. 

SCHLEICH Schleicher. 

SCHREB J.  C.  D.  Schreber. 

SM J.  E.  Smith. 

J.  SM     J.  Smith. 

SPRENG K.  Sprengel. 

Swz  O.  Swartz. 

THUNB C.  P.  Thunberg. 

TOKR J.  Torrey. 

TUCKERM  E.  Tuckerman. 

UNDE L.  M.  Underwood. 

VAILI S.  Vaillant. 

VENT E.  P.  Ventenat. 

WALL N.  Wallich. 

WALLR  F.  W.  Wallroth. 

WALT T.  Walter. 

WILLD K.  L.  Willdenow. 

Gr Greek. 

Lat Latin. 

cm centimetre. 

mm millimetre. 

var variety. 

0 feet. 

' inches. 

"...  ..  lines. 


(xii) 


OUR  NATIVE  FERNS  AND  THEIR  ALLIES. 


CHAPTER   I. 
HAUNTS  AND   HABITS   OF   FERNS. 

Our  outward  life  requires  them  not, — 

Then  wherefore  had  they  birth  ? 
To  minister  delight  to  man, 

To  beautify  the  earth. 

— MARY  HOWITT. 

1.  General  Characters. — Our  native  ferns  comprise  plants 
varying  in  height  from  less  than  an  inch  to  six  or  seven  feet,  or 
even  more.  Some  are  stout  and  fleshy,  others  are  delicate  and 
even  filmy,  but  most  are  herbaceous,  resembling  ordinary 
flowering  plants  in  the  texture  of  their  foliage.  While  most 
would  be  recognized  as  ferns  by  even  a  novice,  a  few  differ  so 
widely  from  the  ordinary  typical  forms  that  to  an  unskilled  ob- 
server they  would  scarcely  be  considered  as  bearing  any  resem- 
blance to  ferns  whatever.  The  fronds  of  one  of  our  Florida 
species  resemble  narrow  blades  of  grass,  and  the  fertile  spikes 
of  another  from  New  Jersey  might  be  mistaken  for  a  diminutive 
species  of  sedge.  A  third  from  Alabama  would,  perhaps,  be 
called  a  moss  by  the  inexperienced,  while  the  "  Hartford  fern," 
found  from  New  England  to  Kentucky,  has  a  climbing  stem  and 
broad  palmate  leaves. 

When  we  add  to  these  peculiar  forms  of  our  own  country 
those  of  foreign  lands,  and  include  the  immense  tree  ferns  of 
tropical  regions,  we  find  our  early  conception  of  a  fern  inade- 
quate to  cover  this  diversity  of  forms.  Without  attempting  an 
accurate  definition  of  a  fern,  let  it  be  regarded  for  present  pur- 
i 


OUR 


THEIR  ALLIES. 


poses  as"  \a"  &bwgr!e&r  plant,*-  prbditemg  spores  instead  of  seeds, 
possessing  more  or  less  woody  tissue,  and  having  its  leaves 
coiled  in  the  bud  from  apex  to  base.  After  the  necessary  study 
of  the  structure  of  some  of  our  common  ferns,  we  will  be  able 
to  comprehend  the  more  technical  definition  found  later  in  the 
work. 

2.  Mode  of  Growth. — Ferns  vary  greatly  in  their  method 
of  growth,  yet  each  species  has  a  plan  which,  within  certain 
limits,  is  fixed  and  definite.     Some,  like  the  common   brake, 
have  their  fronds  rising  from  more  or  less  distant  portions  of 
the  creeping  rootstock.     Others,  like  Asplenium  trichomanes, 
are  tufted,  many  fronds  rising  irregularly  in  a  cluster ;  while  still 
others,  like  the  ostrich-fern  (Onoclea)  and  many  of  the  shield- 
ferns  (Dryopteris),  grow  in    crowns  or  circles,  the  later  fronds 
continually  rising  within   the  older  ones.     In   the  grape-ferns 
(Botrychiuni)  the  rootstocks  usually  produce  a  single  frond  each 
season,  the  bud  for  the  succeeding  year  growing  within  the  base 
of  the  common  stalk. 

3.  In  many  there  is  a  tendency  to  dimorphism,  the  fertile 
or  fruit-bearing  fronds  differing  to  a  greater  or  less  extent  from 
the  sterile  ones.     In  a  few  species,  like  the  sensitive-fern  and 
the  ostrich-fern  (Onoclea),  this  is  carried  so  far  that  the  sterile 
and  fertile  fronds  bear  no  resemblance  to  each  other,  and  in  one 
instance  have  been  mistaken  for  different  species,  and  so  de- 
scribed.    Osmunda  cmnamomea,.     Woodwardia    areolata,    Pel- 
Icea  Stelleri,  Cryptogramma,  and  Lomarza  otter  further  exam  pies 
of  this  principle  of  growth. 

4.  Variation. — The  same  species  will  often  present  wide 
differences  in  the  size  of  the  fronds.     This  depends  to  some  ex- 
tent on  the  character  of  the  soil  and  the  ordinary  climatic  con- 
ditions.    For  example,  the  lady-fern  (Asplentum  filtx-fcemina), 
which  in  ordinary  locations  grows  from  two  to  four  feet  high, 
in  mountainous  regions  is  sometimes  reduced  to  from  three  to 
six  inches,  when  it  forms  the  var.  exile.     In  like  manner  the 
marginal    shield-fern    (Dryopterts  marginalts),  usually  two  or 
three  feet  high,  is  reduced  to  five  inches  when  growing  on  rocky 
cliffs,  and  yet  regularly  produces  fruit.* 

*  Cf.  Bulletin  Torrey  Botanical  Club,  vi.  266  (Oct.  1878). 


HA  UNTS  AND  HABITS  OF  FERNS.  3 

5.  In  some  cases  there  is  a  tendency  to  variation  in  size 
that  cannot  be  referred  to  soil  or  climatic  influences.    The  com- 
mon grape-fern  (Botrychtum    Vtrginianuni)    will  be  found  in 
some  localities  to  vary  from  six  inches  to  two  feet  in  height,  all 
well  fruited  and  matured,  and  with  the  extreme  sizes  growing 
within  a  pace  of  each  other  in  the  same  soil  and  with  the  same 
environment.     The   other  species  of  the  same  genus  present 
similar  variations,  and  judging  from  size  and  external  appear- 
ance alone,  a  regular  gradation  of  forms  might  be  arranged  from 
the  most  diminutive  undivided  forms  of  B.  simplex  to  the  larg- 
est of  B.  Virginianum. 

6.  Another  tendency  to  variation  is  noticed  in  the  forking 
of  fronds  either  at  the  summit  or  at  the  ends  of  the  branches. 
The  hart's-tongue  (Scofapendrium)  is  frequently  forked  at  the 
summit,  the  walking-leaf  (Camptosorus)  less  commonly,  while 
the  same  tendency  is  noticed  in  various  compound  forms,  as 
Asplenium   angustifoltum,   Cheilanthes    lanosa,    Gymnogramme 
Ehrenbergiana,   Dicksonia,   Pellcea   atropurpurea,  and    others. 
Some  of  the  species  of  Botrychium  show  the  same  tendency, 
especially  in  their  fertile  segments.     It  is  probable  that  all  our 
species  will  be  found  to  fork  under  certain  conditions.     More 
definite  information  is  desirable  with  regard  to  many  species 
that  show  this  tendency,  as  it  doubtless  involves  the  question 
of  ancestry  of  existing  ferns. 

7.  In  those  species  whose  sterile  and  fertile  fronds  are  un- 
like, forms  often  appear  that  are  intermediate  between  the  ster- 
ile and  fertile  fronds,  and  sometimes  even  form  a  graded  series 
from  one  to  the  other.     This  is  especially  true  of  the  sensitive- 
fern  (Onocled)  and  the  cinnamon-fern  (Osmunda  cinnamomea), 
and  has  frequently  been   the  source  of  so-called  "varieties." 
Whether  this  variation  arises  from  some  peculiarity  of  environ- 
ment, or  from  some  inherent  tendency  to  reversion  toward  an 
older  form,  will  require  more  extended  observation  to  deter- 
mine.    One  of  the  varieties  of  Botrychinm  ternatum  seems  to 
have  been  founded  on  a  condition  which  is  intermediate  in 
structure  between  the  sterile  and  fertile  segments. 

8.  In  a  few  forms  there  is  an  apparent  mimicry,  one  species 
imitating  another  in  foliage  or  method  of  fruiting.     In  the  cin- 
namon-fern just  aDuded   to,  which   has    a    cinnamon-colored 


4          OUR  NATIVE  FERNS  AND    THEIR  ALLIES. 

sterile  frond  totally  unlike  the  fertile,  sterile  fronds  will  some- 
times be  found  which  are  fertile  at  the  apex — the  normal  method 
of  fruiting  in  the  royal  flowering-fern  (Osmunda  regalis) ;  and  in 
turn  the  royal  flowering-fern  is  sometimes  fertile  in  the  middle, 
in  imitation  of  Osmunda  Claytoniana. 

9.  Time  of  Fruiting. — The  time  of  maturing  fruit  is  dif- 
ferent among  different  species,  and  also  varies  with  geographi- 
cal location  and  proximity  to  tropical  climates.     In  the  Northern 
States  some  species  produce  their  fruit  as  early  as  May  (Osmunda 
cinnamomea),  and   others    as    late  as   September   (Lygodtuni), 
but  the  greater  number  are  best  studied  in  July  and  August. 
In  the  Northeastern  States,  where  the  two  species  of  Cystopterts 
abound  on  limestone  rocks,  C.  fragilis  matures  its  spores  and 
withers  in  June  or  July,  while  C.  bulbifera  reaches  its  maturity 
only  in  August  or  September.     In  semi-tropical  climates,  like 
Southern  California  and  the  Gulf  States,  the  time  of  fruiting  is 
often  earlier,  sometimes  occurring  in  February  or  March.    Some 
fronds  are  killed  by  the  early  frosts,  while  others,  like  the  Christ- 
mas-fern, are  evergreen,  and  may  be  gathered  in  midwinter. 

10.  Local  Distribution. — Ferns  are  largely  dependent  for 
successful  growth  on    the  amount  of  warmth,    moisture,  and 
shade  to  which  they  are  subjected,  and  we  would  naturally  ex- 
pect to  find  them  reaching  a  maximum  in  size  and  abundance  in 
warm  swamps  or  shady  marshes.     While  this  is  in  general  true, 
we  nevertheless  find  many  species  thriving  only  in  rocky  places, 
thrusting  their  roots  into  the  crevices  of  the  rocks  with  little 
earth  for  their  nourishment,  and  many  times  exposed  to  the 
scorching  rays  of  the  sun.     Of  necessity,  such  species  are  of 
comparatively  small  size,  and  likely  to  be  protected  in  some 
way  against  the  heat  of  the  sun,  and  provided  with  means  to 
retain  their  moisture  in   times  of   drought.     Others   still   are 
found  in  wet,  rocky  ravines,  often  where  moistened  by  the  spray 
of  cascades  or  waterfalls,  and  consequently  have  no  such  pro- 
vision against  the  heat  of  an  extended  summer.     Certain  others 
thrive  in  open  fields  that  are  comparatively  dry  and  unshaded. 
One  species  of  Southern  Florida  is  aquatic,  having  the  sterile 
fronds  floating  in  shallow  water.     A  few  species  are  epiphytic, 
or  grow  on  other  plants,  some  being  found  on  tree-trunks  to 
the  height  of  150  or  200  feet ! 


HAUNTS  AND  HABITS  OF  FERNS.  5 

So,  while  moisture,  warmth,  and  shade  in  abundance  are  the 
climatic  conditions  essential  to  promote  luxuriant  fern  growth, 
it  can  and  does  continue  when  any  or  all  these  conditions  are 
reduced  to  a  minimum. 

1  1 .  Ferns  may  then  be  sought  in  any  of  the  following  situa- 
tions, and  it  will  be  seen  that  each  situation  has  its  charac- 
teristic species : 

A.  Wet  swamps  or  marshes  with  or  without  abundant  shade. 

B.  Rich  woods,  more  or  less  moist. 

C.  Uncultivated  open  places  and  dry  hillsides. 

D.  Moist,  rocky  ravines  or  rocky  places  not  subject  to  sum- 
mer drought. 

E.  Exposed  rocky  cliffs. 

F.  Standing  water. 

G.  Growing  on  other  plants.     (Epiphytic.) 

1  2.  In  the  first  location  mentioned  above,  we  may  find  the 
chain-ferns  (  Woodivardia),  many  of  the  spleenworts  (Aspleniuni), 
a  few  of  the  shield-ferns  (Dryopferis),\.\\zftowzr'mg-ierns(psmun- 
da),  as  well  as  the  genera  Acrostichum,  Onoclea,  etc.  These  in- 
clude some  of  our  largest  and  coarsest  ferns.  A  few  more  deli- 
cate in  structure  are  also  found  here,  notably  the  dainty  Phegop- 
teris  dryopteris. 

\  3.  In  the  second  we  find  a  few  spleenworts,  most  of  the 
shield-ferns,  the  beech-ferns  (Phegopterts),  most  of  the  grape- 
ferns  (Botrychiuni),  the  maidenhair  {Adiantum),  the  Dtcksonta, 
and  some  others.  In  this  situation  we  find  the  finest  develop- 
ment of  foliage  and  the  greatest  artistic  finish  among  all  the  ferns. 

1  4.  In  uncultivated  places  and  on  rocky  hillsides  we  often 
find  the  common  bracken  or  brake  (Pterts  aquilind),  and  the 
lady-fern  (Asplenium  filix-fcemtnd),  though  these  are  by  no 
means  confined  to  these  locations,  the  latter  growing  quite  fre- 
quently in  moist  woods,  and  even  in  cold,  wet  swamps.  Many 
other  ferns  are  found  occasionally  in  openings  of  the  forest  or 
recent  clearings,  where  they  maintain  a  sickly  existence,  some- 
times for  a  series  of  years.  In  such  locations  ferns  often  be- 
come contracted  and  abnormal  in  growth,  and  take  on  a  faded 
yellow  hue  from  their  exposure  to  the  open  sunshine. 

1  5.  In  moist  ravines  and  on  rocky  banks  the  bladder-ferns 
(Cystopterts)  may  be  found,  with  the  peculiar  walking-leaf 


O          OUR  NATIVE  FERNS  AND    THEIR  ALLIES 

(Camptosorus),  the  rare  hart's-tongue  (Scolopendrtum)*  and 
many  of  the  smaller  spleenworts.  The  long,  pendent  fronds 
of  Cystopteris  bulbifera  add  greatly  to  the  beauty  of  our 
natural  ravines,  and  often  serve  to  conceal  the  uncouth 
rocks,  or  at  least  draw  the  attention  to  that  which  is  more  deli- 
cate and  artistic.  On  dripping  rocks,  or  where  the  sides  of 
ravines  are  kept  continually  moist  by  the  spray  of  waterfalls, 
such  delicate  pellucid  ferns  as  the  filmy-fern  (Trichomanes)  and 
Pellcea  Stelleri  may  be  sought.  There  seems  to  be  a  direct 
connection  between  the  environment  and  the  texture  of  the 
fern.  The  last  two  mentioned  grow  in  very  damp  situations, 
and  are  pellucid  and  almost  membranous.  Cystopteris  in  some- 
what drier  situations  is  thinly  herbaceous,  while  Asplenium 
trichomanes  and  Camptosorus,  requiring  less  moisture,  are  more 
firm,  and  form  the  transition  to  the  next  group. 

1  6.  On  dry  cliffs  we  may  look  for  the  various  species  of 
Woodsia,  the  cloak-ferns  (Nothclcend),  the  lip-ferns  (Cheilanthes), 
and  the  cliff-brakes  (Pellcza).  Many  of  these  are  firm  and  even 
leathery  in  texture,  and  others  are  thickly  covered  on  one  or 
both  sides  with  tangled  hair  or  scales,  fitting  them  to  survive 
long  periods  of  drought. 

1  7.  Only  one  of  our  native  species  is  strictly  aquatic,  the 
anomalous  Ceratopteris  thalictroidcs  found  in  Southern  Florida, 
though  Acrostichum  aureum  is  often  found  with  its  rhizoma 
rising  from  the  water  of  salt  marshes.  Osmunda  regalis  is  oc- 
casionally found  in  standing  water  several  inches  deep,  though 
this  is  not  usual. 

1  8.  Among  the  epiphytic  ferns  are  several  species  of  Poly- 
podium,  P.  polypodioides,  P.  Scoulert,  and  P.  aureum,  the 
last  always  being  associated  with  the  cabbage-palmetto  (Sabal 
palmetto).  Vittaria,  Tcenitis,  and  Nephrolepis  are  also  of  this 
class,  and  are  frequently  pendent  from  the  same  plant,  though 
occasionally  found  on  other  tree-trunks.  Ophioglossum  pal- 
matum,  another  peculiar  tropical  fern-ally,  belongs  to  the  same 

*  This  rare  fern  seems  to  show  a  decided  preference  for  limestone  rocks, 
and  thus  far  has  been  found  only  above  the  geological  formation  known  as 
the  Corniferous  limestone.  I  believe  a  thorough  search  for  this  fern  along 
the  outcrops  of  the  formation  in  Central  New  York  and  elsewhere  would  show 
a  wider  distribution  than  is  at  present  attributed  to  this  species. 


HAUNTS  AND  HABITS   OF  FERNS.  J 

list.  Even  in  the  streets  of  Southern  cities,  Polypodium  poly- 
podioides  is  often  seen  growing  with  various  mosses  well  up 
on  the  trunks  of  shade-trees.  It  is  only  in  tropical  regions, 
however,  that  epiphytes  are  seen  in  profusion. 

1  9.  These  principles  of  climatic  distribution  are  necessarily 
modified  by  the  geographic  range  of  species,  which  must  be 
considered  in  this  connection.  For  example,  Dryopteris  spinu- 
losa  or  its  varieties  form  the  leading  foliage  ferns  of  Northern 
New  England  and  New  York,  while  Dicksonia,  less  common  in 
those  localities,  largely  replaces  them  from  Connecticut  south- 
ward. This  subject  will  be  more  fully  discussed  in  a  later 
chapter. 

LITERATURE. 

Most  of  the  American  literature  bearing  on  this  subject  is  in 
the  form  of  short  notes  which  have  appeared  from  time  to  time 
in  our  two  botanical  monthlies;*  a  classified  summary  appears 
below : 

HABITS. — Botanical  Gazette,  I,  2 ;  II,  100 ;  in,  82  ;  IV,  140, 177, 
232 ;  v,  27,  30,  43,  48;  vi,  161,  295  ;  vii,  86. 

DIMORPHISM. —  Torrey  Bulletin,  vm,  101, 109 ;  IX,  6  ;  xin,  62. 

FORKING  FRONDS. — Botanical  Gazette,  \,  50;  n,  80;  111,39; 
vi,  220;  vm,  242. — Torrey  Bulletin,  vn,  26,  85;  IX,  116,  129; 
x,  4. 

RELATIVE  ABUNDANCE  : — 

DAVENPORT  (George  E.).  A  Bit  of  Fern  History.  In 
Botanical  Gazette,  VII,  60-64  (May,  1882). 

CULTIVATION  : — 

JACKSON  (Robert  T.).  Cultivation  of  Native  Ferns.  In 
Garden  and  Forest,  I,  317,  318;  330,  331;  340-342;  352-354 
(Aug.-Sept.  1888). 

ROBINSON  (John).  Ferns  in  their  Homes  and  Ours.  I2mo, 
illustrated.  Salem,  1878.  A  valuable  outline  of  fern  cultiva- 
tion, indispensable  to  those  desiring  to  undertake  the  cultivation 
of  ferns  either  in  conservatories  or  Wardian  cases. 

SMITH  (John).  Ferns,  British  and  Foreign,  8vo.  Lon- 
don, 1879. 

*  The  Botanical  Gazette  (Bloomington,  Ind.)  and  the  Bulletin  of  the 
Torrey  Botanical  Club  (Columbia  College,  New  York).  Students  of  ferns 
should  have  these  journals  on  file  to  enable  them  to  appreciate  the  botanical 
activity  of  the  country. 


O  OUR  NATIVE  FERNS  AND    THEIR  ALLIES. 

CHAPTER  II. 

THE  ORGANS   OF  THE  GROWING    FERN. 

Pour  bien  savoir  une  chose,  il  faut  en  savoir  les  details. 

— LA  ROCHEFOUCAULD. 

20.  EVERY  one  familiar  with  the  forest  and  its  products 
must  have  seen  the  young  ferns  unrolling  from  the  bud  in  spring 
and  early  summer.     It  will  be  noticed  that  the  fronds  are  coiled 
from  the  apex  to  the  base,  and  form  crosiers,  so  called  from  their 
resemblance  to  the  head  of  a  bishop's  staff.     This  method  of 
vernation  is  called  ctrcinate,  and  is  rarely  found  except  among 
ferns.     In  the  grape-ferns  and  adder-tongues  the  vernation  is 
straight  or  merely  inclined,  thus  approximating  that  of  ordinary 
flowering  plants. 

2 1 .  Rootstock. — Ferns   usually   spring    from   an    under- 
ground  stem   called   the  rootstock.      This   may  be  simple  or 
branched,  smooth  or  scaly,  horizontal,  oblique,  or  even  vertical. 
In  some  ferns  it  is  fine  and  hairlike,  while  in  others  it  is  very 
large  and  stout.     In  some  cases  the  rootstock  creeps  at  the  sur- 
face of  the  ground  and  even  rises  above  it,  as  in  the  variety  of 
Dryopteris  contermina  which     grows  in   Florida.     In  the  tree 
ferns  of  warmer  climates  it  often  forms  a  trunk  fifty  feet  high, 
bearing  the  fronds  at  the  summit,  when  it  takes  the  name  of 
caudex. 

22.  Frond. — The  aerial   portion  consists  essentially  of  a 
leaf-stalk  and  blade;   the  former  is  technically  called  the  stipf, 
and  the  latter  the  frond.     Though  these  are  usually  distinct 
from  each  other  in  appearance,  the  stipe  is  sometimes  wanting, 
and  in  others  no  distinction  can  be  made  between  them.     Both 
stipe  and  frond,  or  either  one,  may  be  glabrous  (smooth),  pubes- 
cent (softly  hairy),  hairy,  woolly,  or  scaly ;  when  the  scales  are 
small  and  somewhat  appressed,  the  surface  is  said  to  be  squa- 
mous.      The   careful    discrimination    of    these    hairy   or  scaly 
appendages  becomes  a  matter  of  importance  in  distinguishing 
many  of  the  species  of  Gheilanthes.     Jn  a  few  of  our  native  ferns 


THE   ORGANS  OF   THE   GROWING  FERN.  9 

the  under  surface  is  covered  with  a  white  or  yellow  powder 
bearing  some  resemblance  to  flour  or  corn  starch.  For  this 
reason  a  surface  of  this  character  is  ca\\cA  farznac&ms.  Such  is 
the  California  gold-fern  or  "  golden  back"  (Gymnogramme  trian- 
gularis\  and  several  of  the  cloak-ferns  (Notholcend),  and  such 
are  the  various  gold  and  silver  ferns  of  conservatories,  including 
some  of  the  richest  and  most  beautiful  in  the  world. 

23.  The  frond  may  be  simple,  when  it  consists  of  a  single 
undivided  leaf,  as  in  Scolopendrium  or  Camptosorns  ;  or  compound, 
when  it  is  divided  into  segments.     The  exquisite  delicacy  and 
the  extent  to  which  this  dividing  is  carried  in  some  ferns  deter- 
mines largely  their  aesthetic  value. 

The  continuation  of  the  stipe  through  a  simple  frond  is  called 
\\utmutuein;  through  a  compound  frond  is  called  the  rachis, 
and  is  further  distinguished  as  primary  when  the  frond  is  much 
compounded.  A  frond  is  entire  when  the  margin  forms  an 
unbroken  line;  when  so  cut  as  to  form  lobes  extending  half 
way  or  more  to  the  midvein  it  is  called  pinnatifid ;  when  these 
incisions  extend  fully  to  the  midvein  the  frond  is  said  to  be 
simply  pinnate,  and  the  divisions  are  called  pinna.  When  the 
pinnae  are  cut  into  lobes  the  frond  is  bipinnatifid  and  the  lobes 
are  called  segments,  and  when  these  extend  to  the  secondary 
midveins  it  is  bipinnate  and  the  divisions  are  called  pinnules. 
The  secondary  midvein  then  becomes  a  secondary  rachis.  In 
like  manner  we  may  have  ferns  that  are  tripinnatifid  &n&  tripin- 
nate,  quadripinnatifid  and  quadripinnate.  The  last  lobes  are 
designated  ultimate  segments,  and  the  last  complete  divisions 
ultimate  pinnules.  All  these  various  forms  from  entire  to  quad- 
ripinnate  are  abundantly  represented  among  our  native  ferns. 

24.  In  some  pinnate  fronds,  as  in  the  oak-fern  {Phcgopteris 
dryopteris),  the  lower  pair  of   pinnae    is  greatly  enlarged  and 
more  compound  than  those  above,  so  that  the  stipe  appears  to 
form  three  branches  bearing  similar  and  nearly  equal  portions. 
Fronds  of  this  character  are  usually  triangular  or  pentagonal  in 
outline,  and  this  method  of  branching  is  called  ternate.     It  wil' 
be  readily  seen  that  this  is  merely  a  modified  form  of  the  ordi- 
nary pinnate  frond.     Throughout  the  domain  of  nature  there  is 
infinite  variety  of  form  and  structure,  and  at  the  same  time  unity 
in  plan  and  conformity  to  a  few  generalized  types. 


10        OUR  NATIVE  FERNS  AND    THEIR  ALLIES. 

25.  Venation. — The  method  of  veining  admits  of  great 
variation,  often  serving  to  distinguish  species,  and  more  especi- 
ally the  sections  of  the  various  genera.  In  some  ferns,  like  most 
shield-ferns  (Dryopteris), the  veins  are  free — that  is,  arising  from 
either  side  of  the  midvein  they  do  not  unite  with  any  other  vein. 
In  some  of  these  the  vein  is  simple  (not  branched),  in  others 
variously  forked.  In  many  the  veins  repeatedly  anastomose 
or  unite  together,  forming  a  series  of  network  or  areolce.  This 
may  be  somewhat  irregular,  as  in  Onoclea  ;  or  forming  a  single 
row  of  areolae  next  to  the  midvein  and  thence  free  to  the  margin, 
as  in  Woodwardia  Virgmica  ;  or  forming  many  uniform  areolae 
by  the  parallel  transverse  veinlets  connecting  the  distinct  and 
parallel  primary  veins,  as  in  Polypodium  phyllitidis.  In  case 
the  venation  does  not  appear  when  examined  by  reflected  light, 
it  may  be  brought  out  clearly  by  holding  the  frond  between  the 
observer  and  the  light,  and  then  using  a  lens  if  necessary.  A 
few  fleshy  species  require  dissection  to  show  the  veins. 


CHAPTER   III. 
FRUCTIFICATION   IN   FERNS. 

"  But  on  St.  John's  mysterious  night, 

Sacred  to  many  a  wizard  spell, 
The  hour  when  first  to  human  sight 
Confest,  the  mystic  fern -seed  fell." 

26.    Spores  and    Sporangia.  —  In    the   flowering   plants 

(SPERMAPHYTES)  there  is  a 
manifest  sexual  reproduction, 
the  ovules  in  the  female  organs 
(pistils)  being  fertilized  by  the 
pollen  produced  by  the  stamens, 
thus  giving  rise  to  the  embryo 

ric.  i. — Enlarged  section   through  a  J 

sorus  of  Polyfodium  falcatum  Kellogg,  of  the  new  plant.  The  Ferns, 
showing  the  stalked  sporangia.  ,  , 

on    the   contrary,  produce    no 

flowers.  Instead  of  seeds  developed  from  fertilized  ovules, 
minute  spores  are  produced  asexual ly,  from  which  new  ferns  are 
developed  by  a  peculiar  process  of  germination  very  unlike  that 


FRUCTIFICATION  IN  FERNS.  I* 

of  flowering  plants.  These  spores  are  collected  in  little  sacs 
known  as  sporangia  or  spore  cases.  The  sporangia  in  the  true 
ferns  (POLYPODIACE^E)  are  collected  in  little  clusters  on  the 
back  of  the  frond,  or  are  variously  arranged  in  lines  along  the 
veins  or  around  the  margins  (Fig.  i).  These  clusters  of  spo- 
rangia are  called  sort,  and  may  be  naked,  as  in  Polypodium,  or 
provided  with  a  special  covering  known  as  the  indusium,  as  in 
Dryopteris  (Fig.  8).  The  various  forms  of  the 
sori  and  indusia  serve  as  the  basis  for  classifica- 
tion into  genera  and  tribes,  while  each  sub-order 
has  its  peculiar  form  of  sporangia. 

27.  In  the  POLYPODIACE^E  the  sporangia 
are  more  or  less  completely  surrounded  with  a 
jointed  vertical  ring  or  annulus,  and  at  maturity 
burst  open  transversely  by  the  straightening  of 
the  annulus  and  discharge  their  copious  spores 
(Fig.  2).     The  clusters  of  sporangia  are  said  to 
be  marginal,  intramarginal,  or  dorsal,  according 
as   they   have   their  position  at  the  margin  or 

more   or   less   remote   from    it.     Thev   may  be      Fic.a.— Sporan- 

gium    of    Polypo- 

roundish,  oblong,  or  linear  in  shape,  or  arranged  dium  vnigare,  L.t 
in  variously  forking  lines,  or  may  even  be  spread  spores^'Suich'en- 
in  a  stratum  over  the  entire  under  surface  of  the  lar&ed- 
frond.  They  are  called  indusiate  or  non-indusiate  according  as 
they  are  covered  or  naked ;  and  the  indusia  may  be  inferior  (at- 
tached below  the  sorus),  as  in  Woodsia  (Fig.  9),  or  superior,  as 
\n  Dryopteris  ($\v.  8),  or  of  various  intermediate  methods  of  at- 
tachment. 

28.  In   the   other    sub- 
orders of   FiLlCES  the  spo- 
rangia    are     variously     ar- 
ranged.    In    the    HYMENO- 
PHYLLACE^E    or   filmy   ferns 
the   flattened   sporangia  are 

sessile  along  a  filiform  recep-  T,.FlG'  31  ,  FlG-  4* 

Fig.  3.— Enlarged  sessile  sporangium 
tacle,      and       are      Surrounded  Of  Trichomanes  radicans  Swz. 

with  a  complete  transverse         3Ifti*ESX3tf£  %£&&. 

annulus.     At    maturity  they          Much  enlarged. 

open  vertically  (Fig.  3).     In   the  SCHIZ^EACE^E   the  sporangia 


12        OUR  NATIVE  FERNS  AND    THEIR  ALLIES. 

are  ovate,  surrounded  at  the  apex  by  a  complete  annulus,  and 
open  by  a  longitudinal  slit  (Fig.  4).  In  the  OSMUNDACE^E  or 
flowering  ferns  the  sporangia  are  larger,  globose,  and  naked,  with 
the  mere  trace  of  a  transverse  annulus,  and  open  longitudinally. 
The  various  methods  of  fructification  can  be  best  understood 
by  describing  the  peculiarities  of  the  various  genera  in  regular 
succession  and  noting  the  variations  occurring  in  the  sections 
or  sub-genera.  By  this  means  we  will  arrive  at  a  better  under- 
standing of  the  principles  of  fern  classification  as  discussed  in  a 
future  chapter.  As  the  subject  of  venation  is  closely  connected 
with  that  of  fructification,  it  will  be  treated  in  the  same  connec- 
tion. 

29.  Acrostichum. — In  this  genus  the  sporangia  are  spread 
in  a  stratum  over  the  under  surface  of  the  upper  pinnae  in  our 
solitary  species,  but  in  some  exotics  they  cover  portions  of  the 
upper  surface  as  well.     There  is  no  indusium. 

30.  Polypodium   (Fig.  i). — This  genus  contains  the  larg- 
est number  of  existing  ferns,  and  though  all  the  species  agree 
in  the  roundish  naked  sori,  the  venation  is  widely  different  in 
the  various  sections,  which  are  chiefly  formed  on  the  character 
of  the  veins.     Four  of  the  five  sections  are  represented  in  our 
nine  species. 

In  §  EUPOLYPODIUM  the  veins  are  free,  yet  are  occasionally 
known  to  unite,*  thus  indicating  a  tendency  to  vary  toward  the 
next  section.  The  sori  are  generally  found  at  the  end  of  a  free 
veinlet. 

In  §  GONIOPHLEBIUM  the  veins  unite  near  the  margin,  form- 
ing large  areolae,  each  containing  a  single  free  veinlet  which 
bears  the  sorus  at  its  end.  A  tendency  to  variation  is  seen  in 
P.  polypodioides,  whose  veins  are  free,  as  well  as  in  /*.  Caltfor- 
nicum  in  which  they  are  often  partly  free. 

In  §  PHLEBODIUM  the  veins  form  ample  areolae  in  a  row 
next  the  midvein,  and  frequently  in  one  or  more  secondary  rows, 
each  bearing  a  single  sorus  at  the  junction  of  two  or  more  vein- 
lets.  A  large  number,  however,  bear  the  sori  at  the  end  of  a 
single  veinlet.  From  the  fertile  areolse  to  the  margin  the  veins 
anastomose  more  copiously. 

*  Catalogue  of  the  Davenport  Herbarium,  p.  8. 


FRUCTIFICATION  IN  FERNS.  13 

In  §  CAMPYLONEURON  the  areolae,  each  usually  bearing  two 
sori,  are  found  between  the  parallel  primary  veins  which  extend 
from  the  midrib  to  the  margin. 

31.  Gymnogramme  —  In    this  genus  the  sori  follow  the 
course  of  the  veins,  and  consequently  vary  with  the  venation, 
being  simple,  forked,  pinnated,  or  anastomose  with  each  other. 
The  sori  are  non-indusiate. 

32.  Notholsena.  —  In  the  cloak-ferns  the  sori  are  marginal, 
and  provided  with  no  indusia.     This  genus  is  linked  very  closely 
to  Gymnogramme  on  one  hand  and  to  some  species  of  Chei- 
lanthes  on  the  other.     From  the  latter  it  is  separable  only  by  the 
absence  of  the  marginal  indusium;  the  two  are  likely  to  be  con- 
founded by  beginners. 

33.  Tsenitis  has  simple  fronds,  and  the  fructification  in  a 
continuous  sub-marginal  line  near  the  apex  of  the  frond. 

34.  Vittaria.  —  This  peculiar  genus  occupies  a  somewhat  in- 
termediate position  between  the  indusiate  and    non-indusiate 
genera,  and  while  usually  associated  with  the  latter  has  consid- 
erable claim  to  be  ranked  with  the  former.     The  fronds  are  nar- 
row and  grass  like,  bearing  the  sporangia  in  an  intramarginal 
groove,  often  more  or  less  covered  by  the  inrolled  edge  of  the 
frond.     The  venation  is  very  obscure. 

35.  Adiantum  (Fig.  5).  —  The  maidenhairs  have  a  peculiarly 
smooth    foliage,  and   usually    possess    no 

midvein.  The  veins  are  usually  flabellate, 
and  after  forking  one  or  more  times  bear 
the  sori  at  their  extremities.  The  margin 
of  the  frond  is  reflexed,  thus  forming  an 
indusium  which  bears  the  sporangia  on  its 
under  surface.  F'G.  s--A  segment  of 

Aatantum,    snowing    the 

36.  Pteris    (rig.    6).  —  In    this    genus,  sori    covered    by    indusia 


which   includes    the   common    brake,  the  n  -ro 

otherwise  free  veins  are  united  by  a  fili-  Le  Maout  and  Decaisne- 
form  receptacle  which  bears  the  sporangia.     This  continuous 
marginal  line  of  fructification  is  covered  by  a  membranous  in- 
dusium formed  of  the  margin  of  the  frond. 

37.    Cheilanthes.  —  The  lip-ferns  found  within   our  limits 
are  unequally  divided  among  four  sections,  all  agreeing  in  bear- 


14        OUR  NATIVE  FERNS  AND    THEIR  ALLIES. 

ing  the  sori  at  or  near  the  ends  of  the  veins,  covered  by   an  in- 
dicium formed  of  the  margin  of  the  frond. 

In  §  ADIANTOPSIS  the  indusia 
are  distinct,  and  confined  to  a 
single  veinlet.  One  of  our  species 
varies  from  the  typical  species  of 
this  section,  and  has  even  been 
assigned  to  a  separate  genus. 

In  §EuCHEiLANTHEStheindu- 
longifolia  L.    En-  sia  are  more  or  less  confluent  but 

larged  segment  of  pinna,  showing  the  .  ..  ,. 

vein-like  receptacle  under  the  mtrgi-  not  Continuous,  usually  extending 

nai  indusium.  over  the  apices  of  several  veinlets. 

In  §  PHYSAPTERIS  the  ultimate  segments  are  bead- like,  and 
the  indusium  is  continuous  all  round  the  margin. 

§  ALEURITOPTERIS  has  the  fronds  farinose  below,  and  in- 
cludes a  single  species  somewhat  doubtfully  assigned  to  cur 
limits. 

38.  Cryptogramma  has  dimorphous  fronds,  the  margins 
of  the  fertile  being  closely  rolled  toward  the  midvein,  thus  cov- 
ering the  confluent  sori.     At  maturity  these  open  flat  in  order 
to  discharge  the  spores. 

39.  Pellaea  has  representatives  of  three   sections  within 
our  limits,  all  agreeing  in  possessing  intramarginal  sori,  which 
finally  became  confluent  and  form  a  marginal  line  covered  by 
an  indusium  formed  of  the  margin  of  the  frond. 

§  CHEILOPLECTON  includes  herbaceous  species  with  visible 
veins  and  broad  indusia. 

§  ALLOSORUS  includes  coriaceous  species  having  wide 
indusia,  while  §  PLATYLOMA  includes  species  similar  in  texture, 
but  with  extremely  narrow  indusia  and  broad  segments. 

40.  Ceratopteris  is    an    anomalous  genus  from  southern 
Florida,  having  a  few  sori  arranged  on  two  or  three  veins  par- 
allel to  the  midvein,  and  covered  by  the  broadly  reflexed  margin 
of  the  frond. 

41.  Lomaria  (Fig.  7)  stands  intermediate  between  those 
genera,  in  which  there  is  an   indusium  formed  of  the  revolute 
margin  of  the  frond  and  those  in  which  the  indusium  is  remote 
from  the  margin.     Our  single  species  has  dimorphous  fronds, 
free  veins,  and  the  fructification  in  a  broad  band  next  the  mid- 


FRUCTIFICATION  IN  FERNS.  1 5 

vein,  covered  by  a  continuous  and  distinctly  intramarginal  indu- 
sium.     This  genus  closely  resembles  the 
next  in  general  habit,  and  is  sometimes 
united  with  it. 

42.  Blechnum. — In  this  genus  the 
sori  are  linear  and  near  the  midvein,  and 
are  covered  by  a  membranous  indusium 
which  is  fixed  at  its  outer  margin,  burst- 
ing at   its   inner  margin  when  the  spo- 
rangia are  mature.     A  single  representa- 

0  FIG.  7. — Lomarza  spicant 

tlVC  IS  found  Within  OUr  limits.  Desv.    Enlarged    section    of 

„,,  .        the  contracted  fertile    pinna, 

43.  Woodwardia. —  1  hree  Species  showing  intramarginal  indu- 

of  chain-ferns  occur  within  our  limits,  sium* 
and  each  represents  a  distinct  section  based  on  the  methods 
of  venation.  All  have  oblong  or  linear  sori  more  or  less 
sunken  in  the  frond,  covered  by  special  lid-like  indusia  burst- 
ing at  their  inner  margins,  and  arranged  in  chainlike  rows  near 
the  midvein,  thus  giving  the  popular  name  to  the  genus. 

§  EUWOODWARDIA  has  uniform  fronds  and  veins  forming  at 
least  one  series  of  areolae  between  the  sori  and  the  margin. 

§  ANCHISTEA  has  also  uniform  fronds,  but  with  free  veins 
from  the  sori  to  the  margin  while  §  LORINSERIA  has  dimor- 
phous fronds,  and  the  veins  everywhere  uniting  to  form  areolae, 
as  in  the  sensitive- fern  (Onoclea  sensibilis). 

44.  Asplenium. — The    numerous   species  of  spleenvvorts 
are  closely  related  to  each  other  in  their  methods  of  fructifica- 
tion, but  differ  widely  in  the  form,  texture,  and  cutting  of  their 
fronds.     The  sori  are  placed  on  the  upper  side  of  an  oblique 
vein  (sometimes  crossing  it  in  §  ATHYRIUM),  and  covered  by  an 
indusium  of  the  same  shape  attached  by  its  edge  to  the  fruiting 
vein  and  opening  toward  the  midvein.     In  some  species  part 
of  the  indusia  are  double.     The  veins  are  free  in  all  our  species. 
In  §  EUASPLENIUM  the  sori  are  straight  or  slightly  curved ;  in 
§  ATHYRIUM  they  are  often  curved,  even  horseshoe  shaped  ; 
and  frequently  cross  to  the  outer  side  of  the  fruiting  vein. 

45.  Scolopendrium  bears   the   linear   sori    in    pairs,  one 
from  the  upper  side  of  a  veinlet  and  its  mate  from  the  lower 
side  of  the  next.     The  indusia  are  attached  by  their  edges  to 
the  veins,  and  folding  toward  each  other  appear  like  a  double 


l6        OUR  NATIVE  FERNS  AND    THEIR  ALLIES. 

indusium  covering  a  single  sorus.  The  veins  extend  nearly  at 
right  angles  to  the  midvein,  are  free,  and  usually  forked. 

46.  Camptosorus. — The  walking-leaf  has  oblong  or  linear 
indusiate  sori,  which  are  irregularly  scattered  and  borne  partly 
on  veins  parallel  to  the  midvein,  and  partly  on  those  that  are 
oblique.     Those  near  the  midvein  are  single,  those  toward  the 
margin  are  often  approximate  in  pairs  and  often  form  crooked 
lines.     The  veins  are  everywhere  copiously  reticulated. 

47.  Phegopteris. — In  this  genus  the  sori  are  round  and 
naked  as  in  Polypodium,  with  which  this  genus   is   sometimes 
united.     The  sporangia  spring  from  the  back  of  the  veins  in- 
stead of  the  apex,  as  in  the  latter  genus,  and  the  veins  are  free 
except  in  the  §  GONIOPTERIS,  in  which  they  are  more  or  less 
united. 

48.  Dryopteris  is  largely  represented  in  our  limits  by  two 
well-marked  sections,  which  are  sometimes  regarded  as  distinct 

genera,  and  two  others  with  characters  scarcely 
less  distinct,  containing  each  a  single  species 
In  all  the  sori  are  roundish,  and  borne  on  the 
back  of  the  veins  or  rarely  at  their  apex.  In 
§  NEPHRODIUM  the  indusium  is  cordato-reni- 
form  or  orbicular  with  a  narrow  sinus.  This  at 
first  covers  the  sorus  and  is  attached  by  its  mar. 
gin,  but  later  bursts  away  at  the  margin  but  re- 
mains attached  at  the  sinus.  In  some  species 
in  this  section  the  indusium  becomes  shrivelled 
p.  TT  .  before  the  fruit  matures,  and  in  this  condition 

r  IG.    5.  —  Under  , 

sideof  a  fertile  seg- might  be  mistaken  for  a  non-indusiate  species 

mem  of  Dryopteris   /p.-         a^ 
filix  -  mas,        with  I*  '£•  °)- 

fndisium!'  Magn"  In  §  P°LYSTICHUM  the  indusium  is -orbicular 
fied.  (After  Sachs.)  and  peltate,  being  fixed  by  the  centre  ;  the  veins 
are  free,  as  in  §  NEPHRODIUM. 

In  §  CYRTOMIUM  the  indusium  is  the  same  as  in  §  POLYS- 
TICHUM, but  the  veins  tend  to  unite  near  the  margin,  while  in 
§  ASPIDIUM  the  veins  anastomose  copiously. 

49.  Nephrolepis  has  roundish  sori  borne  at  the  apex  of 
the  upper  branch  of  a  free  vein,  near  the  margin  of  the  frond. 
The  indusia  are  usually  reniform,  fixed  by  the  sinus  or  base,  and 
open  toward  the  margins  of  the  pinnae. 

50.  Cystopteris.— The  bladder-ferns   take   their   popular 


FR  UCTIFICA  TION  IN  FERNS.  1 7 

name  from  the  delicate,  hood-like  indusium  which  is  attached 
by  its  broad  base  on  the  inner  side  of  the  roundish  sorus  and 
partly  under  it.  Later  this  is  thrown  back  and  withers  away. 
The  veins  are  free,  and  the  fronds  have  the  aspect  of  species  of 
Dryopteris,  but  are  usually  more  delicate  in  texture. 

5  1 .  Onoclea. — This  genus  contains  two  quite  dissimilar 
species,  which  until  recently  have  been  separated  into  two 
genera  by  American  botanists.  Both  have  dimorphous  fronds, 
the  margin  of  the  contracted  fertile  frond  being  strongly  revo- 
lute,  and  concealing  the  fruit.  O.  struthiopteris  has  necklace- 
shaped  pinnae,  crowded  confluent  sori,  and  free  and  simple 
veins.  O.  sensibilis  has  panicled  berry-shaped  pinnules  and  co- 
piously anastomosing  veins. 

52.  Woodsia  (Fig.  9)  lias  round- 
ish sori  borne  on  the  back  of  the 
veins,  with  the  indusia  attached  be- 
neath the  sporangia  and  flat  and  open, 
or  early  bursting  at  the  top  into  ir- 
regular laciniae  or  lobes.  In  §  Eu- 
WOODSIA the  indusia  are  flat  and  open  FIG  ^—Woodsia  obtusa 
from  an  early  stage,  with  their  cleft  ^uie^hSg  venaS  and' 
and  ciliate  margins  concealed  under  inferior  indusia. 
the  sori.  In  §  HYPOPELTIS  the  indusium  is  more  conspicuous 
and  encloses  the  sporangium  at  first,  but  soon  bursts  at  the  top, 
forming  several  jagged  lobes. 

53.  Dicksonia. — In  this  genus  the  small  globular  sorus  is 
borne  in  an  elevated,  globular  receptacle,  and  enclosed  in  an  in- 
ferior, membranous,  cup-shaped  indusium.  The  veins  are  al- 
ways free. 

54-.  Trichomanes  (Fig.  10)  has 
sessile  sporangia  borne  on  a  filiform 
receptacle  at  the  summit  of  a  vein. 
The  indusia  are  tubular  or  funnel- 
shaped,  with  an  expanded  and  often 
somewhat  two-lipped  mouth. 

55.  Lygodium. —  In  our  species 
of  climbing-fern  the  fructification  is  FlG-  ™.— Trichomanes  radi- 

cans  Swz.      Enlarged   section, 

borne  on  contracted,  forked  pinnules  showing  method  of  fructifica- 
occupying  the  upper  portion  of  the 

frond.     The   ovoid   sporangia  are   solitary  or   occasionally    in 
2 


1 8        OUR  NATIVE  FERNS  AND    THEIR  ALLIES. 

pairs,  and  are  borne  in  the  axils  of  the  large,  imbricated,  scale- 
like  indusia  which  are  fixed  by  their  bases  to  short,  oblique 
veinlets. 

56.  Anemia. — In  this  genus  the  two  lowest  branches  of 
the  frond  bear  panicles  of  fruit  at  the  end  of  very  long  stalks. 
The  ovate  sporangia  are  sessile  in  two  rows  along 
the  branchlets  of  the  panicle,  without^,  special 
covering  of  any  kind.  In  the  section  represented 
by  our  species  the  veins  are  free. 

57.  Schizaea. — In  this  genus  the  large  ovoid 
sporangia  are  sessile  in  double  rows  along  the 
single  vein  of  the  narrow  fertile  divisions.     In 
our  species  the  pairs  of  fertile  pinnae  form  a  dis- 
tichous spike  (Fig.  u). 

58.  Osmunda  has  the  large   globose  spo- 
rangia, short-stalked,  and   borne    on   the   con- 
tracted fertile  portions  of  the  frond.     In  the  cin- 
namon-fern (O.  cinnamomea)  the  fertile  fronds 
are  entirely  distinct  from  the   sterile,  yet  mani- 
festing a  tendency  to  variation  in  the  uar.  fron- 
dosa.      In    the    interrupted    flowering-fern    (p. 
Claytontana)   the  fructification  is  confined  to  a 
few  of  the  middle  pinnae  of  the   frond.     In  the 
royal   flowering- fern   (O.  regalis)   the   fructifica- 
tion is  borne  at  the  apex  of  the  fronds. 

59.  Spores. — The  spores  of  ferns  constitute 
the  fruit  proper.     A  spore  consists  of  two*  dis- 
tinct closed   sacs  and   the  cell   contents,  all  of 
which  differ  from  each  other  not  only  in  struc- 
ture, but  also  in    chemical    composition.     The 

FIG  ii  —  Sckizcea  ou^er  ^ayer  (exospore)  consists  chiefly  of  cellu- 
fiusiiia       Pursh.  lose  ;  the  inner  layer  (endospore)  contains  some 

Entire  plant,   nat- 
ural size.  albuminous  matter   in    addition,  while  the  cell 

contents  consist  chiefly  of  a  thin,  colorless,  jelly-like  substance 
known  as  protoplasm,  with  grains  of  chlorophyll  (the  green 

*  Campbell  has  recently  demonstrated  the  existence  of  a  third  (middle) 
layer,  which  is  not  readily  apparent  until  after  germination.  Cf.  Memoirs 
Boston  Soc.  Nat.  History,  iv,  17  et  seq.  (April,  1887). 


GERMINATION  OF  FERN  SPORES.  1 9 

coloring  matter  of  plants),  starch,  and  oil.  The  exospore  may 
be  smooth  or  roughened  by  points,  granules,  warts,  or  prickles. 
The  shape  varies  with  different  species,  yet  all  are  rounded,  and 
most  are  oblong  or  at  least  longer  than  broad.  All  are  micro- 
scopic, and  many  are  of  such  a  shape  that  they  do  not  appear 
uniform  owing  to  the  various  directions  from  which  we  view 
them. 

6O.  The  number  of  spores  produced  by  a  single  fern  is  in- 
credible. Lindley  calculated  that  a  single  frond  of  Scolopen- 
drtum  produced  about  80  sori,  with  an  average  of  4500  sporan- 
gia in  each  sorus,  and  each  sporangium  containing  50  spores, 
making  a  total  of  18,000,000  spores.  The  copious  green  spores 
of  Osmunda  ctnnamomea,  or  the  pale-yellow,  powdery  spores  of 
a  well-developed  specimen  of  Botrychium  Virginianum,  must 
far  exceed  this  computation.  By  drying  either  of  these  species 
under  pressure  between  sheets  of  paper  great  quantities  of  the 
spores  may  be  obtained  for  examination.  Specimens  for  this 
purpose  should  be  selected  just  before  the  sporangia  reach 
their  maturity. 


CHAPTER  IV. 
GERMINATION   OF   FERN  SPORES. 

Alle  Glieder  bilden  sich  aus  nach  ew'gen  Gesetzen, 

Und  die  seltenste  Form  bewahrt  im  Geheimniss  das  Urbild. 

-GOETHE. 

61 .  THE  germination  of  the  fern  spores  usually  takes  place 
a  considerable  time  after  they  are  discharged  from  the  sporangia, 
but  in  Osmunda,  which  develops  its  fruit  early  in  the  season, 
they  commence  their  growth  only  a  few  days  after  dissemination. 

62.  Thalloid  Phase.— In  germination  the  exospore  splits 
along  the  side,  and  the  protruding  endospore,  sometimes  with 
its  divisions  already  formed  by  septa  or  partitions,  forms,  not 
a  fern,  but  a  thalloid  structure  resembling   one  of  the  lower 


20        OUR  NATIVE  FERNS  AND    THEIR  ALLIES. 


liverworts  called  the  prothallium.  Different  ferns  vary  in  the 
method  of  forming  this  prothallium,  some  producing  it  im- 

mediately at  the  spore  and  others 
after  the  formation  of  a  thread- 
like growth  known  as  the  pro- 
embryo.  The  prothallium  is  en- 
tirely composed  of  cellular  tissue, 
and  in  the  true  ferns  (POLYPO- 
DIACE^E)  is  broadly  cordate  or  reni- 
form  in  shape,  and  bears  large 
numbers  of  root-hairs  from  the 
under  part  of  its  posterior  portion 
(Figs.  12,  13). 

The  prothallium  varies  in  size 
from  less   than   one  tenth   of  an 
inch  up  to  one   third   of  an   inch 
stages  of  growth.    (After  Moore.)        jn  ks  widest   part.     On  the   under 

surface  of  the  prothallium  two  sorts  of  organs  are  produced 
analogous  to  the  stamens  and  pistils  of  the  SPERMAPHYTES, 
respectively  known  as  antheridta  and  archegonia.  The  position 
of  these  organs  on  the  prothallium  varies  in  different  sub-orders. 
In  some  species,  notably  the  ostrich-fern,  the  two  kinds  of  sex- 
ual organs  are  produced  on  separate  prothallia,  so  that  the  plant 
becomes  dioecious  instead  of  monoecious.  Analogous  cases  are 
familiar  to  all  among  flowering  plants  like  the  willows,  poplars, 
and  box  elders  (dioecious),  and  begonias  and  melons  (monoe- 
cious). 

63.  Antheridia.  —  These  are  small  masses  of  tissue  developed 
in  the  same  manner  as  the  root-hairs,  consisting  of  a  single 
layer  of  cells  forming  the  wall,  and  containing  a  number  of 
spirally  coiled  threads,  usually  with  a  number  of  cilia  on  their 
anterior  coils.  At  maturity  the  antheridium  swells  by  the  ab- 
sorption of  water  and  finally  bursts  its  wall,  discharging  these 
coiled  filaments,  which  possess  the  power  of  locomotion,  and  for 
this  reason  are  called  antherozoids.  These  antherozoids  often 
drag  with  them  a  little  vesicle  which  seems  to  play  no  part  in 
the  process  of  reproduction  (Fig.  14). 

64.  Archegonia.  —  The  archegonium  (sometimes  called 
pistillidium)  is  also  a  rounded  mass  of  tissue  usually  less  prom- 


GERMINATION   OF  FERN  SPORES. 


21 


inent  than  the  antheridia,  consisting  of  an  external  layer  of 
cells  and  a  large  central  cell,  which  soon  divides  into  two.  The 
lower  portion,  at  first  the  larger,  develops  into  a  roundish  cell, 
which  is  analogous  to  the  ovule  of  flowering  plants,  and  is  called 
the  oosphere.  The  upper  portion  of  the  central  cell  develops 
between  those  composing  the  neck  of  the  archegonium  into  a 
canal  filled  with  a  sort  of  mucilage;  this  finally  swells  up,  forces 
the  cells  of  the  neck  apart,  and  is  expelled  to  aid  in  attracting 


FIG.  14. — Antheridium  of  Adiantum  FIG.  15. — Young  archegonium  of  Pteris 
capillus-veneris  L.,  showing  the  es-  serrulata.  Linn,  f.,  showing  oosphere, 
caping  antherozoids.  (After  Sachs.)  neck,  and  canal-cell.  (After  Sachs.) 


and  retaining  the  antherozoids  at  the  neck  of  the  archegonium. 
The  oosphere  is  thus  left  exposed  (Fig.  1 5). 

65.  Fertilization. — The  antherozoids,  analogous  to  the 
oollen  of  flowers,  when  discharged  from  the  antheridium  swim 
in  the  moisture  always  present  on  the  under  surface  of  the 
prothallium,  swarm  in  large  numbers  around  the  neck  of  the 
archegonium,  and  are  retained  by  the  mucilage.  Some  finally 
force  their  way  into  the  canal  of  the  neck,  a  few  reaching  the 
oosphere  and  disappearing  within  its  substance.  There  is  thus 
a  true  sexual  generation  among  ferns,  and  the  formerly  appro- 
priate term  Cryptogamta  (hidden  marriage)  loses  its  application 
under  the  untiring  scrutiny  of  the  microscopist.  After  fertili- 
zation the  neck  of  the  archegonium  closes,  and  the  fertilized 


22         OUR  NATIVE  FERNS  AND    THEIR   ALLIES. 


oosphere,  now  called  the  oospore,  increases  in  size,  and  finally 

develops  into  a  true  fern. 

66.  Pteridoid  Phase. — After  the  oo- 
sphere has  been  fertilized  it  commences  its 
growth  by  the  ordinary  processes  of  cell 
multiplication,  and  for  a  time  remains  with- 
in the  walls  of  the  archegonium,  which 
continue  to  grow,  until  finally  the  interior 
growth  breaks  through  the  walls,  differen- 
tiated into  its  first  root  and  leaf.  The  young 
fern  draws  its  nourishment  from  the  pro- 
thallium  for  a  time,  but  soon  develops 
root-hairs,  which,  extending  into  the  soil, 
maintain  thereby  an  existence  independent 
of  the  prothallium.  The  latter  growth  hav- 
FIG.  16  —Adiantum  ing  accomplished  its  work,  withers  away 

F|-  >6-  The  first  arts  of  the  root' stem 


seen  from    below;  pp.   anci  frond  are  very  small  and  comparatively 

prothallium:   b.  first  leaf; 

h,  root-hairs  of  prothai-  simple  in  structure,  but  those  formed  later 
seUcondWVo^ts.firsUfter  are  successively  larger,  and  not  only  bear 


Sachs.) 


a  closer  resemblance  to  the  mature  form 


of  the  species,  but  also  develop  increased  complexity  of  struc- 
ture. "  The  fern  continues  to  gain  strength,  not  by  subsequent 
increase  of  size  of  the  embryonic  structures,  but  by  each  succes- 
sive part  attaining  a  more  considerable  size  and  development 
than  the  preceding  ones,  until  at  length  a  kind  of  stationary 
condition  is  arrived  at,  in  which  the  newly  formed  organs  are 
nearly  similar  to  the  preceding  ones." 

67.  The  complete  life-history  of  a  fern  illustrates  a  principle 
common  among  the  lower  forms  of'animal  life  known  as  "alter- 
nation of  generations."     Instead  of  the  direct  production  of  a 
mature  sexual  plant,  as  among  the  higher  forms  of  vegetation, 
there  is  the  production  of  a  sexual  growth  resembling  a  lower 
form  of  vegetation,  which  in  turn  is  followed  by  the  growth  of 
a  mature  plant  producing  its  fruit  without  the  assistance  of  sex- 
ual organs. 

68.  Recapitulation. — To  review  the  life-history  of  a  fern 
we  find  the  following  processes  ; 


GERMINATION  OF  FERN  SPORES.  2$ 

A.  Production  of  the  spores  asexually  by  the  mature  plant. 

(FRUCTIFICATION.) 

B.  Growth  of  the  prothallium  from  the  spore  with  or  with- 
out the  development  of  a  pro-embryo.     (THALLOID  PHASE.)* 

C.  Production  of  sexual  organs,  archegonia  (female)  and 
antheridia  (male),  on  the  under  surface  of  the  prothallium,  or 
on  separate  prothallia. 

D.  Fecundation  of  the  oosphere  developed  in  the  arche- 
gonium  by  the  antherozoids  developed   in   the  antheridium. 
(  FERTI  LIZ  ATION.) 

E.  Growth   of  the  mature  fern  in  successive  stages  from 
the  oospore.     (PTERIDOID  PHASE.)* 

LITERATURE. 

BESSEY  (Charles  E.).  Botany,  pp.  361-388.  New  York, 
1881.  (Henry  Holt  &  Co.) 

GOEBEL  (K.).  Outlines  of  Classification  and  Special  Mor- 
phology of  Plants,  pp  189-298.  (English  Translation.)  Ox- 
ford, 1887.  (Macmillan  &  Co.) 

CAMPBELL  (Douglas  H.).  Fern  Notes.  In  Tor rey  Bulletin, 
x,  118,  119.  (Nov.  1883.) 

The  Development  of  the  Prothallia  in  Ferns.  In  Botan- 
ical Gazette,  x,  355-360,  with  Plate  IX.  (Oct.  1885.) 

The  Structure  and  Development  of  the  Mosses  and 

Ferns.  8vo.  London  and  New  Y"rk,  1895.  (Macmillan  &  Co.) 
This  also  contains  an  extensive  Bibliography  of  the  entire  subject. 

*  The  terms  "  Thalloid  Phase"  and  "  Pteridoid  Phase"  in  place  of  the 
older  terms  "  sexual  generation"  and  "asexual  generation"  were  first  sug- 
gested in  the  first  edition  of  this  work  (1881).  The  older  terms,  although  in 
common  use  .by  botanical  writers,  are  decidedly  unfortunate  and  misleading. 
A  generation  is  properly  the  production  of  offspring  resembling  the  parent, 
or  the  offspring  thus  produced,  which  the  prothallium  is  not  and  the  mature 
fern  is  not.  The  generation  proper  must  then  be  considered  as  including  the 
entire  life-history  of  a  fern,  of  which  the  prothallium  and  mature  fern  are  suc- 
cessive phases.  The  terms  "sexual  "  and  "asexual"  as  used  in  this  connec- 
tion are  likewise  misleading,  as  they  might  apply  as  well  to  the  origin  as  to 
the  producing  power  of  the  so-called  "  generation."  The  prothallium  is  asex- 
ual in  origin,  but  develops  sexual  organs  ;  the  mature  fern,  on  the  other  hand, 
produces  no  sexual  organs,  but  is  itself  the  product  of  bisexuality.  The  same 
criticism  applies  with  equal  force  to  the  expression  "  alternation  of  genera- 
tions," used  alike  by  botanists  and  zoologists. 


24        OUR   NATIVE  FERNS  AND    THEIR  ALLIES. 

CAMPBELL  (Douglas  H.).  On  the  Development  of  the 
Anthcridium  in  Ferns.  In  Torrey  Bulletin,  xm,  49-52,  with 
Plate  LIV.  (Apr.  1886.) 

The    Development   of   the   Ostrich  fern.     /;/  Memoirs 

Boston  Society  of  Natural  History,  iv,  17-52,  with  Plates  iv- 
vn.     (Apr.  1887.) 

—  On  the  Prothallium  and  Embryo  of  Osmunda  Clay- 
toniana  L.  and  O.  cinnamomea  L.  In  Annals  of  Botany,  vi, 
49-94,  pi.  lll-vi  (1892). 


CHAPTER   V. 
FERN   STRUCTURE. 

Be  it  ours  to  meditate, 

And  to  the  beautiful  order  of  thy  works 
Learn  to  conform  the  order  of  our  lives. 

—BRYANT. 

69.  Tissues. — The  life-history  of  every  plant  commences 
in  a  single  cell,  and  all  the  complications  of  vegetable  growth 
depend  on  two  simple  processes,  viz.,  the  enlargement  of  indi- 
vidual cells  to  their  full  size,  and  their  multiplication  by  divi- 
sion.    The  lowest  forms  of  vegetable  life  consist  of  a  single 
cell,  either  globular  or  elongate.     Those  of  a  somewhat  higher 
grade  consist  of  a  single  row  of  cells,  or  at  most  a  single  layer; 
while   still  higher  forms  of  growth    consist  of  m:-isses  of  cells 
variously  grouped  together  and   specialized  by  differentiation 
from  the  typical  form  and  character. 

70.  Cells  become  specialized  or  set  apart  to  fulfil  a  certain 
function  in  the  economy  of  plant  growth  in  many  ways.     Some 
are  lengthened  for  giving  strength  to  stems  or  leaves;   some 
have  their  walls  thickened  to  give  rigidity  or  hardness  where 
protection  is  needed  from  injury  to  more  delicate  structures 
within ;  and  some  are  variously  adapted  for  containing  and  dis- 
tributing the  secretions  or  other  fluids  connected  with  the  cir- 
culatory system  of  plant  life.     Seven  distinct  varieties  of  tissues 
are  recognized  by  structural  botanists,  yet  some  of  these  are 
connected  with  each  other  by  various  gradations. 


FERN  STRUCTURE.  2$ 

71.  Tissue  Systems. — The  earliest  tendency  to  differen- 
tiation of  cells  is  seen  in  the  arrangement  of  the  outer  row  of 
cells  to  form  a  boundary  wall.     In  higher  forms  of  growth  the 
interior  cells  tend  to  form  one  or  more  series  of  string-like  rows 
surrounded  by  the  normal  cellular  tissue.     We  thus  reach  the 
basis  of  the  classification  of  vegetable  tissues  into  three  groups  : 
(a)  Epidermal  Syste.n.      (b)  Ftbro  vascular  System.       (c)  Fun- 
damental  System  (Fig.  17).     The  first  and  third  are  common 
to  both  ferns  and  mosses.     The  second  is  first  seen  in  the  ferns 
and  their  allies,  where  it  is  a  character  so  constant  that  it  serves 
as  the  basis  for  separating  the  so-called  "  vascular"  cryptogams 
from  other  flowerless  plants.     These  three  forms  of  tissue  may 
be  seen  by  examining  a  thin  cross-section  of  the  stipe  of  a  living 
fern  with  the  microscope.     Longitudinal  sections  will  show  still 
further  the  character  of  the  tissues  composing  the  fibro-vascular 
bundle. 

72.  Roots. — Roots  are  constantly  produced  as  the  root- 
stock  advances,  and  consist  for  the  most  part  of  little  fibrils 
which  are  naked  for  a  short  distance  from  the  apex  in  order 
that  they  may  freely  absorb  moisture  from  the  earth.     The  epi- 
dermis is  also  thin,  and  usually  consists  of  a  single  layer  of  small 
cells.     It  differs  from  that  of  the  rest  of  the  plant  in  having  no 
stomata  (77).     As  the  apex  continues  to  grow,  the  epidermis  of 
the  part  behind  becomes  harder,  and  frequently  develops  hairs, 
or  more  frequently  irregular  scales. 

73.  Stipe. — The  stipe  is  made  up  of  the  three  forms  of 
tissue  (Fig.  17),  and  usually  con- 
tains several  bundles  of  vascular 

tissue.  In  the  dried  stipe  these 
can  be  easily  seen,  by  scraping  off 
the  external  covering  of  the  stem. 
These  bundles  of  fibres  give  sta- 
bility to  the  fern,  and  are  con- 
tinued through  the  rachises  and 
veins,  thus  forming  the  frame- 

0  FIG.  17. — Cross-section  of  stipe  of 

Work    for    the    Softer    portions    of     Cystopteris  fra^ilis  Bernh.,  showing 
,       ,          ,       ~,  .  two  bundles  of  fibro-vascular  tissue. 

the  frond.     Tne  stipes  are  some- 
times smooth   and    polished,   sometimes  hairy  or  beset   with 
stalked  glands,  and  sometimes  densely  clothed,  especially  near 
the  base,  with  chaffy  scales. 


26        OUR  NATIVE  FERNS  AND    THEIR  ALLIES. 

74.  Frond. — In  the  H YMENOPHYLLACE^E  the  frond  con- 
sists of  a  single  layer  of  cells.     This  condition  is  also  found  in 
the   leaves  developed   along  the  axis  of  growth  among  the 
mosses  to  which  this  sub-order  is  related  in  some  of  its  forms. 
In  all  other  rerns  there  are  several  layers  of  cells  variously 
compacted  together,  and  forming  all  the  varieties  of    texture 
— membranous,  herbaceous,  coriaceous   and   fleshy.     The   epi- 
dermis is  usually  easily  separable  from  the  underlying  tissue, 
when  its  peculiar  markings  can  be  studied. 

75.  From  the  epidermis  a  great  variety  of  appendages  are 
developed  which  are  all  modifications  of  hairs,  and  are  all  in- 
cluded under  the  term  trichomes,  however  different  in  appear- 
ance or  distinct  in  function.     These   are  not  confined  to  the 
frond,  but  develop  here  their  greatest  variation.     They  are  fre- 
quently found  on  the  roots,  the  rootstock,  and  the  stipe,  under 
the  form  of  root-hairs  or  scales  of  various  forms.     Scales  are 
especially  abundant  in  certain  forms  of  Dryopteris,  as  well  as  in 
Scolopendrium,  Cheilanthes,  and  other  genera. 

76.  Trichomes. — On  the  fronds  the  trichomes  may  be  de- 
veloped as  simple  unarticulated  or  articulated  hairs,  consisting 
of  one   or  two  cell3  at  most.     They  may  appear  as   stalked 
glands   like   those   that    arise    from   the    stipe    of    Cheilanthes 
Coopera  or  the  margin  of  t  e  indusium  of  Dryopteris  spinulosa, 
var,  intermedia  ;  or  they  may  be  developed   into  scales  of  in- 
tricate cellular  structure  like  those  on  the  under  surface  of  cer- 
tain forms  of  Cheilanthes,  particularly  C.  Fendleri  and   C.  Cleve- 
landii.     Among  the  FILICES  the  sporangia  are  specialized,  tri- 
chomes developed  in  clusters  (sort)  along  the  veins,  or  spread 
over  the  entire  surface  of  the  frond,  or  even  arranged  in  spikes 
or    panicles.      The    epidermis  also    develops   an   excrescence 
known  as  the  indusium,  which  consists  of  a  single  layer  of  cells, 
and  is  variously  arranged  as  indicated  in  Chapter  III.     In  some 
cases  a  false  indusium  is  provided,  which  is  not  a  growth  from 
the  epidermis,  and  may  consist  of  several  layers  of  cells. 

77.  Stomata. — If  the  epidermis  covering  the  under  surface 
of  a  fern  be  examined  under  a  high  magnifying  power,  peculiar 
structures  will  be  seen  in  the  form  of  semi-elliptical  or  crescent- 
shaped   cells  connected  at  their  apices  and  separated  between. 
These  are  the  guard-cells  of  stomata  which  control  the  open- 


FERN  STRUCTURE.  2? 

ings  to  the  air-chambers  of  the  plant.  The  two  elliptical  cells 
form  the  mouth  of  the  passage  and  expand  when  moist,  allow- 
ing the  atmospheric  gases  and  watery  vapor  to  escape  or  enter 
but  close  the  entrance  by  contraction  in  time  of  drought.  The 
stomata  are  not  confined  to  the  fronds,  but  are  found  to  a 
greater  or  less  extent  on  all  aerial  portions  of  ferns  and  higher 
plants,  as  well  as  on  subterranean  stems. 

78.  Asexual  Reproduction. — Besides  the  ordinary  meth- 
ods of  sexual  reproduction  discussed  in  Chapter  IV.,  most  ferns 
are  propagated  by  growth  of  the  rootstock  under  ground,  giving 
rise  to  a  succession  of  fronds  each  season.     In  addition  to  this, 
which  is  common  to  all  perennial  plants,  there  are  some  meth- 
ods of  reproduction  that  deserve  attention.     The  first  is  by 

79.  Buds  and  Bulblets. — In  a  few  species  of  conservatory 
ferns  adventitious   buds  are   produced  on  the  surfaces  of  the 
fronds.     These  soon  develop  into  young  ferns,  and  it  is  not  un- 
common to  see  a  large  number  in  vari- 
ous stages  of  growth  rising  from  a  sin- 
gle frond.     This  peculiarity  is  common 

among  several  species  of  Asplenium, 
especially  A.  furcatum  Thunb.,  and 
will  be  sometimes  found  to  occur  among 
some  of  our  native  species.  Bulblets  are 
found  in  the  axils  of  the  upper  pinnae  of 
Cystopteris  bulbifera,  which  often  fall  to 
the  ground  and  develop  into  new  plants 
after  a  manner  analogous  to  the  devel- 
opment of  the  axillary  buds  of  the  tiger- 
lily. 

SO.  Another  method  is  seen  in  the 
walking-leaf  (Camptosorus  rhisophyllus), 
in  which  the  long,  attenuated,  simple 
fronds  bend  over  and  take  root  in  the 
adjoining  soil  in  a  manner  quite  analo-  ?\G  \%— Camptosorus rhi- 

zophyllus      Link.,    reduced, 

<;ous  to  the  propagation  of  strawberries    showing  peculiar  method  of 
by  runners  (Fig.  18).   The  same  method    propd^atlon- 
of    rooting   at    the  apex  has  also  been  noticed    in  Asplenium 
pinnatifidum,  A.  platy neuron,  and  P/ifgopteris  reptans. 


28        OUR  NATIVE  FERNS  AND    THEIR  ALLIES. 


LITERATURE.* 

BESSEY.    Botany.    (See  p.  23.) 

GOEBEL.     Outlines  of  Classification.    (See  p.  23.) 

DE  BARY  (A.).  Comparative  Anatomy  of  Phanerogams 
and  Ferns.  8vo.  Oxford,  1884.  (Macmillan  &  Co.) 

CAMPBELL  (Douglas  H.).  A  Third  Coat  in  the  Spores  of  the 
Genus  Onoclea.  In  Torrey  Bulletin,  XI I,  8,  9  (Jan.  1885). 

SCHRENK  (Joseph).  The  Dehiscence  of  Fern  Sporangia. 
In  Torrey  Bulletin,  XIII,  68,  69  (1886). 

LYON  (Florence  May).  Dehiscence  of  the  Sporangium  of 
Adiantum  pedatum.  In  Torrey  Bulletin,  XIV,  180-183  (Sept. 
1887). 

ATKINSON  (George  F.).  The  Study  of  the  Biology  of  Ferns 
by  the  Collodion  Method.  8vo.  New  York,  1894.  (Macmillan 
&Co.) 


CHAPTER   VI. 

THE    FERN    ALLIES. 

Beneath  my  feet 
The  ground-pine  curled  its  pretty  wreath. — EMERSON. 

A.    THE  GRAPE-FERNS  AND   ADDER-TONGUES. 

81 .  General  Characters. — These  peculiar  plants,  former- 
ly united  with  the  order  FILICES,  are  now  regarded  as  consti- 
tuting a  distinct  botanical  order.     They  include  mostly  small, 
fleshy,  terrestrial  plants,  and,  like  ferns,  may  usually  be  found 
in  swamps  or  rich,  moist  woods.     As  already  noticed  (5),  there 
is  a  marked  tendency  to  variation  in  the  same  species,  and 
numerous  varieties   have   been   established    from   the   various 
forms. 

82.  The  sterile  and  fertile  portions  of  the  plant  are  borne 
on   a  common   stalk,  and  either   portion  may  be  sessile,  long 

*  See  other  references  at  close  of  Chapter  X. 


THE  FERN  ALLIES 


or  short  stalked,  in  the  various  species.  In  Ophioglossum 
the  sterile  portion  is  simple,  and 
in  all  our  species  except  the  anoma- 
lous O.  palmatum  appears  like  a  sin- 
gle leaf  borne  on  the  common  stalk. 
In  Botrychium  (Fig.  19)  the  sterile 
segment  (except  in  some  forms  of 
B.  simplex)  is  somewhat  pinnately  or 
ternately  divided,  and  in  the  larger 
forms  of  B.  Virginianum  is  broad- 
ly ternate,  with  the  divisions  even 
tri— quadripinnatifid.  The  veins  are 
free  in  the  latter  genus,  but  anas- 
tomose in  the  former.  This  charac- 
ter, however,  is  frequently  obscured 
by  the  fleshy  texture  of  the  plant. 

83.  Vernation.— As  has  been 
before  stated,  ferns  are  rolled  in  the 
bud  from  the  apex  downward  (cir- 
cinate),  distinguishing  them  from 
the  higher  forms  of  vegetation. 
Among  the  OPHIOGLOSSACE^E,  how- 
ever, the  vernation  is  either  straight, 
inclined  at  the  apex  of  one  or  both 
segments,  or  else  the  fertile  seg- 
ments are  folded  on  the  main  stalk, 
making  the  vernation  wholly  in- 
clined. Until  recently  there  has  been 
much  difficulty  in  distinguishing  the 
smaller  species  of  Botrychium,  and 
some  forms  seem  to  connect  the 
smaller  ones  with  the  reduced  forms 
of  B.  ternatum  and  B.  Virgini- 
an um, 

Mr.  Davenport  has  investigated  the  bud  characters  of  these 
intimately  related  species,  and  has  made  their  identification  a 
matter  of  comparatively  easy  investigation.  The  buds  may  be 
found  enclosed  in  the  base  of  the  common  stalk  (except  in  B. 
Virginianum,  where  they  are  placed  in  an  upright  cavity  at  one 


FIG.    19. — Plant  of   Botrychium 
lunaria,  natural  size. 


30      OUR  NATIVE  FERNS  AND  THEIR  ALLIES. 

side),  and  may  be  examined  with  a  strong  lens.  The  three  di- 
visions are  summed  up  as  follows  : 

"I.  Vernation  wholly  straight.     B.  simplex  Hitch.  (Fig.  31). 

II.  Vernation  partly  inclined  in  one  or  both  portions.     B. 
lunar ta   Swz.   (Fig.  32),  B.  boreale  Milde,  B.  matricartcpfoliitin 

A.  Br.  (Fig.  33),  and  B.  ternatum  Swz.  (Fig.  34). 

III.  Vernation  wholly  inclined,  in  the  fertile  frond  recurved. 

B.  lanceolatum  Angs.  (Fig.  35),  a»nd  B.  Virginianum  Swz." 
The  special  characters  of  each  species  will  be  found  under 

the  descriptions  of  the  Botrychia  later  in  this  work.  The  cuts 
will  be  valuable  for  reference,  and  will  enable  even  beginners  to 
identify  the  species  of  this  complicated  genus  with  compara- 
tively little  difficulty. 

84.    Fructification. — In    this    order     of 
plants  the  fructification  consists  of  sporangia, 
which,  unlike  those  of  the  true  ferns,  are  not 
reticulated,  possess  no  trace  of  a  ring,  open  by 
a  transverse  slit,  and  are  variously  spiked  and 
panicled    (Fig.    20).      In     the     adder-tongues 
(Ophioglossu)ii)  the  sporangia  are   large,  and 
cohere  in  two  ranks  along  the  margins  of  a 
single  spike,  opening  transversely  to  discharge 
their  copious  sulphur-yellow  spores.     In  the 
grape -ferns    (Botrychiuni)    the   sporangia    are 
FIG.  20.— Enlarged  globular  and  arranged    in  double  rows  along 
r£/«™gia  °tefS2Sm  the  narrow  segments,  more  or  less  in  panicles. 
Swz.  jn  both  genera  the  sporangia  are  not  developed 

from  the  epidermal  cells,  but  arise  from  a  transformation  of  the 
interior  tissue  of  the  leaf.  This,  with  other  characters  as  clear- 
ly defined,  serves  to  separate  these  anomalous  plants  from  the 
order  FILICES. 

85.  Germination. — Among  the  OPHIOGLOSSACE^E.  so  far 
as  known,  the  prothallia  are  destitute  of  chlorophyll,  develop 
under  ground,  and  are  monoecious.  In  Botrychium  lunaria 
the  prothallium  is  an  ovoid  mass  of  cellular  tissue,  light  brown 
without  and  yellowish  white  within.  It  produces  a  number  of 
antheridia  and  archegonia  on  the  upper  surface  as  well  as  the 
lower,  differing  in  a  few  minor  points  from  the  true  ferns  in  the 
method  of  their  development. 


THE  FERN  ALLIES.  31 

LITERATURE. 

HOOKER  (W.  J.)  and  BAKER  (J.  G.).  Synopsis  Filicum,  pp. 
444-448. 

MILDE  (J.)-  Botrychiorum  Monographia.  In  Verhandl.  der 
k.k.  zool.  bot.  Gesellschaft,w\\\,  507-516  (1868);  XIX,  55-19°, 
Tafel  vii,  vin  (1869);  xx,  999-1002  (1870). 

DAVENPORT  (George  E.).  Notes  on  Botrychium  simplex. 
4to,  paper,  with  plates  (1877). 

— Vernation  in  Botrychia.  In  Torrey  Bulletin,  VI,  193- 
199,  plate  (1878);  vii,  115,116  (1880);  vin,  loo,  101  (1881).  Cf. 
also  XII,  22,  23. 

CAMPBELL  (Douglas  H.).  The  Development  of  the  Root  in 
Botrychium  ternatum.  In  Botanical  Gazette,  XI,  49~53>  witn 
plate  (March,  1886). 

A  Method  of  Spore  Germination.  In  Botanical  Ga- 
zette, x,  428  (1885). 

GILBERT  (Benjamin  D.).  Notes  on  Botrychia.  In  Torrey 
Bulletin,  xi,  75,  76  Quly,  1884).  Cf.  XII,  22,  23. 

PRANTL  (K.).  Beitrage  zur  Systematik  der  Ophioglosseen. 
Injahrb.  des  Kon.  Bot.  Garten  {Berlin),  III,  297-350  (1884). 

B.    THE   HORSE-TAILS. 

86.  General  Characters. — The  horse-tails  or  scouring- 
rushes  belonging  to  the  genus  Equisetum  are  perennial,  rush- 
like  plants,  that  may  be  found  in  damp,  gravelly,  or  loamy  soil, 
some  species  even  growing  in  shallow  water.  Our  native  species 
vary  in  height  from  a  few  inches  up  to  eleven  feet,  as  seen 
in  some  of  the  larger  forms  of  E.  robustum.  In  some  species 
only  the  root  is  perennial,  the  stems  which  are  sent  up  for 
producing  fruit  dying  down  to  the  ground  every  year.  In  others 
the  stems  are  evergreen,  continuing  through  the  winter.  Some 
species,  like  the  common  horse-tail  (E.  arvense),  are  dimorph- 
ous, the  fertile  stems  being  simple  and  destitute  of  green  color- 
ing matter  (chlorophyll),  while  the  sterile  stems  are  green 
and  copiously  branched,  The  fertile  stems  of  some  other  spe- 
cies, as  E.  silvaticum,  which  are  simple  at  first,  after  maturing 
their  fruit  produce  branches  and  resemble  the  ordinary  sterile 
stems  (Figs.  21,  22). 


32         OUR  NATIVE  FERNS  AND    THEIR  ALLIES. 


87.  The  furrowed  stems  are  hollow,  except  in  E.  scirpoides, 
and  in  addition  to  the  large  central  cavity  there  is  a  series  of 
smaller  air-cavities  opposite  the  furrows  known  as  the  vallecular 
canals,  the  furrows  themselves  being  called  valleculcz  and  the 
ridges  carince.  Opposite  the  carinae  there  are  still  smaller  cavi- 
ties known  as  carinal  canals.  The  carinae  vary  in  number  from 


FIGS.  21,  22. — Equisetunt  silvaticum  L.,  showing  sterile  and  fertile  stems. 
(From  Thome.) 


five  to  fifty  in  different  species.  The  stems  are  also  jointed,  and 
at  each  node  some  species  produce  a  whorl  of  branches  which 
may  be  simple  or  compound.  Some  species,  however,  like  the 
common  scouring-rush  (E.  hiemale),  produce  simple  stems. 

88.     The  leaves  are  produced  also  at  the  nodes,  and  by  the 
union  of  their  margins  form  a  short  sheath  which  ends  in  a  row 


THE   FERN  ALLIES.  33 

of  teeth.  These  teeth  may  be  deciduous  or  persistent,  and  their 
number,  varying  from  three  upwards,  indicates  the  number  of 
leaves  forming  the  united  whorl. 

89.  Stomata  (77)  are  distributed  along  the  valleculae  either 
irregularly  or  disposed  in  ranges  on  either  side  of  the  valleculae. 
The  epidermis  frequently  contains  much  silica,  and  the  rough- 
ened tubercles  of  some  species  give  the  surface  a  harsh  feeling. 

90.  Fructification. — The    fructification    in   Equtsetum    is 
arranged  in  cone-like  spikes  borne  at  the  apex  of  the  fertile 
stems.     These  spikes  are  composed  of  successive  closely-placed 
whorls  of  shield-shaped,  stalked  scales  or  modified  leaves,  each 
of  which  bears  from  five  to  ten  one-celled  sporangia  on  its  under 
side.     The  sporangia  open  along  the  inner  side  to  discharge 
their  numerous  spores,  whose  outer  coat  is  spirally  split  into 
two  bands,  forming  the  so-called  elaters.     The  elaters  when  dry 
are  spread  out  at  right  angles  to  each  other  in  the  form  of  a 
cross,  and  probably  assist  in  scattering  the  spores ;   when  moist 
they  rapidly  absorb  water,  and  become  closely  coiled  around  the 
spore.* 

91.  Germination. — The    spores    of    Equisetum    retaining 
their  powers  of  germination    only  a  few  days,  soon   develop 
branched  and  irregularly  lobed  prothallia,  which  are  provided 
with  chlorophyll.     These  are  usually  dioecious,  the  male  being 
smaller,  and  producing  antheridia  at  the  end  or  margin  of  the 
larger  lobes.     The  antherozotds  are  large,  and  provided  with  a 
peculiar  appendage  known  as  the  "float."     The  female  prothal 
1'um  may  reach  one  half  inch  in  length,  and  develops  archegonia 
on  the  anterior  margin  of  the  fleshy  lobes.     The  process  of 
fertilization  is  similar  to  that  of  ferns. 


*  An  interesting  illustration  of  this  can  be  seen  by  placing  a  mass  of  fresh 
spores  on  a  slide  uncovered,  and  examining  it  with  a  low  power.  By  breath- 
ing on  the  slide  the  elaters  coil  closely  about  the  spore  ;  as  soon  as  the  moist- 
ure evaporates  they  uncoil,  and  in  their  activity  jostle  each  other  in  great 


34        OUR  NATIVE   FERNS  AND    THEIR   ALLIES. 


LITERATURE. 

BAKER  (J.  G.).     Fern  Allies,  pp.  1-6  (1887). 

BRAUN  (Alexander).  A  Monography  of  the  North  American 
Species  of  the  Genus  Equisetum.  With  additions  by  George 
Engelmann,  M.D.  In  Sillimarfs  Journal,  XLVI,  81-91  (1843). 
Describes  the  then  known  North  American  species  of  Eqiiisetutn. 

CAMPBELL  (Douglas  H.).  The  Development  of  the  Male 
Prothallium  of  the  Field  Horse-tail.  In  American  Naturalist, 
xvi,  i-io  (Jan.  1883). 

MILDE  (J.).  Monographia  Equisetorum.  4to,  pp.  607,  with 
35  plates.  Dresden  (1865). 

NEWCOMBE  (F.  C.).  Spore  dissemination  in  Equisetum. 
In  Botanical  Gazette,  xiu,  173-178  (1888). 

C.    THE   CLUB-MOSSES. 

92.  General  Characters. — The  club-mosses  are  chiefly 
small  perennial  plants  usually  growing  in  dry  or  moist  woods, 

or  even  on  exposed  rocks 
with  little  soil  for  nourish- 
ment. Most  of  the  species 
are  somewhat  moss-like  in 
habit,  as  might  be  suspected 
from  the  popular  names 
given  to  these  plants,  the 
genus  Lycopodium  taking 
the  name  of  club-moss  and 
Selaginella  that  of  rock- 
moss.  Various  species  of 
Lycopodium  are  also  known 
as  ground-pine,  ground-fir, 
ground-cedar,  running-pine, 
etc.,  from  more  or  less 
marked  resemblances  (Fig. 
23).  In  the  curious  Sela- 
ginella  lepidophylla  from 

r  10.23 — Portion  of  Lycopodium  clavatum  L.     .     .  ,     , 

j^  natural  size.    (After  Prami.)  Arizona  the  branches  of  the 

closely  coiled    central  stem    roll   up  when   dry  into  a  nest-like 
ball,  and  when  moistened  expand  so  as  to  appear  flat  or  saucer- 


THE  FERN  ALLIES. 


35 


shaped.     As  the   plant  retains    this  power  indefinitely,  it  has 
sometimes  been  called  "  the  Resurrection-plant." 

93.  The  stems  are    usually  creeping,  yet  in  some  species 
show  a  tendency  to  become  erect,  and  most  species  send  up 
erect  branches  which  bear  the  fruit.     Most  species  bear  roots 
at  irregular  intervals  along  the  under  side  of  the  creeping  stems, 
but  our  solitary  species  of  Psilotum  is  rootless,  bearing  only 
underground  shoots  which  perform  the  functions  of  roots.  The 
leaves  are  small  and  unbranched,  in  some  instances  resembling 
appressed   scales,  in   others  resembling  the  acicular  leaves  of 
Conifers,  and  are  arranged   in  four,  eight,  or  many  ranks.     In 
some  species  the  leaves  are  of  one  kind,  while  in  others  two  or 
even  more  forms   may  occur  on  the  same  plant.     In  Psilotum 
the  leaves  are  all  rudimentary. 

94.  Fructification. — The  fructification  of  the  club-mosses 
is  chiefly  borne  on  upright  branches   in  solitary  or  clustered 
(2-5)  spikes,  which  are  formed  of  numerous  scales  or  scale- like 
leaves,  eacli  bearing  a  single  large  sporangium  in  its  axil.  •  The 
sporangia  open  transversely,    and  are 

one-celled,  except  in  Psilotum,  where 
they  are  three-celled.  In  a  few  species 
of  Lycopodium  the  sporangia  are  borne 
near  the  summit  of  the  fertile  stems 
in  the  axils  of  ordinary  leaves.  The 
usual  shape  of  the  fruit-bearing  scales 
is  represented  in  Figs.  24-26. 

95.  The     spores    of    Lycopodhun 
and  Psilotum  are  of  one  kind  (Fig.  24), 
but  in    Selaginella  two  kinds  of  spo- 
rangia are   developed — the    microspo- 
rangia,   producing    numerous    micro- 
spores  (Fig.  25)  not  unlike  the  spores 
of   Lycopodium;   and     the    macrospo- 
rangia,  producing  usually  four  macro- 

Spores  (Fig.  26),  SO    Called    from  their   bearing  a  sporangium  in  iisaxil. 

.  &  FIGS.  25.  20.— Scales  from  fer- 

larger    Size.      This    Character    of  Sela-  tile  spike  of  Selmfinrlla  rupes- 

77           L-  L_   •       i                   -11  tris  Spring, disclosing  two  sorts 

gtnella,  which  it  shares  with  the  quill-  of  spores.    (After  Sprague.) 
worts   and    pepperworts   soon    to   be   described,  serves  as  the 
basis  for  the  division  of  the  fern  allies  into  two  groups :  the 


36        OUR  NATIVE  FERNS  AND    THEIR  ALLIES. 

isosporous,  producing  spores  of  one  kind  ;  and  the  heterosporous, 
producing  spores  of  more  than  one  kinds* 

96.  Germination. — The    germination    of   Lycopodium    is 
only  partially  known,  as  the  prothallia  have  been  seen  in  only 
three  species,  and  in  these  they  have  not  been  carried  through 
all  the  stages  of  development.     That  of  L.  annotmum  is  a  yel- 
lowish-white mass  of  tissue  with  a  few  small  root-hairs.t     The 
antheridia  and  archegonia  are  developed  from  the  upper  side 
of  the  prothallium.     In   L.    cernuum,  TreubJ    found    the  pro- 
thallia much   smaller  (one  twelfth  of  an  inch  long),  vertical  in 
growth,  yellowish  below  and  bright  green  above.     The  anthe- 
ridia and  archegonia  are  found  round  the  summit  of  the  cylin- 
dric  prothallium. 

97.  The  germination  of  Selaginella  is  better  known.     The 
contents  of  the   ripened    microspores   are   transformed  into  a 
mass  of  tissue  consisting  of  a  few  cells,  one  of  which   remains 
sterile  and  is  considered  a  rudimentary  prothallium,  while  the 
others  give  rise  to  antherozoids,  and  are  consequently  considered 
as  a  rudimentary  antheridium.     The  macrospores,  on  the  other 
hand,  produce  a  many-celled  prothallium,  which  develop  a  few 
root  hairs  and   numerous  archegonia,  which  after  fertilization 
give  rise  to  a  new  plant.     Two  plants  are  sometimes  produced 
on  the  same  prothallium. 

98.  The  microspores  are  thus  seen   to  be  male   and  the 
macrospores   female,  showing  a   clearer  differentiation  of  sex 
in  the  products  of  the  mature  plant  than  appears  in  any  other 
group  of  the  fern  allies  already  studied.     This  may  be  consid- 
ered a  foreshadowing  of  the  completely  differentiated  sexual 
organs  which  occur  in  the  flowering  plants.     In  the  method  of 
formation  of  the  embryo  the  Selaginella  also  differs  from  all 
other  plants  of  this  group,  and  approaches  the  flowering  plants. 

*  This  division,  though  used  by  some  of  the  best  botanists,  is  at  best  an 
artificial  classification,  as  it  separates  genera  otherwise  closely  allied  to  each 
other. 

t  Cf.  J.  Fankhauser,  Botanische  Zeitung,  1873,  pp.  1-6;  Bruchmann, 
Botanisches  Centralblatt,  xxi  (1885). 

\  Cf.  Treub,  Ann.  d.  Jard.  Bot.  d.  Buitenzorg,  IV  (1884), 


THE  FERN  ALLIES. 


37 


LITERATURE. 

BAKER  (John  G.).  Fern  Allies,  pp.  7-123.  London,  1887. 
(George  Bell  &  Sons.) 

SPRING  (A.).  Monographic  de  la  Famille  des  Lycopodia- 
cees.  In  Me" moires  de  I' Academic  Roy  ale  de  BeJgique,  XV,  i-no 
(1842);  xxiv,  1-358(1849). 


D.    THE   QUILLWORTS. 

99.  General  Characters. — The  quillworts,  so  named 
from  the  appearance  of  the 
leaves,  are  principally  incon- 
spicuous aquatic  plants  of  a 
grass-like  or  rush-like  aspect 
(Fig.  27).  Some  species  are 
always  submerged  —  often  in 
several  feet  of  water ;  others 
grow  in  marshy  soil  or  in  the 
shallow  margins  of  ponds  or 
streams,  where  they  become  ap- 
parently terrestrial  in  time  of 
low  water;  while  others  still  are 
found  between  high  and  low 
water  marks,  where  they  will  be 
covered  by  water  at  high  tide. 
The  leaves  are  awl-shaped  or 
linear,  and  are  attached  to  a 
short  fleshy  trunk.  They  vary 
in  number  from  ten  to  one  hun- 
dred in  each  plant,  and  in  length 
from  two  to  twenty  inches  in 
various  species.  On  account  of 
their  resemblance  to  the  im- 
mature forms  of  rushes  and 
other  aquatic  vegetation  of  a 

higher  order,  they  have  been  very  sparingly  collected.  Many 
questions  of  distribution,  habits,  and  life-history  may  be  studied 
by  even  amateur  botanists  in  various  sections  of  the  country. 


FIG.  27. — Isoetes  lactistris  L.,  natural 
size.     (Redrawn  from  Sprague.) 


OUR  NATIVE  FERNS  AND    THEIR  ALLIES. 


larged.    (After  Sprague.) 


In  this  way  valuable  additions  to  science  may  be  contributed 
by  those  whose  labor  misdirected  might  be  wasted. 

1  0O.  Fructification.—  The  sporangia  of  the  quillworts, 
like  those  of  the  club-mosses,  are  sessile  iti  the  base  of  the 
leaves.  The  leaf  base,  sometimes  called  the  sheath,  is  some- 
what triangular  from  the  broad  insertion,  convex  behind  and 
concave  in  front,  where  there  is  a 
large  depression  known  as  \hzfovea, 
which  contains  the  sporangium. 
The  margin  of  the  fovea  rises  in  the 
form  of  a  delicate  membrane  called 
the  velum,  which  in  many  species 
lies  above  the  sporangium  and  en- 
closes it.  The  sporangia  of  the  outer 
en-  leaves  contain  large  spherical  ma- 
crospores  ;  those  of  the  inner  con- 
tain numerous  oblong,  triangular  microspores.  The  size  and 
marking  of  the  spores  form  important  characters  in  distin- 
guishing species. 

1  O  1  .  Germination.  —  The  microspore  after  remaining  dor- 
mant through  the  winter  forms  a  few-celled  structure  which 
produces  the  antherozoids,  which  are  long  and  slender,  and 
provided  with  a  tuft  of  cilia  at  eacli  end.  The  macrospore 
produces  a  prothallium  much  as  in  Selaginella  (97)  ;  from  this 
the  germ  of  the  mature  plant  arises  after  fertilization  by  the 
antherozoids. 

LITERATURE. 

BAKER  (J.  G.).     Fern  Allies,    pp.  123-134  (1887). 

BRAUN  (Alexander).  On  the  North  American  Species  of 
Isoetes  and  Marsilea.  Communicated  by  Dr.  G.  Engelmann. 
In  Stllitnan's  Journal,  Second  Series,  in.  52-56  (1847). 

CAMPBELL  (D.  H.).  Contributions  to  the  life-history  of 
Isoetes.  In  Annals  of  Botany,  V,  231-258,  pi.  xv-xvn  (1891). 

ENGELMANN  (George).  Isoetes  of  Northern  United  States. 
In  Grays  Manual,  Fifth  Edition  (1868). 

-  The  Species  of  Isoetes  of  the  Indian  Territory.     In  Bo- 
tanical Gazette,  III,  I,  2  (Jan.  1878). 

-  The  genus  Isoetes  in  North  America.     In    Trans.  St. 


THE  FERN  ALLIES. 


39 


Louts  Acad.  Set.,  IV,  358-390  (1882).  A  valuable  monograph  of 
this  most  difficult  genus  of  the  fern  allies. 

UNDERWOOD  (L.  M.).  The  distribution  of  Isoetes.  In 
Botanical  Gazette,  XI II,  89-94  (1888). 

See  also  notes  in  Botanical  Gazette,  vi,  228. 

E.    THE  WATER   FERNS. 

102.  General  Characters. — This  group  includes  plants 
of  very  diverse  characters.     Some,  like  Marsilea,  root  in  mud 
and  produce  quadrifoliate  leaves.     Others,  like  Ptlularia,  re- 
semble the  sterile  forms  of  Eleocharis,  or  other  sedges.     Others, 
like  Azolla  or  Salvinia,  float  on  the  surface  of  water,  sending 
numerous  roots  into  the  water.    Marsilea  and  Pilularia  have  a 
circinate  vernation  like  the  ferns. 

103.  Fructification. — The  fruit  of  Marsilea  consists  of  a 
hollow-stalked  receptacle  known  as 

the  sporocarp,  which  is  oblong  or 
rarely  globose,  and  bears  the  spo- 
rangia in  sori  on  the  inner  walls  of 
its  two  valves.  The  spores  are  of 
two  kinds,  as  in  all  rhizocarps.  The 
numerous  microspores  are  con- 
tained in  microsporangia,  while  the 
macrospores  are  solitary  in  the  few 
macrosporangia. 

1 04.  The    sporocarp    of    Pilu- 
Iraia    is    globose,    containing    from 
two  to    four    cells,  which    produce 
microsporangia  in  the  upper  portion 
and     macrosporangia     below ;     the 
microspores  are  numerous,  while  a 
single  macrospore  is  found  in  each 
sporangium. 

1  O5.  In  Azolla  the  sporocarps 
are  of  two  kinds,  borne  in  the  axils 
of  the  leaves  ;  the  larger  are  glo- 
bose, and  contain  numerous  microspores,  which  are  aggregated 
in  masses;  the  smaller  are  ovoid,  and  contain  a  single  macro- 
spore, 


FIG.  30. — Salvinia  natans 
Hoffm..  natural  size.  (Re- 
drawn from  Thome.) 


40        OUR  NATIVE  FERNS  AND    THEIR  ALLIES. 

\  O6.  Salvmia  (Fig.  30),  recently  discovered  in  Missouri, 
has  the  sporocarps  borne  in  clusters  on  short  branches  of  the 
floating  stem,  one  or  two  of  each  cluster  bearing  ten  or  more 
macrosporangia,  each  of  which  contains  a  single  macrospore, 
the  remainder  bearing  numerous  globose  microsporangia  with 
numerous  microspores. 

1O7.  Germination. — In  Marsilea  the  antherozoids  are 
produced  in  a  rudimentary  prothallium  which  develops  from  the 
microspore  and  are  corkscrew-shaped,  consisting  of  several 
coils.  The  prothallium,  developed  from  the  apex  of  the  ma- 
crospore is  a  hemispherical  mass  of  tissue,  and  contains  a  sin- 
gle archegonium.  Much  is  yet  to  be  learned  of  the  habits  and 
life-history  of  our  native  species. 

LITERATURE. 

ANDREWS  (W.  M.).  Apical  growth  in  roots  of  Marsilia 
quadrifolia  and  Equisetum  arvense.  In  Botanical  Gazette,  XV, 
174-177  (1890). 

BAKER  (J.  G.).     Fern  Allies,     pp.  134-149  (1887). 

BRAUN  (Alexander).  On  the  North  American  species  of 
Isoetes  and  Marsilia.  In  Silltman's  Journal,  Second  Series, 
in,  52-56  (1847). 

Ueber  Marsilia  und  Pilnlaria.     In  Monatsb.  der  Konigl. 

Akad.  der    Wissenschaft,    1863,  413-436;    1870,  653-753;    1872, 
635-679. 

CAMPBELL  (D.  H.).  The  systematic  position  of  the  Rhizo- 
carpese.  In  Torrey  Bulletin,  XV,  258-262  (1888). 

The  development  of  Pilularia  globulifera  L.     In  An- 
nals of  Botany,  in.  233-264,  pi.  xin-xv  (1888). 

On  the  Prothallium  and  Embryo  of  Marsilia  vestita. 

In  Proc.  Cat.  Acad.  Science,  III,  183-205,  pi.  Ill,  IV  (1892). 

—  Some  notes  on  Azolla.     In  Zoet  in,  34°-343  (1893). 
-  The  development  of  the  Sporocarp  of  Pilularia  Ameri- 
cana A.  Br.     In  Torrey  Bulletin,  XX,  141-148,  pi.  CXLVI  (1893). 
ENGELMANN  (George).     New  Species  of  Marsilia.     In  Silli- 
mans  Journal,  Second  Series,  VI  (1848). 

STRASBURGER(L.).  Ueber  Azolla.  8vo,  7  plates.   Jena  (1873). 
UNDERWOOD  (L.  M.)  and  COOK  (O.   F.).     Notes   on   the 
American  Species  of  Marsilia*     In  Torrey  Bulletin,  XIV,  89-94 
(May,  1887). 


CLASSIFICATION  AND  NOMENCLATURE. 


CHAPTER   VII. 
CLASSIFICATION  AND  NOMENCLATURE. 

The  education  of  a  naturalist  now  consists  chiefly  in  learning  how  to  compare. 

— AGASSIZ. 

1  O8.  Nomenclature. — Before  the  time  of  Linnaeus,  the 
method  of  naming  plants  and  animals  was  a  subject  of  much 
embarrassment  to  science,  and  gave  rise  to  endless  confusion. 
This  great  author,  justly  called  the  "  Father  of  Botany,"  intro- 
duced a  new  system  of  nomenclature  that  gave  an  impetus  to 
the  study  of  nature.  His  system  has  since  been  in  constant  use, 
and  has  made  possible  the  greater  accuracy  and  definiteness  in 
the  descriptions  of  subsequent  naturalists.  He  also  introduced 
a  system  of  classification  which,  though  artificial  and  since 
abandoned,  paved  the  way  to  the  more  natural  system  since 
adopted.  He  arranged  the  various  plants  and  animals  known 
to  him  in  a  few  groups  according  to  some  particular  plan  of 
structure,  divided  these  into  still  smaller  groups,  and  so  on  to 
the  lowest  divisions,  genera  and  species.  To  these  divisions 
special  names  were  assigned,  thus  giving  to  each  organism  a 
double  name,  the  first  generic,  which  may  be  likened  to  our  fam- 
ily name,  the  other  specific,  corresponding  to  our  baptismal 
name.  Thus  the  "  golden-back"  of  California  bears  the  name 
Gymnogramme  triangularis  given  it  by  Kaulfuss.  The  first  it 
bears  in  common  with  other  species  from  this  and  other  coun- 
tries which  possess  a  like  fructification.  The  latter  is  peculiar  to 
this  species,  which  has  a  somewhat  triangular  frond. 

1  O9.  Generic  Names. — These  may  be  derived  from  some 
characteristic  of  growth  or  structure  (Cryptogramme.  Cheilan- 
thes,  Schizcea},  in  honor  of  some  botanist  or  distinguished  patron 
of  science  (Dicksonia,  Woodsia),  or  occasionally  from  some 
mythological  or  symbolical  character  (Osmunda). 

1  1  O.  Specific  Names. — These  are  usually  adjective  ele- 
ments either  Latin  or  Latinized,  and  must  agree  in  gender  with 


42       OUR  NATIVE  FERNS  AND    THEIR  ALLIES. 

the  generic  name,  according  to  the  rules  of  Latin  syntax.  Errors 
in  agreement  have  frequently  been  made  by  botanists  who  were 
not  versed  in  the  classics,  and  it  is  unfortunate  that  errors  of 
this  character  as  well  as  gross  errors  in  the  orthography  of  gen- 
eric names  have  found  their  way  into  accepted  text-books  of 
botany.*  Specific  names  frequently  indicate  something  regard- 
ing habit  or  mode  of  growth  (bulbifera,gracilis,  atropurpurea), 
or  may  indicate  the  locality  in  which  the  organism  was  first  dis- 
covered (Califqrnica,  Ilvensis).  A  few  take  their  name  from 
their  discovery  in  which  case  the  name  is  Latinized  and  takes  a 
genitive  endmg  (Bootttt,  Lemmoni},  or  else  an  adjective  form 
(Goldieanum,  Clintonianuvi) . 

111.  The  advantage  of  this  binary  nomenclature  is  at  once 
evident  when  we  consider  the  immense  number  of  ferns 
alone,  to  say  nothing  of  the  remainder  of  the  vegetable  world 
and  the  hosts  of  the  animal  creation.  By  this  means  organisms 
of  complex  structure  can  be  definitely  characterized  with  com- 
paratively few  words,  and  the  scientific  name  once  established, 
is  recognized  among  scientists  of  all  nations  and  languages. 

1  1  2.  Among  some  there  is  a  tendency  to  regard  scientific 
names  with  disfavor,  on  the  ground  that  they  are  long  and  dif- 
ficult. But  what  shall  we  say  of  Geranium,  or  Gladiolus,  or 
Fuchsia,  or  Phlox  Drummondii,  or  a  hundred  others  familiar  to 
every  lover  of  flowers  ?  Are  these  less  difficult  than  Adiantum, 
Notholcena,  Woodsia,  or  Pellcea  Breweri"?  A  little  reflection  will 
convince  a  person  of  sense  that  such  a  criticism  is  unjust. 

1  1  3.  A  worse  tendency  is  perhaps  that  which  prompts  the 
introduction  of  "  popular  names"  for  ferns  :  occasionally  a  name 
of  this  kind  is  highly  appropriate,  and  deserves  wide-spread 
adoption,  as  in  the  case  of  "Christmas-fern"  for  Dryopteris 
acrostichoides,  suggested  by  Mr.  Robinson;  the  greater  part, 
however,  have  no  merit,  and  when  such  monstrosities  appear 
as  "  Leather-leaf  Polypody"  for  Polypodtum  Scouleri,  "  Mr. 
Goldie's  Shield-fern"  for  Dryopteris  Goldieana,  nomenclature 
is  made  cumbrous  instead  of  simple. 

1  l  4.  There  are  liabilities  to  error  and  confusion  even  in 
the  Linnaean  system  of  nomenclature,  as  various  authors  have 

*  Cistopteris  for  Cystopteris  is  an  example. 


CLASSIFICATION  AND   NOMENCLATURE.  43 

often  assigned  the  same  name  to  several  species.  For  example, 
the  name  Cheilanthes  vestita  was  given  by  Bracken  ridge  to  C. 
gracillima.  Hooker  assigned  the  same  name  (in  part)  to  C. 
gracilis,  while  Swartz  assigned  the  same  to  the  fern  described 
in  this  volume  under  the  name  of  C.  lanosa.  It  becomes  neces- 
sary, therefore,  in  referring  to  a  species  to  indicate  the  author 
of  the  specific  name  thus — Cheilanthes  vestita  Swz. 

1  1  5.  Synonymy. — It  may  also  be  remarked  in  this  con- 
nection that  different  authors  have  described  the  same  fern 
under  widely  different  generic  and  specific  names,  owing  (i)  to 
the  different  conceptions  that  have  prevailed  at  different  times  as 
to  what  constituted  generic  characters,  and  (2)  to  ignorance  of 
what  others  had  already  written  on  species,  redescribed  as  new. 
For  example,  the  delicate  Woodsia  Ilvensis  of  Robert  Brown  was 
described  as  Acrostichum  Ilvense  by  Linnaeus,  Polypodium  II- 
vense  by  Swartz,  Nephrodium  rufidulum  by  Michaux,  Aspidium 
ritfidulum  by  Willdenow,  and  Woodsia  rufidula  by  Beck.  Many 
other  species  have  been  as  variously  classified.  The  oppor- 
tunities for  errors  of  this  character  are  much  less  now  than  for- 
merly, yet  redescription  is  not  unknown  in  our  day. 

1  1  6.  Species. — Goethe  tells  us  that  nature  knows  only  in- 
dividuals, and  that  species  exist  only  in  the  school-books.  From 
this  extreme  there  has  been  every  grade  of  opinion  respecting 
species  to  the  one  which  regards  species  as  invariable,  actual 
existences,  types  originally  ordained  and  summoned  to  existence 
by  the  Creator.  Linnaeus,  for  example,  defined  species  in  these 
words  :  "  Species  tot  sunt  diverse?,  quot  diversas  formas  ab  initio 
creavit  infinitum  ens."  *  Various  definitions  have  been  given  to 
species,  but  none  accord  with  the  actual  practice  of  systematists, 
who  seem  inclined  to  make  a  species  what  they  choose  ;  and 
indeed  the  existence  of  various  connecting  forms  between 
many  species  distinct  under  normal  conditions  makes  the  prac- 
tical definition  of  the  term  almost  an  impossibility.  We  may, 
however,  for  practical  purposes,  regard  as  a  species  an  assem- 
blage of  individuals  not  differing  essentially  from  each  other, 
and  capable  of  producing  like  individuals  by  the  ordinary  pro- 
cesses of  reproduction.  A  recent  writer  defines  species  as  "  the 

*  There  are  as  many  different  species  as  the  Infinite  Being  created  in  the 
beginning. 


44        OUR  NATIVE  FERNS  AND   THEIR  ALLIES. 

present  aspect  of  a  line  of  organic  development,  destined  to 
become  something  else  in  the  future,  as  it  was  something  else 
in  the  past," — a  definition  in  accord  with  the  now  universally 
accepted  biological  doctrine  respecting  the  origin  of  species. 
Species  among  ferns  are  founded  chiefly  on  differences  in  the 
cutting  of  the  fronds  and  their  method  of  venation. 

1  1  7.  Varieties. — Many  forms  differing  only  slightly  from 
the  ordinary  specific  types,  and  yet  capable  of  transmitting  their 
variations  from  generation  to  generation,  are  regarded  as  vari- 
eties. It  was  the  opinion  of  a  prominent  botanist,  that  all 
so-called  varieties  among  the  lower  plants  "  were  purely  the 
result  of  the  accident  of  environment,  and  never  of  cross-fertili- 
zation." Since  a  species  which  varies  in  some  minor  particular 
is  likely  to  revert  to  the  ordinary  form  as  soon  as  the  normal 
conditions  of  soil,  moisture,  or  environment  are  restored,  there 
is  no  scientific  foundation  for  the  multiplication  of  varieties  to 
serve  as  rubbish  in  works  on  systematic  botany.  There  is  a 
tendency  on  the  part  of  a  few  authors  to  multiply  varieties  in- 
definitely, and  of  a  single  species  as  many  as  sixty-five  varieties 
have  been  described.  The  mania  for  naming  new  varieties  is 
quite  universal,  but  is  usually  transient,  and  seldom  affects  one 
a  second  time  ;  with  some,  however,  it  becomes  chronic,  when 
more  vigorous  treatment  is  necessary.  In  the  systematic  por- 
tion of  this  volume  varieties  that  are  deemed  worthy  to  stand 
as  such  are  printed  in  the  same  bold-face  type  as  the  species. 
Others  less  marked  are  noted  in  italics  under  the  descriptions 
of  species.  A  true  variety  is  doubtless  the  early  stage  of  a 
species  in  process  of  separation  from  its  parent  form. 

1  1  8.  Genera. — The  genera  of  ferns  are  founded  mostly  on 
the  arrangement  of  the  sporangia  on  the  veins,  as  well  as  the 
character,  shape,  and  position  of  the  indusia.  The  generic 
limits,  however,  are  largely  matters  of  opinion,  and  vary  among 
different  authorities. 

1  1  9.  Tribes. — Genera  are  collected  into  tribes,  according 
as  they  agree  in  the  position  and  arrangement  of  the  sporangia 
in  clusters  or  sori,  or  resemble  each  other  in  mode  or  habit  of 
growth. 

1  2O.  Sub-Orders. — Tribes  are  grouped  into  sub-orders 
according  as  they  agree  in  the  characters  of  the  sporangium,  its 


CLASSIFICATION  AND   NOMENCLATURE.          45 

shape,  method  of  discharging  its  spores,  and  the  existence,  char- 
acter, or  absence  of  a  ring.  The  true  ferns  contain  with  us 
three  well-marked  sub-orders;  the  Gleicheniacece  are  mainly 
tropical  ferns. 

121.  Orders. — Ferns  were  formerly  classed  in  a  single 
order,  but  in  accordance  with  later  researches  they  are  sepa- 
rated into  three  distinct  orders,  FiLiCES,  MARATTIACE/E,  and 
OPHIOGLOSSACE^E,  which  are  distinguished  by  the  method  in 
which  the  sporangia  are  developed,  by  the  character  of  their 
spore  development,  and  by  other  minor  characteristics.  Two 
of  the  orders  are  well  represented  in  our  flora;  the  MARAT- 
TlACEvE  are  mostly  confined  to  tropical  regions.  The  horse- 
tails (Equisetuni)  form  a  distinct  order,  the  EQUISETACE^E.  The 
club-mosses  of  the  genera  Lycopodium  and  Psilotum,  with  two 
genera  not  found  in  America,  form  the  order  LYCOPODIACE^E. 
Selaginella  and  Isoetes  each  form  an  order  which  takes  its  name 
from  the  single  genus.  Marsilia  and  Pilularta  form  the  MAR- 
SI  LIACE/E,  while  Azolla  and  Salvim'a  form  the  order  SALVINI- 

ACE.E. 

1  22.  Principle  of  Classification. — The  true  idea  of  clas- 
sification is  the  grouping  together  of  objects  according  to  essen- 
tial and  fundamental  resemblances.  Every  system  is  more  or 
less  artificial,  yet  there  is  a  continual  approach  toward  the  true 
natural  system,  which  is  the  ultimatum  of  scientific  classifica- 
tion. The  study  of  life-histories  will  continually  clear  up  points 
of  relationship  before  unknown,  and  it  will  be  long  before  the 
classification  will  become  fixed  and  constant.  Every  new  study 
contributes  to  this  end. 

LITERATURE. 

The  references  to  original  writings  would  include  all  the 
botanists  who  have  named  or  classified  ferns  since  the  time  of 
Linnaeus  (1707-1778).  Among  the  more  prominent  of  these  we 
may  mention  Swartz  (1760-1818),  Willdenow  (1765-1812),  Presl 
(1791-1849),  Mettenius  (1823-1866),  Hooker  (1785-1865),  Fee 
(1789-1874),  Milde  (1824-1871),  Al.  Braun  (1805-1875),  and  J.  G. 
Baker  (  -  ).  The  following  work  gives  a  good  review 
of  the  various  systems  : 

SMITH  (John).  Historia  Filicum.  London,  1875.  (Mac- 
millan  &  Co.) 


46        OUR   NATIVE   FERNS  AND    THEIR  ALLIES. 

The  American  literature  bearing  on  the  subject  is  as  follows  : 
BECK  (Lewis  C.)-     Synoptical  tables  of  the  Ferns  and  Mosses 

of  the  United  States.     In  Sillimari s  Journal,  IV  (1829). 

DAVENPORT  (George  E.).     Aspidium  spinulosum  (Swz.)  and 

its  varieties.      In  American  Naturalist,  XI I,  707-717  (1878). 

—  New  species  of  Ferns.     In  Bulletin  of  the  Torrey  Bot. 
Club,  VI,  190,  191   (1877)  ;  vn,  50,  51    (1880);  VIII,  61,  62  (1881); 
x,  61,  62  (1883). 

Fern  notes.  In  Bulletin  of  the  Torrey  Bot.  Club,  vn,  85, 

86  (1880)  ;  vni,  88,  89  (1881);  ix,  20-23.  68»  69»  99-101  (1882)  ; 
X,  4-7  (1883);  xii,  21-24  (1885);  xm,  81,  82,  129-135  (1886); 
XV,  225-229  (1888). 

EATON  (Daniel  C.).  Ferns  of  the  Mexican  Boundary.  In 
Mexican  Boundary  Survey  (1857). 

-  Ferns  of  the  Southern  States.     In  Chapman  :  Flora  of 
the  Southern  States  (1860). 

Ferns  of  the  Northern  United  States.     In  Gray  :  Man- 
ual of  Botany,  6th  edition  ( 1 890). 

—  Notes  on  some  of  the  plants  in  the  herbaria  of  Linne 
and  Michaux.     In  Canadian  Naturalist  (1870). 

-  New  and  little  known  Ferns  of  the  United  States.     In 
Bulletin  of  the  Torrey  Bot.  Club,  iv,  n,  12,  18,  19  (1873)  ;  vi,  33 
(1875),  71,72  (1876),  263-265  (1878),   306,  307,360,361   (1879); 
VII,  62-64  (1880) ;  VIII,  4,  5,  99,  100  (1881) ;  ix,  49,  50  (1882)  ;  X, 
26-29,  IOI»  I02  ('883). 

Ferns  of    North    America.     Illustrated    with    colored 

plates  by  J.  H.  Emerton  and  C.  E.  Faxon. 

—  Ferns  of    the  Southwest.      In  Wheeler:    Report  of  the 
U.  S.   Geog;  and  Geol.   Surveys  west  of  the   IQO//I  meridian,  VI 

(1877). 

-  Vascular  Acrogens  of  California.     In  Watson  :  Botany 
of  Calif  or  nia,  II  (1880). 

GRAY  (Asa).  On  the  discovery  of  two  species  of  Tricho- 
manes  in  the  State  of  Alabama.  In  Sillimans  Journal,  2d  sen, 
XV  (1853). 

KUNZE  (G.).  Notes  on  some  Ferns  of  the  United  States. 
In  Silliman  s  Joitrnal,  2d  ser.,  vi.  80-89  (1848). 

LAWSON  (George).    The  Fern  Flora  of  Canada.     (1889.) 


CLASSIFICATION  AND  NOMENCLATURE.  47 

WILLIAMSON  (John).     Ferns  of  Kentucky.     12010.     (1878.) 
Fern  Etchings.     I2mo.  (1879.) 

The  literature  relating  to  exotic  species  is  very  extensive 
Some  of  the  more  important  works  are  the  following: : 

BAKER  (J.  G.).  A  summary  of  the  new  Ferns  which  have 
been  discovered  or  described  since  1874.  (1892.) 

FEE  (F.  L.  A.).  Memoires  sur  la  Famille  des  Fougeres. 
4to.  (1844-1873.)  289  plates. 

HOOKER  (W.  J.).  Genera  Filicum.  410.  (1842.)  120  col- 
ored plates. 

Species  Filicum.  5  vols.  8vo.  (1846-1864).  304  col- 
ored plates. 

HOOKER  (W.  J.)  and  BAKER  (J.  G.).  Synopsis  Filicum.  2d 
ed.,  8vo.  (1874.)  Contains  descriptions  of  all  the  ferns  of  the 
world  recognized  at  Kew  to  the  date  of  publication. 

HOOKER  (\V.  J.)  and  GREVILLE  (R.  K.).  Icones  Filicum. 
2  vols.  folio.  (1831.)  240  colored  plates. 


48        OUR  NATIVE  FERNS  AND    THEIR  ALLIES. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 
THE  FERN'S  PLACE  IN  NATURE. 

1  23.  THE  popular  conception  as  to  what  constitutes  a  plant 
needs  to  be  considerably  enlarged  and  otherwise  modified,  for 
as  soon  as  we  commence  to  look  about  us  after  our  eyes  have 
been  really  opened,  we  find  a  vast  array  of  forms  varying  in  size 
and  complexity  of  structure  from  the  simple  cells  of  the  yeast- 
plant  that  we  use  in  bread-making  to  the  highly  organized  tree 
of  the  forest,  and  including  such  diverse  forms  of  growth  as  the 
green  scums  that  accumulate  on  ponds  in  summer,  the  gray 
lichens  covering  rocks  and  trees,  the  puff-balls  and  mushrooms 
that  seemingly  develop  in  a  single  night,  the  mosses,  ferns  and 
flowers  in  all  their  variety  and  beauty.  Where  in  all  this  array 
of  plants  do  our  ferns  stand,  and  what  relations  do  they  sustain 
to  other  plants  ?  In  answering  this  question  we  will  have  to 
give  some  account  cf  the  various  groups  of  plants,  pointing  out 
their  structural  peculiarities  and  noting  here  and  there  in  their 
appropriate  place  in  the  system  such  forms  as  are  likely  to  be 
popularly  recognized. 

1  24.  Aside  from  the  plants  producing  flowers,  the  ferns 
and  the  mosses,*  all  of  which  are  widely  known  and  generally 

*  It  should  be  noted  that  even  this  name  is  often  misapplied.  The  lichens, 
which  are  in  no  way  related  to  the  true  mosses,  are  sometimes  popularly  called 
"gray  mosses."  In  "  Evangeline"  where  Longfellow  speaks  of  the  trees 
"  bearded  with  moss  "  he  evidently  alludes  to  the  lichen,  Usnea  barbata  ;  the 
"  hanging  moss"  of  the  Pacific  coast  is  also  a  lichen,  Ramaiina  reticulata, 
which  has  a  much  more  appropriate  name  in  "lace-lichen."  The  "hang- 
ing moss  "  of  the  Gulf  States,  on  the  contrary,  is  a  flowering  plant  whose  near- 
est allies  are  in  the  pineapple  family.  Another  flowering  plant,  Euphorbia 
cyparissias,  is  often  called  "  graveyard  moss  "  in  the  Northern  States.  This 
loose  and  confusing  use  of  language  is  to  be  deplored,  and  those  who  know 
better  should  assist  in  relegating  these  incorrect  usages  to  a  merited  oblivion. 


THE  FERN'S  PLACE  IN  NATURE.  49 

recognized,  we  find  two  types  of  plants  of  lower  grade  which 
stand  out  prominently  to  even  the  unpracticed  eye.  Of  these 
the  first  are  mostly  green,*  and  though  variously  known  and 
named  may  be  called  collectively  alga.  Like  the  higher  plants, 
these  low  forms  maintain  an  independent  existence,  drawing 
their  nourishment  directly  from  the  air  and  water.  Of  the 
second  group  we  may  find  examples  in  the  mildew  that  spreads 
its  white  cobwebby  film  over  the  leaves  of  the  lilac,  the  willow 
and  other  plants  ;  or  in  the  rust,  red  or  black,  that  injures  our 
fields  of  standing  grain  ;  or  in  the  black  smut  that  often  re- 
places the  ears  of  corn  and  greatly  disfigures  the  plant.  Other 
examples  may  be  seen  in  the  shelving  masses  that  protrude 
from  old  stumps  or  logs,  or  in  the  bright  scarlet  cups  that  ap- 
pear on  the  ground  in  rich  woods  in  earliest  spring.  Whatever 
the  color  of  these  forms  of  plant  growth,  they  may  be  charac- 
terized as  not  green.  They  represent  a  group  of  plants  that 
require  nourishment  from  some  source  besides  air  and  water; 
some  are  parasitic — drawing  nourishment  from  living  plants  or 
animals,  while  others  are  saprophytic — living  on  decaying  or- 
ganic matter.  Though  widely  differing  in  character,  we  may 
call  them  all  fungi.  In  addition  to  these  forms  are  the  lichens 
which  are  intimately  related  to  some  of  the  groups  of  fungi 
and  cannot  be  considered  as  forming  a  definite  group  by  them- 
selves. 

1  25.  Looking  over  this  array  of  forms  we  find  that  with  all 
their  diversity  they  may  be  arranged  somewhat  naturally  in 
four  groups  as  follows,  commencing  with  the  highest : 
I.  SPERMAPHYTES.     (Seed-bearing  plants.) 
II.   PTERIDOPHYTES.     (Ferns  and  their  allies.) 

III.  BRYOPHYTES.     (Mosses  and  Liverworts.) 

IV.  THALLOPHYTES.     (Algae,  Lichens  and  Fungi.) 

It  will  be  observed  that  the  last  three  are  all  spore  producers 
instead  of  seed  producers  like  the  flowering  plants  of  the  first 

*  Observant  visitors  at  the  seaside  are  familiar  with  the  brown,  purple  and 
bright  red  "sea-weeds"  that  belong  here  but  have  their  fundamental  green 
color  masked  by  other  coloring  matters.  These  are  sometimes  called  "sea 
mosses,"  which  is  another  unfortunate  and  confusing  use  of  a  term  which 
ought  to  be  confined  to  its  particular  group. 


50        OUR  NATIVE   FERNS  AND    THEIR  ALLIES. 

group;  that  the  second  like  the  first  contains  plants  with  a 
highly  organized  structure;  that  the  third  is  like  the  first  two 
in  including  plants  with  a  distinct  leafy  axis,  but  differs  in  pos- 
sessing a  less  complicated  structure ;  while  the  last  differs  from 
all  the  others  in  having  no  distinction  of  stem  and  leaves.  To 
bring  out  these  and  other  characters  more  fully,  and  at  the 
same  time  to  indicate  some  hints  of  the  leading  subdivisions  of 
these  great  groups  of  plants,  will  necessitate  a  more  technical 
and  tabular  arrangement. 

1  26.  The  Thallophytes  include  the  lower  forms  of  vege- 
tation whose  plant-body  varies  from  a  unicellular  condition, 
through  filamentous  forms  to  a  more  or  less  highly  differ- 
entiated thallus.  While  some  forms,  especially  among  the 
higher  algae,  assume  the  habit  of  a  leafy-stemmed  plant,  none 
attain  to  a  true  differentiation  into  stem  and  leaves.  The 
thallophytes  are  most  simply  divided  on  a  purely  physiological 
basis  into  two  main  groups  *  : 

1.  AlgcE  which  develop  chlorophyll. 

2.  Fungi  which  are  parasitic  or  saprophy  tic  colorless  plants. 
127.     The  ALG^E  comprise  the  following  groups  : 

1.  CYANOPHYCE^:.     (Blue-green  algae,  nostocs,  etc.) 

2.  DIATOMACE/E.   (Diatoms,  secreting  a  siliceous  covering.) 

3.  CHLOROPHYCE/E.I     (Green  algae.)     Consisting  of  four 

well-marked  groups  : 

(a)  Protococcoidece.     (Green  slimes,  volvox,  water-net.) 

(b)  Conjugate.     (Desmids,  Spirogyra,  etc.) 

(c)  Siphonece.     (Bladder-plants,  green  felts,  etc.) 

(d)  Confervoidece.     (Sea-lettuce,  water  flannel,  etc.) 


*  The  sexual  system  of  classification  frequently  adopted  in  this  country  can- 
not be  maintained  among  the  fungi,  and  even  among  the  algae  is  at  points 
very  unsatisfactory.  Moreover  it  groups  together  forms  that  have  no  near 
relation  to  each  other  and  cannot  be  regarded  as  a  natural  system.  It  is 
further  to  be  doubted  if  the  group  commonly  known  as  Protophytes  can  be 
maintained  on  any  rational  grounds. 

t  The  Chlorophyceae  include  by  far  the  greater  part  of  the  fresh-water 
algae,  though  quite  a  number  of  the  group  are  marine.  The  brown  and  red 
algae  of  the  two  following  groups  make  up  the  most  conspicuous  marine 
forms, 


THE   FERN'S  PLACE   IN  NATURE.  5  I 

4.  PH/EOPHYCE^.     (Rock-weeds,   devil's-aprons,  Sargas 

sum,  and  other  marine  forms  ;  brown  algae.) 

5.  RHODOPHYCE^E.   (Red  and  purple  algae;  mostly  marine.) 

6.  CHARACE^E.     (Stoneworts  of  fresh  waters.) 

1  28.     The  FUNGI  may  be  divided  into  four  main  groups  : 

1.  MYXOMYCETES.    (Slime-moulds.)* 

2.  SCHIZOMYCETES.     (Bacteria.) 

3.  PHYCOMYCETES.     (The  lower  or  algal  Fungi.) 

4.  EUMYCETES.     (The  higher  or  spore-fruit  Fungi.) 

1  29.  The  PHYCOMYCETES  are  represented  by  the  following 
groups : 

1.  Chytridiacece.     (Of  simple  structure,  parasitic  on  algae, 

etc.) 

2.  Mucorince.     (Black  moulds.) 

3.  Entomophthorince.    (Fly-fungus,  and  others  parasitic  on 

insects.) 

4.  Saprolegntacece.     (Water-moulds,  some  forms  parasitic 

on  fish.) 

5.  Peronosporacece.     (Downy  mildews,  white  rust,  potato- 

rot,  etc.) 

1  3O.  The  EUMYCETES  include  two  types,  the  first  known 
as  Bastdiomycetes  bearing  the  spores  on  enlarged  cells  known 
as  basidia,  and  the  second  known  as  Ascomycetes,  from  the  fact 
that  the  spores  are  borne  in  sacs  (known  as  asci).  Of  the  fol- 
lowing groups  the  first  five  are  Basidiomycetes  and  the  last  six 
are  Ascomycetes  : 

1.  Ustilaginece.     (Smuts  of  grain,  corn,  etc.) 

2.  Uredinea.     (Rusts,  cluster-cups,  cedar-apples.) 

3.  TremellinecE.\     (Gelatinous  fungi.) 

4.  Hyuienomycetes.       (Mushrooms,     toadstools,     bracket- 

fungi,  etc.) 

*  The  Myxomycetes  in  their  vegetative  stages  are  unlike  all  other  plants, 
consisting  of  naked  masses  of  protoplasm  and  are  capable  of  an  apparent 
creeping  motion.  In  their  fruiting  condition  they  show  a  superficial  resem- 
blance to  some  of  the  Gastromycetes  with  which  they  were  formerly  associated. 
Their  true  position  in  the  world  of  life  is  not  yet  settled,  some  removing  them 
entirely  from  the  vegetable  kingdom. 

t  This  is  really  a  composite  group  consisting  of  at  least  three  orders.  In 
this  limited  outline  only  the  more  common  and  conspicuous  groups  are  noted. 


52        OUR  NATIVE   FERNS  AND    THEIR  ALLIES. 

5.  Gastromycetes.    (Puff-balls,  earth-stars,  bird's-nest  fungi, 

stink-horns.) 

6.  Saccharomycetes.     (Yeast-plant.) 

7.  Gymnoascece.     (Leaf-curl  of  peach,  plum-pockets,  etc.) 

8.  Tuber acece.     (Truffles.) 

9.  Pyrenomycetes.     (Black  fungi,  ergot,  powdery  mildews.) 

10.  Lichenes*     (Lichens.) 

11.  Discomycetes.     (Morels,  cup-fungi,  etc.) 

131.  Besides  the  above  there  are  a  large  number  of  fungi 
that  are  mould-like  or  are  parasitic  on  leaves,  forming  "leaf- 
spots."     These  are  called  Fungi  iwperfecti,  because  of  the  fact 
that  some  of  them  are  known  to  be  the  early  stages  of  certain 
ascomycetous   fungi.      The  mould-like   forms   are   known   as 
Hypkimycetes. 

132.  The  BRYOPHYTES  include  forms  whose  plant-body 
varies  from  a  thallus  to  a  distinct  leafy  axis,  containing  only 
a  rudimentary  fibro-vascular  system,  if  any;  their  life-history 
involves  two  alternating  phases  :  (i)  A  highly  organized  sexual 
phase  producing  antherids  and  archegones ;  and  (2)  A  sporo- 
gonial   phase   living   parasitically   on    the  first  and  producing 
spores   asexually.      This   division   contains   three  well-marked 
classes : 

1.  HepaticcB.     (Liverworts.) 

2.  Sphagnacece.     (Peat-mosses.) 

3.  Musci.     (True  mosses.) 

133.  The   PTERIDOPHYTES  have  a  well-developed  fibro- 
vascular  system  of  highly-developed  tissues  distributed  through 
a  leafy  axis.     Their  life-history  also  involves  two  phases  :  (i)  A 
thalloid   phase   (prothallus)    producing   antherids   and    arche- 
gones,! and  (2)  A  highly-developed  asexual  phase  producing 
spores  by  cell-division. 

(The  subdivisions  of  this  group  are  more  fully  arranged  in 
another  portion  of  this  work  :   see  pp.  75-148.) 


*  The  lichens  may  be  placed  here  provisionally.  Their  relations  to  the 
other  groups  of  fungi  have  not  yet  been  fully  determined. 

f  From  this  character  the  Bryophytes  and  Pteridophytes  are  sometimes 
called  Archegoniata,  to  which  group  some  also  add  the  Gymnosperms, 


THE  FERN'S  PLACE  IN  NATURE.  53 

1  34.     The  SPERMAPHYTES  include  the  highest  of  the  plant- 
world.     In    this  group   the    plant-body,  except    in    rare  cases 
(Lemna,  Podostemon,  etc.)  is  a  well-developed  leafy  axis  contain- 
ing highly  differentiated  tissues  of  every  kind;  the  sexual  re- 
production consists  of   the  union  of  pollen-grains  (male  ele- 
ment) with  the  embryo-sac  (female  element),  resulting  in  the 
formation  of  an  embryo  which,  with  its  coverings,  constitutes 
the  seed.*     This  group  contains  two  well-marked  classes t'. 
i«   GymnospermcB.     (Cone-bearing  trees,  Cycads,  etc.) 
2.  Angiospermce.     (All  other  seed-bearing  plants.) 

135.  It  will  thus  be  seen  that  the  Ferns  and  their  allies 
occupy  a  high  place  in  the  plant-world,  standing  just  below  the 
seed-bearing  plants.  This  position  they  maintain  not  only 
from  their  complexity  of  structure  but  from  their  evident 
graded  relation  to  some  of  the  lower  forms  of  spermaphytes, 
especially  to  some  that  are  now  extinct. 

1  36.  To  make  the  relations  of  the  various  groups  of  pteri- 
dophytes  to  each  other  and  to  the  lower  forms  of  plant-life 
more  apparent  than  can  be  done  in  a  lineal  classification,  we 
present  the  following  outline  of  a  possible  genealogical  tree  : 


*  It  will  be  readily  seen  that  this  process  is  only  a  slight  modification  of 
what  appears  in  the  development  of  the  higher  forms  of  Pteridophytes  like 
Selaginella.  The  prothallium,  which  in  ferns  is  a  marked  feature,  becomes 
reduced  in  Selaginella,  and  disappears  except  in  rudiment  in  the  Sperma- 
phytes. 

t  The  above  is  in  accordance  with  the  older  botanical  systems.  The  com- 
parative and  morphological  study  of  the  higher  plants  is  leading  us  on  to  a 
more  natural  system  of  classification  than  that  which  is  given  in  the  ordinary 
Manuals  of  Botany.  The  day  of  artificial  groups  like  the  "  Apetalous  division 
of  Exogens"  is  long  since  passed.  This  is  not  the  place  to  discuss  these 
changes,  but  this  note  is  given  merely  to  call  attention  to  the  progress  in  a 
field  where  many  have  been  led  to  believe  there  was  no  further  progress 
possible.  Among  the  many  transitional  systems  the  following  ought  to 
be  accessible  in  almost  any  good  library: — Engler-Prantl :  Naturlichen 
Pflanzenfamilien,  n,  pp.  1-5,  and  Macmillan :  The  Metaspermae  of  the 
Minnesota  Valley,  pp.  18-29. 


54       OUR  NATIVE  FERNS  AND    THEIR  ALLIES. 


GYMNO8PERM/C 

SELAGINELLACE/e 

I80ETACE/C 


POUYPODIACE/E 


8PHAGNACE/E 


PHYCOMYCETES 


RROTOCOCCOIDE* 


PROVISIONAL  PEDIGREE  OF  THP  READING  GROUPS  OF  PLANTS. 


THE  FERN'S  PLACE  IN  NATURE.  55 

LITERATURE. 

BOWER  (F.  O.).  The  comparative  study  of  the  Meristem  of 
Ferns  as  a  phylogenetic  study.  In  Annals  of  Botany,  Hi,  305- 
322,  pi.  xx-xxiv  (1889). 

Is  the  Eusporangiate  or  the  Leptosporangiate  the  more 

primitive  type  in  the  Ferns  ?     In  Annals  of  Botany,  V,  109-134, 
pi.  vii  (1891). 

CAMPBELL  (Douglas  H.).  On  the  affinities  of  the  Filicineae. 
In  Botanical  Gazette,  XV,  1-7  (1890). 

—  A  study  of  the  apical  growth  of  the  prothallium  of  Ferns 
with  reference  to  their  relationships.  In  Bulletin  of  the  Torrey 
Botanical  Club,  xvni,  73-80  (1891). 

On  the  relationships  of  the  Archegoniata.    In  Botanical 

Gazette,  XVI,  323-333  (1891). 


1  37.  Since  many  students  have  no  accessible  list  of  the 
leading  literature  of  the  lower  plants,  and  available  manuals  for 
their  study  for  the  most  part  have  not  been  written,  it  may  not 
be  considered  amiss  to  indicate  some  of  the  leading  systematic 
literature  relating  to  their  study.  It  is  not  to  the  credit  of 
American  botany  that  we  are  obliged  to  this  day  to  refer  to 
European  manuals  as  the  best  media  for  information  concern- 
ing the  lower  plants  of  this  country.  It  is  to  be  hoped  that  a 
stimulus  will  be  given  to  the  study  of  the  lower  plants  in  all 
parts  of  the  country.  The  literature  will  be  arranged  in  con- 
formity with  the  classification  above  given. 

1  .    ALOE. 

FARLOW  (W.  G.).  Marine  Algae  of  New  England.  Report 
of  U.  S.  Fish  Comm.  (1879). 

KlRCHNER  (Oskar).  Algen,  in  Cohn :  Kryptogamenflora 
von  Schlesien. 

WILLE  (N.).  Algen,  in  Engler-Prantl  :  Die  naturlichen 
Pflanzcnfamilien.  Contains  valuable  synopses  of  genera. 

WOLLE  (F.).  Fresh-water  Algae  of  the  United  States.  2 
vols.  (1887.) 

HARVEY  (W.  H.).     Nereis  Boreali-Americana.    3  parts,  410. 


56        OUR  NATIVE  FERNS  AND    THEIR  ALLIES. 

(1851,  1853,  1857.)  This  and  the  next  are  expensive  works  with 
colored  plates  relating  chiefly  to  marine  forms. 

HARVEY  (W.  H.).     Phycologia  Britannica.     4  vols.    (1871). 

DE  TONI  (J.  B.).  Sylloge  Algarum  omnium  hucusque  cog- 
nitarum.  (1889.)  This  work  covers  the  algae  of  the  world, 
giving  compiled  descriptions  in  Latin.  Volume  I  (Chlorophy- 
ceae,  pp.  12,  cxxxix,  1315)  only  has  appeared. 

Diatomaceae. 

SMITH  (H.  L.).  Conspectus  of  the  Families  and  Genera  of 
the  Diatomaceae.  The  Lens,  i,  1-19,  72-93  (1872). 

WOLLE  (F.).  The  Diatomaceae  of  the  United  States. 
(1891.) 

VAN  HEURCK  (H.).  Synopsis  des  Diatomees  de  Belgique. 
(1880.) 

Desmidiaceae. 

WOLLE  (F.).  Desmids  of  the  United  States.  (1884;  2d 
edition  1892.) 

STOKES  (A.  C).  Key  to  the  Desmidiese.  Amer.  Monthly 
Micros.  Journal,  VII,  109-114,  125-131,  144-148,  163-169  (1886). 
An  analytic  key  to  the  above  work. 

Characese. 

ALLEN  (T.  F.).  Characeae  of  America,  Part  I  (1888); 
Part  II  (1893). 

HALSTED  (B.  D.).  Classification  and  Description  of  the 
American  Species  of  Characeae.  Proc.  Boston  Soc.  Nat.  Hist., 
XX,  169-190  (1879). 

2.   FUNGI. 

For  the  structure  and  biology  of  this  group  the  following 
are  useful  : 

DE  BARY  (A.).  Comparative  Morphology  and  Biology  of 
the  Fungi,  Mycetozoa,  and  Bacteria.  (English  translation.) 
(1887.) 

ZOPF  (W.).  Die  Pilze.  (1890.)  Especially  full  on  the  physi- 
ology of  the  Fungi. 


THE  FERN'S  PLACE  IN  NATURE.  $7 

BREFELD  (O.).  Untersuchungen  aus  dem  Gesammtgebiete 
der  Mykologie.  Hefte  vii,  vin.  IX,  X  (1888-1891).  The  most 
elaborate  morphological  work  on  the  subject. 

For  the  systematic  study  of  the  Fungi  no  single  work  is  avail- 
able for  American  students.  The  scattered  literature  is  very 
abundant,  and  the  more  available  portions  are  classified  below. 
Among  the  European  manuals  the  following  is  the  most  ex- 
tensive and  useful : 

WINTER  (G.)  etal.  Die  Pilze,  in  Rabenhorst :  Kryptogamen- 
flora  von  Deidschland,  Oesterreich  und  der  Schweiz.  Three 
volumes  are  completed  and  the  fourth  is  nearly  so. 

Myxomycetes. 

McBRiDE  (T.  H.).  The  Myxomycetes  of  eastern  Iowa. 
Bull.  Lab.  Nat.  Hist.  State  Univ.,  n,  99-162  (1892). 

COOKE  (M.  C).     Myxomycetes  of  Great  Britain.     (1877.) 

The  Myxomycetes  of  the  United  States.  Annals  N.  Y. 

Lyceum  Nat.  Hist.,  XI,  378-409  (1877).  An  incomplete  but 
serviceable  list. 

BERLESE  (A.  N.).  Myxomyceteae,  in  Saccardo :  Sylloge 
Fungorum,  vii,  323-450;  X,  83-99. 

MASSEE  (Geo.).  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres.  (1892.) 
To  be  used  with  caution  ;  cf.  criticisms  in  Bulletin  Torrey  Bot. 
Club,  xx,  73-82  (1893). 

Schizomycetes. 

GROVE  (W.  B.).  A  Synopsis  of  the  Bacteria  and  Yeast 
Fungi.  I2mo.  (1884.) 

SACCARDO  (P.  A.).     Sylloge  Fungorum,  vni,  923-1087. 

THAXTER  (Roland).  On  the  Myxobacteriaceae,  a  new 
order  of  Schizomycetes.  Bot.  Gazette,  xvil,  389-406  (1892)  ; 
xvill,  29,  30  (1893). 

Phycomycetes. 

FISCHER  (A.).  Phycomycetes,  in  Winter:  Die  Pilzt 
Deutschlands,  Oesterreichs  und  der  Schweiz  (1892). 

FARLOW  (W.  G.).  Enumeration  of  the  Peronosporeae  oi 
the  United  States.  Bot.  Gazette,  vin,  305-315,  327-337  (1883) ; 
Additions,  IX,  37-40  (1884). 


58         OUR  NATIVE   FERNS  AND    THEIR  ALLIES. 

FARLOW  (W.  G.).  The  Synchitria  of  the  United  States. 
Bot.  Gazette,  X,  235-245  (1885). 

THAXTER  (Roland).  The  Entomophthoreae  of  the  United 
States.  Metn.  Boston  Soc.  Nat.  Hist.,  iv,  133-201,  pi.  14-21 
(1888). 

BERLESE  (A.  N.)  et  DE  TONI  (J.  B.).  Phycomyceteae,  in 
Saccardo:  Sylloge  Fungorum,  vn,  181-322;  ix,  335-363. 

Ustilagineae. 

DE  TONI  (J.  B.).  Ustilagineae,  in  Saccardo:  Sylloge  Fun- 
gorum,  VII,  449-527;  IX,  282-291. 

SETCHELL  (W.  A.).  An  Examination  of  the  Species  of  the 
Genus  Doassansia.  Annals  of  Botany,  vi,  1-48  (1892). 

Uredinege. 

BURRILL  (T.  J.).  Parasitic  Fungi  of  Illinois,  Part  I.  Bull. 
Illinois  State  Lab.  Nat.  Hist.,  II,  141-255  (1885). 

PLOWRIGHT  (C.  B.).  A  Monograph  of  the  British  Uredi- 
neae  and  Ustilagineae.  (1889). 

DfiTONi  (J.  B.).  Uredineae,  in  Saccardo:  Sylloge  Fungorum, 
VII,  528-822;  IX,  291-334. 

Tremellineae. 

SACCARDO  (P.  A.).  Sylloge  Fungorum,  vi,  760-815;  IX, 
257,  261. 

Hymenomycetes. 

FRIES  (Elias).     Hymenomycetes  Europaei  (1874). 

SACCARDO  (P.  A.).     Sylloge  Fungorum,  v  ;    vi  ;   ix,  i   261. 

PECK  (Charles  H.).  Boleti  of  the  United  States.  Bull. 
N.  Y.  State  Mus.,  n,  73-166  (1889). 

MASSEE  (George).  A  Monograph  of  the  Thelephoreae. 
Jour.  Linn.  Soc.,  XXV,  107-155  (1889);  xxvil,  95-205  (1890). 

The  following  of  more  limited  range  are  useful : 

PECK  (Charles  H.).  Reports  of  State  Botanist.  Report  of 
Regents  of  the  State  Museum  of  Natural  History  (New  York), 
XXII-XLIV.  Contain  many  synopses  especially  of  the 
Agaricini. 

MORGAN  (A.  P.).     The  Mycologic  Flora  of  the  Miami  Val- 


THE  FERN'S  PLACE  IN  NATURE.  $9 

ley.  Jour.  Cincinnati  Soc.  Nat.  Hist.,  vi,  54-81,97-117,  173- 
199;  vii,  5-10;  vm,  91-111,  168-174;  IX,  1-8;  X,  7-18, 
188-202;  xi,  86-95  (1883-1887). 

The  following  more  expensive  illustrated  works  treat  of  the 
Agaricini : 

FRIES  (Elias).  Icones  Selectae  Hymenomycetum.  Parts  1 
and  II.  Folio.  (1867-1884.)  Contains  two  hundred  colored 
plates. 

COOKE  (M.  C).  Illustrations  of  British  Fungi.  8  vols. 
8vo.  (1881-1887.)  Illustrates  over  1200  species,  many  of  which 
are  common  to  Europe  and  America. 

Gastromycetes. 

MORGAN  (A.  P.).  North  America  Fungi — Gastromycetes. 
Jour.  Cincinnati  Soc.  Nat.  Hist.,  XI,  141-149  ;  xn,  8-22,  163- 
172;  xni,  5-21  ;  XIV,  141-148  (1889-92). 

MASSEE  (George).  British  Gastromycetes.  Annals  of 
Botany,  IV,  1-94  (1889). 

FISCHER  (E.)  et  DE  TONI  (J.  B.).  Gasteromyceteae,  in 
Saccardo  :  Sylloge  Fungorum,  vii,  1-180,  469-492;  IX,  262-281. 

PECK  (Charles  H.).  United  States  species  of  Lycoperdon. 
Trans.  Albany  Inst.,  IX,  285-318  (1-35)  (1879). 

MORGAN  (A.  P.).  The  North  American  Geasters.  Amer. 
Nat.,  xvni,  963-970  (1884).  Reprinted  without  the  illustrations 
in  Jour.  Mycol.,  I,  11-13  (l885)« 

TRELEASE  (William).  The  Morels  and  Puff-balls  of  Madi- 
son. Trans.  Wis.  Acad.  Science,  vii,  105-120  (1889). 

Gymnoasceae. 

ROBINSON  (B.  L.).  Notes  on  the  Genus  Taphrina.  Annals 
of  Botany,  I,  163-176  (1887). 

SACCARDO  (P.  A.).     Sylloge  Fungorum,  vm,  811-825. 

Tuberaceae. 

TULASNE  (L.  R.  et  C.).     Fungi  Hypogaei  (1862). 
SACCARDO  (P.  A.).     Sylloge  Fungorum,  vm,  863-907  ;   X, 
80-83. 


60        OUR  NATIVE  FERNS  AND    THEIR  ALLIES. 

Pyrenomycetes. 

EURRILL  (T.  J.)  and  EARLE  (F.  S.).  Parasitic  Fungi  of 
Illinois.  Part  II.  Bull.  Illinois  State  Lab.  Nat.  Hist.,  II,  387- 
432  (1887). 

BESSEY  (C.  E.).  The  Erysiphei.  -]th  Bien.  Report  Iowa 
Agric.  Coll.  (1877). 

ELLIS  (J.  B.)  and  EVERHART  (B.  M.).  The  North  American 
Pyrenomycetes  (1892). 

SACCARDO  (P.  A.).  Sylloge  Fungorum,  I ;  II ;  Additamenta; 
ix,  364-1129. 

TULASNE  (L.  R.  et  C.).  Selecta  Fungorum  Carpologia. 
3  vols.  4to.  (1861,  1863,  1865.) 

Lichenes. 

WlLLEY  (H.).  An  Introduction  to  the  Study  of  the 
Lichens.  (1887.) 

TUCKERMAN  (E.).     Genera  Lichenum.    (1872.) 

A  Synopsis  of  the  North  American  Lichens.     Parts  I 

and  II.     (1882,  1890.) 

Discomycetes. 

COOKE  (M.  C..).  Mycographia,  seu  Icones  Fungorum. 
Vol.  I,  Discomycetes.  4to.  (1879.) 

PHILLIPS  (William).  A  manual  of  the  British  Discomy- 
cetes. (1887.) 

REHM  (H.).  Discomycetes,  in  Winter :  Die  Pihe  Deutsch- 
lands,  Oesterreichs  und  der  Schweiz.  III.  Abtheilung. 

SACCARDO  (P.  A.).     Sylloge  Fungorum,  vni,  1-842  ;  x,  1-79, 

Fungi  Imperfect!. 

ELLIS  (J.  B.)  and  EVERHART  (B.  M.).  Enumeration  of  the 
North  American  Cercosporeae.  Jour.  MycoL,  I,  17-24,  33-40, 
49-56,  61-67  (1885).  Additions,  ibid.,  II,  I,  2  ;  in,  13-21  ;  iv, 
2-7. 

North  American  species  of  Ramularia.  Jour.  Mycol. 

I,  73-83  (1885).  Additions,  ibid.,  iv,  i,  2. 

The  North  American  species  of  Gloeosporium.  Jour. 

MycoL,  I,  109-119  (1885).  Additions,  ibid.,  in,  21. 

North  American  species  of  Cylindrosporium.  Jour 

MycoL,  I,  126-128  (1885).  Additions,  ibid.,  in,  21,  22. 


THE  FERN'S  PLACE  IN  NATURE.  6 1 

MARTIN  (George).  The  Phyllostictas  of  North  America. 
Jour.  My  col. ,  II,  13-20,  25-27  (1886). 

—  Enumeration  and  Description  of  the  Septorias  of  North 
America.    Jour.  Mycol.,  Ill,  37-41.  49~53>  61-69,  73-82,  85-94 
(1887). 

SACCARDO  (P.  A.).  Sylloge  Fungorum,  in;  iv ;  Addi- 
tamenta  ;  X,  100-739. 

Hepaticse. 

UNDERWOOD  (L.  M.).  Hepaticae,  in  Gray :  Manual  of 
Botany,  6//i  edition. 

—  Descriptive  Catalogue  of  the  North  American  Hepaticae, 
north  of  Mexico.     Bull.  Illinois  State  Lab.  Nat.  Hist.,  n,  1-133 
(1884). 

Sphagnaceae. 

WARNSTORF  (O.  Contributions  to  the  knowledge  of  the 
North  American  Sphagna.  Bot.  Gazette,  XV,  127-140,  189-198, 
217-227,  242-255  (1890). 

BRAITHWAITE  (R.).  The  Sphagnaceae  or  Peat  Mosses  of 
Europe  and  North  America.  (1880.) 

Musci. 

BARNES  (Charles  R.).  Artificial  Keys  to  the  Genera  and 
Species  of  Mosses.  Trans.  Wisconsin  Acad.  Science,  VI II, 
11-81,  163-166  (1890). 

LESQUEREUX  (Leo)  and  JAMES  (T.  P.).  Manual  of  the 
Mosses  of  North  America.  (1884.) 

For  any  really  satisfactory  work  in  this  group  of  plants  the 
following  more  expensive  publications  are  essential : 

SULLIVANT  (W.  S.).  Icones  Muscorum  and  Supplement. 
2  vols.  (1864,  1874). 

BRAITHWAITE  (R.)-  British  Moss  Flora.  In  course  of 
publication  in  parts. 

BRUCH  (Ph  ),  SCHIMPER  (W.  P.),  et  GUMBEL  (Th.).  Bry- 
ologia  Europaea.  6  vols.  4to.  (1835-1855.)  Suppl.  (1864-66.) 

138.  The  literature  of  the  Pteridophytes  has  been  given 
elsewhere  in  this  volume,  and  that  of  the  Spermaphytes  is 
better  known  and  need  not  be  mentioned  here. 


62        OUR  NATIVE  FERNS  AND    THEIR  ALLIES, 


CHAPTER   IX. 
DISTRIBUTION   IN   TIME  AND   SPACE. 

139.  Geographic  Distribution. — Ferns  are  found  in  all 
parts  of  the  world.  The  number  of  described  species  is  not 
certainly  known,  and  the  uncertainty  is  largely  increased  for 
the  reason  that  our  best  systematists  do  not  agree  as  to  what 
constitutes  a  species.  Baker,  whose  authority  is  generally 
recognized  in  England  and  America,  places  the  estimate  at 
about  3000  species.  Added  to  these  are  565  fern  allies  as  recog- 
nized by  the  same  author. 

From  what  has  been  said  respecting  the  climatic  conditions 
of  fern  growth  we  would  naturally  expect  to  find  them  most 
abundant  in  countries  where  warmth  and  moisture  predomi- 
nate. These  conditions  seem  most  completely  met  on  tropical 
islands  or  in  tropical  continental  areas  with  insular  climates. 
The  little  island  of  Mauritius,  having  an  area  of  676  square 
miles,  or  less  than  one  third  the  area  of  Delaware,  has  235  na- 
tive species,  while  Java,  little  larger  than  New  York,  has  460. 
Brazil  furnishes  387,  and  the  Isthmus  of  Panama  117.  Com- 
paring these  with  colder  climates,  we  find  67  in  all  Europe,  and 
only  26  grow  within  the  borders  of  the  arctic  zone. 

"  Our  Native  Ferns,"  as  described  later  in  this  volume,  in- 
cluding those  species  that  are  classed  in  the  order  FILICES, 
number  158  species.  Adding  to  these  the  11  species  of  the 
order  OPHIOGLOSSACE^E,  which  have  frequently  been  enumer- 
ated with  the  ferns,  we  have  a  total  of  169  species.  The  remain- 
ing fern  allies  number  59,  making  a  grand  total  of  228. 

1  4O.  Divisions  of  our  Flora. — It  has  been  found  con- 
venient to  divide  the  surface  of  the  earth  into  faunas  and  floras, 
limited  by  the  natural  distribution  of  the  various  species  of 
animals  and  plants.  These  limits  are  by  no  means  sharply 
defined,  for  wherever  the  limit  is  made  some  species  will  pass 


DISTRIBUTION  IN   TIME  AND  SPACE.  63 

beyond  it ;  yet  the  majority  found  on  one  side  are  different 
from  the  majority  of  those  on  the  other.  North  America  (ex- 
cluding Mexico)  forms  the  Nearctic  realm  or  fauna  (Regnum 
Nearcticum\  and  the  same  boundaries  may  be  used  in  the  limi- 
tation of  our  fern  flora,  although  some  species  from  tropical 
regions  invade  our  borders  in  Florida,  Texas,  and  Arizona. 
Leaving  out  of  question  the  species  that  are  widely  distributed 
over  the  greater  part  of  our  country,  many  of  which  are  cos- 
mopolitan species,  we  may  divide  the  Nearctic  realm  into  five 
provinces,  each  of  which  possesses  many  species  peculiar  to  itself. 
141.  The  provinces*  are  as  follows  : 

I.  BOREAL  :  inhabiting  (with  a  few  exceptions)  the  northern 
portion  of  the  United  States,  extending  through  Canada  and 
British  America,  some  species  even  reaching  Labrador,  Green- 
land, and  Alaska,  and  nearly  all  represented  also  in  the  north- 
ern portions  of  the  Old  World. 

II.  MEDIAL:  extending  throughout  the  mountain  and  hilly 
region  of  the  States  east  of  the  Mississippi,  westward  to  the 
mountains,  and  northward  into  Canada,  and  in  a  few  instances 
also  inhabiting  the  Old  World. 

III.  OCCIDENTAL  :  extending  along  the  western  border  of 
the  continent   from   British  Columbia  to  California,  in  a  few 
cases  appearing  also  in  the  Rocky  Mountain  region. 

IV.  SONORAN  :  inhabiting  the  central  mountain  regions  of 
Western  Texas,  Arizona,  and  Colorado,  many  of  the  species  ex- 
tending thence  into  Mexico,  and  some  even  to  South  America. 

V.  AUSTRAL  :  inhabiting  the  border  of  the  Gulf  of  Mexico, 
many  of  the  species  extending  into  the  West  Indies  and  Tropi- 
cal America. 

1  42.  The  following  lists  will  indicate  the  relations  of  our 
native  species,  though  several  species  exceed  the  bounds  here 
indicated,  and  occur  within  the  borders  of  other  provinces. 

*  This  division  is  a  slight  modification  of  one  proposed  by  John  H.  Red- 
jield  in  1875.     Cf.  Bulletin  Torrey  Botanical  C/udt  vi,  1-7. 


64       OUR  NATIVE  FERNS  AND    TUElR  ALLIES. 


BOREAL. 
(Those  marked  *  are  known  only  from  Alaska.) 


Cheilanthes  argentea.*    Local. 
Cryptogramma  acrostichoides. 
Pellaea  Stelleri. 
Asplenium  viride. 
Dryopteris  lonchitis. 

aculeata,  var.  Braunii. 

oreopteris. 

fragrans. 

filix-mas. 

spinulosa. 

Boottii. 
Cystopteris  montana. 


Woodsia  alpina. 
glabella. 


Botrychium  lunaria.     Rare  and  local. 

boreale.*     Local. 
Equisetum  pratense. 

palustre. 

litorale.     Rare. 

variegatum. 
Lycopodium  annotinum. 

alpinum. 

sabinaefolium. 
Selaginella  selaginoides. 


MEDIAL. 


Adiantum  pedatum. 
Cheilanthes  lanosa. 
Pellaea  atropurpurea. 
Woodwardia  Virginica. 

areolata. 
Asplenium  pinnatifidum. 

ebenoides. 

platyneuron. 

angustifolium. 

ruta-muraria. 

montanum. 

fontanum. 

Bradleyi. 

thelypteroides. 

Scolopendrium  scolopendrium.   Rare. 
Camptosorus  rhizophyllus. 
Phegopteris  phegopteris. 

hexagon  optera. 

dryopteris. 
Dryopteris  acrostichoides. 

Noveboracensis. 

thelypteris. 

cristata. 

var.  Clintoniana. 

Goldieana. 

marginalis. 


Dryopteris  spinulosa,    var.    interme- 
dia. 

var.  dilatata. 
Cystopteris  bulbifera. 
Onoclea  sensibilis. 

struthiopteris. 
Woodsia  Ilvensis. 

obtusa. 

Dicksonia  punctilobula. 
Lygodium  palmatum.     Rare. 
Schizaea  pusilla.     Local. 
Osmunda  regalis. 

Clay  ton  iana. 

cinnamomea. 


Marsilea  quadrifolia.     Local. 
Salvinia  natans.     Local. 
Botrychium  simplex. 

matricariaefolium. 

lanceolatum. 
Equisetum  silvaticum. 

fluviatile. 

scirpoides. 
Lycopodium  selago. 

lucidulum. 

inundatum. 


DISTRIBUTION  IN    TIME  AND   SPACE. 


Lycopodium  obscurum. 
clavatum. 
complanatura. 
Selaginella  apus. 
Isoetes  lacustris. 

Tuckermani.     Local, 
echinospora,  var.  Braunii. 

var.  robusta.    Local, 
var.  Boottii. 


Isoetes    echinospora,   var.    muricata. 

Local. 

saccharata.     Local, 
riparia. 
Engelmanni. 
var.  gracilis. 
var.  valida. 
melanopoda. 
Butleri.     Rare. 


OCCIDENTAL. 

(Species  marked  *  are  confined  to  California ;  those  marked  t  are  found  only  in 
j)*frtt  jt\i<-  '  r~c-l^*s™.          Oregon.) 

Phegopteris  alpestris. 
Dryopteris  munita. 

mohrioides.* 

aculeata.* 

var.  Californica*.* 
var.  angularis.* 

Nevadensis.* 

rigida,  var.  arguta. 
Woodsia  scopulina. 

Oregana. 

Azolla  filiculoides. 
Marsilea  vestita. 
Pilularia  Americana. 
Equisetum  telmateia. 

robustum. 
Selaginella  Oregana. 

Douglasii. 
Isoetes  pygmaea.* 

Bolanderi. 

Howellii.t 

nuda.t 

Nuttallii. 

Suksdorfii. 

maritima. 


Polypodium  falcatum. 

Californicum.* 

Scouleri. 

Gymnogramme  triangularis. 
Notholaena  Newberryi. 

cretacea.*_ 

tenera. 
Adiantum  emarginatum. 
Pteris  aquilina,  var.  lanuginosa, 
Cheilanthes  Californica.* 

viscida.* 

Cooperae.* 

gracillima. 

Parishii.* 

fibrillosa.* 

Clevelandii.* 
Pellaea  Breweri. 

andromedasfolia.* 

brachyptera. 

ornithopus.* 

densa. 

Bridges!!.* 
Lomaria  spicant. 
Woodwardia  radicans. 


SONORAN. 

(Species  marked  *  are  found  in  our  region  only  in  Arizona ;  those  marked  t  are 

Texan  ) 


Polypodium  thysanolepis.* 
Gymnogramme  Ehrenbergiana. 
Notholaena  sinuata. 

ferruginea. 

Parryi. 


Notholaena  Aschenborniana.* 
Candida. 
Hooker  i. 
Schaffneri.f 


66        OUR   NATIVE  FERNS  AND    THEIR  ALLIES. 


Notholaena  Grayi. 

Lemmoni.* 

nivea. 

Fendleri. 

Adiantum  tricholepis.f 
Cheilanthes  Pringlei.* 

Wrightii. 

leucopoda.f 

lendigera.* 

gracilis. 

tomentosa. 

Fendleri. 

myriophylla. 

Lindheimeri. 
Pellaea  aspera. 

pulchella. 


Pellaea  ternifolia.f 

Wrightjana. 

flexuosa. 

intermedia. 
Asplenium  monanthemum.* 

septentrionale. 

Glenniei.* 
Dryopteris  juglandifolia. 

Mexicana. 
Woodsia  Mexicana. 
Anemia  Mexicana. t 


Marsilea  macropoda. 

uncinata. 

vestita,  var.  tenuifolia.f 
Selaginella  lepidophylla. 

Pringlei. 


AUSTRAL. 
(Species  marked  *  are  found  in  our  region  only  in  Florida.) 


Acrostichum  aureum.* 
Polypodium  plumula.* 

pectinatum.* 

polypodioides. 

aureum.* 

phyllitidis.* 

Swartzii.* 

Taenitis  lanceolata.* 
Vittaria  lineata.* 
Adiantum  capillus-veneris. 

tenerum.* 
Pteris  longifolia.* 

serrulata. 

aquilina,  var.  caudata. 
Cheilanthes  microphylla. 

Alabamensis. 

Ceratopteris  thalictroides.* 
Blechnum  serrulatum.* 
Asplenium  serratum.* 

parvulum. 

dentatum. 

firmum. 

cicutarium.* 

rhizophyllum,var.  myriophyllum* 
var.  Biscaynianum* 
Phegopteris  tetragona.*     Rare. 


Phegopteris  reptans.*     Rare. 
Dryopteris  trifoliata.     Rare. 

contermina,  var.  strigosa.* 

patens. 

unita,  var.  glabra.* 

Floridana.* 
Nephrolepis  exaltata.* 

acuta.*    Rare. 
Trichomanes  Petersii.     Local. 

radicans. 
Anemia  adiantifolia.* 


Ophioglossum  crotalophoroides. 

nudicaule. 

palmatum.* 
Equisetum  laevigatum. 
Lycopodium   inundatum,  var.  pinra 
turn.* 

alopecuroides. 

cernuum.     Rare. 

Carolinianum. 
Psilotum  nudum.     Rare. 
Selaginella  Ludoviciana.     Rare. 

rupestris,  var.  tortipila.     Rare. 
Isoetes  melanospora.     Local. 

flaccida.* 

var.  Chapmani.* 


DISTRIBUTION  IN   TIME  AND   SPACE.  67 


COSMOPOLITAN  SPECIES. 


Polypodium  vulgare. 
Pteris  aquilina. 
Asplenium  trichomanes. 

filix-foemina. 
Cystopteris  fragilis. 


Ophioglorsum  vulgatum. 
Botrychium  Virginianum. 

ternatum. 
Equiseturn  arvense. 

hiemale. 
Selaginella  rupestris. 


Azolla  Caroliniana. 

143.  Local  Lists. — The  number  of  species  found  in  a  sin- 
gle locality  is  usually  limited,  yet   in  certain  favored  locations 
there   is  a  marked  diversity.     As  an  instance,  in  one  of  the 
habitats  of  the   rare  hart's-tongue  *  the   writer  has  collected 
twenty-seven    species    illustrating  fourteen  genera  within  the 
radius  of  a  thousand  feet.     Such  localities,  however,  are  com- 
paratively rare,  and  must  include  wide  diversity  of  soil  and 
shade  within  very  narrow  limits. 

Onondaga  County,  New  York,  possesses  perhaps  as  many 
ferns  as  any  county  in  the  entire  country,  including  41  species. 
32  are  catalogued  from  Essex  County,  Massachusetts.  Several 
State  lists  more  or  less  complete  have  been  compiled,  and  are 
noticed  in  the  literature  below.  Carefully  prepared  lists  from 
all  the  States  and  Territories  would  be  a  valuable  addition 
to  our  knowledge  of  geographic  distribution. 

144.  Geologic  Distribution. — It  is  well  known  that  the 
plants  and  animals  now  existing  on  the  earth  are  not  the  same 
in  kind  as   those  of   former  ages.     Geologists   have  carefully 
studied  the  stony  heart  of  nature,  and  have  drawn  therefrom 
the  story  of  the  development  of  land  and  sea,  and  the  succes- 
sive populations  that  from  time  to  time  have  held  possession 
of  our  globe.     Plants  furnishing  the  natural  food  for  animals 
must  have  preceded   animal  life,  yet  in  the  earliest  geologic 
ages  the   remains  of  animals   are   far  more   numerous.      The 
abundance  of  the  deposits  of  graphite  and  iron-ore  in  the  earli- 
est or  Archaean  rocks  indicates  the  existence  of  extensive  plant 
growth,  but  the  remains  are  so  transformed  as  to  mak-2  it  im- 
possible to  determine  the  character  of  this  primeval  vegetation. 

1  45.  In  the  succeeding  Silurian  age  the  fossil  remains  in- 
dicate the  existence  of  algae  or  sea-weeds  in  abundance,  and  a 

*  "  Green  Pond,"  one  mile  east  of  Jamesville,  Onondaga  County,  New 
York. 

5 


68        OUR  NATIVE  FERNS  AND    THEIR  ALLIES. 

single  small  species  of  ground  pine  attests  the  existence  of  some 
of  the  higher  Cryptogamia ;  no  ferns,  however,  have  been 
found  in  America  older  than  the  Devonian.  Over  fifty  species 
of  Devonian  ferns  have  been  described  from  the  American 
rocks  chiefly,  by  Principal  J.  W.  Dawson  of  Montreal. 

1  46.  It  is  in  the  coal  measures,  however,  that  ferns  and 
other  Cryptogamia  are  found  in  the  greatest  abundance  and 
profusion.  Their  delicate  foliage  is  impressed  on  the  various 
rock  strata  above  the  beds  of  coal,  and  so  perfectly  are  they 
preserved  that  not  only  the  methods  of  fructification  but  even 
the  microscopic  spores  have  been  detected  !  In  the  coal  meas- 
ures of  the  United  States  and  Canada  (counting  from  the  base 
of  the  Catskill),  381  species  of  ferns  have  been  described, 
chiefly  by  Prof.  Leo  Lesquereux.  The  most  abundant  Ameri- 
can genera  are  Neuropteris  45  species,  Pecopteris  50  species, 
Sphenopteris  31  species,  Pseudopecopteris  25  species,  and  Rha- 
cophyllum  24  species. 

The  frontispiece  gives  an  ideal  representation  of  the  vegeta- 
tion of  the  Carboniferous  age.  The  luxuriant  tree-ferns,  the 
Lepidodendrids,  ancient  representatives  of  the  diminutive  club- 
mosses  or  ground-pines,  the  Catamites,  allies  of  the  modern 
scouring-rushes,  and  other  forms  no  less  wonderful,  are  seen  in 
their  profusion. 

147.  In  the  later  geologic  ages,  Mesozoic  and  Tertiary, 
ferns  are  found  preserved  in  the  rocks,  with  the  leaves  of  many 
trees  and  shrubs  of  existing  genera.  The  indications  are  that 
Terns  formed  a  far  smaller  part  of  the  vegetation  of  these  later 
ages  than  in  the  preceding  Carboniferous,  and  even  approxi- 
mated to  that  of  the  present.  Six  Cretaceous  and  twenty-four 
Tertiary  species  have  been  catalogued,*  including  species  in 
the  existing  genera  Lygodium,  P fen's,  Woodwardia,Dryopterts, 
Gymnogramme,  etc.,  as  well  as  some  related  to  genera  abundant 
in  earlier  formations.  No  living  species  is  found  fossil,  unless 
Dr.  Newberry's  variety  of  Onoclea  sensibilis  becomes  estab- 
lished.! In  the  course  of  geologic  history,  however,  we  can 

*  Tenth  report,  Hayden  Geological  Survey  of  the  Territories.  Washing- 
ton, 1878. 

t  Prof.  Lesquereux  writes  me:  "Though  analogous  by  the  nervation,  I 
doubt  the  identity  on  account  of  the  coriaceous  character  of  that  fossil  fern, 


DISTRIBUTION  IN    TIME  AND   SPACE.  69 

trace  a  gradual  approximation  to  the  modern  types  from  the 
generalized  forms  of  Devonian  and  Carboniferous  times. 

148.  Fern  Allies. — Ophioglossum  dates  back  to  the  Ter- 
tiary period  with  one  species.  The  order  EQUISETACE^E  have 
existed  since  the  coal  period  and  the  genus  Equisetum  since  the 
Triassic.  The  order  CALAMARIACE^E,  which  combined  charac- 
ters of  modern  Equiseta  and  Conifers,  came  into  existence  in  the 
Devonian,  but  became  extinct  before  the  close  of  the  Permian. 
Illustrations  of  Calamites  can  be  seen  at  the  left-hand  corner  of 
the  frontispiece,  also  under  the  tree-fern  in  the  centre.  The 
club- mosses  proper  have  been  in  existence  since  the  Devonian, 
and  the  genus  Lycopodtum  since  the  Carboniferous.  Selaginella 
has  never  been  found  fossil,  but  its  near  relatives  belonging  to 
the  extinct  orders  LEPIDODENDRACE^E  and  SIGILLARIACE^E 
were  very  abundant  in  the  Palaeozoic  era,  particularly  during 
the  Carboniferous,  where  they  formed  the  largest  part  of  the 
forest  vegetation,  reaching  in  some  instances  a  height  of  sev- 
enty to  one  hundred  feet.  The  former  possessed  characters 
connecting  modern  club-mosses  with  Conifers,  while  the  latter 
seem  to  connect  the  club-mosses  with  the  Cycads.  Restora- 
tions of  Lepidodendron  may  be  seen  on  the  left-hand  side  of  the 
frontispiece,  and  of  Sigillaria  on  the  right.  Isoetes  dates  back 
to  the  Miocene  (Tertiary)  and  Marsilia  and  Pilularia  to  the 
same  period. 

LITERATURE. 

Besides  the  works  referred  to  below,  many  State  floras  will 
give  additional  information  respecting  lucal  distribution. 
Among  the  more  important  of  these  are  those  of  New  Jersey 
(Britton),  Ohio  (Beardslee),  North  Carolina  (Curtiss),  Wiscon- 
sin (Lapham),  Vermont  (Perkins},  New  Hampshire  (Flint), 
Pacific  Coast  (Lemmori),  Illinois  (Patterson),  New  York  (Torrey), 
Michigan  (Wheeler  and  Smith),  Indiana  (Coulter  and  Barnes), 
Iowa  (Arthur),  Minnesota  (Uphani),  Missouri  (Tracy). 

BURGESS  (T.  W.  J.).  Recent  Additions  to  Canadian  Filici- 
neae.  In  Transactions  Royal  Society  of  Canada  (1886). 

which  I  have  not  seen  in  any  variety  of  O.  sensibilis  now  living."  Principal 
Dawson,  however,  writes:  "  The  Onoclea  sensibilis  of  the  Laramie  is  truly 
that  species,  and  I  have  found  with  it  in  our  Manitoba  formations  another 
modern  fern,  Davallia  tenuifolia." 


70        OUR  NATIVE  FERNS  AND    THEIR  ALLIES. 

DAVENPORT  (George  E.).  Catalogue  of  the  "  Davenport 
Herbarium"  of  North  American  Ferns.  Salem  (1879).  Sup- 
plement (1883). 

Some  Comparative  Tables  showing  the  Distribution  of 

Ferns  in  the  United  States  of  North  America.  In  Proceedings 
American  Philosophical  Society,  1883,  605-612. 

MACOUN  (John)  and  BURGESS  (T.  W.  J.).  Canadian  Filici- 
neae.  In  Transactions  Royal  Society  of  Canada  (1884). 

REDFIELD  (John  H.).  Geographical  Distribution  of  the 
Ferns  of  North  America.  In  Torrey  Bulletin,  vi,  1-7  (1875). 

Minor  notes  on  distribution  will  also  be  found  in  the  follow- 
ing journals : 

Botanical  Gazette,  I,  n,  22,  27;  II,  55,  62;  HI,  82;  IV,  128, 
I39»  i/7»  232;  v,  15,  39;  VI,  195,  220,  248;  vii,  76,96,  160;  x, 
370;  XII,  63,  67.  181  ;  XII,  117. 

Torrey  Bulletin,  II,  24,  28 ;  III,  2,  33 ;  IV,  2,  17,  42 ;  V,  38,  39 ; 
vi,  8,  175,  177,  199,  206,  221,  234,  291,  345,  347 ;  vn,  16,  80,  89,  94, 

06,  118;  vin,  47,  93,  105,  127,  144;  IX,  55,  71,  128;  x,  32,40;  xi, 

7,  67 ;  XIV,  97,  149. 

Other  notes  still  will  be  found  in  Mr.  Davenport's  series  of 
"  Fern  Notes"  and  Prof.  Eaton's  series  of  "  New  and  Rare  Ferns 
of  the  United  States,"  together  with  much  of  the  remaining 
descriptive  literature  noted  in  Chapter  VIII.  on  the  Ferns  and 
their  allies.  The  literature  on  fossil  ferns  is  very  extensive.  A 
valuable  work  on  the  coal  flora  will  be  found  in  the  Reports 
P  and  PP  of  the  Second  Geological  Survey  of  Pennsylvania. 


CHAPTER   X. 
METHODS    OF   STUDY. 

The  great  benefit  which  a  scientific  education  bestows,  whether  as  training 
or  as  knowledge,  is  dependent  upon  the  extent  to  which  the  student  .  .  . 
learns  the  habit  of  appealing  directly  to  Nature.— HUXLEY. 

149.  Determination  of  Species. — The  first  thing  to  learn 
about  a  plant  or  animal  is  not  its  name,  but  its  structural 
characteristics,  knowing  which  the  name  can  be  readily  deter- 


METHODS  OF  STUDY.  /I 

mined.  Having  provided  ourselves  with  a  strong  lens,  two  or 
more  needles  mounted  in  wooden  handles  for  dissecting  pur- 
poses, and  a  few  well-fruited  ferns  taken  with  the  roots,  we  are 
prepared  to  commence  our  study.  In  investigating  any  plant 
we  should  be  systematic  and  accurate  in  our  observations,  and 
no  subject  will  develop  order  and  accuracy  of  description  or 
enlarge  our  powers  of  observation  as  will  the  subject  of  botany 
rigidly  pursued.  In  order  to  fix  the  characters  of  the  fern  in 
question,  it  is  well  to  note  them  down  in  some  systematic  order, 
and  the  preparation  of  blanks  like  the  following  is  suggested 
for  the  purpose : 


Synoptical  characters  of 

ROOT. 

ROOTSTOCK. 

STIPE. 

FROND. 

VEINS. 

SORI. 

SPORANGIA. 

SPORES. 

The  characters  thus  commence  with  the  lowest  parts  and 
continually  advance  upwards  to  completion. 

1  5O.  Taking  now  a  common  fern,  we  will  notice  its  charac- 
teristics. Suppose  it  to  be  the  one  commonly  called  "  Maiden- 
hair" in  the  Northern  States.  We  take  the  parts  in  order  and 
give  them  a  searching  examination  :  the  character  of  the  root; 
the  direction  of  growth,  position  and  appearance  of  the  root- 
stock  ;  the  appearance,  color,  and  method  of  growth  of  the 


72        OUR  NATIVE  FERNS  AND    THEIR  ALLIE*. 


stipe ;  the  method  of  cutting  of  the  frond  and  the  character  ot 
its  surface;  the  method  of  veining;  the  position  of  the  fruit 
clusters  on  the  frond  and  veins,  and  the  peculiar  form  of  the 
indusium,  if  present.  The  sporangia  and  spores  are  best 
studied  with  a  microscope,  yet  the  shape  of  the  sporangia  and 
the  character  of  the  ring  can  be  determined  with  a  strong  lens. 
151.  The  characters  of  the  Maidenhair  can  be  summed  up 
as  follows : 


Synoptical  characters  of 
ADIANTUM  PEDATUM  L. 

ROOT. 

Many  delicate  fibres,  somewhat  matted. 

ROOTSTOCK. 

Scaly,  somewhat  creeping. 

STIPE. 

Separate,   slender,  polished,   black,   forked   at    base    of 
frond,  forming  two  recurved  rachises. 

FROND. 

Roundish   in  outline,  formed   of  several  pinnae,  which 
branch  from  the  recurved  rachises;  pinnules  unequal  sided, 
oblong  or  deltoid  ;  upper  margins  irregularly  lobed  ;  sur- 
faces smooth. 

VEINS. 

Free,  several  times  forked. 

SORI. 

Borne  at  the  end  of  the  veins  on  the  under  side  of  the  re- 
flexed  margins  of  the  lobes,  which  form  somewhat  kidney- 
shaped  membranous  indusia. 

SPORANGIA. 

Globose,  with  a  nearly  complete  vertical  ring. 

SPORES. 

Minute,  of  one  kind. 

1  52.  We  are  now  prepared  to  determine  the  specific  name, 
and  for  this  purpose  will  turn  to  the  "ARTIFICIAL  SYNOPSIS  OF 
ORDERS"  (p.  75),  where  we  read  the  statements  under  A,  with 
the  first  of  which  our  plant  agrees  ;  then  to  B  as  directed,  where 
we  find  it  agrees  with  the  third  statement ;  then  to  C,  where  we 
determine  the  Order  to  which  our  plant  belongs.  After  having 
determined  the  plant  to  be  a  member  of  the  order  FILICES,  we 
proceed  to  the  "ARTIFICIAL  SYNOPSIS  OF  GENERA"  (p.  8o\ 
Reading  the  two  statements  under  A  we  find  our  plant  agrees 
with  the  first,  bearing  the  sporangia  at  the  margin  of  a  leafy 
frond,  so  we  proceed  to  B  as  indicated  at  the  right-hand  mar- 


METHODS  OF  STUDY.  73 

gin.  There  being  an  indusium  present,  we  are  directed  to  C, 
where  we  find  four  statements.  Our  fern  agrees  with  the 
second,  as  the  indusium  is  formed  of  a  reflexed  portion  of  the 
frond.  Passing  to  D  we  find  it  agreeing  with  the  first  state- 
ment. Passing  to  E,  the  statement,  "  Sporangia  at  the  ends  of 
the  veins,  borne  on  a  reflexed  portion  of  the  margin  of  the 
frond,"  answers  our  purpose,  and  the  marginal  reference  indi- 
cates the  gSnus  Adiantum.  Under  this  genus  (p.  89)  we  find 
two  statements  designated  by  .,.,  and  **  ;  the  latter  referring  to 
the  "  dichotomously  forked  "  fronds,  answers  our  purpose,  and 
we  find  our  fern  to  be  number  5,  Adiantum  pcdatum  L.,  the 
scientific  name  of  the  Maidenhair,  which  we  can  now  place  in 
our  description.  Were  we  in  Florida  or  any  of  the  Southern 
States,  instead  of  A.pedatum  we  would  probably  have  found 
the  Venus'  Hair  (A.  capillus-veneris},  or  in  California  the  Cali- 
fornian  Maidenhair  (A.  emarginatunt),  either  of  which  would 
agree  with  the  common  Eastern  species  in  all  respects  save  the 
method  of  branching  of  the  frond  and  the  shape  of  the  pinnules. 
In  like  manner  we  can  trace  any  of  our  native  species  to  their 
scientific  names,  by  carefully  noting  their  structure  and  methods 
of  fruiting. 

1  53.  In  a  few  ferns  it  will  be  necessary  to  exercise  great 
care  in  the  examination  of  the  indusia.  In  the  genera  Cystop- 
teris,  Dicksonia,  and  Woodsia,  and  in  a  few  species  of  Dryopteris, 
the  indusia  wither  away  after  fruiting,  so  that  one  is  likely  to 
classify  them  under  the  non-indusiate  genera  if  he  carelessly 
examines  them  in  this  condition.  In  such  cases  a  large  number 
of  sori  should  be  carefully  examined,  and  the  least  trace  of  an  in- 
dusium should  be  noted.  Five  sixths  of  our  genera,  including 
four-fifths  of  our  species,  are  indusiate. 

154.  Fern  Allies. — In  determining  the  species  of  the  fern 
allies  the  method  of  procedure  is  quite  similar  to  that  indicated 
above  for  the  Maidenhair,  in  each  case  referring  the  plant  to  its 
proper  order.  The  specimens  must  be  in  fruit,  and  in  the  case 
of  Eqiiisetum  must  include  both  sterile  and  fertile  shoots.  As 
the  species  of  Isoetes  differ  mainly  in  the  size,  character,  and 
markings  of  the  spores,  they  will  require  a  microscope  with 
micrometers  for  successful  determination,  though  some  can  be 
identified  with  a  lens  if  the  life  habits  are  also  known. 


74        OUR  NATIVE  FERNS  AND    THEIR  ALLIES. 

1  55.  Histology. — We  have  now  gained  a  slight  knowledge 
of  the  more  apparent  characters  of  the  fern  as  viewed  from 
without,  and  have  been  formally  introduced  to  the  species  in 
hand  by  name.  With  some  the  study  might  seem  to  be  at  an 
end,  but  in  fact  it  has  only  fairly  begun.  The  minute  structure, 
the  development  and  the  life-history  of  our  fern,  is  yet  unknown, 
leaving  the  most  important  features  yet  to  be  ascertained. 
Classification  as  it  now  exists  is  only  a  temporary  arrangement, 
for  the  true  relations  of  our  species  can  never  be  fully  deter- 
mined until  their  minute  anatomy  and  life-histories  have  been 
thoroughly  studied  and  compared.  The  minute  anatomy  has 
been  carefully  studied  in  only  a  few  of  our  native  ferns,  and  fewer 
still  have  been  watched  through  the  phases  of  their  life-history. 
Less  still  is  known  of  the  species  of  fern  allies.  There  is  no 
fear  of  exhausting  the  subject,  and  even  amateur  botanists  with 
the  most  limited  facilities  can  do  something  in  original  inves- 
tigation. 

1  56.  Guides  to  Study. — It  is  impossible  within  the  limits 
of  a  manual  of  this  character  to  do  more  than  suggest  guides 
for  study,  yet  no  guide  can  be  followed  blindly  to  the  exclusion 
of  native  common-sense.  For  the  study  of  anatomy  the  works 
already  mentioned  under  Chapter  V.  will  serve  for  reference, 
while  the  following  laboratory  guides,  each  containing  an  out- 
line for  the  study  of  a  single  fern,  will  be  found  valuable: 

ARTHUR  (J.  C.),  BARNES  (C.  R.)  and  COULTER  (J.  M.).  Hand- 
book of  Plant  Dissection.  New  York  (1886).  (Henry  Holt  & 
Co.).  For  Adiantum  pedatuin. 

BOWER  (F.  O.)  and  VINES  (S.  H.).  A  Course  of  Practical  In- 
struction in  Botany,  Part  I.  London  (1885).  (Macmillan  &  Co.) 
For  Aspidium  fill x -mas  and  fern  allies. 

SEDGWICK  (W.  T.)  and  WILSON  (E.  B.).  General  Biology. 
Part  I.  New  York  (1886).  (Henry  Holt  &  Co.).  For  Pteris 
aquilina. 

\  57.  For  the  study  of  life-histories  the  recent  paper  by  Dr. 
Campbell  on  Onoclea  struthiopterts  can  well  serve  as  a  model. 
(Cf.  Literature  under  Chapter  VI.)  The  study  of  fern  structure 
and  fern  development  will  grow  in  interest  at  every  step,  and 
will  result  in  contributions  of  value  to  the  knowledge  of  our 
native  ferns  and  their  allies. 


OUR    NATIVE    PTERIDOPHYTES. 


PTERIDOPHYTA  Cohn. 

Vascular  acrogens  containing  woody  tissue  in  the  stems. 
Antheridia  or  archegonia  or  both  formed  on  a  prothallus  which 
is  developed  from  the  spore  on  germination,  and  upon  which 
the  asexual  plant  is  produced.  Includes  eight  living  and  three 
extinct  orders,  all  represented  in  North  America. 

ARTIFICIAL  SYNOPSIS  OF  ORDERS. 

.  j  Isosporous,  i.e.,  spores  of  one  kind B 

t  Heterosporous,  i.e.,  spores  of  two  kinds, D 

f  Plant  rush-like,  .  .  .  Order  V.  EQUISETACE^,  p.  132 

B  -j  Plant  moss-like,  .  .  Order  VI.  LYCOPODIACELE,  p.  135 
[Plant  fern-like, C 

Vernation  erect  or  inclined  ;  sporangia  not  reticulate, 
in  spikes  or  panicles,  opening  by  a  transverse  slit. 

Order  IV.    OPHIOGLOSSACE^E,  p.  128 
•  Vernation   circinate ;    sporangia   reticulate,  provided 
with  a  ring,  usually  borne  on  the  back  or  margin  of 
a  frond  sometimes  in  spikes  or  panicles, 

Order  I.     FlLICES,  p.    75 

f  Terrestrial,  moss-like  plants, 

j  Order  VII.      SELAGINELLACE^E,  p.  140 

I  Aquatic,  rooting  in  mud -;...£ 

[Aquatic,  floating,      .     .Order  III.     SALVINIACE^E,  p.  127 
f  Leaves  awl-shaped,  tubular,  containing  the  sporangia 

in  their  axils,     .     .     .    Order  VIII.     ISOETACE^E,  p.  142 
E      \  Leaves  quadrifoliate  or  filiform  ;  sporangia  enclosed 
in  sporocarps  borne  on  separate  peduncles,    .     .     . 

Order  II.    MARSILIACE^E,  p.  125 

ORDER  I.    FlLICES  Juss. 

Plant  body  consisting  of  fronds  usually  raised  on  stipes  ris- 
ing from  a  prostrate,  ascending,  or  erect  rootstock,  circinate  in 
vernation.  Sporangia  modified  trichomes  of  the  leaves,  reticu- 


76  OUR  NATIVE  PTERIDOPHYTA. 

late,  one-celled,  encircled  by  a  more  or  less  complete,  jointed 
elastic  ring,  collected  in  clusters  of  various  forms  on  the  under 
surface  of  the  frond,  with  or  without  an  indusium  or  covering ; 
or  panicled,  or  spiked  and  naked ;  or  borne  on  receptacles  of 
various  kinds.  Spores  of  various  forms,  minute.  Prothallium 
above  ground,  green,  monoecious  or  dioecious.  Contains  six 
well-marked  sub-orders,  four  of  which  are  represented  with  us. 
Genera,  seventy,*  of  which  we  have  representatives  of  thirty. 

SUB-ORDER  I.-POLYPODIACE>E    Presl. 

Sporangia  pedicelled,  surrounded  more  or  less  completely  by 
a  jointed,  vertical,  and  elastic  ring,  bursting  transversely.  Sori 
dorsal  or  marginal,  borne  on  a  leafy  frond,  with  or  without 
indusia. 

TRIBE  I.  ACROSTICHES.  Sporangia  spread  in  a  stra- 
tum over  the  under  surface,  or  rarely  over  both  surfaces  of  the 
frond.  Indusia  wanting. 

I.  Acrostichum   L.     Sori  covering   the  entire  surface  of 
the  upper  pinnae. 

TRIBE  II.  POLYPODIES.  Sori  dorsal,  borne  at  or  near 
the  ends  of  the  veinlets,  without  indusia. 

II.  Polypodium   L.      Possessing  characters  of  the  tribe. 
TRIBE    III.       GRAMMITIDES.      Sori    dorsal,    variously 

arising  from  the  veins,  usually  linear.     Indusia  wanting. 

III.  Gymnogramme  Desv.     Sori  oblong  or  linear,  follow- 
ing the  course  of  the  veinlets. 

IV.  Notholaena  R.  Br.     Sori  on   the  veins  or  near  their 
extremities,  roundish  or  oblong,  soon  confluent  into  a  narrow 
marginal  band. 

V.  Tsenitis  Swz.     Sori  linear,  central,  or  submarginal. 
TRIBE  IV.     VITTARIES.     Sporangia  borne  in  a  continu- 
ous marginal  or  intra- marginal  furrow. 

VI.  Vittaria  Sm.     Fronds  simple,  linear,  grass-like. 
TRIBE  V.     PTERIDES.     Sori  marginal  or  intra-marginal, 

provided  with  an  indusium  formed  of  the  reflexed  margin  of 
the  frond,  and  opening  inwardly. 

*  This  number  is  based  on  Hooker's  classification.  Other  authors,  narrow- 
ing the  limits  of  generic  characters,  recognize  a  greater  number.  Smith,  for 
example,  publishes  220  and  Presl  230,  yet  the  tendency  among  most  botanists 
is  to  restrict  the  number. 


FILICES.  77 

*  Sporangia  borne  on  a  reflex ed  portion  of  the  margin  of  the 
frond. 

VII.  Adiantum  L.     Sori  usually  numerous  and    distinct. 
Midrib  of  the  pinnules  near  the  lower  margin  or  wanting. 

**  Sporangia  borne  on  a  continuous  vein-like  receptacle  which 
connects  the  apices  of  the  veins. 

VIII.  Pteris  L.      Sori    continuous.      Indusium    delicate, 
whitish.     Midribs  of  pinnules  central. 

***  Sporangia  at  or  near  the  ends  of  unconnected  veins,  borne 
on  the  under  surface  of  the  frond. 

IX.  Cheilanthes  S\vz.     Sori  minute,  at  the  ends  of  the 
veins.     Indusium  continuous  or  interrupted. 

X.  Cryptogram  ma    R.    Br.     Sporangia   on    the  back   or 
near  the  ends  of  the  veins  forming  oblong  or  roundish  sori, 
which  are  at  length  confluent  and  cover  the  back  of  the  pin- 
nules.    Sterile  and  fertile  fronds  unlike,  smooth. 

XI.  Pellsea  Link.     Sori  on  the  upper  part  of  the  veins, 
distinct,   or   mostly   forming  a   marginal   band   of    sporangia. 
Sterile  and  fertile  fronds  usually  similar,  smooth. 

TRIBE  VI.  CERATOPTERIDE^).  Sori  on  two  or  three 
longitudinal  veins  which  are  nearly  parallel  with  the  edge  of  the 
frond.  Habits  aquatic. 

XII.  Ceratopteris    Brong.      The  only  genus  ;  having  the 
characters  of  the  tribe. 

TRIBE  VII.     BLECHNE;E.     Sori  dorsal,  linear  or  oblong, 
borne  on  transverse  veins,  parallel    to  the  midrib.     Indusium 
fixed  at  its  outer  margin,  opening  at  the  inner. 
*  Veins  free. 

XIII.  Lomaria  Willd.     Sori  in  a  continuous   band    next 
the  midrib.     Indusium   elongate,  formed  of  the  recurved  and 
altered  margin  of  the  pinnae,  or  else  sub-marginal.     Fronds  of 
two  sorts,  elongate,  pinnate. 

XIV.  Blechnum    L.      Sori   linear,   elongate,   continuous 
near  the  midrib.     Indusium  continuous.     Fronds  pinnate. 

**  Veins  more  or  less  reticulate. 

XV.  Woodwardia  Sm.     Sori   linear   or  oblong,  forming 
chain-like  rows.     Indusia  separate. 

TRIBE  VIII.     ASPLENI E/E.     Sori  dorsal,  linear  or  oblong, 


78        OUR  NATIVE  FERNS  AND    THEIR  ALLIES 

oblique  to  the  midrib,  or  rarely  sub-parallel  with  it.  Indusium 
fixed  by  one  margin  to  the  veinlet,  opening  at  the  other,  some- 
times double. 

*  Veins  free. 

XVI.  Asplenium  L.     Sori  on  the  upper  side  of  a  fertile 
veinlet,  rarely  on  both  sides. 

XVII.  Scolopendrium    Sm.     Sori    linear,   confluent    in 
pairs,  which  appear  like  a  single  sorus  with  the  double  indusium 
opening  in  the  middle. 

**  Veins  reticulate. 

XVIII.  Camptosorus    Link.       Sori    oblong    or    linear, 
borne  partly  on  veins  parallel  to  the  midrib,  partly  on  veins 
oblique  to  the  midrib. 

TRIBE  IX.  ASPIDIE*-E.  Sori  dorsal,  round  or  roundish, 
on  the  back  or  rarely  on  the  apex  of  a  vein.  Indusium  usually 
membranous,  rarely  wanting. 

*  Without  indusia. 

XIX.  Phegopteris  Fee.     Sori  round,  rather  small,  borne 
on  the  back  of  the  free  veins. 

**  With  indusia. 
Mndusia  superior. 

XX.  Dryopteris  Adans.     Indusium  orbicular  and  fixed  by 
the  centre,  or  reniform  and   fixed    by  the  sinus,  opening   all 
round  the  margin.     Sori  mostly  on  the  back  of  the  veins. 

XXI.  Nephrolepis  Schott.     Indusium  reniform,  fixed  at 
the  sinus  or  at  the  arcuate  base,  opening  toward  the  margin  of 
the  frond.     Sori  at  the  end  of  free  veins. 

ft  Indusia  fixed  by  a  broad  base  partly  under  the  sorus. 

XXII.  Cystopteris    Bernh.     Indusium    convex,   usually 
reflexed  as  the  sporangia  ripen.     Texture  delicate. 

ttt  Indusia  obscure.  Fertile  frond  much  contracted,  "very  un- 
like the  sterile. 

XXIII.  Onoclea  L.     Sori  dorsal  on  the  veins  of  the  con- 
tracted pinnae,  concealed  by  their  revolute  margins. 

tttt  Indusia  inferior* 


FILICES.  79 

XXIV.  Woodsia  R.   Br.     Indusium  roundish  or  stellate, 
delicate,  cleft  into  irregular  lobes. 

TRIBE  X.  DICKSONIEJE.  Sori  roundish  or  transversely 
elongate,  borne  at  the  ends  of  the  veins  or  on  marginal  cross- 
veinlets,  with  an  indusium  attached  at  the  base  or  base  and 
sides  and  opening  toward  the  margin  of  the  segment. 

XXV.  Dicksonia  L'Her.     Sori  marginal,  small,  the  indu- 
sium cup-shaped,  somewhat  two-valved,  the  under  portion  con- 
fluent with  a  lobule  of  the  frond. 

SUB-ORDER   II.-HYMENOPHYLLACEJE   Endl. 

Sporangia  borne  on  an  elongate,  often  filiform,  receptacle, 
surrounded  by  a  complete  transverse  ring,  opening  vertically. 
Sori  terminal  or  marginal  from  the  apex  of  a  vein.  Indusium 
inferior,  usually  of  the  same  texture  as  the  frond.  Fronds  deli- 
cately membranous  and  pellucid. 

XXVI.  Trichomanes  Sm.     Indusia   tubular,  cup-shaped, 
or  funnel-shaped,  sometimes  two-lipped. 

SUB-ORDER   III.-SCHIZJEACEJE  Presl. 

Sporangia  ovate,  sessile,  arranged  in  spikes  or  panicles,  hav- 
ing a  complete,  transverse,  articulated  ring  at  the  apex,  and 
opening  by  a  longitudinal  slit. 

*  Stems  scandent. 

XXVII.  Lygodium  Swz.    Sporangia  borne  in  a  double  row 
on  narrow  fertile  segments,  each  on  a  separate  veinlet  and  pro- 
vided with  a  special  indusium. 

**  Stems  not  scandent. 

XXVIII.  Anemia     S\vz.      Sporangia  naked,  attached  by 
their  bases  to  the  narrow  divisions  of  the  panicled  fertile  seg- 
ments of  the  frond. 

XXIX.  Schizaea  Sm.     Sporangia  naked,  fixed  in  a  double 
row  to  the  midrib   of  the    narrow    fertile   segments.     Sterile 
fronds  simple  or  dichotomously  forked. 

SUB-ORDER    IV.-OSMUNDACEJE   R.    Br. 

Sporangia  naked,  globose,  mostly  pedicelled,  with  no  ring  or 


8O        OUR  NATIVE  FERNS  AND    THEIR  ALLIES. 

mere  traces  of  one  around  the  apex,  opening  into  two  halves  by 
a  longitudinal  slit. 

XXX.  Osmunda  L.  Fertile  pinnae  or  fronds  much  con- 
tracted, bearing  the  large  and  abundant  sporangia  on  the  mar- 
gins of  the  narrow  segments. 

ARTIFICIAL   SYNOPSIS   OF   GENERA. 

Sporangia  collected  in  sori  and  borne  on   the  back  or  margin  of  a 

j       leafy  frond        B 

1   Sporangia  in  spikes  or  panicles  not    on   the  leafy  portion    of    the 

[      frond U 

(   Sori  covered  with  indusia O 

(   Sori  naked       P 

{Fertile  frond  closely  rolled  together,   entirely  unlike   the  sterile,   its 
segments  berry-like  or  necklace-like       .     .XXIII.    ONOCLEA,  p.  119 
Sori  marginal,  covered  with  a  reflexed  portion  of  the  frond       .         D 
I   Sori  marginal  or  terminal,  borne  on  an  elongate  receptacle, 

XXVI.   TRICHOMANES,  p.  122 
I  Sori  dorsal  or  marginal,  provided  with  special  indusia       ...        H 

{Terrestrial,  growing  mostly  in  rocky  places E 
Aquatic,  sterile  fronds  floating  on  the  water, 
XII.    CERATOPTERIS,  p.  101 
f  Sporangia  at  the  ends  of  the  veins,  borne  on  a  reflexed  portion  of  the 

margin  of  the  frond        VII.     ADIANTUM,  p.  89 

E      I   Sporangia  borne  on  a  continuous,  marginal,  vein-like  receptacle  con- 
necting the  apices  of  the  veins VIII.     PTERIS,  p.  90 

Sporangia  at  or  near  the  ends  of  unconnected  veins,  borne  on   the 

I       under  surface  of  the  frond       J? 

i   Fronds  conspicuously  dimorphous  ;  stipes  light-colored, 

X.  CRYPTOGRAMMA,  p.  97 

'   Fronds  nearly  uniform  ;  stipes  usually  dark G 

f  Sori  on  the  upper  part  of  the  veins,  mostly  forming  a  continuous  mar- 
ginal band  ;  indusium  membranous,  continuous  round  the  segment, 
Q.  XI.     PELL^EA,  p.  97 

1    Sori  minute,  at  the  ends  of  the  veins ;  indusium  interrupted,  or  if  con- 
tinuous, the  ultimate  segments  usually  small  and  bead-like ;  fronds 
<-      mostly  chaffy,  woolly,  or  farinose,    .     .      IX.   CHEILANTHES,  p.  91 
„      (   Sori  roundish  ;  indusia  not  more  than  twice  as  long  as  broad      .  I 

I   Sori  linear  or  oblong  ;  indusia  more  than  twice  as  long  as  broad          L 

;  Indusium  superior,  attached  by  the  centre  or  sinus J 
Indusium   convex,    fixed   by  a  broad   base   partly   under   the   sorus, 
XXII.   CYSTOPTERIS,  p.  118 
I   Indusium  inferior K 


FILICES.  8 1 

Sori  mostly  on  the  back  of  the  veins  ;  indusium  orbicular  or  reniform, 
opening  all  round  the  margin     .     .     .    XX.    DRYOFTERIS,  p.  no 
J      \   Sori  at  the  end  of  a  free  vein ;  indusium  reniform,  opening  toward 
the  margin  of  the  frond  ;  fronds  simply  pinnate,  the  pinnae  articu- 
lated to  the  rachis XXI.    NEPHROLEPIS,  p.  117 

Indusium  roundish  or  stellate,  delicate    .     .  XXIV.    WOODSIA,  p.  119 
Indusium  cup-shaped,  somewhat  two-valved, 

XXV.     DICKSOXIA,  p.  121 

Sori  all  parallel  to  the  midribs  or  rachises M 

i    Sori  all  oblique  to  the  midribs O 

Sori  partly  oblique  and  partly  parallel  to  the  midrib  ;    frond  simple, 

I      tapering  to  a  point XVIII.     CAMPTOSORUS,  p.  108 

j  Veins  free N 

(  Veins  reticulate XV.   WOODWARDIA,  p.  102 

Indusium  near  the  margin  ;  fertile  frond  much  contracted, 

XIII.     LOMARIA,  p.  101 

'    Indusium  remote  from  the  margin  ;  fronds  nearly  uniform, 

XIV.   BLECHNUM,  p.  102 
Sori  on  the  upper  side  of  a  veinlet,  rarely  on  both  sides, 

XVI.    ASPLENIUM,  p.  103 

Sori   confluent   in   pairs,  with  an  apparently  double  indusium  open- 
ing in  the  middle XVII.   SCOLOPENDRIUM,  p.  107 

f  Sori  spread  in  a  stratum  on  the  under  surface  of  the  frond, 

I.   ACROSTICHUM,  p.  82 

I   Sori  roundish,  or  not  more  than  twice  as  long  as  broad      ...        Q 
[  Sori  usually  linear,  always  more  than  twice  as  long  as  broad       .       R 

{Stipes  articulated  to  the  rootstock ;  fronds  (in  our  species)  entire  or 
simply  pinnate II.    POLYPODIUM,  p.  82 
Stipes   not   articulated    to    the    rootstock;    fronds   (in    our    species) 
bi — tripinnatifid  or  ternate XIX.    PHEGOPTERIS,  p.  108 

„      i    Fronds  simple & 

Fronds  pinnate  to  quadripinnate T 

Fronds  very  narrow,  grass-like  ;  veins  indistinct,  free, 

S       -{  VI.    VlTTARIA,  p.  89 

Fronds  broader  ;  veins  anastomosing       ....  V.    T^ENITIS,  p.  88 
f  Sori  marginal,  more  or  less  confluent  in  a  marginal  band, 

IV.     NOTHOL-iENA,  p.  85 

Sori    following  the    veinlets,    simple,    forked,    pinnate,   or    variously 

anastomosing III.   GYMNOGRAMME,  p.  84 

\   Sporangia  ovate,  with  transverse  ring  at  apex V 

'   Sporangia  globose  without  a  ring    ....   XXX.    OsMUXDA,  p.  124 
«r      (   Stems  scandent,  pinnas  palmate      .     .     .  XXVII.    LYGODIUM,  p.  122 

'   Stems  not  scandent       "W 

w     \   Sporangia  in  close  distichous  spikes     .     .       XXIX.     SCHIZJEA,  p.  123 
<   Sporangia  in  copiously  branching  panicles,  XXVIII.    ANEMIA,  p.  123 
6 


82        OUR  NATIVE  FERNS  AND    THEIR  ALLIES. 

I.     ACROSTICHUM   L. 

Sporangia  spread  over  the  whole  surface  of  the  frond  or  upper 
pinnae,  or  occasionally  over  both  surfaces.  Venation  and  cut- 
ting various  (in  our  species  simply  pinnate).  Name  from  Gr. 
axpoS,  the  summit,  and  crrz^oS,  a  row.  A  tropical  genus  con- 
taining over  170  species. 

§  CHRYSODIUM. 

1.  A.  aureum  L.  Stipes  i° — 2°  long,  tufted,  strong,  erect, 
glossy;  fronds  2° — 6°  long,  i°— 2°  broad,  upper  pinnae  fertile, 
slightly  smaller  than  the  barren  ones ;  texture  coriaceous ; 
areolae  small,  copious,  without  free  veinlets.  Florida.  X* 

II.    POLYPODIUM   L. 

Sori  round,  naked,  dorsal,  in  one  or  more  rows  each  side  of 
midrib,  or  irregularly  scattered.  Stipes  articulated  to  root- 
stock.  Name  from  Gr.  itoXvS,  many,  and  TtovS,  7ro5oS,  foot,  allud- 
ing to  the  branching  rootstock.  The  largest,  most  cosmopolitan 
genus  of  ferns,  containing  350  or  more  species. 

§  I.  EUPOLYPODIUM.  Veins  free ;  fronds  (in  our  species) 
pinnate. 

*  Sori  large. 

1.  P.  vulgare  L.     Stipes  2' — 4'  long,  firm,  erect;  fronds 4' — 
10'  long,  i' — 3'  broad,  cut  nearly  or  quite  to  the  rachis  into  entire 
or  slightly  toothed,  usually  blunt  pinnae;   veins  once  or  twice 
forked.     Larger  fronds  with  their  pinnae  sharply  serrated  and 
long-pointed  form  the  var.  occidental  Hook.     New  England 
westward  to  Oregon  and  southward  to  Alabama. 

2.  P.  falcatum  Kellogg.     Stipes  5' — 8'  long,  stramineous ; 
fronds  12' — 15'  long,  4' — 8'  broad;  pinnae  numerous,  tapering  to 
a  slender  point,  sharply  serrate;  sori  nearest  the  midrib;  veins 
with  2 — 4  veinlets.     (P.glycyrrhiza  D.  C.  Eaton.)     California  to 
British  Columbia. 

**  Sort  smaller,  often  minute. 

3.  P.  plumula  H.  B.  K.     Stipes  i' — 4'  long,  black,  slender; 
fronds  narrowly  lanceolate,  9' — 18' long,  i' — 2'  broad;  pinnae  nu- 
merous, narrow,  entire,  blunt,  lower  gradually  reduced  ;  surfaces 
naked  except   the  black  wiry  rachis;  veinlets  forked,  obscure. 
Florida. 


FILICES.  83 

4.  P.  pectinatum  L.     Stipes  rigid  2' — 6'  long;    fronds  el- 
liptical-lanceolate, ic — 2^°  long,  2' — 6' broad,  cut  to  the  rachis 
into  horizontal,  entire  or  toothed  pinnae,  the  lower  ones  much 
reduced  ;  rachis  naked  or  finely  villose  ;  veinlets  pellucid,  once 
or  twice  forked  ;  sori  in  long  rows,  of  medium  size.     Florida. 

§2.  GONIOPHLEBIUM  Blume.  Veins  forming  ample  regular 
areola  (almost  imperceptible  in  No.  5),  each  with  a  single  distinct 
free  included  veinlet,  bearing  a  sorus  at  its  terminus. 

-  *  Under  surface  squamous. 

5.  P.  polypodioides  (L.)  Hitch.     Rootstock  creeping,  cov- 
ered with  small  brown  scales;  stipes  i' — 4'  long,  erect,  densely 
scaly;  fronds  2' — 6'  long,  i' — 1£'  broad,  cut  to  the  rachis  into 
entire  pinnae;  texture  coriaceous;  sori  small;  veins  indistinct. 
(P.  incanum  Swz.)     Virginia  to  Illinois,  and  southward. 

6.  P.  thysanolepis  A.  Br.    Rootstock  slender,  firm,  densely 
covered  with  minute  lanceolate  scales  ;  stipes  3' — 12'  long,  erect, 
scaly  ;  fronds  ovate,  3' — 9'  long,  2' — 3'  broad  ;  pinnae  distant,  as- 
cending, blunt,  dilated  at  base  (except  the  lowest),  thick,  sub- 
coriaceous,  covered  below  with  cil'iate  scales  with  brown  centre 
and  broad  scarious  border ;  areolae  and  sori  in  a  single  series. 
Huachuca  Mountains,  Arizona  (Lemmoti],  Mexico. 

**  Under  surface  mostly  smooth, 
c,  J  s 

7.  P.  Californicum    Kaulf.      Rootstock   creeping,    chaffy; 
stipes  2' — 6'  long,  stramineous  when  dry,  naked  ;  fronds  ovate 
to  oblong-lanceolate,  4' — 9'  long,  i' — 5'  broad,  cut  nearly  or  quite 
to  midrib  into  finely-toothed  pinnae;  texture  papyraceo-herba- 
ceous;  sori  large;  veinlets  4 — 6  to  each  vein.     (Including/*,  in- 
termedium H.  &  A.)     California. 

8.  P.  Scouleri  H.  &  G.     Rootstock  stout,  creeping,  scaly ; 
stipes  2 — 4'  long,  erect,  naked  ;  fronds  thick,  3' — 12'  long,  2' — 6' 
broad,  cut  down  to  rachis  into  from  5 — 29  close,  blunt  pinnae; 
texture  coriaceous,  fleshy  when  recent;  sori  very  large  ;  veinlets 
regularly  anastomosing  forming  a  single  series  of  large  areolae. 
(P.  carnosum  Kellogg,  P.  pachyphyllum  D.  C.  Eaton.)      Cali- 
fornia and  northward. 

§3.  PHLEBODIUM  R.  Br.  Veins  forming  ample  areolce,  each 
with  two  or  more  distinct,  free,  included  veinlets  bearing  sori  on 
their  united  points. 


84        OU'R  NATIVE  FERNS  AND    THEIR   ALLIES. 

9.  P.  aureum    L.       Rootstock  stout,  densely  seal}';    stipes 
i° — 2°  long,  castaneous,  naked  ;  fronds  3° — 5°  long,  9' — 18'  broad, 
cut  nearly  to  the  rachis  into  broad  entire  or  slightly  undulate 
pinnae  ;  areolae  copious.     Florida. 

§4.  CAMPYLONEURON  Presl.  Primary  veins  distinct  from 
midrib  to  the  edge,  connected  by  parallel  transverse  veinlets  ; 
areolcE  similar,  containing  two  or  more  sori. 

10.  P.  phyllitidis    L.     Rootstock  stout,  scaly;  stipes  short 
or  none;   fronds  simple,    i° — 3°   long,    i' — 4'  broad,  the   poini 
acute,  lower  part  gradually  narrowed  ;  texture  rigid,  coriaceous  ; 
areolse  in  rows  of  6 — 12  from  midrib  to  edge.     Florida. 

§  5.  PHYMATODES  Presl.  Areolcefine,  copious,  irregular,  the 
free  veinlets  spreading  in  various  directions  ;  sori  various  in  posi- 
tion. 

11.  P.  Swartzii    Baker.     Rootstock  wide  creeping,  slender, 
covered  with  linear  ferruginous  scales ;  stipes  £' — i'  long,  slender, 
naked;  frond  simple,  2'— 4'  long, V — |'  broad,  narrowed  gradu- 
ally toward  both  ends,  the  edge  entire,  undulate,  or  slightly 
lobed ;  sori  uniserial  on  free  veinlets.     (P.  serpens  Swz.)     Key 
Largo,  Florida  (Curtiss). 

III.     GYMNOGRAMME  Desv. 

Sori  oblong  or  linear,  following  the  course  of  the  veinlets  and 
like  them,  simple,  forked,  pinnate,  or  variously  anastomosing, 
without  indusia.  Name  from  Gr.  yvfj.vo$,  naked,  and  ypd/ujua, 
line.  Includes  about  100  species,  mostly  tropical. 

§  i.  EUGYMNOGRAMME.  Veins  free,  under  surface  not  fari- 
nose. 

1.  G.  Ehrenbergiana  Klotzsch.    Rootstock  creeping  ;  stipes 
grayish,  puberulent,  3' — 6'  long;    fronds    5-angled,  i' — 3'  each 
way,  hispid  above,  tomentose  beneath,  pinnate ;    lower   pinnae 
much  the  largest,  unequally  triangular,  pinnate;  upper  pinnae 
lobed  or  crenate.   (G.pedata  of  check-lists  not  of  Kaulf.,  G.  podo- 
phylla  Hook,   in  part,   G.  hispida  Mett.  and  former  edition.) 
Texas  to  Arizona. 

§  2.    CEROPTERIS   Link.     Fronds  farinose  below. 

2.  G.  triangularis    Kaulf.       (GOLD-FERN,    GOLDEN-BACK.) 
Stipes  densely  tufted,  slender,  blackish-brown,  polished,  6'— 12' 
long;    fronds  2' — 5' each  way,  deltoid,  pinnate;    lower   pinnae 


FILICES.  85 

much  the  largest,  triangular,  bipinnatifid  ;  upper  pinnae  more  or 
less  pinnately  lobed  ;  lower  surface  coated  with  yellow  or  white 
powder,  finally  more  or  less  obscured  by  the  fruit.  Arizona, 
California,  and  northward. 

IV.     NOTHOL^ENA  R.  Br.     CLOAK-FERN. 

Sori  marginal,  at  first  roundish  or  oblong,  soon  confluent 
into  a  narrow  band,  without  indusium,  but  sometimes  covered 
at  first  by  the  inflexed  edge  of  the  frond.  Veins  free.  Name 
from  Lat.  nofhus,  spurious,  and  lana,  a  cloak,  alluding  to  the 
rudimentary  indusia.  Includes  37  species. 

§  i.  EuNOTHOlwENA.  Fronds  not  farinose  beneath,  scaly, 
hairy,  or  tomentose. 

*  Fronds  simply  pinnate. 

1.  N.  sinuata  (Swz.)  Kaulf.     Rootstock  short,  very  chaffy; 
stipes  2' — 4'  long,  erect;  fronds  6' — 2°  long,  i' — 2'  broad;  pinnae 
numerous,  short-stalked,  roundish  or  ovate,  entire  to  pinnately 
lobed,  lower  surface  densely  scaly.     Texas  to  Arizona. 

2.  N.  ferruginea  (Desv.)  Hook.     Rootstock  creeping,  with 
dark  rigid  scales  ;  stipes  tufted,  2' — 4'  long,  wiry,  blackish,  woolly 
at  first;   fronds  8 — 12'  long,  £' — i' broad,  narrowly   lanceolate; 
pinnae  numerous,  ovate,  pinnatifid,  hairy  above,  densely  tomen- 
tose beneath,  the  wool  at  first  whitish,  but  becoming  ferruginous. 
(N.  rufa  Presl.)     Texas  to  Arizona. 

**  Fronds  bi — quadripinnate. 
t  Fronds  silky-hairy  above. 

3.  N.  Parry  i     D.  C.  Eaton.     Rootstock  short,  scaly;  stipes 
2' — 4'  long,  dark  brown,  pubescent  with  whitish  jointed  hairs; 
fronds  2' — 4'  long,  oblong-lanceolate,  tripinnate,  lower  pinnae 
distinct ;  segments  crowded,  roundish-obovate,  one  line  broad, 
densely  covered  above  with  entangled  white  hairs,  beneath  with 
a  heavier  pale-brown  tomentum.     Utah,  California,  Arizona. 

4.  N.   Newberryi  D.C.Eaton.  (COTTON-FERN.)  Rootstock 
with  very  narrow  dark  bristly  scales ;  stipes  tufted,  3' — 5'  long, 
blackish-brown,  woolly  when  young,  with  pale-ferruginous  to- 
mentum ;    fronds  3' — 5'  long,  lanceolate-oblong,  covered   most 
densely  beneath    with    fine  whitish    hairs,  tri — quadripinnate; 
ultimate  segments  roundish-obovate,  £" — |-"  broad.     California. 

tf  Fronds  slightly  hispid  above. 


86        OUR  NATIVE  FERNS  AND    THEIR   ALLIES. 

5.  N.    Aschenborniana       Klotzsch.       Rootstock      short, 
creeping;    stipes   tufted,    2'-— 3'    long,    wiry,  ebeneous,  densely 
scaly  ;  fronds  4' — 10'  long,  2' — 3'  broad,  oblong-lanceolate,  tri- 
pinnatifid  ;  pinnae  lanceolate,  cut  into  linear-oblong,  crenate  or 
pinnatifid  pinnules;  upper  surface  pale-green,  the  lower  densely 
matted  with   linear,  ciliate,  bright  ferruginous  scales,  beneath 
which  it  is  subfarinose ;  sori  black.     Huachuca  Mts.,  Arizona 
(Lemmon),  Texas  (Drummond),  Mexico. 

§  2.  CINCINALIS  Desv.     Fronds  farinose,  with  white  or  yel- 
low powder  (in  one  species  naked). 

*  Fronds  farinose  below. 
t  Fronds  deltoid  or  pentagonal,  barely  bipinnate. 

6.  N.    Candida    (M.  et  G.)  Hook.     Rootstock  creeping,  with 
rigid,  nearly  black  scales;   stipes  tufted  3' — 6'  long,  wiry,  black 
and  shining;    fronds  rather  shorter  than  stipe,  deltoid-ovate, 
pinnate;  lowest  pinnae  with  the  lowest   inferior  pinnules  elon- 
gate and  again  pinnatifid,  the  three  or  four  succeeding  pairs  lan- 
ceolate, pinnatifid  into  oblong  segments,  the  uppermost  pinnae 
like  the  segments  of  the  lower  ;  upper  surface  green  ;  lower  sur- 
face whitish  farinose  ;  margin  slightly  re  volute.     (N.  sulphurea 
J.  Sm.,  N.pulveracea  Kunze.)     Southwestern  Texas  (Reverchon); 
New  Mexico  (  Wrigkf). 

7.  N.   cretacea  Liebm.    Rootstock  short,  oblique,  the  scales 
rigid,  lanceolate,  with  a  narrow   membranous   margin  ;    stipes 
2' — 7'  long,  brownish,   wiry,  scaly  when  young;    fronds   i'— 2' 
long,   broadly   deltoid-ovate  to  pentagonal,  tri — quadripinnati- 
fid  at  base,  gradually  simpler  above  ;  ultimate  segments  oblong 
or  triangular-oblong,  numerous,  crowded  ;   upper  surface  more  or 
less  covered  with  deciduous  glands;    lower  surface  copiously 
farinose  with  yellow  or  whitish  powder  except  on   the  promi- 
nent dark-brown  rachises;  margins  more  or  less  recurved,  not 
covering  the  sporangia;  spores  globose,  black.     (N.  California 
D.  C.  Eaton.)     San  Diego  County,  California  (Cleveland,  Parish); 
Arizona  (Parry,  Lemmori). 

8.  N.  Hooker!    D.    C.    Eaton.     Rootstock    short,    densely 
covered  with  rigid  lanceolate  dark-brown  scales;  stipes  tufted, 
4' — 8'  long,   reddish-brown,  wiry,   shining  ;    fronds   2'— 3'  each 
way,  nearly  pentagonal,  composed  of  three  divisions  ;  the  mid- 


FILICES.  87 

die  one  slightly  stalked,  pinnaiifid  into  a  few  toothed  segments, 
the  second  pair  larger  than  the  first ;  side  divisions  bearing  a 
single  large  pinnatifid  basal  segment  on  the  lower  side,  and 
above  it  smaller  ones  like  those  of  the  upper  side  ;  lower  surface 
covered  with  pale,  yellow  powder.  Texas  to  Arizona. 


ft  Fronds  lanceolate  or  linear -oblong,  bipinnate  or  tripinnattjid. 

9.  N.  Grayi  Dav.    Stipes  tufted,  I ' — 4' long,  chestnut-brown, 
with   nearly  black,  rigid   scales  below,  paler  deciduous  scales 
above  ;  fronds  2' — 6'  long,  £ ' — 1£'  wide,  the  upper  surface  spar- 
ingly, the  lower  thickly,  covered  with  white  powder;    pinnae 
short-stalked,  unequally  triangular-ovate,  deeply  pinnatifid  or 
divided  into  one  or  two  pairs  of  oblong  pinnatifid,  obtuse  pin- 
nules, the  remaining  portion  obliquely  pinnatifid  with  alternate 
segments;  sori  brown.     Southeastern  Arizona  to  Texas. 

10.  N.  Schaffneri  (Fourn.)  Unde.     Rootstock  short,  stout, 
with  black  pectinate  scales;  stipes  i' — 2'  long,  brownish-black, 
with  narrow,  rigid  scales;    fronds  lanceolate,  5' — 8'  long,  bi — 
tripinnatifid,  the  pinnules  numerous,  narrow,  with  narrow  dark 
scales  underneath  ;  sori  continuous,  brown  or  black.     (Ar.A\'al- 
leyi  Seaton,  Aleuritopteris  Schaffneri  Fourn.)     Western  Texas 
(Nealley). 

n.  N.  Lemmoni  D.  C.  Eaton.  Rootstock  short,  scaly,  with 
narrow,  rigid,  dark-brown  chaff;  stalks  reddish-brown,  4' — 6' 
long,  chaffy  only  at  base  with  wider  scarious-margined  scales; 
fronds  6'— 9'  long,  i' — 1£'  wide,  with  numerous  deltoid  or  ovate 
pinnae,  the  lowest  a  little  shorter  than  the  middle  ones;  upper 
surface  smooth,  the  lower  with  white  or  yellowish  powder;  sori 
in  a  narrow  submarginal  line.  Arizona. 

ttt  Fronds  deltoid-ovate,  tri — qtiadripinnate  at  base. 

12.  N.  nivea  Desv.  Rootstock  short,  chaffy,  with  narrow 
scales;  stipes  tufted,  4' — 6'  long,  wiry,  black  and  polished; 


88        OUR  NATIVE  FERNS  AND    THEIR  ALLIES. 

fronds  3' — 6'  long,  1^—2'  broad,  ovate,  lanceolate,  triangular- 
ovate  or  deltoid,  tripinnate  ;  primary  pinnae  mostly  opposite, 
the  rachises  nearly  straight ;  pinnules  long-stalked  ;  segments 
roundish,  nearly  as  broad  as  long,  terminal  ones  larger,  entire 
or  3-lobed  ;  upper  surfaces  green,  smooth,  lower  densely  coated 
with  pure  white  powder;  sori  brown,  often  descending  the  free 
veins  half-way  to  the  midvein.  Arizona,  New  Mexico. 

Var.  dealbata  (Pursh)  Dav.  Segments  more  numerous, 
longer  than  broad,  terminal  ones  rarely  lobed.  (N.  dealbata 
Kunze  and  former  editions.  Cheilanthes  dealbata  Pursh.)  Up- 
per Missouri  to  New  Mexico  and  Arizona. 

13.  N.  Fendleri     Kunze.       Stipes    densely    tufted,    dark- 
brown,  3' — 5'  long ;    rachis  and   all   its   branches  zigzag  and 
flexuous;   fronds  broadly  deltoid-ovate,  3' — 5'  each  way,  quad- 
ripinnate    below,    gradually  simpler  above  ;    pinnae  alternate  ; 
ultimate  pinnules  oval  or  elliptical,  simple  or  3-lobed.     Colo- 
rado, New  Mexico,  Arizona. 

**  Fronds  naked  below. 

14.  N.  tenera    Gillies.     Stipes    tufted,    brownish,   smooth 
and  shining ;  fronds  3' — 4'  long,  ovate-pyramidal,  bi — tripinnate  ; 
pinnae  mostly  opposite,  distant,  the  lower  ones  somewhat  tri- 
angular;  ultimate   pinnules   ovate,  often   sub-cordate,  obtuse, 
smooth,  and  naked  on  both  surfaces  ;  possibly  only  a  form  of 
N.  ntvea.     Southern  Utah,  California. 

V.    TJENITIS  Swz. 

Sori  linear,  but  the  line  sometimes  interrupted,  central  or 
sub-marginal.  Veins  reticulate.  Name  from  Lat.  tcem'a,  a 
band.  Includes  five  species,  all  tropical. 

I.  T.  lanceolata  (L.)R.  Br.  Rootstock creeping;  stipes  i'— 
2'  long;  fronds  simple,  6' — 13'  long,  £' — f  broad,  tapering  both 
ways,  the  edge  entire  or  sometimes  crisped,  midrib  prominent ; 
veins  immersed,  the  exterior  free  and  clubbed  at  t  icir  apices  ; 
sori  ante-marginal,  in  a  continuous  line  near  the  apex.  (Lingua 
cervtna  Plum.,  P fen's  lanceolata  L ,  Pteropsts  lanceolata  Desv., 
Neurodium  lanceolatum  Fee.)  Old  Rhodes  Key,  Florida  (Cur- 
tiss}. 


FILICES.  89 

VI.    VITTARIA  Sm.     GRASS  FERN. 

Sori  linear,  continuous,  in  two-lipped  marginal  grooves  or  in 
slightly  intramarginal  lines,  with  the  unaltered  edge  of  the  frond 
produced  beyond  and  often  rolled  over  them,  but  without  spe- 
cial indusia.  Fronds  narrow,  grass-like.  Veins  free.  Name 
from  Lat.  vitta,  a  fillet  or  head-band.  A  tropical  genus  con- 
taining 13  species. 

§  TVENIOPSIS  J.  Sm. 

1.  V.  lineata(L.)  Sm.  Fronds  6' — i8'long,  i" — 5"broad,  nar- 
rowed gradually  downward  to  a  stout  compressed  stem,  the  edge 
often  reflexed ;  sori  in  a  broad  intramarginal  line  in  a  slight 
furrow,  the  edge  of  the  frond  at  first  wrapped  over  it.     (V.  an- 
gusttfrons  Michx.)     Florida. 

VII.    ADIANTUM   L.     MAIDENHAIR. 

Sori  marginal,  short,  covered  by  a  reflexed  portion  of  ;he 
more  or  less  altered  margin  of  the  frond,  which  bears  the  spo- 
rangia on  its  under  side  from  the  approximated  tips  of  free, 
forking  veins.  Name  from  Gr.  a,  without,  and  Siaivoo,  to  wet, 
alluding  to  the  smooth  foliage.  Includes  over  80  species, 
mostly  from  Tropical  America. 

§  EUADIANTUM. 

*  Fronds  at  least  bipinnate,  pinnules  flabellate  or  cuneate. 

t  Fronds  smooth. 

>-  ~  i.  A.  capillus-veneris  L.  (VENUS'  HAIR.)  Stipes  nearly 
black,  polished,  very  slender;  fronds  ovate-lanceolate,  delicate, 
bipinnate,  the  upper  half  or  third  simply  pinnate  ;  pinnules  and 
upper  pinnae  wedge-obovate  or  rhomboid,  rather  long-stalked, 
the  upper  margin  rounded  and  more  or  less  incised,  crenate, 
or  acutely  dentato-serrate,  except  where  the  margin  is  recurved 
to  form  the  lunulate  separated  indusia.  Virginia,  Kentucky, 
and  Florida  to  Utah  and  California. 

2.  A.  tenerum    Swz.     Stipes  i°  high,  erect,  glossy;  fronds 
i° — 3°  long,  9' — 1 8'  broad,  deltoid,  tri — quadripinnate  ;  pinnules 
articulated  to  their  petioles,  falling  off  at  maturity,  cuneate,  the 
upper  edge  rounded  or  somewhat  angular,  broadly,  often  rather 
deeply  lobed  ;  sori  numerous,  roundish,  or  transversely  oblong. 
Florida. 


QO        OUR  NATIVE  FERNS  AND    THEIR  ALLIES. 

3.  A.  emarginatum    Hook.      Stipes  rather   stout,    nearly 
black,  polished  ;    fronds  ovate  or  deltoid-pyramidal,  bi — tripin- 
nate ;  pinnules  and   upper  pinnae  ample,  smooth,  or  nearly  so, 
rounded  or  even   reniform,  upper  margin  rounded,  slightly  in- 
cised ;  sori  2 — 5,  transversely  linear-oblong,  subcontinuous.     (A. 
tenerum  Torr.)     California  and  northward. 

ft  Fronds  pilose,  with  whitish  hairs. 

4.  A.  tricholepis    Fee.     Stipes    smooth,    polished,    deep 
black  ;  fronds  oval ;  pinnules  roundish,  moderately  long-stalked  ; 
sori    few   (3 — 7),  of   unequal  size ;    indusia  very  velvety.      (A. 
dilatatum  Nutt.)     Western  Texas. 

**  Fronds  dichotomously  forked,  with  numerous  pinna  spring- 
ing from  the  upper  side  of  the  two  branches. 

5.  A.  pedatum    L.     Stipes    9' — 15'  long,    dark    chestnut- 
brown,  glabrous ;  fronds  nearly  circular  in  outline  ;  central  pin- 
nae 6' — 9'  long,  i' — 2'  broad;  pinnules  triangular-oblong,  short- 
stalked;  sori  roundish  or  transversely  oblong.     North  Carolina 
to  California  and  northward. 

Var.  rangiferinum  Burgess.  Pinnules  longer-stalked  and 
deeply  cleft  into  narrow-toothed  lobes  on  the  upper  side.  Mount 
Findlayson,  British  Columbia. 

VIII.    PTERIS  L.    BRAKE. 

Sori  marginal,  linear,  continuous,  occupying  a  slender  fili- 
form receptacle  which  connects  the  tips  of  the  free  veins.  In- 
dusium  membranous,  formed  of  the  reflexed  margin  of  the 
frond.  Name  from  Gr.  itrepiS,  a  fern,  from  Jtrepov,  a  wing,  al- 
luding to  the  prevalence  of  pinnate  fronds.  A  cosmopolitan 
genus  containing  103  species. 

§  i.  EUPTERIS.      Veins  free,  stipes  tufted,  indusium  single. 
*  Lower  pinna  linear,  undivided. 

i.  P.  longifolia  L.  Stipes  6' — 12'  long,  clothed  more  or 
less  below  with  pale-brown  scales;  fronds  i° — 2°  long,  4' — 9' 
broad,  oblong-lanceolate  ;  pinnae  sessile,  2" — 5"  broad,  linear, 
entire  ;  veins  close  and  fine,  usually  once  branched  ;  indusium 
yellowish  brcwn.  Florida. 


FILICES.  91 

**  Lower  ptnnce  forked  or  slightly  pinnate  below. 

2.  P.  Cretica    L.     Stipes  6' — 12'   long,  erect,    stramineous 
or  pale-brown;    fronds  6' — 12'  long,  4' — 8'  broad,  lateral  pinnae 
usually  in  2 — 6  opposite  sessile  pairs,  the  sterile  ones  considera- 
bly the  broadest  and  spinulose-serrate,  the  lower  pairs  often 
cleft  nearly  to  the  base,  into  two  or  three  linear  pinnules  ;  veins 
fine,  parallel,  simple  or  once  forked  ;  indusium  pale.     Florida. 

3.  P.  serrulata    Linn.    f.     Stipes   6' — 9'  long,  naked,  pale 
or  brownish  ;    fronds  9' — 18'  long,  6' — 9'  broad,  ovate,  bipinna- 
tifid,  the  main  rachis  margined  with  a  wing  which  is   i" — 2" 
broad  at  the  top  and  grows  narrower  downwards  ;  pinnae  in  six 
or  more  distinct  opposite  pairs,  upper  ones  simple,  the  lower 
ones  with  several  long  linear  pinnules  on  each  side,  the  edge  of 
the  barren  ones  spinulose-serrate  ;  veins  simple  or  once  forked. 
Alabama  (Mo/ir),  Macon,  Georgia  (Farnell}. 

§  2.  P/ESIA  St.  Hilaire.  Veins  free,  roof  stock  creeping,  stipes 
sub-distant,  indusium  more  or  less  double. 

4.  P.  aquilina   L.     Rootstock  stout,  wide-creeping,  subter- 
ranean ;    stipes   i° — 2°  high,  erect,  stramineous    or    brownish; 
fronds  2° — 4°  long,  i° — 3°  wide,  ternate,  the  three  branches  each 
bipinnate ;   upper  pinnules  undivided,  the  lower  more  or  less 
pinnatifid.     North  America  everywhere. 

Var.  caudata  (L.)  Hook.  Pinnules  sometimes  linear  and 
entire,  or  with  less  crowded  segments  than  the  type  and  the 
terminal  lobe  linear  and  entire.  (P.  caudata  L.)  New  Jersey 
to  Florida  and  Texas. 

Var.  lanuginosa  (Bory)  Hook.  Fronds  silky-pubescent, 
tomentose,  especially  on  the  under  surface  ;  otherwise  as  in 
the  typical  form.  (P.  lanuginosa  Bory.)  Utah,  California  and 
northward. 

IX.    CHEILANTHES    Swz.     LlP-FERN. 

Sori  terminal  or  nearly  so  on  the  veins,  at  first  small  and 
roundish,  afterwards  more  or  less  confluent.  Indusium  formed 
of  the  reflexed  margin  of  the  frond,  roundish  and  distinct,  or 
more  or  less  confluent.  Veins  free.  Name  from  Gr.  ^ei/lo?,  a 
lip,  and  avQoS,  flower,  alluding  to  the  lip-like  indusia.  A 
genus  of  65  species  of  tropical  and  temperate  zones. 


92        OUR  NATIVE  FERNS  AND    THEIR  ALLIES. 

§  i.  ADIANTOPSIS  Fee.  Indusia  distinct,  roundish,  confined 
to  the  apex  of  a  single  veinlet. 

^¥»  i.  C.  Californica  (Nutt.)  Mett.     Rootstock  short,  creeping, 

chaffy;  stipes  densely  tufted,  dark-brown,  glossy,  4' — 8'  long; 
fronds  4'  or  less  each  way,  broadly  deltoid-ovate,  smooth  on 
both  surfaces, quadripinnatifid  ;  lower  pinnae  largest,  triangular; 
upper  ones  gradually  smaller  and  simpler;  ultimate  segments 
lanceolate,  acute,  incised  or  serrate ;  indusia  membranous. 
(Aspidotis  Californica  Nutt.,  Hypolepis  Californica  Hook.)  Ca- 
lifornia. 

2.  C.  Pringlei  Dav.  Rootstock  slender,  creeping,  clothed 
with  linear- lanceolate  scales;  stipes  i|' — 4V  long,  reddish  or 
chestnut  brown,  scaly  at  base  and  sparingly  above  ;  fronds  i' — 
2^'  long,  nearly  as  broad,  triangular  or  ovate-deltoid,  bi— tripin- 
nately  divided  into  5 — 7  pairs  of  pinnae,  opposite  and  spreading 
in  the  smaller  sterile  fronds,  alternate  and  erecto-patent  in  the 
larger  fertile  fronds,  naked,  dark-green;  pinnse  f — 1£'  long,  the 
lower  unequally  deltoid  or  ovate,  bipinnate,  the  uppermost  ob- 
long, pinnate  or  deeply  pinnatifid;  pinnules  ovate  or  oblong, 
pinnately  divided  or  cleft  into  obliq  ic  segments,  which  are  again 
deeply  cleft  into  cuneate,  strap-shaped  divisions,  those  of  the 
largest  segments  again  deeply  cut  into  narrow,  obtuse,  cuneate 
lobes,  the  recurved  tips  in  fertile  fronds  forming  distinct  her- 
baceous involucres  with  entire  or  slightly  crenulate  margins  ; 
sori  one  to  each  ultimate  lobe  on  the  apex  of  a  free  veinlet. 
South-eastern  Arizona  (Pringle). 

§  2.  EUCHEILANTHES.  Indusia  more  or  less  confluent,  usu- 
ally extending  over  the  apices  of  several  veinlets,  but  not  continu- 
ous all  round  the  segments  ;  segments  mostly  flat,  not  bead-like. 

*  Segments  of  the  frond  smooth. 
t  Pinncsfew,  not  more  than  5 — 6  pairs. 

*/£>  *  3.  C.  Wrightii  Hook.  Stipes  castaneous,  slightly  chaffy 
at  base,  i' — 2'  long;  fronds  2' — 3'  long,  ovate-oblong,  tripinnat- 
ifid,  segments  more  or  less  incised  ;  indusium  sub-continuous 
or  interrupted,  similar  to  frond  in  texture.  Western  Texas  to 
Arizona. 

ft  Pinna;  numerous. 

¥7-        4-    C.  microphylla     Swz.       Rootstock     short,     creeping; 


F1LICES.  93 

stipes  dark-brown,  glossy,  rusty  pubescent  on  the  upper  side, 

4' 6'  long ;  fronds  4' — 10'  long,  ovate-lanceolate,  bi — tripinnate  ; 

pinnae  lanceolate,  the  lowest  ones  usually  largest  and  more  del- 
toid ;  pinnules  oblong  or  deltoid-ovate,  deeply  incised  or  pin- 
nate; indusium  similar  in  texture  to  frond,  interrupted  or  sub- 
continuous.  Florida,  New  Mexico. 

5.  C.  Alabamensis  (Buckl.)  Kunze.     Rootstock  creeping, 
with  slender  brown  scales ;  stipes  black  with  scanty  ferruginous 
wool ;  fronds  2' — 10'  long,  narrowly  lanceolate,  bipinnate  ;  pinnae 
close,  ovate-lanceolate,  the  lowest  ones  not  enlarged,  usually 
smaller  than  those  above ;  pinnules  mostly  acute,  often  auricu- 
late  on    the  upper  side  at    the    base ;    indusia    pale,  membra- 
nous, interrupted  only  by  the  incising  of  the  pinnules.     (Pe/l&a 
Alabamensis   Baker,  P fen's  Alabamensis  Buckley.)       Virginia, 
Alabama,  Tennessee  to  Texas  and  Arizona  (Lemmori). 

**  Segments  of  the  frond  glandular  viscid. 

6.  C.  viscida.Dav.     Stipes  3' — 5'  long,  wiry,  blackish,  chaffy 
at  the  base  with  narrow  ferruginous  scales  ;   fronds  3' — 5'  long, 
f — i'     broad,    narrowly    oblong,    pinnate,     with    4—6    distant 
pairs  of    nearly  sessile,  deltoid,  bipinnatifid  pinnae;    segments 
toothed,  minutely  glandular  and    everywhere  viscid;    teeth  of 
segment  recurved,  forming  indusia.     California. 

***  Fronds  somewhat  hairy  and  glandular,  not  tomentose. 
\  Fronds  deltoid-(n>ate;  stipes  stramineous. 

7.  C.  leucopoda  Link.     Stipes  3' — 10'  long,  stout,  chaffy  at 
base;  fronds  2'— 7'  long,  deltoid-ovate,  quadripinnate  at  base, 
gradually    simpler    above,    everywhere    glandtilar-puberulent ; 
lowest  pair  of  pinnae  unequally  deltoid-ovate,  upper  ones  ob- 
long;   pinnules  short-stalked;    ultimate  pinnules  divided  into 
minute  rounded  lobules,  strongly  revolute  when  fertile.     Texas. 

ft  Fronds  ovate-lanceolate  ;  stipes  brownish. 

8.  C.   lanosa    (Michx.)    Watt.     Stipes    tufted,    2—4'   long, 
chestnut  brown;  fronds  4' — 9' long,  i' — 2'  broad,  tripinnatifid  ; 
pinnae  somewhat  distant,  lanceolate-deltoid  ;  segments  more  or 
less  thickly  covered  with  acute   hairs;    sori  copious;    indusia 
formed  of  the  ends  of  roundish  or  oblong  lobes.     (Nephrodium 
lanosum  Michx.  C. vest  it  a  Swz.)  New  York  to  Kansas  and  Georgia. 

J*j£  «        9.   C.  Cooperae  D.  C.  Eaton.     Stipes  densely  tufted,  fragile, 


94        OUR  NATIVE   FERNS  AND    THEIR  ALLIES. 

hairy  with  straightish  nearly  white  articulated  hairs,  which  are 
usually  tipped  with  a  glandular  and  viscid  enlargement;  fronds 
3' — g'  long,  bipinnate,  the  pinnae  rather  distant,  oblong-ovate  ; 
pinnules  roundish-ovate,  crenate  and  incised,  the  ends  of  the 
'obules  forming  herbaceous  indusia.  California. 

§  3.  PHYSAPTE'RIS  Presl.  Ultimate  segments  minute,  bead- 
like  ;  indusium  usually  continuous  all  round  the  margin  ;  fronds 
(in  our  species)  bi — quadripinnate,  the  lower  surf  ace  scaly  or  tomen- 
tose  or  both. 

*  Fronds  hairy  or  tomentose  beneath,  not  scaly. 
t  Upper  surface  naked  or  nearly  so. 

10.  C.  gracillima  D.  C.  Eaton.  (LACE-FERN.)  Stipes 
densely  tufted,  2' — 6'  long,  dark-brown  ;  fronds  f — 4'  long,  nar- 
rowly ovate-lanceolate,  bipinnate;  pinnae  numerous,  crowded, 
pinnately  divided  into  about  nine  oblong-oval  pinnules,  at  first 
slightly  webby  above,  soon  smooth,  heavily  covered  beneath 
with  pale-ferruginous  matted  wool ;  indusia  yellowish-brown, 
formed  of  the  continuously  curved  margin.  (C.  vestita  Brack.) 
California,  Oregon,  British  Columbia,  Idaho. 

n.  C.  lendigera  (Cav.)  Swz.     Rootstock  creeping,  covered 
with  narrow  scales  ;  stipes  rather  distant,  4' — 8    long,  at  first 
loosely  tomentose,  at  length  nearly  smooth  ;  fronds  4' — 8'  long, 
ovate-oblong,    tri — quadripinnate  ;     ultimate    pinnules    small, 
cuneate-obovate,  pouch-like  from  the  recurved  margins,  green 
above,  hairy  below.     Huachuca  Mts.,  Arizona  {Lemmori). 
\\  Upper  surface  decidedly  pubescent. 
\  Stipes  tomentose  or  smooth. 

12.  C.  gracilis  (Fee)  Mett.     Stipes  densely  tufted,  slender, 
at  first  clothed   with  woolly  hairs,  at  length   nearly  smooth  ; 
fronds  2' — 4'  long,  ovate-lanceolate,  tripinnate  or  tripinnatifid, 
rarely  bipinnate;  pinnae  deltoid  below,  oblong-ovate  above,  the 
lowest   distant;    ultimate    pinnules  minute,  the  terminal   one 
slightly  largest,  crowded  ;  upper  surface  scantily  tomentose,  the 
lower  densely  matted  with  whitish-brown,  woolly  hairs;  indu- 
sia narrow,  formed  of  the  unchanged  margin.    (C.lanosa  Eaton, 
C.  vestita  Hook.  p.  p.,  C.  lanuginosa  Nntt,  Myriopteris  gracilis 
Fee.)     Illinois  to  Texas,  Arizona,  and  British  America. 

13.  C.  tomentosa  Link.     Stipes  tufted,  4' — 6'  long,  rather 


FILICES.  95 

stout,  covered  with  pale-brown  tomentum ;  fronds  8' — 15'  long, 
oblong-lanceolate,  everywhere  but  especially  beneath  tomentose 
with  slender,  brownish-white,  obscurely  articulated  hairs,  tri- 
pinnate ;  pinnae  and  pinnules  ovate-oblong ;  ultimate  pinnules 
y — |"  long,  the  terminal  ones  twice  as  large;  indusium  pale, 
membranous,  continuous.  (C.  Bradburii  Hook.)  Virginia  to 
Missouri,  Texas,  and  Arizona. 

\\  Stipe  and  rachises  covered  with  very  narrow  scales. 
Var.   Eatoni  Dav.     Differs  from  the  type  mainly  in  having 
the  rachises  scaly ;  characters  scarcely  sufficient  to  keep  it  dis- 
tinct.    (C.  Eatoni  Baker  and  former  editions.)     Arizona. 

14.  C.  f  ibrillosa  Da*',  Plant  3' — 6'  high  ;  rootstock  forming 
dense,  entangled  clumps  of  short  rhizomes,  clothed  with  dark 
linear-lanceolate  scales,  passing    gradually  into   lighter-brown 
scales,  mixed  with  coarse  fibres  and  tomentum  at  the  base  of 
the  stipes  ;   stipes  2' — 3'  long,   chestnut-brown,  terete,  at  first 
tomentose  with  fibrous  scales  and  wool,  becoming  smooth  with 
age;  fronds  2' — 3'  long,  f — iV  wide,  tripinnate,  loosely  covered 
with  deciduous  tomentum,  that  along  the  rachises  beneath  per- 
sistent, tawny,  mixed  with  coarse  fibres.     (C.  lamiginosa,  var. 
fibrillosa  Dav.)     San  Jacinto  Mountains,  California  {Parish}. 

15.  C.  Parishii    Dav.     Rootstock  creeping,  short,  clothed 
with  deep-brown   linear-lanceolate  scales,  with  darker  nearly 
black  mid-nerves  ;  stipes  2' — 3'  long,  approximate,  light  to  dark- 
brown,  clothed  at  base  with  scales  similar  to  those  on  the  root- 
stock,  passing  gradually  into  broader  pale  brown  or  nearly  white 
nerveless  scales,  with  more  or  less  deciduous,  slender,  pale  scales 
and   chaff  above;    fronds   3' — 4'    long,    i' — 1£'  broad,   oblong- 
lanceolate,    tri — quadripinnate,    with    both    surfaces    scantily 
clothed  with  a  coarse  tomentum  ;  pinnae  alternate,  oblong-ovate, 
obtuse,  the  lowermost  somewhat  distant;  segments  roundish, 
the  terminal  ones  largest  and  three-lobed  ;  indusia  very  narrow, 
only  partially  enclosing  the  sori.     San   Diego  Co.,  California 
(Parish). 

**  Fronds  covered  beneath  with  imbricated  scales,  not  tomentose. 

16.  C.  Fendleri     Hook.      Stipes    2' — 5'    long,    chaffy   with 
minute  slender  scales  ;    fronds    3' — 4'  long,     ovate-lanceolate, 
tripinnate;  scales  of  primary  rachis  like  those  of  stipe,  those  of 


96        OUR   NATIVE  FERNS  AND    THEIR  ALLIES. 

secondary  and  ultimate  rachises  larger,  broadly-ovate,  entire  or 
nearly  so,  usually  edged  with  white,  imbricate  and  overlapping 
the  (J" — £-"  broad)  sub-globose  ultimate  segments;  these  are 
naked  above,  and  commonly  bear  at  their  centre  a  single  broad 
scale;  indusium  formed  of  the  much  incurved  margin.  Texas 
and  Colorado  to  California. 

17.  C.  Clevelandii    D.  C.   Eaton.      Stipes  scattered,  2' — 6' 
long,  dark-brown,  scaly  when  young,  but  at  length  nearly  smooth  ; 
fronds  4' — 6'  long,  ovate-lanceolate,  tripinnate,  smooth  above, 
deep  fulvous-brown  below  from  the  dense  covering  of  closely 
imbricate,  ciliate  scales  growing  on  the  ultimate  segments  as 
well  as  on  the  rachises;  segments  nearly  round,  ^" — J"  broad, 
the  terminal  ones  larger,  margin  narrowly  incurved.     Califor- 
nia. 

***  Under  surface  both  tomentose  and  scaly. 

18.  C.    myriophylla    Desv.     Rootstock  very  short,  scaly; 
stipes  tufted,  2' — 6'  high,  castaneous,  covered  with  pale-brown 
scales  and  woolly  hairs  intermixed  ;  fronds  3' — 8'  long,  oblong- 
lanceolate,  tri — quadripinnatifid,  smooth  or  pilose  above,  be- 
neath matted-tomentose  and  densely  clothed  with  pale-brown, 
narrowly  ovate-lanceolate,  ciliate  scales,  those  of  the  ultimate 
segments  with  long,  tortuous  cilia;  pinnae  deltoid-ovate,  nar- 
rower upwards;  ultimate  segments  minute,  |"  broad,  crowded, 
innumerable,   the    margin    unchanged,    much    incurved.     Very 
variable.     (C.  elegans  Desv.,  C.  villosa  Dav.)     Texas  to  Arizona. 

19.  C.  Lindheimeri   Hook.     Rootstock  long,  slender,  chaf- 
fy ;   stipes  scattered,  4' — 7'   high,  blackish-brown,  at  first  cov- 
ered   with   scales   and  woolly  hairs;  fronds  3' — 8'  long,  ovate- 
lanceoUite,    tri — quadripinnate ;    ultimate    segments    £"    long, 
crowded  ;    upper  surface  white  tomentose,  lower  surface  very 
chaffy,  those  of  the  midribs  ciliate  at  base,  those  of  the  segments 
more  and  more  ciliate,  passing  into  entangled  tomentum.    West- 
ern Texas  to  Arizona. 

§  4.    ALEURITOPTERIS  Fee.     Indusia  more  or  less  confluent ; 
fronds  farinose  below. 

20.  C.  argentea  (Gmel.)  Kunze.     Stipes  tufted,  3'— 6'  long,, 
castaneous;  fronds  3' — 4'  long,  2'  broad,  deltoid,  bi — tripinnati- 
fid  ;  lower  pinnae  much  the  largest,  cut  nearly  to  the  rachis; 
rachis  polished  like  the  stipe  ;  upper  surface  naked,  lower  thick- 


FILICES.  97 

ly  covered   with  white   powder;   son    numerous,   very  small. 
Alaska. 

X.     CRYPTOGRAM  MA  R.  Br.     ROCK  BRAKE. 

Sporangia  on  the  back  or  near  the  ends  of  the  free  veins, 
forming  oblong  or  roundish  sori,  which  are  at  length  confluent, 
and  cover  the  back  of  the  pinnules.  Indusium  continuous, 
formed  of  the  membranous,  somewhat  altered  margin  of  the 
pinnule,  at  first  reflexed  along  the  two  sides  and  meeting  at  the 
midrib,  at  length  opening  out  flat.  Name  from  Gr.  Kpvitro*, 
concealed,  and  ypdf.if.ia,  line,  alluding  to  the  concealed  fructifi- 
cation. A  boreal  genus  of  two  species. 

i.  C.  acrostichoides  R.  Br.  Stipes  densely  tufted,  stra- 
mineous; fronds  dimorphous,  sterile  ones  on  shorter  stalks, 
tri — quadripinnatifid,  with  toothed  or  incised  segments;  fertile 
ones  long-stalked,  less  compound,  with  narrowly  elliptical  or 
oblong-linear  pod-like  segments.  (C.  crispa,  forma  Americana 
Hook.,  Allosorus  acrostichoides  Spreng.)  Lake  Superior,  Colo- 
rado to  California  and  northward. 

XI.     PELL>EA  Link.     CLIFF-BRAKE. 

Sori  intramarginal,  terminal  on  the  veins,  at  first  dot-like  or 
decurrent  on  the  veins,  at  length  confluent  laterally,  forming  a 
marginal  line.  Indusium  commonly  broad  and  membranous, 
formed  of  the  reflexed  margin  of  the  fertile  segment.  Name 
from  Gr.  are/l/los,  dusky,  alluding  to  the  dark-colored  stipes.  In- 
cludes 55  species. 

§  i.  CHEILOPLECTON  Fee,  Baker.  Texture  herbaceous  or  sub- 
coriaceous,  veins  clearly  ^>isible,  indusium  broad,  in  most  of  the 
species  rolled  over  the  sorus  till  maturity. 

1.  P.  Breweri    D.  C.  Eaton.      Stipes  densely  tufted,  cov- 
ered  with  narrow,  crisped,  fulvous  chaff;    fronds  2' — 6'  long, 
simply  pinnate,  the  pinnae  short-stalked,  6 — 8  pairs,  membra- 
nous, mostly  2-parted,  the  upper  segment  larger;  segments  ob- 
tuse, in  the  fertile  frond  narrower;  indusium  continuous,  pale; 
veins  repeatedly  forked.   Colorado  to  California  and  southward. 

2.  P.  Stelleri  (Gm.)  Beddome.    Stipes  scattered,  2' — 3' long, 
stramineous   or   pale-brown;    fronds   2'— 4'  long,   i' — 2'  broad, 
ovate,  bi — tripinnatifid  ;    pinnae   lanceolate-deltoid,  cut  to  the 


98        OUR  NATIVE  FERNS  AND    THEIR  ALLIES. 

rachis  into  a  few  broad,  blunt,  slightly-lobed  pinnules;  texture 
thinly  herbaceous,  flaccid  ;  indusium  broad,  continuous,  mem- 
branous;  veins  of  the  fertile  fronds  mostly  only  once  forked. 
{Allosorus  crispus,  var.  Stelleri  Milde,  A.  gracilis  Presl,  Pier  is 
gracilis  Michx.,  P.  Stelleri  Gmelin.)  Labrador  to  Pennsylvania, 
Illinois,  Colorado,  and  northward. 

§  2.    ALLOSORUS   Baker.      Texture  coriaceous,  the  veins  not 
Perceptible  ;  indusium  broad,  conspicuous. 

*  Pinnules  or  segments  obtuse  or  barely  acute. 
t  Fronds  pinnate  or  bipinnate. 

3.  P.  atropurpurea  (L.)  Link.     Stipes  tufted,  2' — 6'  long, 
dark-purple;   fronds  4' — 12'  long,  2' — 6'  broad,   lanceolate   or 
ovate-lanceolate,  simply  pinnate  or  bipinnate  below;  pinnules 
and   upper  pinnse   i' — 2'   long,  J'  broad   or  less,  nearly  sessile, 
smooth;  indusium  formed  of  the  slightly  altered  incurved  edge 
of  the  pinnules.     {Allosorus  atropurpureus  Kunze,  Pteris  atro- 
purpurea  L.,  Platyloma    atropurpurea  J.  Sm.)     Arizona,  New 
Mexico,  Texas  to  Vermont  and  northward. 

4.  P.  aspera  (Hook.)   Baker.     Stipes  slender,  2' — 3'  long, 
with  scurfy  pubescence  ,  fronds  4'— 6'  long,  oblong-lanceolate, 
bipinnate  ;  pinnae   and    pinnules    deltoid-lanceolate  or  oblong, 
pinnules  next  to  main  rachis  often  lobed  ;  all  of  them  rough  on. 
both  surfaces  with  short  harsh  hairs.    (Cheilanthes  aspera  Hook.) 
Western  Texas  and  New  Mexico. 

ft  Fronds  bi — quadripinnate,  ultimate  segments  oval  or  cordate. 

5.  P.  andromedaefolia  (Kaulf.)  Fee.    Stipes  scattered,  pale- 
brown,   2' — 12'  long;   fronds  6' — 12'  long,  3' — 6'  broad,  ovate, 
bi — quadripinnate,    usually   tripinnate  ;    pinnae   rather   distant, 
spreading  ;  ultimate  pinnules  2" — 5"  long,  oval,  slightly  cordate, 
coriaceous,  the  margin  of  the  fertile  ones  sometimes  revolute  to 
the  midrib;  veins  numerous,  parallel.       {Allosorus  andromedce- 
folius  Kaulf.,  Pteris  andromed&folia  Kaulf.)     California. 

6.  P.  pulchella  (M.  et  G.)  Fee.     Stipes  tufted,  3'— 8'  long, 
chaffy  at  base,  nearly  black;   fronds  3' — 9'  long,   i' — 5'  broad, 
triangular-ovate,  quadripinnate  below,  gradually  simpler  above  ; 
lower  pinnae  deltoid,  narrowly  triangular  above;  ultimate  pin- 
nules   numerous,    i" — 3"    long,    oval    or    often    cordate-ovate, 
stalked,  coriaceous,  smooth,   the  edges  often   much   reflexed. 


FILICES.  99 

(Allosorus  pulchellus   Mart,    and    Gale.)     Western   Texas   and 
New  Mexico. 

ttt  Fronds    tri — quadripinnatifid ;    segments    linear-oblong  / 
secondary  rachises  margined. 

7.  P.  marginata  (Hook.)  Baker.     Stipes,  3' — 9'  long,  casta- 
neous,  shining,  slightly  fibrillose  at  the  base  ;  fronds  4' — 6'  long, 
nearly  as  broad,  deltoid;  the  lower  pinnae  much  the  largest; 
indusium  broad,  continuous,  the  margins  slightly  erose  ;  texture 
chartaceous.     (Cheilanthesmarginata  Hook.)     Huachuca  Mts., 
Arizona  (Lemmon'). 

**  Pinnules  mucronulate  or  decidedly  acute. 
t  Fronds  narrowly  linear  in  outline,  usually  bipinnate. 

8.  P.  ternifolia  (Cav.)  Link.     Stipes  tufted,  nearly  black, 
2' — 6'  long,  fronds  4' — 10'  long,  narrowly  linear;  pinnae  usually 
9 — 15   pairs,  all  but  the  uppermost  trifoliate;  segments  com- 
monly  linear,   slightly    mucronate,   coriaceous,  sessile   or  the 
middle  one  indistinctly  stalked,  the  edges  much  inflexed  in  fer- 
tile fronds  ;  indusium  broad.     (Ptert's  ternifolia  Cav.)     Western 
Texas. 

9.  P.  brachyptera  (Moore)  Baker.     Stipes  2' — 8'  long,  pur- 
plish-brown ;  fronds  3' — 8'  long,  narrow  in  outline  from  the  as- 
cending secondary  rachises,  bipinnate;  pinnules  crowded,  2"- 
5    long,  oblong-linear,  simple  or  trifoliate,  acute  or  mucronulate  ; 
margins  inflexed  to  the  midrib  in  fertile  fronds.    (P.  ornithopus, 
var.  brachyptera  D.  C.  Eaton,  Platyloma  be  Hum  et  P.  brachypte- 
rum  Moore.)     California. 

ft  Fronds  broader,  lanceolate  to  ovate,  bi — tripinnate. 

10.  P.  ornithopus     Hook.         Stipes    tufted,    3' — 8'    long, 
rather  stout,  dark-brown;  fronds  very  rigid,  3' — 12'  long,  2' — 3' 
broad,  broadly  deltoid-lanceolate,  bi — tripinnate  ;  primary  pin- 
nae spreading  or  obliquely  ascending,  linear,  bearing  4—16  pairs 
of  trifoliate  (varying  from  simple  to  5 — 7  foliate)  mucronulate 
pinnules,  I-J-" — 2"  long ;  margins  inflexed   to   midrib  in  fertile 
fronds.     (Allosorus  mucronatus  D.  C.  Eaton.)     California. 

11.  P.  Wrightiana   Hook.     Rootstock  short,  thick,  densely 
chaffy;    stipes    crowded,    purplish-brown,  4' — 6'    long;    fronds 
j — 10'  long,  i' — 3'  broad,  lanceolate  to  deltoid,  trifoliate  at  apex, 


IOO     OUR  NATIVE  FERNS  AND    THEIR  ALLIES. 

bipinnate  below;  pinnae  short  with  I — 2  pairs  of  long  narrow 
pinnules  besides  the  terminal  one;  mucro  short,  with  margin 
broad  and  cartilaginous ;  margins  of  fertile  fronds  inflexed  to 
the  midrib.  Very  variable;  forms  with  fronds  decreasing  to 
simp'y  pinnate  at  the  apex,  and  longer  but  less  broadly  winged 
mucro  form  var.  longimucronata  Dav.  (P.  longimucronata 
Hook.);  forms  with  pinnules  densely  crowded  are  var.  compacts* 
Dav.  Colorado  and  Texas  to  California. 

"i .  12.   P.  densa    (Brack.)    Hook.      Rootstock   slender,    chaffy 

with  blackish  scales;  stipes  densely  tufted,  wiry,  very  slender, 
castaneous,  3' — 9'  long;  fronds  ovate  or  triangular- oblong, 
i' — 3'  long,  densely  tripinnate;  segments  3" — 6"  long,  linear, 
nearly  sessile,  sharp  pointed  or  mucronate,  in  the  fertile  fronds 
entire,  with  the  margin  narrowly  recurved  ;  in  the  rare  sterile 
fronds  sharply  serrate,  especially  toward  the  apices.  (Onych- 
ium  densum  Brack.)  Utah  (Jones),  and  Wyoming  to  California, 
Oregon,  and  northward ;  Mt.  Albert,  Gaspe,  Quebec  (Allen). 

§3.  PLATYLOMA  J.  Sm.,  Baker.  Texture  coriaceous,  the  veins 
usually  hidden,  the  ultimate  segments  broad  and  flat,  the  indusium 
so  narrow  as  to  be  soon  hidden  by  the  fruit. 

^13.  P.  Bridgesii  Hook.  Stipes  2' — 6' long,  tufted,  castane- 
ous ;  fronds  4' — 6'  long,  i'  or  more  broad,  simply  pinnate  ;  pinnse 
5 — 1 8  pairs,  mainly  opposite,  nearly  sessile,  glaucous  green, 
coriaceous,  rounded  or  cordate  at  the  base;  indusium  narrow, 
formed  of  the  whitish  margin  of  the  pinna,  soon  flattened  out 
exposing  the  broad  sorus.  California. 

14.  P.  flexuosa  (Kaulf.)  Link.  Rootstock  creeping,  slender  ; 
stipes  reddish,  passing  into  a  more  or  less  flexuous  or  zigzag 
rachis ;  fronds  6' — 30'  long,  ovate-oblong,  bi — tripinnate  ;  second- 
ary and  tertiary  rachises  usually  deflected  and  zigzag/  rusty 
puberulent  or  nearly  smooth  ;  pinnae  mostly  alternate  ;  ultimate 
pinnules  5" — 10"  long,  roundish-ovate,  or  sub-cordate,  smooth; 
margins  at  first  reflexed,  soon  flattened  out.  (Allosorus  flexu- 
osus  Kaulf.)  Western  Texas  to  California. 

o  O »  15.  p.  intermedia  Mett.  Rootstock  long,  wide  creeping, 
slender,  chaffy  ;  stipes  scattered,  4' — 6'  long,  pinkish-stramine- 
ous, smooth  ;  fronds  5' — 10'  long,  3' — 8'  wide,  ovate-bipinnate  ; 
pinnae  nearly  opposite,  remote ;  pinnules  2 — 6  pairs,  petiolate, 
sub-coriaceous,  oval  or  cordate-ovate ;  veins  obscure ;  ra- 


FILICES.  '-'  :  'J  r    Jj    '         Jj'  '  101 

chises  often  pubescent.     Huachuck'Mbantarns,  Soutfr  Arizona: 
(Lemmori,  Texas  (Nealley). 

XII.     CERATOPTERIS  Brong.     FLOATING-FERN. 

Sori  placed  on  two  or  three  veins  which  run  down  the  frond 
longitudinally,  nearly  parallel  with  both  the  edge  and  midrib. 
Sporangia  scattered  on  the  receptacles,  sessile,  sub-globose, 
with  a  complete,  partial,  or  obsolete  ring.  Indusia  formed  of 
the  reflexed  margins  of  the  frond,  those  of  opposite  sides  meet- 
ing at  the  midrib.  Name  from  Gr.  nepers,  horn,  and  TtrepiS,  a 
fern.  Contains  a  single  tropical  species. 

I.  C.  thalictroides  (L.)  Brong.  Stipes  tufted,  inflated, 
filled  with  large  air  cells;  fronds  succulent  in  texture, the  sterile 
ones  floating  in  quiet  water,  simple  or  slightly  divided  when 
young,  bi — tripinnate  when  mature;  fertile  ones  bi — tripinnate; 
ultimate  segments  pod  like.  Southern  Florida. 

XIII.     LOMARIA  Willd. 

Sori  in  a  continuous  band  next  the  midrib  of  the  contracted 
pinnae  of  the  fertile  frond,  covered  till  mature  by  an  elongate 
indusium,  either  formed  of  the  recurved  and  altered  margin  of 
the  pinna  or  sub-marginal  and  parallel  to  the  margin.  Veins  of 
sterile  frond  oblique  to  the  midrib,  simple  or  forked  and  free. 
Fronds  mostly  elongate,  of  two  kinds,  the  sterile  foliaceous, 
the  fertile  commonly  much  contracted.  Name  from  Gr.  A.O//O-,  a 
fringe.  Principally  south  temperate,  containing  45  species. 

§  EULOMARIA. 

i.  L.  spicant  (L.)  Desv.  (DEER-FERN.)  Rootstock  short 
very  chaffy ;  fronds  tufted,  erect,  sterile  ones  nearly  sessile, 
narrowly  linear-lanceolate,  8' — 24'  long,  i' — 3'  wide,  tapering  to 
both  ends,  cut  to  the  rachis  into  oblong  or  oblong-linear  closely 
set  segments,  the  lower  ones  gradually  diminishing  to  minute 
auricles;  fertile  fronds  sometimes  three  feet  high,  long-stalked, 
pinnate ;  pinnae  somewhat  fewer  and  more  distant,  longer  and 
much  narrower  than  in  the  sterile  frond  ;  indusia  distinctly  in- 
tramarginal.  (Osmunda  sptcant  L.,  Blechnurn  (boreale  Swz.)  . 
California,  Oregon,  and  northward. 


iO2 '  bra  frA  T'I^E  FERNS  AND  THEIR  ALLIES. 


XIV.      BLECHNUM  L. 

Sori  linear,  continuous  or  nearly  so,  parallel  with  the  midrib 
and  usually  contiguous  to  it.  Indusium  membranous,  distinct 
from  the  edge  of  the  frond.  Veins  usually  free.  Name  from 
Gr.  fikexvor,  an  old  name  for  some  kind  of  fern.  A  tropical  and 
south  temperate  genus,  containing  19  species. 

§    EUBLECHNUM. 

i.  B.  serrulatum  Richard.  Stipes  6' — 12'  long,  stout, 
erect,  nearly  naked;  fronds  oblong-lanceolate,  i° — 1£°  long, 
3'— 6'  broad,  with  12 — 24  pairs  of  distinct  linear-oblong  pinnae, 
the  margins  finely  incised  ;  texture  coriaceous ;  veins  very  fine 
and  close;  fertile  pinnae  narrower.  {Blechnum  angustifolium 
Willd.)  Florida. 

XV.     WOODWARDIA  Sm.     CHAIN-FERN. 

Sori  oblong  or  linear,  sunk  in  cavities  in  the  frond,  arranged 
in  a  chain-like  row  parallel  to  the  midribs  of  the  pinnae  and 
pinnules  and  near  them.  Indusium  sub-coriaceous,  fixed  by  its 
outer  margin  to  the  fruitful  veinlet»and  covering  the  cavity  like 
a  lid.  Veins  more  or  less  reticulate.  Named  for  Thomas  J. 
Woodward,  an  English  botanist.  Contains  six  species,  mostly 
north  temperate. 

§  i.  EUWOODWARDIA.  Fronds  uniform,  the  veins  forming 
at  least  one  series  of  areola  between  the  sort  and  margins. 

1.  W.  radicans  (L.)  Sm.     Caudex  stout,  erect,  rising  a  little 
above  the   ground;   stipes   stout,  8' — 12'   long;    fronds  3°— 5° 
long,    sub-coriaceous,  pinnate;   the  pinnae  8' — 15'  long,  2' — 4' 
broad,  oblique  to  the   rachis,  pinnatifid   nearly  to  the  midrib; 
segments  spinulose-serrate  ;    veinlets   forming  a  single  row  of 
oblong  sorus-bearing  areolae  next  the  midvein,  besides  a  few 
oblique  empty  areolae  outside  the  fruiting  ones,  thence  free  to 
the  margin.     California,  Arizona. 

§  2.  ANCHISTEA  Presl.  Fronds  uniform*  the  veins  free  be- 
tween  the  sori  and  the  margins. 

2.  W.  Virginica  (L.)  Sm.    Stipes  stout,  12'— iS'  long ;  fronds 
oblong-lanceolate,    12'— 18'   long,    6'— 9     broad;    pinnae   linear- 
lanceolate,   4' — 6'   long,  f — i'  broad,  cut  nearly  to   the   rachis 
into  linear-oblong  lobes.     (  W.  Banisteriana  Michx.,  Blechnum 


F1LICES.  103 

CaroItnianumViiAt.,  B.  Virginicum  L.,  Doodia  Virginica  Presl.) 
Canada  and  Florida  westward  to  Michigan  and  Arkansas. 

§  3.  LORINSERIA  Presl.  Fronds  dimorphous,  veins  every- 
where forming  areolte. 

3.  W.  areolata  (L.)  Moore.  Sterile  frond  with  slender 
stipes,  9' — 12'  long,  6'— 8'  broad,  dtltoid-ovate,  with  numerous 
oblong-lanceolate  sinuate  pinnae  ;  rachis  broadly  winged  ;  fertile 
frond  with  an  elongate,  castaneous  stem  ;  pinnae  3'— 4'  long,  nar- 
rowly linear.  (  W.  onocleoides  Willd.,  IV.  angustifolia  Sm. ,  Acro- 
stichum  areolatum  L.)  Maine  to  Florida,  Michigan,  Arkansas. 

XVI.     ASPLENIUM  L.     SPLEENWORT. 

Sori  oblong  or  linear,  oblique,  separate ;  indusium  straight 
or  rarely  curved,  opening  toward  the  midrib  when  single,  some- 
times double.  Veins  free  in  all  our  species.  Name  from  Gr.  a, 
without,  and  ovr/l?/*' ,  spleen.  A  cosmopolitan  genus  contain- 
ing nearly  350  species. 

§  I.  EUASPLENIUM.  Veins  free,  simple  or  branched ;  indu- 
sium straight  or  slightly  curved,  attached  to  the  upper  side  of  a 
vein. 

*  Fronds  simple. 

1.  A.  serratum    L.     Fronds  growing  in  a  crown  from  a 
short,  stout,  erect  rootstock,  i£° — 2^°  long,  2' — 4'  broad,  simple, 
spatulate  or  linear-oblanceolate,  the  margin  crenulate  or  irreg- 
ularly  but    finely   serrate,  sub-coriaceous;    midrib  prominent, 
keeled  and  often  blackish  purple  beneath  ;  veins  closely  placed, 
free,  once  forked  ;   sori  elongate,    following   the   veins   of  the 
upper  half  of  the   frond    from    near   the   midrib   half-way  to 
the  margin  ;  indusia  single,  the  free  edge  entire.'     Florida. 

**  Fronds  pinnatifid  or  pinnate  below,  tapering  to  a  point. 

2.  A.    pinnatifidum    Nutt.       Stipes    tufted,    2' — 4'    long  ; 
fronds  3' — 6'  long,  i' — i^'  broad,  lanceolate,  pinnatifid,  or  pin- 
nate below,  tapering  to  a  slender  prolongation  above;    lobes 
roundish-ovate,  or  the  lowest  pair  acuminate ;   sori  numerous. 
Pennsylvania  to  Illinois,  Kentucky,  and  Alabama. 

07  —  3.  A.  ebenoides  R.  R.  Scott.  Fronds  4' — 9'  long,  broadly 
lanceolate,  pinnatifid,  pinnate  below ;  apex  prolonged  and 
slender;  divisions  lanceolate  from  a  broad  ba.se,  the  lower  ones 


IO4     OUR  NATIVE   FERNS  AND    THEIR  ALLIES. 

shorter;  stipes  black  and  polished,  as  is  the  lower  part  of  the 
midrib,  especially  beneath.  Schuylkill  River,  above  Manayunk, 
Pennsylvania  (Scott) ;  Havana,  Alabama  (Miss  Tutwiler) ; 
Canaan,  Connecticut  (Adam}  ;  near  Poughkeepsie,  New  York 
(Lowri),  Jackson  County,  Illinois  (Patterson). 

***  fronds  once  pinnate. 
f  Pinna:  f — f '  long,  mostly  blunt. 
|  Rachis  chestnut-brown  or  blackish. 

4.  A.  platyneuron  (L.)   Oakes.     Stipes  3'— 6'  long,  chest- 
nut brown,  nearly  naked  ;  fronds  8' — 16'  long,  linear-lanceolate  ; 
pinnae  20—40,  lanceolate,  subfalcate,  or  the  lower  oblong,  \' — i 
long,  the  dilated  base  auricled  on  the  upper  or  both  sides ; 
sori  often  10  —  12  on  each  side.     (A.  ebeneum  Ait.,  Poly  podium 
platyneuron  L.)     Florida  and  Kentucky  northward  to  Canada. 

5.  A.  parvulum    Mart.    &    Gale.      Fronds    tufted,    erect, 
rigid,  4' — 10'  long,  narrowly  linear-lanceolate ;  stipe  and  rachis 
black  and  shining;  pinnae  numerous,  oblong,  obtuse,  entire  or 
crenulate,  auricled  on  the  upper  side,  nearly  sessile ;    middle 
pinnae  longest,  the  lower  gradually  shorter  and  deflexed  ;  sori 
short,  abundant.     (A.  ebeneum  var.  minus,   Hook.,  A.  resiliens 
Kunze.)     Virginia,  South  Carolina,  and  Florida  to  Arkansas  and 
New  Mexico. 

6.  A.  trichomanes      L.      Stipes    densely    tufted,    purple- 
brown,  shining  ;    fronds  3' — 8'   long,  £'  or  more  broad,  linear  ; 
pinnae   15 — 30  pairs,  nearly  opposite,  roundish-oblong  or  oval, 
the  two  sides  unequal,  obliquely  wedge-truncate  at  the  base,  at- 
tached by  a  narrow  point,  the  edge  slightly  crenate,  the  mid- 
vein  forking  and  evanescent;  sori  3 — 6  on  each  side  of  the  mid- 
rib.    (A.  melanocaulon  Willd.)     Eastern  United  States   to  the 
Pacific  coast. 

Var.    incisum    Moore.     Fronds   larger,  often   f-'   or   more 
broad,  pinnae  more  or  less  deeply  incised.     California,  Vermont. 

7.  A.  monanthemum    L.     Stipes    densely    tufted,    3' — 6' 
long,  chestnut-brown  ;    fronds  6' — 12'  long,  narrow,  with  20—40 
pinnae  on  each  side  ;    pinnae  crenate  above,  abruptly  narrowed 
at  base,  often  auricled,  the  lower  much  reduced;  texture  sub- 
coriaceous ;    veins  flabellate;    sori  i — 2,  linear-oblong,  parallel 

?/.    i4/^^^*^t  Z<>  Bt/w.      7Z,  O. 
/ 


FILICES.  105 

with   lower    edge   of   pinnae.     Huachuca   Mountains,  Arizona 
(Lemiiio)i). 

\\  Rachis  green. 

3b  -  8.  A.  viride  Huds.  Stipes  densely  tufted,  2'— 4'  long, 
naked,  the  lower  part  chestnut-brown  ;  fronds  2'— 6'  long,  f 
broad,  with  12—20  pinnae  on  each  side,  which  are  ovate  or 
rhomboidal  in  outline,  the  upper  edge  narrowed  suddenly  at 
the  base,  the  lower  obliquely  truncate,  the  outer  part  deeply 
crenate  ;  rachis  naked  ;  sori  copious.  Vermont,.  Canada,  and 
New  Brunswick. 

9.  A.  dentatum  L.  Stipes  tufted,  2'— 6'  long,  naked, 
ebeneous  below;  fertile  fronds  2'— 3'  long,  i'  broad,  with  6—8 
pairs  of  stalked,  oblong-rhomboidal  pinnae,  the  lower  side  trun- 
cate with  a  curve,  the  outer  edge  irregularly  crenate ;  sterile 
fronds  smaller  on  shorter  stipes  ;  rachis  naked  ;  sori  copious  in 
parallel  rows.  Florida,  South  Carolina. 

ft  Pinna  only  2 — 5,  linear -cuneate. 

10.  A.  septentrionale  (L.)  Hoffm.  Stipes  dense,  tufted, 
3' — 6'  long,  slender,  naked,  ebeneous  toward  the  base;  fronds 
irregularly  forking,  consisting  of  two  to  five  narrowly  linear 
rather  rigid  segments,  which  are  entire  or  more  frequently  cleft 
at  the  end  into  a  few  long  narrow  teeth  ;  sori  elongate,  placed 
near  the  margin,  usually  facing  each  other  in  pairs,  commonly 
only  two  or  three  to  each  segment.  Ben  Moore,  New  Mexico 
(Bigelffw)  ;  Middle  Mountains,  Colorado,  Arizona. 

ftt  Pinna  numerous,  linear  or  linear-oblong,  acute  or  acuminate. 
n.  A.  angustifolium  Michx.  Stipes  i°  or  more  long, 
brownish,  slightly  scaly  below  ;  fronds  i^° — 2°  long,  4' — 6' 
broad,  lanceolate-oblong,  flaccid  ;  pinnae  20—30  pairs,  linear, 
lanceolate,  acuminate,  entire  or  crenulate,  those  of  the  fertile 
frond  narrower;  texture  thinly  herbaceous;  sori  linear,  20 — 40 
each  side  of  the  midvein.  New  England  to  Kentucky  and  Wis- 
consin. 

O-  12.  A.  firmum  Kunze.  Stipes  4' — 8'  long,  erect,  grayish, 
naked;  fronds  6 — 12' long,  3' — 4' broad  ;  pinnae  12 — 20  pairs, 
oblong-lanceolate,  the  point  bluntish,  the  margin  inciso-cre- 
nate,  the  upper  one  narrowed  suddenly  at  the  base,  the  lower 


T06     OUR  NATIVE  FERNS  AND    THEIR  ALLIES 

one  obliquely  truncate  ;    sori   short,  falling  short  of  both   mid- 
vein  and  margin.     Florida,  Arizona. 

****  Fronds  bi — tripinnatifid. 
\  Texture  somewhat  coriaceous. 

13.  A.    ruta-muraria  L.     Stipes  tufted,  2—4  long,  naked  ; 
fronds  ovate-deltoid,   i' — 2'  long,  bi — tripinnate  below,  simply 
pinnate  above  ;  the  divisions  rhombic-wedge  shaped,  toothed  or 
incised  at  the  apex;  veins  flabellate ;  sori   few,  elongate,  soon 
confluent.     Vermont  to  Michigan  and  Kentucky. 

14.  A.   montanum    Willd.       Stipes     tufted,      2' — 3'     long, 
naked;    fronds   2' — 5'    long,    ovate-lanceolate,    pinnate;    pinnae 
3 — 7  parted  below,  incised  or   toothed  above  ;  veins  obscure ; 
sori    short,  the  basal  ones    sometimes  double.     Lantern    Hill, 
Connecticut,  and  Ulster  County,  New  York,  to  Georgia,  Ken- 
tucky, and  Arkansas ;  Cuyahoga  Falls,  Ohio  (Kirby). 

15.  A.  Glenniei   Baker.     Stipes  densely  tufted,  |' — i'  long, 
castaneous  ;  fronds  3' — 4'  long,  bipinnate;  pinnae  20 — 25  pairs, 
lanceolate,  the  lower  gradually  reduced  ;  pinnules  5 — 6  pairs, 
toothed  or  externally  sub-entire.    Huachuca  Mountains,  Arizona 
(Lemmon). 

16.  A.  fontanum   (L.)   Bernh.     Stipes    i' — 3'  long,  slightly 
scaly  at  base  ;  fronds  3' — 6'  long,  V — i'  wide,  tapering  both  ways 
from   above   the  middle;    pinnae    10 — 15  pairs,   their   segments 
deeply  dentate  with  spinulose  teeth  ;  sori  one  or  two  to  each 
segment.     Lycoming  County,  Pa.  (McMinn),  Springfield,  Ohio 
Spence). 

ft  Textiire  thinly  herbaceous  or  membranous. 

17.  A.    Bradley!   D.  C.   Eaton.     Stipes   tufted,  2' — 3'  long, 
ebeneous,  as  is  also  the  lower  half  of  rachis ;  fronds  3' — 7'  long, 
pinnatifid;    pinnae   8 — 12    pairs,   the   lowest   not   reduced,   the 
largest  pinnatifid  with  oblong  lobes  toothed  at  the  tip;  sari 
short.     Ulster  County,  N.  Y.,  Lancaster,  Pa.,  Kentucky,  Ten- 
nessee, and  Arkansas. 

18.  A.    rhizophyllum    Kunzc,  var.    myriophyllum    Mett. 
Stipes  tufted,  2' — 6'  long;  fronds  3' — 10'  long,  lanceolate,  bi — 
tripinnate  ;  segments  entire  or  2 — 3-lobed,  bearing  a  single  vein 
and  sorus.     Forms  with  fronds  narrowly  linear,  f — i'  wide,  and 


FILICES. 

widely   ascending,    7 — 8-lobed    pinnae,  are   var.    Biscaynianum 
D.  C.  Eaton.     Florida. 

19.  A.  cicutarium  Swz.     Stipes  tufted,  4'— 8'  long,  green- 
ish, naked;  fronds  6'— 15'  long,  4'— 6'  broad,  with  10—15  hori- 
zontal pinnae  on  each  side,  the  lower  ones  2' — 3'  long,  i'  broad, 
cut  down  to  the  rachis  into  linear  or  oblong  segments,  which 
are  once  or  twice  cleft  at  the   apex;   rachis  compressed  and 
often  winged  ;  sori  principally  in  two  rows.     Florida. 

§2.  ATHYRIUM  Roth.  Veins  free  ;  sort  more  or  less  curved, 
sometimes  horseshoe-shaped,  often  crossing  to  the  outer  or  lower 
side  of  the  fruiting  veinlet.  ^  ^^La£<rC*U* 

20.  A.    thelypteroides    Michx.     Stipes    long,    erect,    stra- 
mineous; fronds  i°— 2°  long,  6'— 12'  broad,  bipinnatifid  ;  pinnae 
linear-lanceolate  ;  segments  crowded,  oblong,  minutely  toothed  ; 
sori  5 — 6  pairs  to  each  segment,  slightly  curved,  the  lower  ones 
often  double.     New  England  to  Kentucky  and  Illinois. 

21.  A.    filix-fcemina   (L.)    Bernh.      (LADY-FERN.)     Stipes 
tufted,  6' — 12'  long,  stramineous  or  brownish;  fronds  delicate, 
i^° — 3°  long,  broadly  oblong-ovate,  bipinnate  ;  pinnae  4' — 8'  long, 
lanceolate;   pinnules  oblong-lanceolate,  pointed,  more  or  less 
pinnately  incised  or  serrate,  distinct  or  confluent  on  the  second- 
ary rachises  by  a  very  narrow  and  inconspicuous  margin  ;  sori 
short;    indusium   straight  or  variously  curved.     Small  starved 
specimens  growing  in   mountainous  places  form  the  var.  exile 
D.  C.  Eaton,  often  fruiting  when  3' — 6'   high.     Narrow   forms 
with  the  pinnae  obliquely  ascending  are  var.  Michauxii   Mett. 
(var.  angustum   D.  C.  Eaton),  and  other  forms  equally  unim- 
portant, form  the  remaining  sixty-three  varieties  that  have  been 
described  of  this  species.    (^Aspidium filix-fcemina  Swz.,  Nephro- 
dium  asplenoides  Michx.)     Eastern  United  States  to  Utah,  Ne- 
vada, California,  and  Arizona. 

XVII.     SCOLOPENDRIUM  Sm.     HART'S-TONGUE. 

Sori  linear,  elongate,  almost  at  right  angles  to  the  midvein, 
contiguous  by  twos,  one  on  the  upper  side  of  one  veinlet,  and 
the  next  on  the  lower  side  of  the  next  superior  veinlet,  thus 
appearing  to  have  a  double  indusium  opening  along  the  middle. 
Name  from  Gr.  CTK  >A<>7rei'8pa,  a  centipede,  alluding  to  the  posi- 
tion of  the  sori.  Includes  five  species. 


IO8     OUR  NATIVE  FERNS  AND    THEIR  ALLIES. 

i.  S.  scolopendrium  (L.)  Karst.  Stipes  2'— 6'  long,  fibril- 
lose  below ;  fronds  oblong-lanceolate  from  an  auricled  heart- 
shaped  base,  entire  or  undulate,  f—i 8'  long,  i'— 2'  wide,  bright 
green.  (S.  mdgare  Smith,  Asplenium  scolopendrium  L.)  Chit- 
tenango  Falls  and  Jamesville,  New  York;  Woodstock,  New 
Brunswick  (Suttori),  Owen  Sound,  Canada  (Mrs.  Roy) .Tennessee. 

XVIII.     CAMPTOSORUS  Link.     WALKING  LEAF. 

Sori  oblong  or  linear,  irregularly  scattered  on  either  side  of 
the  reticulate  veins  of  the  simple  frond,  those  next  the  midrib 
single,  the  outer  ones  inclined  to  approximate  in  pairs,  or  to 
become  confluent  at  their  ends,  thus  forming  cropked  lines. 
Name  from  Gr.  KajAitroS,  curved,  and  CTOJ/JO?,  a  heap.  Includes 
only  two  species. 

i.  C.  rhizophyllus  (L.)  Link.  Fronds  evergreen,  tufted, 
spreading  or  procumbent,  4' — 9'  long,  lanceolate  from  an  auricled, 
heart-shaped  or  often  hastate  base,  tapering  above  into  a  slender 
prolongation  which  often  roots  at  the  apex.  Var.  intermedius 
Arthur  is  an  interesting  form,  differing  mainly  fsom  the  typical 
forms  in  having  the  base  acute,  without  proper  auricles  and 
with  a  single  fibro- vascular  bundle  in  the  stipe.  (Antigramma 
rhizophylla  J.  Sm.,  Scolopendrium  rhizophyllum  Hook.,  Asple- 
nium rhizophyllum  L.)  New  England  to  Wisconsin  and  south- 
ward ;  the  variety  in  Iowa. 

XIX.     PHEGOPTERIS    Fee.     BEECH-FERN. 
Sori   small,  round,  naked,  borne  on  the  back  of  the  veins 
below  the  apex.     Stipe  continuous  with  the  rootstock.     Veins 
free  or  reticulate.     Name  from   Gr.   4>riyo$,  a  beech-tree,  and 
icrepis,  a  fern.     Includes  95  species. 

§  i.     EUPHEGOPTERIS.      Veins  free. 

*  Fronds  triangular,  bipinnatifid;  pinna  sessile,  adnate  to  a 
winged  rachis. 

I.  P.  phegopteris  (L.)  Unde.  Stipes  6'— 9'  long;  fronds 
longer  than  broad,  4' — 9'  long,  4' — 6'  broad,  hairy  on  the  veins 
especially  beneath  ;  pinnae  linear-lanceolate,  the  lowest  pair  de- 
flexed  and  standing  forward  ;  segments  oblong,  obtuse,  entire, 
the  basal  ones  decurrent  and  adnate  to  the  main  rachis  ;  sori  near 
margin.  (P.  polypodioides  Fee,  Polypodium  phegopteris  L.,  P. 
connectile  Michx.)  New  England  to  Virginia  and  westward. 


FILICES. 

2.  P.  hexagonoptera  (Michx.)  Fee.     Stipes   stramineous, 
naked;    fronds   as   broad    as   long  or  nearly  so,  7' — 12'  long, 
slightly  pubescent,  and  often  finely  glandular  beneath  ;  upper 
pinnae  oblong,  obtuse,  toothed  or  entire,  the  very  large,  lowest 
pinnae  elongate  and  pinnately  lobed  ;  sori  near  the  margin  or 
some  between  the  sinus  and  the  midrib.     (Polypodium  hexagon- 
optcrum  Michx.)     Canada  to  Illinois,  Kentucky,  and  Florida. 

**  Fronds  oblong-lanceolate,  tripinnatifid  ;  rachis  wingless* 

3.  P.  alpestris  (Hoppe)  Mett.     Rootstock  short,  erect  or 
oblique ;  stipes  4' — 10'  long,  with  a  few  brown  spreading  scales 
near  the  base  ;  fronds  i° — 2°  long,  pinnae  deltoid-lanceolate,  the 
lower  ones  distant  and  decreasing  moderately  ;  pinnules  oblong- 
lanceolate,    incised    and    toothed  ;    sori  small,   rounded,   sub- 
marginal.      {Polypodium    alpestre    Hoppe,    Aspidiicm    atyestre 
Swz.)     California  and  northward  ;  Idaho  (Sandberg}. 

***  Pronds  ternate,  the  three  divisions  petioled ;  rachis  wingless. 

//A^.  4.  P.  dryopteris  (L.)  Fee.  (OAK-FERN.)  Rootstock  slender, 
creeping;  fronds  broadly  triangular,  4' — 8'  wide;  the  three 
primary  divisions  i — 2-pinnate  ;  segments  oblong,  obtuse,  entire 
or  toothed  ;  sori  near  the  margin.  {Polypodium  dryopteris  L., 
Nephrodium  dryopteris  Michx.)  Northeastern  United  States  to 
Virginia,  and  westward  to  Oregon  and  Alaska. 

//J"%  Var.  Robertiantaaa  (Hoffm.)  Dav.  Stipes  6' — 10'  long, 
stramineous,  glandular;  fronds  6' — 8'  long,  5' — 7'  wide,  deltoid- 
ovate  in  outline,  bipinnate,  lowest  pair  of  pinnae  far  the  largest, 
pinnatifid  or  again  pinnate  ;  upper  pinnae  smaller,  pinnatifid, 
lobed,  or  entire  ;  sori  copious,  forming  submarginal  rows  around 
the  segments.  (P.  calcarea  Fee.)  Minnesota  (Cathcart\  Deco- 
rah,  Iowa  (Hohvay),  Northeast  Territory  (Macoun\  Idaho. 

§  2.  GONIOPTERIS  Presl.  Veins  pinnate,  the  lower  veinlets 
of  contiguous  groups  uniting. 

5.  P.  tetragona  (Swz.)  Fee.  Rootstock  creeping  ;  stipes 
6' — 18'  long,  naked  or  slightly  villose ;  fronds  i° — 2°  long, 
6' — 12'  broad  ;  pinnae  numerous,  spreading  3' — 6'  long,  the  lowest 
narrowed  at  the  base  and  sometimes  stalked,  deeply  pinnatifid  ; 
texture  thinly  herbaceous;  rachis  and  under  surface  finely 
pubescent ;  sori  in  rows  near  the  midrib.  Marion  County, 
Florida  (Reynolds).  ^ 


HO     OUR  NATIVE  FERNS  AND    THEIR  ALLIES. 

«  6.  P.  reptans  $Swz.)  Eaton.  Rootstock  short,  creeping; 
stipes  3' — 10'  long,  clustered,  gray-stamineous,  slender,  naked  ; 
fronds  4' — 12'  long,  membranous,  softly  hairy  with  branched  or 
stellate  hairs,  oblong-lanceolate,  pinnate  with  nearly  or  quite 
sessile,  oblong,  crenately  pinnatifid  pinnae,  the  apex  pinnatifid, 
often  elongate  and  rooting;  veins  pinnate,  simple,  the  basal 
veinlets  often  anastomosing;  sori  on  the  middle  of  the  veinlets, 
rather  small,  sometimes  with  a  minute  rudimentary  indusium. 
(Polypodium  reptans  Swz.,  Aspidium  reptans  Mett.)  On  cal- 
careous rocks,  on  left  bank  of  Withlacoochee  River,  15  miles 
N.E.  from  Brooksville,  Florida  (J.  Donnell  Smith). 

XX.     DRYOPTERIS  Adans.     SHIELD-FERN. 

Sori  round,  borne  on  the  back  or  rarely  at  the  apex  of  the 
veins.  Indusium  flat  or  flattish,  orbicular  and  peltate  at  the 
centre,  or  cordato-reniform  and  fixed  either  centrally  or  at  the 
sinus.  Stipe  continuous  with  the  rootstock.  Name  from 
Gr.  Spv<s,  oak,  and  TtrepiS,  a  fern.  {Aspidium  Swz.  and  former 
editions.)  A  cosmopolitan  genus  containing  350  species. 

§  I.   ASPIDIUM.      Veins  anastomosing  copiously. 

1.  D.  trifoliata  (L.)  Ktze.     Stipes  tufted,  i°  or  more  long, 
brownish,  scaly  at   base;    fronds    12' — 18'  long,  6'— 12'  broad, 
with  a  large  ovate-acuminate  terminal  pinna  narrowed  or  forked 
at  the  base,  and  one  or  two  lateral  ones  on  each  side,  the  lowest 
mostly  forked  ;  primary  veins  distinct  to  the  margin  ;  arenlae 
fine,  copious,  with  free  included  veinlets  ;  sori  in  rows  near  the 
main    veins ;    indusia    orbicular,    peltate.      Florida,    Western 
Texas. 

§2.  CYRTOMIUM  Presl.  Indusium  peltate ;  fronds  simply 
pinnate  with  broad  pinna  ;  veinlets  usually  tiniting  slightly  near 
the  margin. 

2.  D.  juglandifolia  (HBK)Ktze.     Stipes  tufted,  clothed  be- 
low with  large  scales  ;   fronds  6' — 2°  long,  coriaceous  ;   pinnae 
2 — 12  pairs,  short-stalked,  ovate-oblong  or  broadly  lanceolate,  the 
terminal  one  distinct,  and  in  small  fronds  the  largest,  appressed- 
serrulate,  smooth  on  both  surfaces  ;  veins  pinnate,  the  veinlets 
few,  free  or  uniting  near  the  margin  ;  sori  scattered  in  several 
irregular  rows.     Western  Texas,  Arizona. 

3  3.   POLYSTICHUM   Roth.     Jndusiuw  »rhr'<:ular  and  entire, 


FILICES.  1 1 1 

peltate,  fixed  by  the  depressed  centre  ;  pinnce  and pinmiles  usually 
auricled  on  the  upper  side  at  base,  mucronately  serrate  ;  veins  free. 

*  Fronds  simply  pinnate. 
t  Fronds  long-stalked,  lanceolate. 

3.  D.  acrostichoides  (Michx.)  Ktze.     (CHRISTMAS-FERN.) 
Stipes  6' — 8'  long,  clothed  below  with  pale-brown  lanceolate 
scales  ;  fronds  i° — 2°  high,  3' — 5'  broad  ;  pinnae  linear-lanceolate, 
somewhat   falcate,  half-halberd-shaped   at   the   base,  serrulate 
with  appressed  bristly  teeth  ;  the  fertile  ones  contracted  and 
smaller,  bearing  contiguous  sori  near  the  middle,  soon  covering 
the  entire  surface.     A  form  with  cut-lobed,  often  strongly  fal- 
cate pinnae,  set  obliquely  to  the  rachis,  and  with  the  tips  of 
nearly  all  bearing  sori,  is  the  -var.  tncisum  Gray.     (Nephr  odium 
acrostichoides   Michx.)     New  England   to  Florida,  Mississippi, 
and  northward. 

4.  D.  munita  (Kaulf.)  Ktze.     Stipes  4' — 12'  long,  chaffy,  the 
rachis  with  brown  scales;  fronds  growing  in  a  crown,  i° — 4° 
long,    tapering   slightly   toward   the    base;    pinnae    numerous, 
linear-acuminate,  3' — 4'  long,  very  sharply  and   often   doubly 
serrate,   with    appressed    needle  like    points;    sori    numerous, 
forming  a  single  row  each  side  of  the  midrib  half-way  to  the 
margin.     California  and  northward. 

ft  Fronds  scarcely  stalked,  linear-lanceolate. 

5.  D.  lonchitis  (L.)  Ktze.     (HOLLY-FERN.)     Fronds  9'— 20' 
long,  rigid  ;  pinnae  i'  or  more  long,  broadly  lanceolate-falcate  or 
the  lowest  triangular,  strongly  auricled  on  the  upper  side,  the 
lower  obliquely  truncate,  densely  spinulose-toothed ;  sori  con- 
tiguous and  near  the  margin.     Canada  and  Wisconsin  to  Utah 
(Jones),  Castle  Lake,  Siskiyou  County,  California  (Pringle],  Mt. 
Peddo,  Washington  (Suksdorf),  and  northward. 

**  Fronds  bipinnate  or  nearly  so. 

6.  D.  mohrioides  (Bory)  Ktze.     Stipes  2' — 6'  long,  more 
or  less  densely  clothed  with  lanceolate  dark-brown  scales  ;  fronds 
6'— 12'  long,  2' — 3'  broad,  with   numerous  dense,  often   imbri- 
cated,   lanceolate   pinnae,   which    are   cut   below   into   slightly 
toothed  oblong  rhomboidal  pinnules;    teeth   blunt  or  mucro- 
nate ;  texture  coriaceous;  both  surfaces  naked;  rachis   stout 


112     OUR  NATIVE  FERNS  AND    THEIR  ALLIES. 

compressed,  scaly  ;  veins  close,  immersed  ;  sori  copious.     Cali- 
fornia to  Washington. 

7.  D.  aculeata  (L.)  Ktze.     Rootstock   stout ;   stipes   vari- 
able in  length,  very  chaffy  with  large  and  small  scales  inter- 
mixed as  in  the  rachis;  fronds  i° — 2°  long,  growing  in  a  crown, 
oblong-lanceolate,    pinnate ;    pinnae   closely  placed,  lanceolate 
from  a  broad  base,  mostly  curved  upwards,  incisely  pinnatifid  or 
again  pinnate  ;   segments  or  pinnules  of  variable  shape,  oval- 
rhomboidal,  or  unequally  triangular-ovate  and  auriculate  on  the 
upper  side  of  the  slightly  stalked  base,  the  teeth  aculeate  in 
various  degrees ;  under  surface  more  or  less  chaffy-fibrillose ; 
sori  in  two  rows,  on  the  segments  nearer  the  mid  vein  than  the 
edge.     California,  Mt.  Peddo,  Washington  (Suksdorf}. 

Var.  Californica  (Eat.)  Unde.  Fronds  elongate,  narrow, 
tapering  slightly  at  the  base;  pinnae  but  slightly  incised  above 
the  middle,  more  and  more  deeply  cleft  toward  the  rachis,  the 
lower  superior  segment  largest,  but  scarcely  distinct  as  a  pin- 
nule, and  not  at  all  auricled.  (A.  Californicum  D.  C.  Eaton.) 
California. 

Var.  angularis  (Willd.)  Unde.  Fronds  lanceolate,  scarcely 
or  not  at  all  narrowed  at  the  base,  fully  bipinnate ;  pinnules  dis- 
tinctly short-stalked,  mostly  auricled  and  slightly  incised  ;  the 
basal  one  largest  and  again  pinnatifid;  under  surface  chaffy- 
fibrillose.  (A.  angulare  Willd.)  California. 

Var.  Braunii  (Spenner)  Unde.  Fronds  lanceolate;  pinnae 
numerous,  oblong-lanceolate,  the  lower  gradually  reduced  in 
size  and  obtuse;  pinnules  ovate  or  oblong,  truncate  and  almost 
rectangular  at  the  base,  sharply  toothed,  beset  with  long  soft 
hairs  as  well  as  chaffy  ones.  {A.  Braunii  Spenner.)  Maine  to 
New  York  and  northward. 

§  4.  NEPHRODIUM  Rich.  Indusmm  cordato-reniform  or 
orbicular  'with  a  narrow  sinus  ;  veins  free. 

*  Texture  thin-membranous,  veins  simple  or  once  forked, 
fronds  bipinnatifid. 

*  Fronds  thin-membranous  ;  veins  simple  or  once  forked. 

\  Lowest  pinnce  gradiially  reduced  to  mere  lobes. 
\  Fronds  in  a  crown  from  a  stout,  creeping  rootstock. 

8.  D.   montana    (Vogl.)   Ktze.     Rootstock   oblique,  scaly  • 
stipes  short,  scaly  below;  fronds  i^° — 2°  long,  broadly  lanceo- 
late, tapering  below,  glandular;  pinnae  2' — 3'  long,  deeply  pin- 


FILICES.  113 

natifid,  the  lower  slightly  more  distant ;  sori  medium  size, 
nearly  marginal ;  indusia  more  or  less  toothed  at  the  margin. 
(Polypodium  montanum  Vogl.,  P.  oreopteris  Ehrh.)  British 
Columbia  (Macoun),  Unalaska  (Turner). 

9.  D.    NevadensfK  (Eat.)    Unde.       Rootstock    creeping, 
densely  covered  with  the  persistent  bases  of   former  stalks; 
stipes  short,  scaly  below  ;  fronds  i£° — 3°  long,  lanceolate,  with 
pinnae  linear-lanceolate  from  a  broad  base,  and  crow  Jed  seg- 
ments slightly  hairy  on  the  veins  and  with  minute  resinous 
particles  ;  sori  small,  nearer  the  margin  than  the  vein  ;  indusium 
minute,  furnished  with  a  few  dark-colored  marginal  glands  and 
with  jointed  hairs  on  the  upper  surface.     California. 

\ \  Rootstocks  stout,  erect, forming  a  short  caudex  ;  fronds  in  a 
crown. 

10.  D.  contermina    (Desv.)    Ktze.,   var.    strigosa    (Fee) 
Unde.     Rootstock  often  extending  a  foot  above  the  ground; 
stipes  very  stout,  narrowly  wing-margined  near  the  base  ;  fronds 
i° — 4°  long,  lanceolate,  caudate-acuminate,  much  narrowed  at 
the  base ;   pinnae  sessile,  narrowly  lanceolate  from  a  broader 
base,  deeply  pinnatifid,  the  under  surface  dotted  with  resinous 
globules;    veins  simple;    sori  near  the   margin  with   minute 
glandular  somewhat  pilose  indusia.     Fort  Meade,  Florida. 

\\\  Rootstocks  slender,  creeping  ;  fronds  scattered. 

11.  D.  Noveboracense  (L.)  Gray.     Rootstocks  wide  creep- 
ing; fronds  i° — 2°  long,  4' — 6'  broad,  tapering  both  ways  from 
the  middle ;  pinnae  lanceolate,  sessile,  ciliate,  and  finely  pubes- 
cent beneath  ;  veins  simple  or  those  of  the  basal  lobes  forked  ; 
sori  near  the  margin  ;  indusium  minute,  gland-bearing.     {Poly- 
podium  Noveboracense  L.,  Aspidium  thelypteroides  Swz.)    North 
Carolina  to  Arkansas  and  northward. 

ft  Lower  pinna  little  smaller  than  those  above. 
\  Veins  forked. 

12.  D.  thslypteris  (L.)  Gray.     Rootstock  creeping;  fronds 
lanceolate,  scarcely  narrower  at  the  base,  i° — 2°   long,  4'— 6' 
wide,  membranous ;    pinnae  lanceolate,  with  obtuse  segments 
which  often  appear  acute  from  the  strongly  revolute  margin ; 
veins  regularly  once  or  twice  forked;  sori  crowded,  10 — 12  to 


114     OUR  NATIVE   FERNS  AND    THEIR  ALLIES. 

each  segment ;  indusium  slightly  glandular  or  glabrous.  (Poly- 
podium  thelypteris  L.)  New  Brunswick  to  Manitoba  south  to 
Texas  and  Florida. 

\\  Veins  simple. 

i2a.  D.  simulata  Dav.  Rootstock  slender,  brownish  ;  fronds 
S'_ 20'  long,  2'— 7'  wide,  oblong-lanceolate,  tapering  to  an 
acuminate  apex;  pinnae  12 — 20  pairs,  lanceolate,  the  segments 
obtuse,  entire,  slightly  revolute  in  the  fertile  frond,  finely 
pubescent,  especially  near  the  midribs;  sori  rather  large,  some- 
what distant,  4 — 10  to  each  segment;  indusia  finely  glandular 
at  the  margins.  New  Hampshire,  Massachusetts. 

13.  D.  patens  (Swz.)  Ktze.     Rootstock  stout,  bearing  sev- 
eral  fronds    at   the  growing   end  ;   fronds    2° — 3°  long,  4' — 10' 
broad,  ovate-oblong,  softly  pubescent  beneath;    pinnae  closely 
placed,  linear-acuminate,  lowest  pair  somewhat  deflexed,  all  cut 
three  fourths  of  the  way  to   the  midrib;   segments  numerous, 
acutish,  basal  ones  longest ;  veinlets  evident,  lowest  ones  of  ad- 
joining segments  often  uniting;  sori  near  the  margin;  indusia 
very  pubescent.     (A.  molle  Kunze.)     Florida  to  California. 

**  Texture  firmer  or  sub-coriaceous,  veins  forking  freely . 
t  Fronds  pinnate  ;  pinna  cut  into  spreading  triangular  lobes  ; 
sori  confluent. 

14.  D.  unita  (L.)  Ktze.,  var.  glabra  (Mett.)  Unde.     Stipes 
i£°  long,  brownish,  naked  ;  fronds  i£°  or  more  long,  5' — 8'  broad  ; 
pinnae  narrow,  cut  from  one  third  to  half-way  down  into  sharp, 
pointed  lobes;  lower  pinnae  not  reduced;  veins  pinnate  in  the 
broad  lobes  with  6 — 8  veinlets  on  each  side,  the  lower  ones  of 
contiguous  groups  united  ;  sori  near  the  ends  of  the  veins  prin- 
cipally in  the  lobes.     Florida. 

ft  Fronds  bipinnatifid  or  bipinnate ;  indusia  rather  large  ; 
segments  not  spinulose. 

\  Fronds  small,  narrowly  lanceolate. 

15.  D.  fragrans  (L.)  Schott.     Fronds  4' — 12'  high,  glandu- 
lar-aromatic;  pinnae  linear-oblong,  pinnately  parted;  segments 
toothed  or  nearly  entire,  nearly  covered  beneath  with  the  very 
large  thin  imbricate  indusia,  which  are  orbicular  with  a  narrow 
sinus,  the   margin  ragged  and  sparingly  glariduliferous,     (Ne- 


FILICES.  1 1 5 

phrodium  fragrans  Rich.)     New  England,  New  York  to  Wis- 
consin, and  northward. 

\\  Fronds  larger,  mostly  2° — 4°  high. 

A.  Fronds  bipinnatifid  or   nearly  twice  pinnate ;   indusia 
large,  thinnish  and  flat, 

16.  D.  Floridana  (Hook.)  Ktze.     Stipes  6' — 10'  long,  spar- 
ingly  clothed   with   ovate   scales;   fronds   lanceolate,    18 — 20' 
long,  5' — 8'  broad;  fertile  pinnae  confined  to  the  upper  half  of 
the    frond,    narrowly   lanceolate,   cut   down   to    the    narrowly 
winged  secondary  rachises  into  oblong,  distinct  pinnules;  the 
sterile   pinnae    broader,   shorter,   and    sub-deltoid    below,    less 
deeply   cut.      (Aspidhim    Floridanum    D.    C.    Eaton,    Nephro- 
dium  Floridanum  Hook.)     Florida. 

17.  D.  cristata  (L.)  Gray.     Fronds  linear  or  lanceolate  in 
outline,   i° — 2°  long;    pinnae  short,  2' — 3'  long,  triangular-ob- 
long or  the   lowest   nearly  triangular,  deeply  pinnatifid  ;   seg- 
ments 6 — 10  pairs,  finely  serrate  or  cut-toothed  ;  sori  as  near 
the  midvein  as  the  margin;  indusia  smooth,  naked.     (A.  Lan- 
castriense  Spreng.,  Nephrodium  cristatum  Michx.,  Lastrea  cris- 
tata Presl.)     Canada  to  Arkansas. 

Var.  Clintoniana(Eat.)Unde.  Fronds  much  larger,  2^° — 4° 
long ;  pinnae  oblong-lanceolate,  broadest  at  base,  4' — 6'  long, 
i' — 2'  broad,  deeply  pinnatifid;  segments  8 — 16  pairs,  crowded 
or  distant,  linear-oblong,  obscurely  serrate;  veins  pinnately 
forking,  bearing  the  sori  near  the  midvein.  New  England, 
New  York,  and  westward. 

/ H-O^  18.  D.  Goldieana  (Hook.)  Gray.  Fronds  broad,  2° — 4° 
long;  pinnae  6' — 9'  long,  broadest  in  the  middle,  pinnately 
parted  ;  the  segments  about  20  pairs,  oblong-linear,  sub-falcate, 
serrate  with  appressed  teeth  ;  veins  bearing  the  sori  very  near 
the  midvein  ;  indusia  very  large,  orbicular  with  a  narrow  sinus. 
{Nephrodium  Goldieanum  Hook.,  Lastrea  Goldieana  J.  Sm.) 
Canada  to  Kentucky. 

B.  Fronds  mostly  bipinnate ;  indusia  convex,  without  mar- 
ginal glands. 

19.  D.  filix-mas  (L.)  Schott.  (MALE-FERN.)  Rootstock 
stout;  fronds  in  a  crown,  i° — 3°  high,  broadly  oblong  lanceo- 
late, slightly  narrowed  toward  the  base,  bipinnatifid  or  bipin- 


Il6     OUR  NATIVE  FERNS  AND    THEIR  ALLIES. 

nate ;  pinnules  oblong,  smooth,  polished  beneath,  the  larger 
ones  pinnately  incised  ;  sori  large,  near  the  midvein,  commonly 
on  the  lower  half  or  two  thirds  of  the  segment;  indusia  firm, 
smooth;  rachis  more  or  less  chaffy.  (Nephrodium  filix-mas 
Rich.,  Lastrea  filix-mas  Presl.)  Canada  to  Colorado,  Arizona, 
California,  and  Oregon. 

/^/X.  20.   D.    marginalis  (L.)  Gray.     Fronds   nearly   coriaceous 

in  texture,  6' — 2°  long,  ovate-oblong ;  pinnae  lanceolate,  broadest 
just  above  the  base;  pinnules  oblong  or  oblong-falcate,  entire 
or  crenately  toothed  ;  sori  close  to  the  margin.  (Polypodium 
marginale  L.,  Nephrodium  marginale  Michx.,  Lastrea  margi- 
nalis J.  Sm.)  Northern  United  States  and  Canada. 
ttt  Fronds  bipinnate  or  tripinnatifid ;  segments  spinulose  toothed. 

21.  D.  rigida  (Hoffm.)  Unde.,  var.  arguta  (Kaulf.)  Unde. 
Rootstock  short,  stout ;  fronds  in  a  crown  on  chaffy  stalks,  half- 
evergreen,  smooth  above,  paler  and  more  or  less  glandular  be- 
neath,  i° — 3°   high,   ovate-lanceolate  or  triangular-lanceolate, 
bipinnate;   pinnae  broadly  oblong-lanceolate,  the  lowest  ones 
broadest,  scarcely  shorter  than  the  middle  ones ;  pinnules  ob- 
long, incised  or  doubly  serrate  with  spinulose  teeth;   indusia 
firm,  convex,  the  edge  bearing  short-stalked  glands.     (A.  argu- 

f  turn  Kaulf.)     California,  Oregon,  British  Columbia. 

22.  D.   spinulosa  (L.)  Ktze.     Stipes  with  a  few,  pale,  de- 
ciduous scales;    fronds  ovate-lanceolate,  bipinnate,  the  pinnae 
oblique    to    the    rachis,   elongate-triangular,   the    lower   pairs 
broadly  triangular;  pinnules  oblique  to  the  midrib,  connected 
by  a  very  narrow  wing,  oblong,  incised,  or  pinnatifid  with  lobes 
spinulose  toothed  ;  indusia  smooth  without  marginal  glands. 
(Nephrodium    spinulosum     Desv.,    Lastrea    spinulosa     Presl.) 
Canada  and  Northern  United  States. 

///vT~-  Var.  intermedia  (Willd.)  Unde.  Scales  of  the  stipes  brown 
with  a  darker  centre;  fronds  oblong-ovate,  bi — tripinnate ; 
pinnae  spreading,  oblong-lanceolate,  the  lowest  unequally  tri- 
angular-ovate ;  pinnules  crowded,  pinnately  divided ;  margin 
of  indusium  denticulate  and  beset  with  stalked  glands.  (A.  in- 
termediuni  Willd.,  A.  Americanum  Dav.)  Canada  to  Tennes- 
see. 

/+£($   -       Var.  dilatata    (Hoffm.)    Unde.      Scales    of    stipes    large, 


FILICES.  II/ 

brown  with  a  darker  centre  ;  fronds  broadly  ovate  or  triangular- 
ovate,  oftenest  tripinnate ;  pinnules  lance-oblong,  the  lowest 
often  much  elongated  ;  indusia  smooth  and  naked.  (A.  dila- 
tatum  Swz.,  A.  campylopterum  Kunze.,  Nephrodium  dilatatum 
Desv.,  Lastrea  dilatata  J.  Sm.)  A  dwarf  form  is  var.  dume- 
torum.  Canada  and  New  England  to  Oregon. 

23-  D-  Boottii  (Tuck.)  Unde.  Scales  of  stipes  pale  brown  ; 
fronds  elongate  oblong  or  elongate  lanceolate  in  outline;  pin- 
nules broadly  oblong,  very  obtuse,  the  lower  pinnatifid,  the 
upper  and  smaller  merely  serrate  ;  indusia  minutely  glandular. 
(A.  spinulosum,  var.  Boottii  Gray.)  New  England,  New  York, 
and  northward. 

-  24.  D.  patula  CSwz.)  Unde.  Stipes  8' — 12'  long,  stra- 
mineous, scaly  at  base;  fronds  pale  green,  i° — 2°  long,  6' — 12' 
broad,  ovate-lanceolate;  pinnae  lanceolate  or  the  lower  sub- 
deltoid  ;  rachis  and  both  surfaces  naked  ;  sori  in  rows  midway 
between  edge  and  midrib;  indusium  conspicuous,  naked.  (Ne- 
phrodium patulum  Baker,  N.  Mexicanum  Hook.  Distributed 
by  Lemmon  as  A.  Karwinskyanum.}  Huachuca  Mountains, 
Arizona  (Lemmon). 

XXI.     NEPHROLEPIS   Schott. 

Sori  round,  arising  from  the  apex  of  the  upper  branch  of  a 
vein,  usually  near  the  margin.  Indusia  reniform  or  roundish. 
Veins  all  free,  the  fronds  simply  pinnate,  the  pinnae  articulated 
at  the  base,  and  bearing  white  cretaceous  dots  on  the  upper 
surface.  Name  from  Gr.  ye0p&?s,  a  kidney,  and  AeTfz's,  a  scale. 
A  tropical  and  sub-tropical  genus  containing  seven  species. 

1.  N.   exaltata  (L.)  Schott.     Stipes  4' — 6'   long,  naked   or 
slightly  scaly;   fronds  i° — 6°  long,  3'- -6'  broad;  pinnae  close, 
lanceolate,  the  edge  entire  or  slightly  crenate,  the  upper  side 
auricled  at  the  base,  the  lower  rounded  ;  rachis  nearly  naked  ; 
sori  sub-marginal;  indusia  firm,  distinctly  reniform.     Florida; 
frequent  in  cultivation. 

2.  N.   acuta   (Swz.)    Presl.     Stipes  4' — 8'    long,    naked   or 
slightly  scaly;  fronds  2° — 4°  long,  8' — 12'  broad;  pinnae  4' — 8' 
long,  ^' — i'  broad,  acute,  entire  or  slightly  crenate,  the  upper 
side  auricled,  the  lower  rounded  at  base;  rachis  and  both  sides 
nearly  naked ;  sori  submarginal ;  indusia  suborbicular,  subpel- 


Il8      OUR  NATIVE  FERNS  AND    THEIR  ALLIES 

tate.      South   bank   of   Miami    River,    Florida.      March,    1887 
(H olden). 

XXII.     CYSTOPTERIS  Bernh.     BLADDER-FERN. 

Sori  roundish,  borne  on  the  back  of  the  veins.  Indusium 
delicate,  hood-like,  or  arched,  attached  by  a  broad  base  on  the 
inner  side  partly  under  the  sorus,  early  opening,  free  at  the  other 
side,  and  thrown  back  or  withering  away.  Veins  free.  Name 
from  Gr.  taverns,  a  bladder,  and  jcrepis,  a  fern,  alluding  to  the  in- 
flated indusia.  Found  in  the  temperate  zones  of  both  hemis- 
pheres ;  contains  five  species. 

*  Fronds  ovate-lanceolate,  bi — tripinnate. 

i.  C.  bulbifera  (L.)  Bernh.  Stipes  4' — 6' long  ;  fronds  lan- 
ceolate, elongate,  i° — 2°  long,  bi — tripinnatifid,  pinnae  lanceo- 
late-oblong; pinnules  crowded,  toothed  or  pinnatifid;  rachis 
wingless,  often  bearing  bulblets  underneath ;  indusia  short, 
truncate  on  the  free  side.  (Aspidium  bulbtferum  Swz.,  Ne- 
phrodium  bulbtferum  Michx.)  New  England  to  Virginia  and 
North  Carolina. 

/vT  2.—  2.  C.  fragrilis  (L.)  Bernh.  Fronds  oblong-lanceolate,  4'— 8' 
long,  i' — 2\'  broad,  bi — tripinnate;  pinnae  and  pinnules  lanceo- 
late or  ovate  in  outline,  decurrent  along  the  margined  or  winged 
rachis  ;  indusia  tapering  or  acute  at  the  free  end.  Narrower, 
less  divided  specimens,  barely  bipinnate  with  obtuse  and  bluntly 
toothed  pinnules  form  the  var.  dentata  Hook.  Like  many 
other  so-called  varieties  it  passes  insensibly  into  the  typical 
form.  (Aspidium  tenue  Swz.)  New  England  to  Arizona,  Cali- 
fornia, and  northward. 

**  Fronds  deltoid-ovate,  tri — quadripinnate. 

0"~  3  -  3'  C.  montana  (Lam.)  Bernh.  Rootstock  slender, creeping; 
stipes  6' — 9'  long,  slender;  fronds  about  6'  each  way;  lowest 
pinnae  deltoid-lanceolate,  much  larger  than  those  above,  their 
inferior  pinnules  i' — i^'long;  segments  cut  to  the  rachis  into 
oblong  lobes,  deeply  and  sharply  toothed;  sori  numerous. 
Colorado  (Brandcgee),  north  shore  of  Lake  Superior,  Labrador 
(Butler\  Mt,  Albert,  Gaspe,  Quebec,  and  northward  to  Alaska. 


FILICES.  H9 

XXIII.     ONOCLEA    L. 

Sori  round,  borne  on  the  back  of  the  veins  of  the  contracted 
fertile  frond,  and  quite  concealed  by  their  revolute  margins. 
Indusium  very  thin  membranous,  hemispheric  or  hood-like, 
fixed  at  the  inferior  side  of  the  sorus.  Fronds  conspicuously 
d  imorphous.  Name  from  Gr.  orot,  a  vessel,  and  xheiei  v,  to  close, 
alluding  to  the  fertile  fronds.  A  cold  temperate  genus  contain- 
ing three  species. 

§  i.  EUONOCLEA.  Veins  of  sterile  frond  copiously  anasto- 
mosing. 

/\j"V_  i.  O.  sensibilis  L.  (SENSITIVE-FERN.)  Fertile  fronds  bi- 
pinnate,  much  contracted  ;  pinnules  short,  usually  rolled  up  and 
converted  into  berry-shaped  closed  involucres,  and  forming  a 
one-sided  panicle;  sterile  fronds  broadly  triangular,  deeply  pin- 
natifid  into  lanceolate-oblong  pinnae,  which  are  entire,  undulate, 
or  the  lowest  pair  sinuate  pinnatifid  ;  veins  copiously  anasto- 
mosing. In  var.  obttisilobata  Torr.  the  sterile  fronds  are  again 
pinnatifid,  more  or  less  contracted  and  revolute,  and  bear  a  few 
sori.  New  England  to  Florida  and  Kansas. 

§  2.    STRUTHIOPTERIS  Willd.     Veins  all  free. 

2.  O.  struthiopteris(L.)Hoffm.  (OSTRICH  FERN.)  Fertile 
fronds  i° — J^0  long,  simply  pinnate  with  necklace-shaped  pinnae 
formed  of  the  strongly  revolute  margins ;  sterile  fronds  2° — 6° 
long,  growing  in  a  crown,  broadly  lanceolate,  bipinnatifid,  the 
lowest  pinnae  gradually  much  shorter;  veins  pinnate,  free  and 
simple;  sori  crowded  and  confluent.  Sterile  fronds  are  some- 
times partially  contracted  and  bear  sori  analogous  to  var. 
obtusilobata  above.  (O.  Germanica  Willd.,  O.  nodulosa  Michx., 
Struthiopteris  Pennsylvania  Willd.,  S.  Germanica  Willd., 
Osmunda  Struthiopteris  L.)  New  England  to  Illinois. 

XXIV.     WOODSIA    R.  Br. 

Sori  round,  borne  on  the  back  of  simply  forked  free  veins. 
Indusium  inferior,  thin  and  often  evanescent,  either  small  and 
open,  or  early  bursting  at  the  top  into  irregular  pieces  or  lobes. 
Named  for  Joseph  Woods,  an  English  botanist.  A  genus  of 
high  temperate  or  boreal  latitudes  including  15  species. 

§  i.    Eu WOODSIA.     Indifuum  minute  or  evanescent,  open  and 


I2O     OUR  NATIVE   FERNS  AND    THEIR  ALLIES. 

fiat  from  an  early  stage,  concealed  under  the  sorus,  its  margin 
cleft  into  slender  hairs  or  cilia. 

*  Stipes  obscurely  jointed  near  the  base  ;  cilia  of  the  indusiwn 
long,  inflexed  over  the  sporangia. 

t  Fronds  thickly  clothed  underneath  with  rusty  bristle-like 
chaff. 

1.  W.  Ilvensis  (L.).    R-   Br.     Fronds   broadly  lanceolate, 
smoothish   above,  pinnate;    pinnae  crowded,  sessile,  pinnately- 
parted,  the  crowded  segments  oblong,  obscurely  crenate;  sori 
near  the  margin,  somewhat  confluent  when  old.     (W.  ritfidula 
Beck.,  Acrostichum   Ilvense  L  ,  Polypodium  Ilvense  Swz..  Ne- 
phrodium  rufidulum  Michx.,  Aspidium  rufidulum  Willd.)     Vir- 
ginia to  Kentucky,  westward  and  northward. 

ft  Fronds  glabrous  or  nearly  so. 

2.  W.,alpina  (Bolt.)  S.  F.  Gray.     Stipes  and   rachis  often 
slightly  hairy ;  fronds  linear-lanceolate,  pinnate;  pinnae  corda- 
to-ovate,  pinnatifid  with  few  (5 — 7)  broadly  obovate  entire  lobes. 
Vermont,  New  York,  and  northwestward.   (  W.  hyperborea  R.  Br.) 

y \f~$-  _  3.  W.  glabella  R.  Br.  Smooth  and  naked  throughout; 
fronds  linear,  tapering  slightly  below,  2' — 5'  high,  pinnate; 
pinnae  deltoid  or  ovate,  the  lower  rather  remote,  cut  into  3 — 7 
rounded  or  subcuneate  entire  lobes.  Vermont,  New  York,  and 
northward. 

**  Stipes  not  jointed  ;  cilia  of  the  indusium  very  short,  hid- 
den by  the  sporangia. 

4.  W.  scopulina    D.  C.   Eaton.     Rootstock   short,   creep- 
ing, very  chaffy  ;    stipes  2' — 4'  long,  puberulent  like  the  rachis 
and  under  surface  of  the  frond  with  minute  flattened  hairs  and 
stalked  glands ;  fronds  lanceolate,  4' — 8' long,  pinnate;    pinnae 
numerous,  oblong-ovate,  pinnatifid  with  10— 16  short  ovate  or 
oblong  toothed    divisions  ;    indusia  very  delicate,  deeply  cleft 
into  laciniae  which  terminate  in  short  hairs.     Colorado,  Ari- 
zona, California,  Oregon,  and  northward. 

5.  W.  Oregana  D.  C.  Eaton.     Stipes  and   fronds  smooth  ; 
fertile  fronds  taller  than  the  sterile  ones;  pinnae  triangular-ob- 
long, pinnatifid  ;  segments  oblong  or  ovate,  toothed  or  crenate; 
teeth  often  reflexed  and  covering  the  submarginal  sori ;  indusia 


FILICES.  I2l 

very  minute,  divided  almost  to  the  centre  into  a  few  beaded 
hairs.     Arizona,  Utah,  Colorado,  Oregon,  and  northward. 

-  6.   W.  Mexicana    Fee.     Stipes   2' — 3'    long,   smoothish    or 
with   a   few   scattered   scales ;   fronds   3' — 9'   long,  lanceolate ; 
pinnae    sub-opposite,    triangular-lanceolate,   pinnately   divided 
into  finely-toothed  segments,  the  teeth  in  young  fronds  ending 
in  delicate,  semi-transparent,  ciliated  tips  ;  sori  near  the   mar- 
gin, broad,  confluent ;  receptacles  dot-like,  scales  of  indusium 
four,  laciniate,   narrow,  dividing  at  the  end    into   articulated 
hairs ;  sporangia  nearly  sessile.     Arizona,  New  Mexico. 

§2.  HVPOPELTIS  Torr.  Indusium  conspicuous,  at  first  en- 
closing the  sporangium,  but  early  opening  at  the  top  and  splitting 
into  several  spreading  jagged  lobes. 

-  7.   W.  obtusa  (Spreng.)  Torr.     Stipes  3' — 6'   long;    fronds 
broadly    lanceolate,    minutely    glandular-hairy,    6' — 12'    high, 
nearly  bipinnate  ;  pinnae  rather  remote,  triangular-ovate  or  ob- 
long,   pinnately   parted ;    segments    oblong,   obtuse,   crenately 
toothed,  the  lower  ones  pinnatifid  ;  veins  forked.     (  W.  Perrin- 
iana   H.  &  G.,  Aspidium  obtusum  Willd.,   Cheilanthes  crenata 
Kunze,  Hypopeltis  obtusa  Torr.)     Smaller  and   more  glandular 
forms    are  var.  glandulosa  Eaton   ( W.  Plummerce  Lemmon). 
New  England  to  Kentucky,  Kansas,  and  Arizona. 

XXV.     DICKSONIA  L'Her. 

Sori  small,  globular,  marginal  or  intra-marginal.  Sporangia 
borne  in  an  elevated,  globular  receptacle,  enclosed  in  a  mem- 
branous, cup-shaped  indusium,  which  is  open  at  the  top,  and 
on  the  outer  side  partly  adherent  to  a  reflexed  toothlet  of  the 
frond.  Named  for  James  Dickson,  an  English  botanist,  1738- 
1822.  Includes  about  50  species,  more  than  half  of  which  are 
arborescent. 

§  SITOLOBIUM  J.  Sm. 

i.  D.  punctilobula  (Michx.)  Gray.  Rootstock  slender, 
creeping,  naked;  stipes  stout,  chaffless  ;  fronds  i° — 2|°  long, 
5' — 9'  broad,  ovate-lanceolate  and  pointed,  usually  tripinnatifid  ; 
pinnae  lanceolate,  pointed  ;  pinnules  cut  into  oblong  and  ob- 
tuse cut-toothed  lobes ;  rachis  and  under  surface  minutely 
glandular  and  hairy;  sori  minute,  each  on  a  recurved  toothlet, 
usually  one  at  the  upper  margin  of  each  lobe.  (D.  punctiloba 


122     OUR  NATIVE  FERNS  AND    THEIR  ALLIES. 

Hook.,    D.     pilosiusciila    Willd.      Nephrodium    punctilobulum 
Michx.,  Aspidium  punctilobulum  Torr.)     Canada  to  Tennessee. 

XXVI.  TRICHOMANES  Sm.     FILMY-FERN. 

Sori  marginal,  terminating  a  vein,  more  or  less  sunken  in 
the  frond.  Sporangia  sessile  on  the  lower  part  of  a  cylindrical, 
filiform,  often  elongated  receptacle.  Indusia  tubular  or  funnel- 
shaped,  entire  or  two-lipped  at  the  mouth.  Fronds  delicate, 
pellucid.  Name  from  Gr.  rpixojiayes,  the  name  of  some  fern, 
from  Tpix,  hair,  and  juairojuai,  producing  frenzy,  alluding  to 
some  supposed  property.  A  tropical  and  temperate  genus  con- 
taining nearly  100  species. 

§    EUTRICHOMANES. 

1.  T.  Petersii    Gray.     Stipes  i" — 2"  long;   fronds  3" — 10" 
long,  i" — 2"  broad,  oblong-lanceolate  or  obovate,  entire  or  vari- 
ously pinnatifid,  the  younger  ones  with  a  few  black  hairs  along 
the   margins;    indusium    solitary,  terminal,   funnel-shaped,  the 
mouth   expanded   and   slightly  two-lipped,  the   receptacle   in- 
cluded.    Winston  County,  Alabama  (Peters). 

2.  T.  radicans    Swz.     Rootstock  wiry,  tomentose ;    stipes 
ascending,    i' — 3'    long,    naked    or   nearly  so,   usually   broadly 
winged;    fronds  2' — 8'  long,  i' — 1£'  wide,  lanceolate   or  ovate- 
lanceolate,  bipinnatifid  ;  pinnae  ovate,  obtuse,  the  upper  side  of 
the  base  parallel  and  appressed  to  the  winged  rachis,  the  lower 
side  cuneate  ;  divisions  toothed  or  divided   into  linear  lobes  ; 
indusia  terminal  on   short  lobes,  tubular  or  funnel-shaped,  the 
mouth  slightly  two-lipped;    receptacle  exserted  little  or  very- 
much.     (T.  speciosum  Willd.)     Alabama,  Tennessee,  Kentucky. 

XXVII.  LYGODIUM  Swz.     CLIMBING-FERN. 

Sporangia  ovoid,  solitary  or  occasionally  in  pairs,  in  the 
axils  of  large  imbricated  scale-like  indusia,  which  are  fixed  by 
their  broad  bases  to  short  oblique  veinlets.  Fronds  scandent, 
twining,  bearing  stalked  and  variously  lobed  divisions  in  pairs. 
Veins  mostly  free.  Name  from  Gr.  Xvywdiy;,  flexible,  alluding  to 
the  scandent  stems.  Includes  16  species. 

§    EULYGODIUM. 

/  £  o  -        I.     L-    palmatum    (Bernh.)    Swz.       Stipes    slender,    twin- 
ing; fronds  i°— - 3°  long,  the  short  alternate  branches  or  peti- 


FILICES.  123 

oles  2-forked,  each  fork  bearing  a  round-cordate  palmately 
4 — 7  lobed  pinnule;  fertile  pinnules  above,  contracted,  several 
times  forked,  forming  a  terminal  panicle  ;  surfaces  naked  ;  text- 
ure thinly  herbaceous.  (Hydroglossum  palmatum  Willd.)  Mas- 
sachusetts and  New  York  to  Kentucky  and  Florida. 

XXVIII.      ANEMIA    Swz. 

Sporangia  ovate,  sessile,  placed  in  two  rows  on  the  back  of 
the  very  narrow  branch  lets  of  the  two  long-stalked,  panicled, 
lower  branches  of  a  pinnately  divided  frond,  the  fertile  branches 
in  a  few  species  entirely  distinct  from  the  sterile  frond.  Veins 
free  or  anastomosing.  Name  from  Gr.  aye^covt  naked.  A 
small  genus  chiefly  from  tropical  America,  containing  27  species. 

§  EUANEMIA. 

1.  A.  adiantifolia      (L.)  Swz.     Rootstock  creeping ;  stipes 
i^°  long,    firm,    naked  ;    fronds   sparingly   pubescent,    the  two 
lower  branches  elongate,  pinnately  decompound,  fertile ;   ster- 
ile portion  deltoid-ovate,  bi — tripinnate  ;  ultimate  segments  ob- 
ovate  or  cuneate,  entire  or  lobed,  striate  above  with  numerous 
flabellate  veins.     Florida. 

2.  A.  Mexicana   Klotzsch.     Rootstock   creeping,   covered 
with  narrow  blackish  chaff;    stipes  slender,  scattered,  6' — 12' 
long;  the  two  lower  branches  of  the  frond  fertile,  long-stalked, 
glandular,  bipinnate  with  densely  clustered  fructification ;  the 
rest  of  the  frond  like  the  sterile  ones,  deltoid-ovate,  simply  pin- 
nate ;  pinnae  about  six  pairs  and  a  rather  large  terminal  one, 
short-stalked,    ovate-lanceolate,    subcoriaceous,    smooth     and 
somewhat  glossy;  midrib  distinct,  veins  free,  oblique,  parallel, 
closely  placed,  once  or  twice  forked.     Western  Texas. 

XXIX.     SCHIZJEA  Sm. 

Sporangia  large,  ovoid,  striate  rayed  at  the  apex,  naked,  ver- 
tically sessile  in  a  double  row  along  the  single  vein  of  the  nar- 
row divisions  of  the  fertile  appendages  to  the  slender  and  sim- 
ply linear,  fan-shaped,  or  dichotomously  many-cleft  fronds. 
Name  from  Gr.  o-^eiv,  to  split,  alluding  to  the  forked  sterile 
fronds  of  foreign  species.  Includes  16  species. 

§  EUSCHIZ/EA. 

i.  S.  pusilla  Pursh.  Sterile  fronds  linear,  very  slender, 
flattened  and  tortuous;  fertile  ones  equally  slender,  3' — 4'  high, 


124     OUR  NATIVE  FERNS  AND    THEIR  ALLIES. 

and  bearing  at  top  the  fertile  appendage  consisting  of  about  hve 
pairs  of  crowded  pinnae,  forming  a  distichous  spike.  New  jer- 
sey; Grand  Lake,  Nova  Scotia  (Miss  Knight);  Newfoundland 
(De  la  Pylaie). 

XXX.     OSMUNDA  L.     FLOWERING-PERN. 
Fertile   fronds  or  fertile   portions  very  much   contracted, 
bearing  short-pedicelled,  naked  sporangia  on  the  margin  of  the 
rachis-like  divisions.     Sporangia  large,  globular,  opening  by  a 
longitudinal  cleft  into  two  halves,  bearing  near  the  apex  a  few 
parallel  striae,  the  rudiment  of  a  transverse  ring.     Spores  green. 
Named  for  Osmunder,  a  Saxon  name  for  the  divinity  Thor.     A 
genus  containing  six  species  mostly  north  temperate. 
*  Fronds  bipinnate,  fertile  at  the  apex. 

1.  O.  regalis  L.     Stipes  tufted,  i°— \\°  long,  erect,  naked; 
fronds  2° — 4°  long,  i°or  more  broad  ;  sterile  pinnae  6' — 12'  long, 
2 — 4'  broad  ;   pinnules  oblong-ovate  to  lance-oblong,  sessile  or 
slightly  stalked  ;  the  fertile  pinnules  cylindrical,  panicled  ;  tex- 
ture subcoriaceous ;  rachis  and  both  sides  naked.     (O.  specta- 
bilis  Willd.,  O.  glaucescens  Link.)     Canada  to  Florida  and  Mis- 
sissippi. 

**  Sterile  fronds  bipt/inatifid. 

2.  O.  Claytoniana    L.     Stipes    tufted,    i°   or   more    long, 
clothed  with  loose  woolly  tomentum  when  young,  naked  when 
mature;  fronds  i° — 2°  long,  8' — 12'  broad;  pinnae  oblong-lan- 
ceolate with    oblong,  obtuse   divisions;    2 — 5  pairs  of  central 
pinnae  fertile     fertile  pinnules  dense,  cylindrical ;  texture  her- 
baceous.    (O.  interrupta   Michx.)     Canada    to  Kentucky,  and 
northward. 

7X  -  3-  O.  cinnamomea  L.  (ClNNAMON-FERN.)  Stipes  dense- 
ly tufted,  i°  or  more  long,  the  sterile  and  fertile  fronds  dis- 
tinct, clothed  when  young  with  ferruginous  tomentum  ;  sterile 
fronds  smooth  when  mature,  the  pinnae  bearing  a  tuft  of  tomen- 
tum at  the  base  beneath,  lanceolate,  cut  into  broadly  oblong, 
obtuse  divisions  ;  fertile  fronds  contracted,  bipinnate,  with  cin- 
namon-colored sporangia.  In  var.  frondosa  Gray,  some  of  the 
fronds  are  sterile  below,  and  sparsely  fertile  at  the  summit. 
(O.  Claytoniana  Conrad.)  New  England  and  Wisconsin  to 
Florida. 


'/• 


MARSILEACE&.  *2$ 

ORDER   II.      MARSILEACE^E  R.  Br. 

Perennial  plants  rooted  in  mud,  with  a  slender  creeping 
rootstock  and  either  filiform  or  4-parted,  long-petioled  leaves. 
Fructification  consisting  of  sporocarps  borne  on  peduncles, 
which  rise  from  the  rootstock  near  the  leaf-stalk  or  consolidated 
with  it  and  containing  both  macrospores  and  microspores.  Con- 
sisting of  two  genera  both  found  in  this  country. 

I.  Marsilea  L.     Sporocarps  ovoid  ;  leaves  quad ri foliate. 

II.  Pilularia  L.     Sporocarps  globose;  leaves  filiform. 

I.      MARSILEA   L. 

Sporocarps  ovoid  or  bean-shaped,  composed  of  two  vertical 
valves  having  several  transverse  compartments  or  sori  in  each 
valve,  the  sori  composed  of  both  macrosporangia  and  micro- 
sporangia.  Sporocarps  also  provided  with  a  ring  which  at  the 
opening  of  the  valves  swells  and  tears  the  sori  from  their  posi- 
tion. Leaves  quadrifoliate  on  slender  petioles  ;  the  sporocarps 
peduncled  and  rising  from  the  petiole  or  from  the  rootstock  at 
the  base  of  the  petiole.  Named  for  Aloysius  Marsili,  an  early 
Italian  naturalist.  Contains  about  40  species,  four  occurring 
within  our  limits. 

*  Sporocarps  2 — 6  on  each  pedimcle. 

i.  M.  quadrifolia  L.  Plant  usually  slender,  5 — 12  cm. 
high  ;  leaflets  variable,  4 — 14  mm.  wide,  5 — 15  mm.  long,  mar- 
gins entire,  smooth,  or  rarely  with  scattered  hairs  when  young: 
sporocarps  2  (rarely  3)  on  a  branching  peduncle,  which  is  usu- 
ally attached  to  the  stipe  near  its  base,  but  sometimes  as  much 
as  2  cm.  above ;  young  sporocarp  with  short  yellowish-brown 
hairs,  later  becoming  naked  and  dark  purple ;  lower  tooth  ob- 
tuse, upper  small,  acute  or  obtuse;  sori,  8  or  9  in  each  valve. 
Bantam  Lake,  Litchfield  County,  Connecticut  (Dr.  T.  F.  Allen), 
from  whence  it  has  been  cultivated  in  several  localities. 
-  2-  M.  macropoda  Engelm.  Plant  robust,  10 — 25  cm. 
high  ;  leaflets  large,  2 — 5  cm.  long,  2  cm.  wide  or  less,  usually 
undulate,  clothed  with  white  hairs  on  both  sides  when  young, 
becoming  smoother  with  age  ;  sporocarps  2 — 6.  on  erect  branch- 
ing peduncles,  ascending,  densely  villose,  6 — 8  mm.  long,  5-6 
mm.  wide  ;  raphe  short,  the  lower  tooth  obtuse,  the  upper  in- 


120      OUR   NATIVE  PERNS  AND    THEIR  ALLIES. 

conspicuous  or  wanting ;  sori,  10  in   each  valve.     (M.  macropus 
A.  Br.)     Texas,  New  Mexico. 

**  Sporocarps  i  (rarely  2)  on  each  peduncle. 
3.  M.  uncinata  A.  Br.  Plant  6—20  cm.  high;  leaflets 
nearly  smooth,  entire,  10 — 16  mm.  long  ;  sporocarps  6  mm.  wide, 
8  mm.  long  ;  peduncles  15 — 30  mm.  long,  2 — 4  times  the  length 
of  the  sporocarps  ;  raphe  long,  terminating  in  two  approximate 
teeth,  the  upper  longer  and  mostly  uncinately  curved;  sori, 
13 — 14  in  each  valve.  Western  Louisiana  (Hale),  Dallas. 
Texas  (Reverchon}. 

L2L*/  _  4.  M.  vestita  Hook.  &  Grev.  Plant  3— 6  cm.  high;  leaf- 
lets entire  or  slightly  toothed  ;  sporocarps  4 — 7  mm.  long,  3 — 5 
mm.  wide;  raphe  short,  lower  tooth  short  and  blunt,  the  upper 
acute,  a  little  longer,  sometimes  curved  ;  paleae  varying  from 
soft,  dense  and  spreading  to  short  and  appressed,  in  mucronata 
forms,  where  it  is  sometimes  wanting;  sori,  6 — 11  in  each  valve, 
a  very  variable  species.  (Includes  M.  mucronata  A.  Br.)  Ar- 
kansas (Nuttall),  Kansas  (  Watson},  Texas,  Arizona  (Lemmori), 
California,  Nevada  (  Watson},  Oregon  (Hall),  Washington,  Mon- 
tana Watson),  Dakota  (Nicollet),  Florida  (Underwood}. 

Var.  tenuifolia  (Engelm.)  Unde.  &  Cook.  Plant  slender, 
5 — 15  cm.  high;  leaflets  narrow  (2 — 4  mm.  wide),  more  or  less 
falcate,  the  apex  often  somewhat  truncate  and  unequally 
toothed,  villose  with  appressed  hairs ;  sporocarps  single,  5 — 8 
mm.  long,  4 — 5  mm.  wide,  the  teeth  divergent,  subequal  ;  sori, 
9 — ii  in  each  valve.  (M.  tenuifolia  Engelm.  and  former 
edition.)  Pierdenales,  Texas  (Lindheimer),  Western  Texas 
(Wright). 

'ii.     PILULARIA    L.       PILLWORT. 

Sporocarps  globose,  longitudinally  2 — 4  celled,  dehiscent  from 
the  apex;  cells  with  parietal  cushions  bearing  in  the  upper  por- 
tion microsporangia  and  below  these  numerous  rnacrosporangia 
contain  ing  solitary  macrospores.  Leaves  filiform  from  a  slender 
creeping  rootstock,  the  sporocarps  subsessile  or  peduncled  or 
in  the  axils  of  the  leaves.  Named  from  Lat.  pilula,  a  pellet. 
Includes  six  species  widely  distributed. 

.       i.    P.  Americana    A.  Br.     Leaves  setiform,  I'long;  sporo- 
carps i"  in  diameter,  attached  by  the  side  to  a  short,  descend- 


SA  L  VINIA  C/T^£.  1 2  7 

ing  peduncle,  3 — 4-celled ;  macrospores  13—17  in  each  cell, 
not  constricted  in  the  middle.  Santa  Barbara,  California 
(Mrs.  Cooper),  Arkansas  (Nuttall),  Oregon  (Leiberg). 

ORDER  III.     SALVINIACE^E. 

Floating  plants  with  a  more  or  less  elongate  and  sometimes 
branching  axis  bearing  apparently  distichous  leaves.  Sporo- 
carps  soft,  thin-walled,  two  or  more  on  a  common  stalk,  i-celled, 
with  a  central,  often  branched  receptacle  which  bears  macro- 
sporangia  containing  a  single  macrospore,  or  microsporangia 
containing  numerous  microspores.  Consists  of  the  two  follow- 
ing genera. 

I.  Salvinia    Schreb.     Leaves  6" — 9"  long,   with   a   distinct 
midrib. 

II.  Azolla  Lam.     Leaves  minute,  numerous,  closely  imbri- 
cate, deeply  lobed. 

I.      SALVINIA   Schreb. 

Floating  annuals  with  slender  stems  bearing  small  two- 
ranked  leaves.  Sporocarps  arranged  in  clusters,  globose,  mem- 
branous, i — 2  of  each  cluster  containing  10  or  more  macro- 
sporangia,  the  others  containing  numerous  smaller  microspo- 
rangia. Named  for  Salvini,  a  Florentine  professor.  Contains 
thirteen  species,  one  of  which  is  found  with  us. 

i.  S.  natans  Hoffm.  Leaves  oblong,  horizontal,  rounded 
or  slightly  cordate  at  base,  i' — i'  long,  bright  green  above,  the 
under  surface  matted  with  brown,  pellucid  hairs;  sporocarps 
4 — 8  in  a  cluster.  (Marsz'lia  natans  L.)  Bois  Brule  Bottoms, 
Perry  County,  Missouri  (Demetrto.}  Reported  by  Pursh  from 
Central  New  York  ;  the  exact  station  unknown. 

II.    AZOLLA    Lam. 

Small,  moss-like  plants  with  pinnately  branched  stems  cov- 
ered with  minute,  imbricate,  2-lobed  leaves,  and  emitting  rootlets 
beneath.  Sporocarps  of  two  kinds,  borne  in  the  axils  of  the 
leaves.  Smaller  sporocarps  ovoid,  containing  a  single  macro- 
spore  at  the  base.  Larger  sporocarps  globose,  producing  from 
the  base  many  pedicelled  sporangia,  containing  several  masses 


Z  2L  G  •* 

' 


128     OUR  NATIVE  FERNS  AND    THEIR  ALLIES. 

of  microspores.     Named  from  Gr.  a^eiv,  to  dry,  and  oX.Xv/nai, 
to  destroy.     Includes  five  species. 

1.  A.  Caroliniana  Willd.     Plants  £'—  i'  long,  reddish   or 
greenish;  cuticle  of  rnacrospores  finely  granulate  ;  masses  of  mi- 
crospores with  rigid  septate  processes.     New  York  to  Florida, 
Arizona  and  Oregon. 

2.  A.  filiculoides  Lam.     Fronds   i'  —  2'  long,  often  erect- 
crowded;  cuticle  of  macrospores  with  large  discoid  tubercles; 
masses  of  microspores  with  rigid  processes  without  septa.     La 
Honda,  California,  and  possibly  widely  distributed  in  that  state. 

ORDER   IV.     OPHIOGLOSSACE^E   Lindl. 

Plant-body  consisting  of  stem  and  leaf,  usually  from  a  fleshy, 
sometimes  bulbous  root,  straight  or  inclined  in  vernation. 
Sporangia  formed  of  the  interior  tissue  of  the  frond,  spiked  or 
panicled,  naked,  not  reticulated,  destitute  of  a  ring,  opening  by 
a  transverse  slit  into  two  valves  discharging  copious  sulphur- 
colored  spores.  Prothallium  (so  far  as  known)  subterranean. 
not  green,  monoecious.  Contains  three  genera. 

I.  Ophiog-lossum    L.     Sporangia  cohering  in  one  or  more 
simple  spikes.     Veins  reticulate. 

II.  Botrychium    Swz.     Sporangia  in  pinnate  or  compound 
spikes  or  panicles.     Veins  free. 

I.     OPHIOGLOSSUM    L.     ADDER-TONGUE. 

Sporangia  large,  coriaceous,  connate,  coherent  in  two  ranks 
on  the  edges  of  a  simple  spike.  Veins  anastomosing.  Spores 
copious,  sulphur-yellow.  Name  from  Gr.  ofitS,  a  serpent,  and 
y\.naro-a,  a  tongue.  Includes  ten  species,  four  in  our  limits. 

§.  i.  EUOPHIOGLOSSUM.  Fertile  spike  single,  arising  from  the 
base  of  the  sterile  segment. 

*  Sterile  portion  near  the  middle  of  the  stalk. 

1.  O.  vulgatum    L.     Rootstock  short,  oblique  ;  stalk  6'  —  12' 
high,  the  sterile  segment  ovate  or  elliptical-oblong,  i^'  —  4'  long, 
somewhat  fleshy,  somewhat  narrowed  at  the  base,  sessile;  fer- 
tile spike   i'  or  more   long.     (O.  Engelmanni  Prantl.)  Maine  to 
Kentucky,  Tennessee,  Texas  and  Arizona  to  Alaska. 

**  Sterile  portion  near  the  base  of  the  stalks. 

2.  O.  crotalophoroides  Walt.    Rootstock  tuberous,  3"—  5" 


OPHIOGLOSSACEJL.  1 29 

thick;  stalk  3' — 6'  high,  the  sterile  segment  $ — i'  long,  ovate, 
slightly  petioled,  the  veins  somewhat  indistinct ;  fertile  spike 
short  and  thick,  3" — 6"  long.  (O.  bulbosum  Michx.,  O.  vulgatum, 
var.  crotalophor aides  D.  C.  Eaton.)  Florida  to  Texas. 

3.  O.  nudicaule  Linn.  f.  Rootstock  slightly  tuberous; 
stalk  i' — 4'  high,  the  sterile  segment  i' — 1£'  long,  ovate  or  ob- 
long, the  veins  indistinct ;  fertile  spike  linear-acuminate,  6" 
long,  the  peduncle  very  slender.  (O.  ellipticum  H.  and  G.,  O. 
Californicum  Prantl,  O.  vulgatum,  var.  nudicaule  D.  C.  Eaton.) 
Georgia  and  Florida  to  Southern  California. 

§  2.  CHEIROGLOSSA  Presl.  Fertile  spikes  several,  arising 
from  the  base  of  the  sterile  segment. 

/  jb  —  4.  O.  palmatum  Plumier.  Rootstock  fleshy,  tuberous, 
covered  with  fine  wool-like  chaff;  plant  fleshy,  6' — 2°  high,  the 
sterile  segment  cuneate  at  the  base,  2 — 6  lobed  or  rarely  entire, 
the  lobes  elongate  and  tapering;  fertile  spikes  i — 8  or  more, 
borne  on  the  sides  of  the  stipe  just  below  the  sterile  segment  or 
on  its  margin.  Florida. 

II.     BOTRYCHIUM    Swz.     GRAPE-FERN. 

Rootstock  very  short,  erect,  with  clustered  fleshy  roots,  the 
bud  for  the  next  year's  growth  usually  imbedded  in  the  base  of 
the  stipe.  Sterile  segment  of  frond  pinnately  or  ternately  di- 
vided or  compound.  Fertile  segment  i — 3  pinnate  with  double 
rows  of  sessile,  naked  sporangia.  Veins  free.  Spores  copious, 
sulphur-yellow.  Name  from  Gr.  ftorpvs,  a  bunch  of  grapes, 
alluding  to  the  clustered  sporangia.  Contains  ten  species,  of 
which  seven  are  found  in  our  limits. 

§  i.  Eu  BOTRYCHIUM.     Bud  enclosed  in  the  base  of the  stalk. 
*  Vernation  wholly  straight. 

i.  B.  simplex  Hitch.  Plant  2' — f  high, 
fleshy  ;  sterile  segment  stalked,  varying  in  inser- 
tion from  near  the  rootstock  to  two  thirds  the 
height  of  the  stem,  ovate,  obovate  or  oblong, 
entire,  incised,  or  pinnately  parted  into  i — 3 
pairs  of  roundish  or  semi-lunate  lobes;  fertile 
spike  long-stalked,  simple  or  i — 2  pinnate;  FIG.  31.— Verna- 

,        .  .          .  tion  of  B.  simile* 

spores  the  largest  of    the  genus,  closely  cov-   Hitchcock.    (After 
ered  with  small  points ;  bud  smooth  ;  apex  of   DavenP°rt-) 
both  sterile  and  fertile  segments  erect.     (Fig.  31.)     Specimens 
9 


I3O     OUR  NATIVE  FEKNS  AND    THEIR  ALLIES. 


with  the  sterile  segment  composed  of  two  or  three  pinnately 
incised  divisions  form  the  var.  composition  Lasch.  New  Eng- 
land, New  York  and  northward,  the  variety  in  Wyoming  and 
California;  Maryland  (J.  B.  Egerton}. 

**  Vernation  partly  inclined  in  one  or  both  portions. 
t  Buds  smooth  ;  sterile  segments  sessile  or  short-stalked;  plant 
vnall,  fruiting  in  early  summer. 

2.  B.  lunaria  (L.)  Swz.  (MOONWORT.)  Plant  5'— 8'  high 
fleshy  ;  sterile  segment  nearly  sessile,  borne'near 
the  middle  of  the  stalk,  oblong,  simply  pinnate 
with  5—15  lunate  or  fan-shaped  lobes  which  are 
crenate,  incised,  or  entire,  close  and  overlapping, 
or  distant ;  fertile  segment  bi — tripinnate,  pan- 
icled, about  the  height  of  the  sterile.  Apex 
only  of  sterile  segment  bent  over  and  outside  of 
the  nearly  straight  fertile  segment  in  vernation  ; 
divisions  of  sterile  frond  arranged  nearly  perpen- 
dicularly. (Fig.  32.)  Connecticut,  New  York, 
Lake  Superior,  Colorado,  and  British  Columbia. 
3.  B.  boreale  (Fries)  Milde.  Plant  2|' — 7', 
smooth,  fleshy ;  sterile  segment  placed  above  the 
middle,  sessile,  cordate,  ovate  or  deltoid,  pin- 
FIG.  32.— Verna-  nately  parted,  acute  ;  lowest  segment  spreading 

\\v\\oiB.lunaria    , 

Swz.  (After  Dav-  from  a  narrower  base,  ovate  or  cordate-ovate, 
enport.)  acute,  all  entire,  or  here  and  there  flabellately 

incised  with  acute  lobes,  or  pinnately  parted  ;  secondary  seg- 
ments from  a  narrowed  base,  ovate,  acute,  serrate,  the  upper 
spreading,  quickly  decreasing,  finally  elliptical,  acute;  fertile 
segment  bi — tripinnate,  panieled.  Apex  of  sterile  segment 
bent  over  inside  of  the  nearly  erect  fertile  one  in  vernation  ; 
divisions  of  the  sterile  segment  arranged  on  an  angle.  Una- 
laska. 

4.  B,  matricarisefolium  A.  Br.  Plant  2' — 12' high,  usually 
fleshy  ;  sterile  segment  placed  above  the  middle,  short-stalked 
or  sessile,  ovate  or  oblong,  pinnately  parted  into  ovate-oblong, 
obtuse,  rounded,  entire,  incised,  pinnatifid,  or  pi nnatdy  parted 
segments,  the  narrow  divisions  linear;  fertile  segment  i — 3  pin- 
nate, panicled,  often  very  much  branched;  spores  thickly  cov- 
ered with  large  rounded  warts.  Apex  of  both  segments  turned 


OPHIO  GL  0  SSA  CE^. 


down  in  vernation ;  sterile  segment  clasping  the  fertile  with  its 
apex  overlapping  the  whole.  (Fig.  33.)  (B.neglec- 
tum  Wood.)  New  England,  New  York,  Ohio,  and 
Mt.  Peddo,  Washington  (Suksdorf). 

ft  Buds  pilose  ;  sterile  segments  usually  long- 
stalked ;  plant  larger,  frttiting  in  autuwn. 

5-  B.  ternatum  (Thunb.)Swz.  Frond  fleshy, 
common  stalk  very  short  ;  sterile  segment 
broadly  pentagonal  or  triangular,  ternate;  the 
three  primary  divisions  also  stalked,  as  broad 
as  long,  pinnately  decompound  ;  ultimate  divi- 
sions varying  from  round-reniform  to  triangu- 
lar-lanceolate, entire  or  variously  toothed  and 
incised  ;  fertile  segment  long-stalked,  bi— quad- 
ripinnate.  Apex  of  both  segments  bent  down, 
with  a  slight  curve  inward  in  vernation.  (Fig. 
34.)  (B.  australe  R.  Br..  B.  lunar ioides  Swz., 
B.  fumarioides  Willd.,  B.  decompositum  Ma~t. 
and  Gale.,  Osmunda  ternata  Thunb.,  Botrypus 
lunar  ioides  Michx.)  Very  variable  ;  larger 
forms  (6' — 17'  high),  with  more  compound  fruc- 
tification  and  with  divisions  of  sterile  segment  ob- 

long  or  lanceolate  and  obtuse  or  oblique  at  base, 
are  the  var.  obliquum  Milde ;  forms  with  divi- 
sions of  the  sterile  segment  laciniately  cut  into 
narrow  teeth  are  var.  dissectum  Milde.  New 
England  and  Canada,  westward  to  California, 
Washington,  British  Columbia,  and  southward 
to  Florida. 

*  Vernation  wholly  inclined,  in  the  fertile 

segment  recurved. 

6.  B.  lanceolatum  (Gmel.)  Angs.  Plant 
3—9'  high,  fleshy;  sterile  segment  closely 
•sessile  at  the  top  of  a  long  common  stalk,  in 
the  smallest  forms  three-lobed,  in  larger  ones 
broadl>r  triangu'ar,  twice  pinnatifid,  the  divi- 
sions  lanceolate,  entire  or  toothed,  al'  set  at  an 
obiique  angle  .  fertile  segment  short-stalked. 
Slightly  overtopping  the  sterile,  bi— tripinnate.  Bud  smooth; 


FIG.  34. — Vernation 
(After  Davenport.) 


132     OUR  NATIVE  FERNS  AND    THEIR  ALLIES, 


the  fertile  segment  recurved  its  whole  length,  the  shorter  sterile 
segment  reclined  upon  it.  (Fig.  35.)  New  England  to  Lake 
Superior  and  Colorado  to  Alaska. 

§  2.  OSMUNDOPTERIS  Milde.  Bud  pilose, 
enclosed  in  a  smooth  upright  cavity  at  one  side 
of  the  lower  part  of  the  stalk. 

7.     B.   Virginianum   (L.)   Swz.     (RATTLE- 
SNAKE-FERN.)   Plant  from  a  few  inches  to  t\vo 
feet  high  ;  sterile  segment  sessile  above  the  mid- 
dle of  the  stalk,  broadly  triangular,  thinly  herba- 
ceous, ternate;  the  short-stalked  primary  divL 
sions  once  to  twice  pinnate,  then  once  or  twice 
pinnatifid ;  lobes  oblong,   cut-toothed   toward 
the  apex;  fertile  segment  long-stalked,  bi — tri- 
pinnate.      Bud    pilose,  enclosed   in  a  smooth 
FIG.  35.— Vernation  upright  cavity  at  one  side  of  the  lower  part  of 
Angl\AftT/Daven-  the  stalk '  fertile  segment  recurved  its  whole 
P°rt-)  length,  the  longer  sterile  segment  reclined  upon 

it.  Reduced  forms  are  B.  gracile  Pursh.  (Botrypus  Virginicus 
Michx.,  Osmunda  Vt'rgt'm'ana'L.}  New  Brunswick  to  Florida, 
and  westward  to  Arizona  and  the  Pacific  Coast. 


ORDER  V.    EQUISETACE^E  DC. 

Plant-body  rush-like,  often  branched,  with  jointed,  usually 
hollow  stems  rising  from  subterranean  rootstocks,  the  sterile 
leaves  reduced  to  sheaths  at  the  joints,  the  fertile  forming  a 
short  spike  terminating  the  stem.  Prothallium  above  ground, 
green,  variously  lobed,  usually  dioecious.  Represented  at  pres- 
ent by  only  one  genus. 

I.     EQUISETUM  L.     HORSE-TAIL.     SCOURING-RUSH. 

Perennial  plants  with  extensively  creeping  rootstocks.  Stems 
simple  or  branched,  furrowed  lengthwise,  hollow,  and  pro- 
vided with  an  outer  circle  of  smaller  cavities  opposite  the  fur- 
rows as  well  as  a  second  and  smaller  series  opposite  the  ridges. 
Sporangia  adhering  to  the  under  side  of  the  shield-shaped 
scales  of  the  spike,  one-celled,  opening  down  the  inner  side. 
Spores  furnished  with  two  slender  filaments  attached  by  the 


EQUISETACE^E.  133 

middle.     Name   from   Lat.   equus,   horse,   and   seta,  a  bristle. 
Contains  about  25  species,  widely  distributed. 

§  i.  EUEQUISETUM.     Stems  annual,  stomata  scattered. 
*  Sterns  of  two  kinds,  the  pale  or  brownish  fertile  stems  appearing 

earlier  than  the  herbaceous  sterile  ones  ;  fruiting  in  spring. 
t  Fjrtile  stems  simple,  soon  withering. 

1.  E.  arvense    L.      (HORSETAIL.)       Sterile    stems    green, 
rather  slender,  i° — 2°  high,  6 — 19  furrowed  ;  branches  numerous, 
long,  mostly  simple,  4-angled,  minutely  roughened,  lowest  joint 
commonly  longer  than  the  sheath  of  the  stem ;  fertile  stems 
4' — 10'  high,  light  brown,  the  loose  scarious  sheath  mostly  dis- 
tant, whitish,  ending  in  about  12  brown  acuminate  teeth  ;  spike 
rarely  over  i'  long.     (E.  boreale  Bong.)     Virginia  to  California 
and  northward  to  Greenland. 

2.  E.  telmateia  Ehrh.  Sterile  stems  ivory  white  or  greenish, 
stout,  2° — 6°  high,  20 — 40  furrowed  ;  branches  very  numerous, 
erect-spreading,  simple,  4 — 5  angled,  the  ridges  rough  and  sul- 
cate,  the  lowest  joint  shorter  than  the  sheath  of  the  stem  ;  fer- 
tile stems  10' — 15'  high,  white,  many-furrowed,  the  loose  brown- 
ish  sheaths  elongate,   deeply   20 — 30  toothed.     (E.  fluviatile 
Sm.,  E.  eburneum   Schreb.,  E.   maximum  Auct.  not  of  Lam.) 
California,  Oregon,  and  northward. 

tt  Fertile  stems  when  older  producing  herbaceous  branches,  only 
the  naked  apex  withering. 

3.  E.  pratense  Ehrh.     Sterile  and  finally  the  fertile  stems 
producing  straight,  simple  branches ;  sheaths  of  the  stem  with 
about  1 1  short,  ovate-lanceolate  teeth,  those  of  the  branches  3- 
toothed.     (E.  umbrosum  Willd.,  E.  triquetrum  Bory.,^.  Drum 
mondii  Hook.)     Michigan,  Wisconsin,  and  northward. 

/£"?_  4.  E.  silvaticum-L.  Sterile  and  fertile  stems  usually  12- 
furrowed,  producing  compound  branches,  the  branchlets  curved 
downward  ;  sheaths  loose,  those  of  the  stem  with  8 — I4bluntish 
teeth,  those  of  the  branches  with  4—5,  and  of  the  branchlets 
with  3  divergent  teeth.  Virginia  to  Michigan,  and  northward 
to  Labrador. 

**  Stems  of  one  kind,    herbaceous ;    branches  simple  or  none ; 

fruiting  in  summer. 
\  Sheaths  somewhat  loose. 


134     OUR  NATIVE  FERNS  AND    THEIR   ALLIES. 

5-  E.  palustre  L.  Stems  slender,  10' — 18'  high,  very  deep- 
ly 5 — 9  grooved,  the  grooves  separated  by  narrow,  wing  like 
ridges,  rough ish  ;  sheaths  with  about  8  lance-awl-shaped,  whit- 
ish margined  teeth;  branches  few  in  a  whorl,  with  mostly  5 
toothed  sheaths.  (E.  pratense  Reichenb.)  Western  New  York 
and  Wisconsin  to  British  Columbia  and  northward. 

6.  E.  litorale     Kuhl.       Stems    slightly    roughened,    6 — 19 
grooved,  the  carinse  convex  ;  sheaths  sensibly  dilated  above,  the 
uppermost  bell-shaped;  leaves  convex,  angled  beneath,  sepa- 
rate at  the  commisural  groove;  teeth  herbaceous,  membranous 
at  the  margin,  narrow,  lanceolate ;  branches  of  two  kinds,  the 
4-angled  hollow,  the  3-angled  solid,  first  joint  a  little  longer  or 
shorter  than  the  sheath  of  the  stem  ;  spores  abortive,  elaters 
usually  wanting.     Bay  of  Quinte,  Canada  (Macoun}\  Vermont 
(Prmgle}',  Oswego  River,  New  York  ( Wibbe). 

ft  Sheaths  appressed. 

7.  E.  fluviatile  L.     Stems  2°— 3°   high,   slightly  many-fur- 
rowed, smooth,  usually  producing  upright  branches  after  fruc- 
tification ;  sheaths  appressed,  with  about  18  dark-brown,  short, 
acute,  rigid  teeth  ;  air-cavities  wanting  under  the  grooves,  small 
under  the    ridges.     Includes  E.   limosum    L.      (E.    uliginosum 
Muhl,    E.  heleocharis  Ehrh.)     Virginia  to  Washington  Terri- 
tory and  northward. 

§2.  HlPPOCH^TE.  Stems  perennial,  evergreen;  spikes  tipped 
with  a  rigid  point ;  stomata  in  regular  rows ;  frtiiting  in 
summer. 

*  Stems  tall  and  stout,  itsually  many-grooved. 

t  Branches  numerous,  regularly  whorled. 

^j  t  —  8.  E.  ramosissimum  Desf.  Stem  grooved,  more  or  less 
roughened,  6 — 26  furrowed  ;  ridges  marked  with  bands;  sheaths 
dilated,  teeth  not  grooved,  leaving  a  triangular,  rarely  truncate 
margin  ;  leaves  3 — 4  carinate ;  branches  usually  copious  and 
whorled,  4 — 9  angled  ;  series  of  stomata  in  i — 4  lines.  British 
Columbia  (Lyall). 

/ tf  3  — —      9.   E.  Mexicanum   Milde.     Stems  rough,  slender,  inclined 

or  somewhat  erect ;  20 — 24  furrowed,  the  ridges  very  narrow; 

sheaths  long,  cylindric,  truncate;    teeth  grooved;  leaves  flat; 

branches  more  or  less  irregularly  whorled,  6 — 9  angled  ;  stomata 

•1 


L  YCOPODIA  CE&.  1 3  if 

in  a  single  series.     Southern  California  in  open  canons  (J/<r- 
Clatchie}. 

++  Branches  rare  except  when  the  main  stem  is  broken. 
\  Stems  rough,  tuberculate. 

'  2-  -  io.  E.  robustum  A.  Br.  Stems  3° — 11°  high,  sometimes 
nearly  i'  thick,  20—48  furrowed;  ridges  roughened  with  a 
single  series  of  tubercles;  sheaths  short,  marked  with  black 
girdles  at  base  and  at  base  of  the  caducous  teeth  ;  ridges  of 
sheaths  tricarinate.  Ohio  to  California  and  northward. 
/^x/_  n.  E.  hiemale  L.  (SCOURING-RUSH.)  Stems  i°—  4°  high, 
8—34  furrowed;  ridges  rough,  with  two  indistinct  lines  of  tu- 
bercles ;  sheaths  rather  long,  marked  with  one  or  two  black 
girdles;  ridges  of  the  sheath  obscurely  quadricarinate.  North 
America  generally. 

J*  Stems  smoothish,  scarcely  tuber  ctilate. 

12.  E.  laevigatum  A.  Br.  Stems  i° — 5°  high,  pale  green, 
14— 30  furrowed  ;  ridges  almost  smooth;  sheaths  elongate,  en- 
larged upward,  marked  with  a  black  girdle  at  the  base  of  the 
mostly  deciduous  white-margined  teeth,  rarely  with  a  second  ; 
ridges  of  sheath  with  central  keel  and  rarely  faint  lateral  ones. 
North  Carolina  to  California  and  Oregon. 

**  Stems  slender,  tufted,  5 — \Qgrooved. 

/Jb  —  13.  E.  variegatum  Schleich.  Stems  ascending,  6' — 18' 
long,  usually  simple  from  a  branched  base,  5 — io  furrowed  ; 
sheaths  green,  variegated  with  black  above,  the  teeth  5 — io, 
tipped  with  a  deciduous  bristle  ;  central  air-cavity  small.  Bel- 
lows Falls,  New  Hampshire  (Carey),  Niagara  Falls  to  Illinois 
nnd  northward  to  Greenland  and  Alaska. 

14.  E.  scirpoides  Michx.  Stems  filiform,  very  numerous, 
3' — 6'  high,  flexuous  and  curving,  mostly  6-furrowed,  with  acute 
ridges  ;  sheaths  3-toothed,-the  bristle  tips  more  persistent ;  cen- 
tral air-cavity  wanting.  New  England  to  Pennsylvania,  Illinois 
and  northward. 

ORDER  VI.    LYCOPODIACE^E  Lindl. 

Moss-like,  terrestrial  plants  with  small,  lanceolate  or  subu- 
late, sometimes  oblong  or  roundish,  simple  leaves,  arranged  in 


OUR  NATIVE   FERNS  AND    THEIR  ALLIES, 

two  to  many  ranks  on  trailing  or  sometimes  erect,  usually 
branching  stems.  Sporangia  i — 3  celled,  solitary  in  the  axils 
or  the  leaves,  or  on  their  upper  surface.  Spores  of  one  kind, 
minute.  Prothallia  (so  far  as  known)  mostly  subterranean, 
with  or  without  chlorophyll,  monoecious.  Contains  four  gen- 
era, the  following  within  our  limits: 

I.  Lycopodium    L.      Leaves   well  developed,    in   4 — many 
ranks.    Sporangia  i-celled. 

II.  Psilotum    R.  Br.    Leaves  minute,  abortive.     Sporangia 
3-celled. 

I.     LYCOPODIUM  L.     CLUB-MOSS. 

Perennial,  terrestrial  plants,  with  evergreen,  one-nerved 
leaves  arranged  in  4 — 16  ranks.  Sporangia  coriaceous,  flattened, 
reniform,  one-celled,  opening  transversely,  situated  in  the  axils 
of  ordinary  leaves,  or  with  fruit-bearing  leaves  modified  into 
bracts  which  are  arranged  in  spikes  either  sessile  or  peduncled. 
Spores  copious,  minute,  sulphur-colored,  inflammable.  Named 
from  Gr.  XvKoS,  wolf,  and  TTOVS,  foot,  without  obvious  applica- 
tion. Contains  nearly  one  hundred  species. 

§  i.  PLANANTHUS  Beauv.  Sporangia  borne  in  the  axils  of 
leaves  which  are  similar  to  those  of  the  sterile  and  fertile  stems. 

*  Sporangia  usually  wanting  in  axils  of  upper  leaves  ;  leaves 
dark-green,  shining,  about  %-ranked. 

1.  L.    selago    L.     Stems  3' — 6' high,  thick,  rigid,  erect,  2 — 
3  times  forked,  forming   a   level-topped  cluster;    leaves  elon- 
gate-lanceolate, mucronulate,   entire   or   spinulose-denticulate, 
nerved  above,  convex  below.     {L.  recurvum  Kit.,  L.  suberectum 
Lowe,  Plananthus  selago  Beauv.)     Mountains  of  North  Caro- 
lina to  New  England  and  Michigan,  and  northward  to  Alaska 
and  Greenland. 

2.  L.    lucidulum     Michx.       Stems  ascending,  thick,  2—3 
times  forked,  the  branches  6' — 12'  high;  leaves  widely  spread- 
ing or  reflexed,  flat,  one-nerved,  acute,  minutely  toothed.     (L. 
reflexum  Swz.,  L.  serratum  Desv.,  Plananthus  rejlexus  Beauv.) 
North  Carolina  and  northward. 

**  Sporangia  only  in  axils  of  upper  leaves  which  form  spikes; 
leaves  many-ranked. 
—     3.    L.    inundatum    L.     Sterile  stems  creeping,  flaccid,  fork- 


L  Y  CO  PODIA  CE&.  \  3  7 

ing;  fertile  stems  erect,  simple,  i' — 4'  high,  bearing  a  short, 
thick  spike ;  leaves  lanceolate  or  lance-awl-shaped,  acute, 
entire,  soft,  spreading  or  curved  upward  on  prostrate  stems. 
(L. palustre  Lam.,  Plananthus  inundatus  Beauv.)  Forms  hav- 
ing the  fertile  stems  5' — 7'  high,  with  more  pointed,  often  tooth- 
bearing  leaves,  are  the  var.  Bigelovii  Tuckerm.  (L.  Carolini- 
anuin  Bigel.)  New  England  to  Michigan  and  southward. 

. Var.  pinnatum  Chapm.    Stems  pi nnately  branched  ;  leaves 

bristly-fringed  below  the  middle,  unequal,  the  upper  and  lower 
shorter  and  somewhat  appressed,  the  lateral  widely  spreading; 
fertile  stems  i°  high,  very  leafy;  spike  thick,  cylindtic,  2' — 3' 
long.  Western  Florida. 

—  4-  L.  alopecuroides  L.  Stems  stout,  densely  leafy  through- 
out; sterile  branches  flaccid,  procumbent,  creeping;  fertile 
branches  rigid,  erect,  6' — 20  high,  bearing  a  single  spike  ;  leaves 
narrowly  linear-awl-shaped,  spinulose-pointed,  spreading,  con- 
spicuously bristle-toothed  below  the  middle,  nerved  above, 
those  of  the  cylindric  spike  with  long,  setaceous  tips.  (L. 
longipes  H.  &  G.,  Plananthus  alopecuroides  Beauv.)  New  Jersey 
to  Florida  and  Mississippi. 

§  2.  EULYCOPODIUM.  (LEPIDOTIS  Beauv.)  Sporangia 
borne  in  the  axils  of  yellowish,  scale-like,  imbricated,  ovate  or 
cordate  leaves  which  form  a  distinct  spike ;  leaves  of  sterile 
branches  very  unlike  those  of  the  spikes. 

*  Stems  leafy  to  base  of  spikes,  or  nearly  so. 

t  Spikes  nodding. 

3  .  5-  L.  cernuum  L.  Stems  erect,  branching,  the  branches 
similar;  leaves  crowded,  awl-shaped,  incurved,  terete  in  the 
middle,  spreading,  grooved  below;  bracts  8-ranked.  (L.marz- 
anum  Willd.,  L.  curvatum  Blume.,  L.  Boryanum  Richard,  L. 
bryifolium  Vent.)  Florida,  Southern  Alabama. 

ft  Spikes  erect,  closely  sessile. 

_  6.  L.  annotinum  L.  Stems  much  branched,  prostrate, 
creeping,  i° — 4"  long;  the  ascending  branches  similar,  5' — 8' 
high,  sparingly  forked  ;  leaves  equal,  spreading,  five-ranked, 
rigid,  linear-lanceolate,  minutely  serrulate,  nerved  below;  spike 
oblong,  cylindric,  thick.  (L.  juniper  if otium  Lam.,  L.  bryophyl- 
lum  Presl,  Lepidotis  annotina  Beauv.)  Mountain  forms  with 


138     OUR  NATIVE  FERNS  AND    THEIR  ALLIES. 

shorter  and  more  rigid,  pointed  leaves  are  var.  pungens  Desv. 
(L.  reclinatum  Michx.)  New  England  and  New  Jersey  to  Wash- 
ington (State)  and  northward  to  Alaska  and  Greenland. 
*•——  7-  L-  obscurum  L.  (GROUND-PINE.)  Steins  erect,  6' — 9' 
high,  from  a  subterranean  creeping  rootstock,  appearing  flat 
from  the  leaves  of  upper  side  being  appressed  ;  leaves  lanceolate- 
linear,  acute,  entire;  spikes  4 — 10  on  each  plant ;  bracts  many- 
rowed.  (Lepidotis  dendroidea  Beauv.)  Forms  with  the  stems 
more  tree-like,  with  spreading  branches  and  leaves  4— 6- ranked, 
are  the  var.  dendroideum  (L.  dendroideum  Michx.).  Mountains 
of  North  Carolina  to  Canada,  and  northwestward  to  Indiana, 
Michigan,  and  Western  North  America. 

^to  —  8.  L.  alpinum  L.  Stems  elongate,  creeping,  with  ascend- 
ing densely  clustered  branches  ;  leaves  4- ranked,  erect,  imbri- 
cated, adnate-decurrent,  of  two  forms  ;  those  of  the  lateral  rows 
lanceolate,  falcate,  acute,  carinate,  concave  within  ;  those  of  the 
intermediate  rows  scarcely  one  third  smaller,  lance-awl-shaped, 
the  upper  and  lower  rows  not  different.  (Possibly  a  form  of 
L.  complanatum  L.)  Lake  Superior  to  Rocky  Mountains;  Mt. 
Peddo,  Washington  (Sufcsdorf),  and  Unalaska. 
ttt  Spikes  erect,  short-peduncled. 

9.  L.  sabinsefolium  Willd.  (GROUND-FIR.)  Stems  elon- 
gate, creeping,  usually  underground;  branches  erect,  short,  di- 
chotomous,  clustered  ;  leaves  4-rowed,  small,  appressed,  lanceo- 
late, mucronate,  entire,  apparently  terete  ;  spikes  cylindric,  soli- 
tary, with  cordate  acuminate  bracts.  {L.  alpinum  Michx.,  L. 
armatum  Desv.)  New  Jersey,  New  York,  New  England,  and 
northwestward.  This  is  sometimes  united  with  L.  complaiiatum. 

**Fertile  branches  with  minute  leaves,  so  that  the  spikes  ap- 
pear long-peduncled. 

t  Leaves  uniform,  many-ranked;  stems  terete. 

-  10.  L.  clavatum  L.  (RUNNING-PINE.)  Stems  extensive- 
ly creeping;  branches  similar,  ascending,  short  and  leafy,  the 
fertile  terminated  by  a  slender  peduncle  bearing  I — 4  linear, 
cylindric  spikes  ;  leaves  much-crowded,  linear-awl-shaped,  tipped 
like  the  bracts  with  a  fine  bristle.  (L.  officinale  Neck.,  L  vul- 
gare  Vaill.,  L.  injlexum  Swz.,  L.  serpens  Presl,  Lepidotis  inflexa 


L  YCOPODIA  CE&.  1 39 

Beauv.)  North  Carolina  to  Canada  and  westward  to  Washing- 
ton and  Unalaska. 

ft  Leav:z  of  two  forms,  few  ranked;  stems  flattened. 
<~  ii.  L.  Carolinianum  L.  Sterile  stems  and  their  few  short 
branches  entirely  creeping;  lateral  leaves  broadly  lanceolate, 
acute,  and  somewhat  oblique,  one-nerved,  widely  spreading  in 
2-ranks ;  upper  row  of  leaves  shorter,  appressed ;  peduncle 
simple,  slender,  2' — 4'  high,  clothed  with  small  bract-like  leaves, 
bearing  a  single  cylindric  spike.  {L.  repens  Swz.,  L.  affine  Bory., 
Lepidolis  repens  Beauv.)  New  Jersey  to  Florida,  Alabama,  and 
Louisiana. 

_  12.  L.  complanatum  L.  Stems  extensively  creeping, 
with  erect  or  ascending  fan-like  branches  several  times  forked 
above;  branchlets  crowded,  flattened;  leaves  minute,  imbri- 
cate-ap pressed,  4-ranked;  the  lateral  rows  with  somewhat 
spreading  tips;  the  intermediate  smaller,  narrower,  and  wholly 
appressed  ;  peduncle  slender,  bearing  2 — 4  cylindric  spikes. 
(L.  thyoides  Humb.  &  Bon  pi.,  L.  tristachyon  Pursh,  L.  anceps 
Wallr.,  L.chauicEcypartssus  A.  Br. ,  Lepidotis  lomplanata  Beauv.) 
North  Carolina  to  New  England,  Michigan,  and  northward. 

II.     PSILOTUM     R.  Br. 

Perennial  plants,  terrestrial  or  growing  on  trees.  Stems  di- 
chotomously-branched  with  minute  alternate  leaves  or  appar- 
ently leafless.  Sporangia  sessile,  3-celled,  opening  at  the  apex 
into  2 — 3  valves.  Spores  farinaceous,  oval  or  elongate-reniform, 
Name  from  Gr.  if>iX.oS,  naked,  alluding  to  the  abortive  leaves. 
Contains  four  species,  mostly  tropical. 

^  i.  P.  nudum  (L.)  Griseb.  Stems  erect,  8' — 10'  high,  trique- 
trous at  base,  many  times  forked  at  apex;  ultimate  divisions  tri- 
quetrous-winged ;  leaves  remote,  awl-shaped,  less  than  i"  long; 
sporangia  in  spikes.  (P.  Floridanum  Michx.,  P.  triquetrum 
Swz.,  BernJiardia  dichotoma  Willd.,  B.  pedunculata  Desv.,  Ly- 
copodiuni  nudum  L.)  South  Florida;  Bluffton,  South  Carolina 
(Mellichamp). 


OUR  NATIVE  FERNS  AND    THEIR  ALLIES. 

ORDER  VII.    SELAGINELLACE.E. 

Plant-body  leafy,  terrestrial,  moss-like,  with  branching  stems 
and  minute  scale-like  leaves.  Sporangia  one-celled,  solitary, 
axillary,  some  containing  microspores,  and  others  macrospores. 
Contains  a  single  genus  largely  tropical. 

I.     SELAGINELLA  Beauv. 

Fructification  arranged  in  spikes.  Sporangia  minute,  sub- 
globose,  opening  transversely;  some  containing  usually  4  glo- 
bose macrospores,  and  others  smaller,  rilled  with  numerous 
microspores.  Leaves  4 — many  ranked.  Name  a  diminutive  of 
Selago,  an  ancient  name  of  some  species  of  Lycopodium,  which 
this  genus  resembles.  Contains  about  335  species  widely  dis- 
tributed ;  seven  are  found  within  our  limits. 

§  i.  EUSELAGINELLA.  Stem  leaves  of  one  kind,  many- 
ranked ;  bracts  uniform. 

*  Stems  prostrate  or  spreading,  somewhat  rigid. 
i.  S.  rupestris  (L.)  Spring.  Stems  densely  tufted,  pros- 
trate or  ascending,  much-branched,  2' — 12'  long;  leaves  ap- 
pressed  imbricate,  linear  or  linear-lanceolate,  convex  and  sulcate 
dorsally,  rigid,  bristle-tipped,  ciliate;  spikes  strongly  quadran- 
gular, 6" — 12"  long;  sporangia  of  both  sorts  in  the  same  axils; 
macrosporangia  abundant ;  bracts  ovate-lanceolate.  (Lycopo- 
dium  rupestre  L.,  L.  bryopteris  Wall.)  New  England  to  Flor- 
ida, Texas,  California,  and  northward. 

Var.  tortipila  (A.  Br.)  Unde.  Leaves  sub-entire,  gibbous 
near  the  apex  ;  terminal  bracts  tipped  with  a  long,  twisted,  white 
awn ;  macrospores  loosely  reticulate.  Caesar's  Head,  South 
Carol ina(/.Z?.5;«/M);  Negro  Mountain,  North  Carol ina(£rvy). 
2.  S.  selaginoides(L.)Link.  Sterile  stems  prostrate-creep- 
ing, small  and  slender;  fertile  stems  thicker,  ascending,  simple, 
!'— 3'  h»gh;  leaves  lanceolate,  acute,  spreading,  sparsely  spinu- 
lose-ciliate ;  bracts  lax,  ascending,  lanceolate  or  ovate-lanceo- 
late, strongly  ciliate.  (S.  spinosa  Beauv.,  Lycopodium  selagi- 
noides  L.,  L.  ciliatum  Lam.)  New  Hampshire  to  Colorado  and 
northward  to  Greenland. 

**  Stems  pendent,  flaccid. 
3-    S.  Oregana  D.  C.  Eaton.     Stems  i°— 6°  long,  pinnately 


SELAGINELLACE&.  14 1 

much  branched;  leaves  loosely  imbricate,  scarcely  i"  long, 
linear-lanceolate,  convex  and  grooved  on  the  back,  acute, 
sparsely  spinulose-denticulate,  not  bristle-tipped  ;  spikes  quad- 
rangular, very  slender ;  macrosporangia  scarce.  Port  Orford, 
Oregon  (Kautz)',  Tilamook  Valley,  Oregon  (Howell);  probably 
in  Northern  California. 

§  2.  STACHYGYNANDRUM  Baker.    Stem  leaves  of  two  kinds, 
spreading  in  two  planes,  those  of  the  upper  plane  smaller  and 
more  ascending  ;  bracts  uniform. 
*  Main  stems  decumbent ;  root  fibres  extending  to  upper  nodes. 

t  Stems  persistent ;  leaves  rigid,  firm  in  texture. 
—  4.  S.  Douglasii  (H.  &  G.)  Spring.  Stems  3'— 12'  long; 
branches  2' — 6'  long,  bi — tripinnately  divided  ;  leaves  of  lower 
plane  i"  long,  obliquely  oval,  obtuse,  faintly  nerved;  leaves  of 
upper  plane  half  as  long,  oval,  incurved,  ending  in  a  short 
point,  both  sparingly  ciliate  at  base;  spikes  6" — 12"  long,  quad- 
rangular, terminal ;  bracts  deltoid-cuspidate,  strongly  imbri- 
cate. (Lycopodium  Douglasii  H.  &  G.,  L.  ovalifolium  H.  &  G.) 
Northern  California  to  British  Columbia. 

ft  Stems  mostly  annual,  fugacious  ;  leaves  mostly  membranous, 
flaccid. 

J2y7  —  5.  S.  apus  (L.)  Spring.  Stems  i' — 4' long,  slender,  angled  on 
the  face,  prostrate,  creeping,  much-branched,  flaccid ;  leaves  of 
the  lower  plane  spreading  above,  the  lower  reflexed,  ovate,  acute, 
serrulate,  not  distinctly  ciliate  ;  leaves  of  the  upper  plane  ovate, 
shortly  cuspidate;  spikes  3" — 6"  long;  bracts  ovate,  acute, 
membranous,  strongly  serrulate,  acutely  keeled  in  the  upper 
half.  Canada  and  New  England  to  Rocky  Mountains,  and 
southward  to  Florida  and  Texas. 

r  -»  6.  S.  Ludoviciana  A.  Br.  Stems  slender,  copiously  pin- 
nate, flat  both  sides,  4' — 6'  long,  lower  branches  slightly  com- 
pound ;  leaves  of  lower  plane  rather  distant  except  at  tips  of 
branches,  spreading,  ovate-oblong,  sub-acute,  firmer  in  texture 
than  in  preceding,  serrulate,  not  distinctly  ciliate ;  leaves  of 
upper  plane  half  as  long,  obliquely  oblong,  cuspidate;  spikes 
3'' — 6"  long ;  bracts  ovate-lanceoiate,  strongly  keeled.  (S. 
apus,  var.  denticulata  Spring,  where  it  may  belong,  the  differ- 
ences possibly  due  to  climatic  conditions.)  Covington,  Louisi- 


142     OUR  NATIVE  FERNS  AND    THEIR  ALLIES. 

ana   (Drummond}\    Aspalaga,    Florida   (Curtiss,    No.   3799    in 
part). 

**  Stems  densely  tufted,  rolling  into  a  nest-like  ball  when  dry  ; 
roots  confined  to  base  of  stems. 

~-  7.  S.  lepidophylla  Spring.  Stems  2'— 4'  long,  densely 
Uifted,  pinnately  branched  to  the  base,  the  pinnae  ascending, 
sub-flabel  lately  compound;  leaves  of  the  lower  plane  closely 
imbricate,  ascending,  obliquely  ovate,  obtuse,  thick,  rigid,  mi- 
nutely ciliate,  green  above,  paler  below,  becoming  reddish-brown 
in  age ;  leaves  of  upper  plane  nearly  as  long,  obliquely  ovate, 
obtuse;  spikes  3" — 6"  long,  quadrangular;  bracts  deltoid, 
acutely  keeled.  Texas  to  Arizona. 

v  8.  S.  Pringlei  Baker.  Outer  stems  3' — 4'  long,  the  inner 
gradually  shorter,  flabellately  branched,  light  green  above,  pale 
below  ;  branchlets  close,  i" — 2"  wide  ;  leaves  of  the  lower  plane 
crowded,  oblong,  about  i'  long,  including  the  conspicuous  horny 
white  awn  ;  leaves  of  upper  plane  slightly  smaller,  somewhat 
oblique;  spikes  short  with  uniform  bracts.  Chenate  Moun- 
tains, Texas  (Nealley). 

S.  pilifera  A.  Br.  is  reported  by  Mr.  Baker  from  Texas,  but 
it  has  not  been  found  there  recently. 

ORDER  VIII.     ISOETACE^E. 

Plant-body  consisting  of  a  bilobed  or  trilobed  trunk  emitting 
dense  tufts  of  roots,  and  sending  up  a  compact  rosette  of  rush- 
like  leaves,  submerged,  amphibious  or  sometimes  growing  in 
moist  soil.  Sporangia  sessile  in  the  axils  of  the  leaves,  some 
containing  macrospores  and  others  microspores.  Contains  a 
single  genus  widely  distributed. 

I.       ISOETES   L.       QUILLWORT. 

Stem  or  trunk  a  more  or  less  depressed,  fleshy  corm,  rooting 
just  above  its  bilobed  or  trilobed  base,  covered  above  with  the 
dilated  and  imbricated  bases  of  the  awl-shaped  or  linear  leaves. 
Sporangia  large,  orbicular  or  ovoid,  plano-convex,  very  thin, 
sessile  in  the  axils  of  the  leaves  and  united  at  the  back  with 
their  excavated  bases  ;  those  of  the  outer  leaves  filled  with 
spherical  macrospores ;  those  of  the  inner  leaves  filled  with 
minute  and  powdery,  grayish,  obliquely  oblong  and  triangular 


1  SORT  ACE  A.  143 

r.iicrospores.  Name  from  Gr.  zero?,  equal,  and  erof,  year.  Con- 
tains about  50  species,  of  which  sixteen  are  found  within  our 
-limits. 

NOTE. — The  measurements  of  the  spores  are  given  in  millimetres;  mm.  =  -03937 
inch. 

§  I.  Submerged,  rarely  above  water  in  driest  seasons ;  leaves 
quadrangular  without  peripheral  bast- bundles ;  velum  incom- 
plete. 

*  Stomata  absent. 

&e  *  i.  I.  lacustris  L.  Leaves  10 — 25,  stout,  rather  rigid,  ob- 
tusely quadrangular,  acute  but  scarcely  tapering,  dark  or  olive- 
green,  2' — 6'  long;  sporangia  orbicular — broadly-elliptic,  with  a 
narrow  velum  ;  ligula  triangular,  short  or  somewhat  elongate  ; 
macrospores  0.50 — 0.80  mm.  in  diameter,  marked  all  over  with 
distinct  or  somewhat  confluent  crests;  microspores  smooth, 
0.035 — 0.046  mm.  long.  Var.  pauper cula  Engelm.  has  fewer, 
thinner  and  shorter  leaves  and  smaller  spores,  the  microspores 
somewhat  granulate,  0.026 — 0.036  mm.  long.  (/.  macrospora 
Durieu.)  Catskill  Mountains,  New  York  (Schweinitz),  Echo 
Lake,  New  Hampshire  (Tuckerman).  Fresh  Pond,  near  Cam- 
bridge, Massachusetts  (IV.  Boott},  Uxbridge,  Massachusetts 
(Robbins),  Brattleborough,  Vermont  (Frost),  Lake  Superior 
(Porter}.  The  variety  from  Grand  Lake,  Middle  Park,  Colo- 
rado (Engelmami)  and  Castle  Lake  near  Mt.  Shasta,  California 
(Pr  ingle). 

3  /  —  2.  I.  pygmaea  Engelm.  Leaves  5 — 10,  stout,  rigid,  bright- 
green,  V — i'  long,  abruptly  tapering  to  a  fine  point,  with  very 
short  often  almost  square  epidermal  cells;  sporangia  orbicular 
with  a  narrow  velum;  macrospores  0.36 — 0.50  mm.  thick, 
marked  with  minute,  rather  regular,  distinct  or'rarely  confluent 
warts;  microspores  brown,  almost  smooth,  0.024 — 0.029  mm. 
long.  Mono  Pass,  California  (Bolander). 

—  3-  I- Tuckermani  A.  Br.  Leaves  10 — 30,  very  slender, 
tapering,  olive-green.  2—3'  long,  the  outer  recurved  ;  sporangia 
mostly  oblong,  white  or  rarely  brown  spotted,  the  upper  third 
covered  by  the  velum;  macrospores  0.44 — 0.56  mm.  thick,  the 
upper  segments  marked  with  prominent,  somewhat  parallel  and 
branching  ridges,  the  lower  half  reticulate  ;  microspores  smooth 


144     OUR  NATIVE  FERNS  AND    THEIR  ALLIES. 

or    nearly  so,  0.026  —  0.032    mm.   long.     Mystic    River,  Mystic, 
Spy,  and  Horn  Ponds,  near  Boston,  Massachusetts. 

**  Stomata  present. 

Z  J,J  —  4.  I.  echinospora  Durieu,  var.  Braunii  (Dur.)  Engelm. 
Leaves  13  —  15,  erect  or  spreading,  tapering,  green  or  reddish- 
green,  3'  —  6'  long,  generally  with  few  stomata  toward  the  tip 
only;  sporangia  orbicular  —  broadly-elliptic,  spotted,  \  to  f 
covered  by  the  broad  velum;  macrospores  0.40  —  0.50  mm.  thick, 
covered  with  broad,  retuse  spinules,  sometimes  somewhat  con- 
fluent and  then  dentate  and  incised  at  the  tip;  microspores 
0.026—0.030  mm.  long,  smooth.  (I.  Braunii  Durieu.)  Nova 
Scotia,  New  England,  New  York,  New  Jersey,  Pennsylvania, 
Ontario,  Michigan  (Gtllmari),  Head  of  Bear  River,  Utah  (  Wat- 
son), Greenland  (Vahl~). 

•  */*  ^  Var.  robusta  Engelm.  Stouter;  leaves  25  —  70,5'  —  8'  long, 
with  abundant  stomata  all  over  their  surface  ;  velum  covering 
one  half  of  the  large,  spotted  sporangia  ;  macrospores  0.36  —  o.  55 
mm.  thick.  Lake  Champlain,  north  end  of  Isle  La  Motte  (Prin- 


2.  ^  vT~  _  Var.  Boottii  (A.  Br.)  Engelm.  Leaves  12  —  20,  erect,  bright- 
green,  4'  —  5'  long,  with  few  stomata  mostly  near  the  tip;  spo- 
rangia nearly  orbicular,  pale-spotted,  f  or  more  covered  by  the 
broad  velum  ;  macrospores  0.39  —  0.50  mm.  thick,  with  longer, 
more  slender  and  ddlicate,  generally  simple  spinules;  micro- 
spores  0.026  —  0.030  mm.  long.  (/.  Boot  fit  A.  Br.)  Round 
Pond,  Woburn,  and  in  brook  in  Tofit  Swamp,  Lexington, 
Massachusetts  (Boott). 

Var.  muricata  (Dur.)  Engelm.  Leaves  15  —  20,  flaccid, 
green,  6'  —  12'  long,  with  very  few  stomata;  sporangia  broadly 
oval,  pale-spotted,  about  half  covered  by  the  velum  ;  macro- 
spores  0.40  —  0.58  mm.  thick,  with  shorter  and  more  confluent, 
sometimes  almost  crest-like  spinules;  microspores  0.028  —  0.032 
mm.  long,  slightly  rough  on  the  edges.  (/.  murtcata  Durieu.) 
Woburn  Creek  and  Abajona  river  near  Boston,  Massachusetts 
(Boott). 

~7          5.    I.  Bolanderi   Engelm.     Leaves  5  —  25,  erect,  soft,  bright- 
/     green,  tapering  to  a  fine  point,  2'—  4!'  long,  with  thin  walls  and 
generally  few  stomata;  sporangia  broadly  oblong,  mostly  un- 
spotted, with  a  narrow  velum  ;   ligula  triangular  ;  macrospores 


ISOETACE&.  J45 

0.30— o  45  mm.  thick,  marked  with  minute  low  tubercles,  rarely 
confluent  into  wrinkles  ;  microspores  deep-brown,  0.026-^0.031 
mm.  long,  spinulose,  rarely  smooth.  (/.  Californica  Engelm.) 
Western  Colorado  (Brandegee),  Utah,  California,  to  Washing- 
ton. 

§2.  Amphibious,  partially  emerged  ;  stomata  always  present. 

*  Peripheral  bast-bundles  absent. 

\  Velum  partial. 

6.  I.  saccharata  Engelm.     Trunk  usually  flat,  depressed  ; 
leaves  10 — 20,  awl-shaped,    spreading,  olive-green,  2' — 3'  long ; 
sporangia  oblong,  spotted,  with  a  narrow  velum  ;  ligula  trian- 
gular;    macrospores   0.40 — 0.47   mm.  thick,  covered  with  very 
minute,  distinct  warts,  which  are  sometimes  a  little  confluent; 
microspores    papillose,     0.024 — 0028     mm.     long.      Banks   of 
Wicomico  river,  below  Salisbury,  and  of  Nanticoke  river,  East- 
ern Maryland  (Canby). 

7.  I.  riparia  Engelm.     Leaves  15 — 30,  slender,  rather  rigid, 
deep-green,  4' — 8'   long,  with    numerous    stomata ;    sporangia 
mostly  oblong,  distinctly  brown-spotted,  \  or  £  covered  by  the 
velum;  macrospores  0.45- -0.65  mm.  thick,  marked  with  isolated 
or  anastomosing,  jagged  crests;  microspores  more  or  less  tuber- 
culate,  0.028 — 0.032  mm.  long.     Banks  of  Delaware  River  from 
Burlington  to  Wilmington,  Delaware ;  Oxbridge,  Massachusetts 
(Robbins)\  Brattleborough,  Vermont  (Frost) ;  Maine  (Chickering)  ; 
Crow  River,  Hastings  County,  Ontario  (Macouri). 

tt  Velum  complete. 

—  8.  I.  melanospora  Engelm.  Trunk  flat,  only  slightly 
bilobed  ;  leaves  5 — 10,  distichous,  slender,  tapering,  light-green, 
2' — 1\'  long;  sporangia  orbicular  or  almost  obcordate,  i" — i" 
long,  entirely  covered  by  the  velum ;  ligula  short  triangular, 
obtuse ;  macrospores  0.35 — 0.45  mm.  long,  roughened  with 
distinct  or  rarely  somewhat  confluent  warts,  dark-colored  ; 
microspores  smooth ish  or  slightly  papillose,  0.028  —  0.031  mm. 
long.  In  shallow  excavations  in  granite  rock,  Stone  Mountain, 
Georgia  (Canby). 

**  Peripheral  bast-bundles  present. 
t  Velum  partial  or  entirely  wanting. 

/  -     9-    I.  Engelmanni    A.    Br.      Leaves     25—100,    light-green, 
IP 


146     OUR   NATIVE  FERNS  AND    THEIR  ALLIES. 

9' — 20' or  more  long,  with  abundant  stomata ;  sporangia  ob- 
long— linear-oblong,  unspotted,  with  a  narrow  velum  ;  ligula 
elongate  from  a  triangular  base  ;  macrospores  0.40 — 0.52  mm. 
thick,  delicately  honeycomb-reticulated;  microspores  usually 
smooth,  0.024 — 0.028  mm.  long.  Var.  Georgiana  Engelm.  has 
fewer  leaves  and  larger  (0.48 — 0.56  mm.  thick)  macrospores. 
New  England  and  New  York,  Missouri  and  Illinois  ;  the  vari- 
ety in  Horseleg  Creek,  Floyd  County,  Georgia  (Canby}. 

Var.  gracilis  Engelm.  Leaves  8 — 12,  often  submerged, 
9' — 12'  long,  the  bast  bundles  often  quite  small  or  only  two 
present.  New  England  ;  Passaic  River,  New  Jersey  (Ennis). 

Var.  valida  Engelm.  Leaves  50— 200,  keeled  on  the  upper 
side,  1 8' — 25'  long;  sporangia  often  linear-oblong  4" — 9"  long, 
\  to  f  covered  by  the  broad  velum  ;  macrospores  0.32 — 0.48  mm. 
thick  ;  microspores  spinulose,  0.024 — o'.o27  mm.  long.  Warrior's 
Mark  and  Smithville,  Pennsylvania  (Porter} ;  Wilmington, 
Delaware  (Canby). 

10.  I.  Howellii  Engelm.  Leaves  10—25,  bright  green, 
5' — 8' long,  with  thick  dissepiments;  sporangia  oval,  iV' — 2^" 
long,  unspotted,  \  to  ^  covered  by  the  velum  ;  ligula  awl-shaped, 
as  long  as  the  sporangium  ;  macrospores  0.43 — 0.48  mm.  thick, 
rough  with  prominent,  rounded,  single  or  sometimes  confluent 
tubercles,  Dalles  of  the  Columbia,  Oregon  (Howell). 
^  11.  I.  nuda  Engelm.  Leaves  10 — 15,  bright-green,  6' — 9' 
long;  sporangia  oval,  light-brown,  attached  to  the  base  of  the 
leaves  by  the  median  line  only,  the  velum  entirely  wanting; 
ligula  somewhat  triangular;  macrospores  0.366 — 0.4  mm.  thick, 
slightly  tuberculate,  the  tubercles  somewhat  confluent.  Hood 
River,  Oregon  (Howell). 

tt  Velum  complete. 

12.  I.  flaccida  Shuttleworth.  Leaves  10—35,  light-green, 
15' — 2°  long,  submerged,  floating  on  the  surface  or  wholly 
emerged ;  sporangia  oval,  2" — 3"  long,  entirely  covered  by  the 
velum;  macrospores  0.30 — 0.42  mm.  thick,  covered  with  many 
or  rarely  few,  large  flattish  tubercles,  distinct  or  confluent  into 
labyrinthiform  wrinkles.  Var.  rigtda  Engelm.  is  smaller,  with 
more  slender,  erect,  dark-green  leaves,  5' — 6'  long.  Lake  Im- 
monia,  near  Tallahassee,  Florida  (Rugel}\  also  near  Manatee, 
Florida  (Garber).  The  variety  at  Lake  Flirt,  Florida  (Garber). 


ISOETACE&.  147 

Var.  Chapmani  Engelm.  Leaves  about  30,  floating,  18' 
long;  sporangia  orbicular;  macrospores  0.44 — 0.55  mm.  thick, 
almost  smooth  on  the  upper  side;  microspores  slightly  papil- 
lose, 0.027 — 0.030  mm.  long.  Near  Mariana,  Florida  (Chap- 
man) . 

§  3.  Terrestrial ;  leaves  nearly  triangular,  with  abundant 
stomata  and  peripheral  bast-bundles,  thick  dissepiments  and 
small  air-cavities. 

*  Trunk  bilobed. 
t  Velum  partial  or  almost  wanting. 

13.  I.  melanopoda  J.  Gay.     Polygamous;  trunk    sub-glo- 
bose, deeply  bilobed;  leaves  15 — 60,  slender,  stiff,  erect,  bright- 
green,  usually  black  at  base,  5 — 10'   or  more  long;  sporangia 
mostly  oblong,  2" — 5"   long,   spotted,   with    a    narrow  velum; 
ligula     triangular  awl-shaped ;    macrospores     0.25 — 0.40     mm. 
thick,  with  depressed  tubercles  often  confluent  into  worm-like 
wrinkles,  or  almost  smooth  ;  microspores  spinulose,  0.023 — 0.028 
mm.  long.     Var.  pallida  Engelm.  is  larger,  with  pale  leaf-bases 
and  broader  velum.     Ringwood  and  Athens,    Illinois    (Hall} ; 
Clinton,  Iowa  (Vasey)  ;  Limestone  Gap,  Indian  Territory  {But- 
ler}.    The  variety  at  Houston,  Texas  (Hall). 

14.  i.    maritima   Unde.     Monoecious;    trunk    small,    only 
slightly  bilobed;  leaves  8 — 15,  rigid,  green,  i' — 2'  long,  £" — f" 
wide;  sporangia  oval,  2"  long,  ij"  wide,  brownish  white,  one 
third  to  one  half  covered  by  the  velum  ;  ligula  small;  macro- 
spores  0.42 — 0.48  mm.  thick,  densely  spinulose,  the  spines  blunt, 
rarely  confluent;    microspores   smooth,  white,   0.32 — 0.35  mm. 
thick.     In  salt  marsh,  Alberni,  Vancouver  Island  (Macouri). 

15.  I.    Butleri    Engelm.     Dioecious;     trunk     sub-globose; 
leaves  8—12,  rigid,  bright-green,  3'— 7'  long;  sporangia  usually 
oblong,  spotted,  with  a  very  narrow  velum  or  none  ;  ligula  awl- 
shaped  from    a  triangular   base;    macrospores  0.50 — 0.63  mm. 
thick,  marked  with  knobs  or  warts,  distinct  or  sometimes  con- 
fluent; microspores   papillose,    dark-brown,  0.028 — 0.038    mm. 
long.     Var.    immaculata    Engelm.    is    larger,    with    unspotted 
sporangia,  and  spinulose  microspores,  the  macrospores  0.40 — 
o  56  mm.     In  saline  flats,  near  Limestone  Gap,  Indian  Territory 


148     OUR   NATIVE   FERNS  AND    THEIR  ALLIES. 

(Butler},   near  St.   Louis,   Missouri   (Eggerf).     The  variety  in 
cedar  barrens,  near  Nashville,  Tennessee  (Gattinger). 

ft  Velum  complete. 

16.  I.  Nuttallii  A.  Br.  Trunk  almost  globose,  slightly 
grooved  ;  leaves  20 — 60,  slender,  bright-green,  3' — 9'  long,  with 
only  three  peripheral  bast-bundles  ;  sporangia  oblong  or  oval, 
entirely  covered  by  the  velum  ;  macrospores  variable,  o.  25— o.  50 
mm.  thick,  densely  covered  with  minute  but  rounded  warts,  or 
rarely  al.most  smooth;  microspores  papillose,  brown,  0.025 — 
0.028  mm.  long.  (/.  opaca  Nutt.)  Oregon,  Washington  ;  West- 
ern Idaho  (Geyer),  Vancouver  Island  (Macouri). 

**  Trunk  trtlobed  ;  velum  complete. 

ftf~6  _  17.  I.  Suksdorfil  Baker.  Leaves  12 — 20,  firm,  bright- 
green,  very  slender,  arcuate,  deeply  channelled  along  the  face, 
2' — 3'  long,  less  than  £"  wide;  sporangia  orbicular,  2"  long  and 
broad  ;  ligula  deltoid  ;  macrospores  grayish-white,  faintly  granu- 
lated. W.  Klickitat  County,  Washington  (Suksdorf,  No.  836), 
California  (Brandegee). 


GLOSSARY  AND  INDEX. 


Acrogenous  (Gr.  dicpov,  the  high- 
est part,  and  yeWar,  to  produce),  per- 
taining to  plants  whose  growth  takes 
place  at  the  summit.  Includes  Ferns, 
Mosses,  etc. 

Acrostichese,  76. 

Ac  rostichum,  89  ;  also  5,  6,  12,  76. 

Aculeate  (Lat.  aculeus,  diminutive 
of  acus,  a  needle),  armed  with 
prickles. 

Adder-tongue.  Vide  Ophio- 
glossum. 

Adiantum,  89 ;  also  5, 13,  42,  73, 77. 

Adnate  (Lat.    ad.   to,    nasci,   to   be 
born),  growing  fast  to  some  other  por- 
tion of  the  plant. 
Algae,  49. -Literature  of,  55. 
Allosorus.        Vide      Crypto- 

gramme. 

Analogy    (Gr.    aW,   according   to; 

^o'-yos,  ratio,  proportion),  similarity  in 

function;  distinguished  from  homolo- 

£y,  indicating  similarity  in  structure. 

Anastomose  (Gr.  dvwronovv,  to 

open  into),  forming  a  net- work  ;  said 

of  veins  which  unite  with  each  other. 

Anemia,  123  ;  also  18,  79. 

Annul  us    (Lat.    a   ring),    the    ring 

partly  or  completely  surrounding  the 

sporangium. 

Antheridium  (plu.  antheridia) 
<Lat.  anthera,  an  anther,  and  Gr. 
ei'Sos,  form),  the  part  containing  the 
male  element.  20. 

Antherozoid  (Lat.  anthera,  an 
anther;  Gr.  f<J0i>,  an  animal,  and  ei'Sos, 
form),  the  male  element  of  crypto- 
gams. 20. 

Archegonium  (plu.  archegonia) 
(Gr.  O'PXJJ,  beginning,  and  yovn,  off- 
spring), the  part  containing  the  fe- 
male element.  20. 


Arcuate  (Lat.  arcus^a.  bow),  curved 
like  a  bow. 

Areola  (plu.  areolte).  (Lat.  diminu- 
tive of  areat  an  open  place),  a  space 
enclosed  by  anastomosing  veinlets. 

Asexual  Reproduction  in 
Ferns.  27. 

Aspidieae,  78. 

Aspidium.  Vide  Dryopteris, 
16,  78. 

Asplenieae,  78. 

Asplenium,  103;  also  2,3,  5,6,15 
27,  78. 

Auriculate  (Lat.  auricula,  a  little 
ear),  furnished  with  ear-like  append- 
ages. 

Azolla,  127;  also  39. 


Beech-fern.     Vide    Phegop- 

teris. 
Bi  (Lat.  bis,  twice),  (as  a  prefix)  two, 

twice  or  doubly. 
Bladder-fern.    Vide  Cystop- 

teris. 

Blechneae,  77. 
Blechnum,  102 ;  also  15,  77. 
Botrychium,  129;  also  2,  3,  5,  19, 

29,  30. 
Brake     or     Bracken.       Vide 

Pteris. 
Bryophytes  (Gr.  ppvov,  moss,  and 

<j>vrdv,  plant),  52. 
Buds,  borne  on  ferns,  27. 
BulbletS  borne  on  ferns,  27. 


Calamariaceae,  67. 

CamptOSOrus,  108  ;  also  3,  6,  9,  16, 

27,  78. 

Carboniferous    Age,    Pterido- 
phytes  of,  68. 


150 


GLOSSARY  AND   INDEX. 


Carinate  (Lat.  carina,  a  keel), 
keeled. 

Carpophy  ta  (Gr.  xapiro's,  fruit,  and 
«/»uToV,  plant). 

Castaneous  (Lat.  castanea,  a 
chestnut),  chestnut-colored. 

Caudate  (Lat.  cauda,  a  tail),  fur- 
nished with  a  slender  appendage  re- 
sembling a  tail. 

Caudex  (Lat.  a  stem),  the  upright 
rootstock  forming  the  trunk  of  a  tree- 
fern,  8. 

Cellulose  (Lat.  cellula,  a  little  cell), 
the  substance  composing  the  wall  of 
cells,  containing  the  elements  car- 
bon, hydrogen,  and  oxygen. 

Ceraceous  (Lat.  cera,  wax),  hav- 
ing the  nature  of  wax. 

Ceratopterideae,  77. 

Ceratopteris,  101 ;  also  6,  14,  77. 

Characeae,  51.— Literature  of,  56. 

Chartaceous  (Lat.  charta,  a  leaf 
of  paper),  having  the  texture  of  paper 
or  parchment. 

Cheilanthes,  9* ;  also  3,  6,  8,  13, 

26,  43,  77- 

Chlorophyll  (Gr.  x*wP°'«i  green, 
and  ff>v\\ov,  leaf),  the  green  grains 
forming  the  coloring  matter  of  plants. 

Christmas-fern.  Vide  Dry- 
opteris. 

Ciliate  (Lat.  cilium,  an  eyelash), 
having  on  the  margin  a  fringe  of 
hairs  resembling  the  fringing  eye- 
lashes. 

Cinnamon-fern.  Vide  Os- 
munda. 

Giro  in  ate  (Lat.  circinus,  a  pair  of 
compasses),  rolled  inward  from  the 
apex,  8. 

Classification  of  the  Vegetable 
Kingdom,  48. — Principle  of,  45. 

Cliff-brake.    Vide  Pellaea. 

Climbing-fern.  Vide  Lygo- 
dium. 

Cloak-fern.  Vide  Notho- 
lasna. 

Club-moss.  Vide  Lycopo- 
dium. 

Confluent  (Lat.  con,  together,  and 
Jluere,  to  flow),  blended  together. 


Connate  (Lat.  con,  together,  and 
nasci,  to  be  born),  united  together 
from  the  first. 

Cordate  (Lat.  cor,  the  heart),  heart- 
shaped. 

Coriaceous  (Lat.  corium,  a  hide), 
leathery. 

Cotton-fern.  Vide  Notho- 
laena. 

Crenate  (Lat.  crena,  a  notch),  hav- 
ing the  margin  scalloped  with  rounded 
teeth. 

Crenulate  (Lat.  crenula,  a  little 
notch),  scalloped  with  small  rounded 
teeth. 

Cryptogamia  (Gr.  Kpvirro's,  hid- 
den, ya'/xos,  marriage),  flowerless 
plants  ;  an  obsolete  term. 

Cryptogramma,  97;  also  2, 14, 77. 

Cultivation,  Literature  of,  7. 

Cuneate  (Lat.  cuneus,  a  wedge), 
wedge-shaped. 

Cystopteris,  118;  also  4,5,  6,  16, 
27,  78. 


Decurrent    (Lat.  de,    down,  and 

currere,   to  run),  prolonged   on   the 

rachis. 

Deer-fern.    Vide  Lomaria. 
Deltoid  (Gr.  Se'Ara,  the  letter  D,  and 

ct'Jof,  form),  triangular,  like  the  Greek 

delta. 
Dentate      (Lat.     dens,     a     tooth), 

toothed. 

Denticulate   (Lat.   denticulus,  di- 
minutive     of     denst    tooth),     finely 

toothed. 
Desmidiacese,  50.— Literature  of, 

56. 
Determination   of  Species, 

68. 
Devonian  Age,  Pteridophytes  of, 

66. 
Diatomaceae,   50.— Literature  of, 

56. 

Dichotomous  (Gr.  ^i\a..  asunder, 

and  reVreiv.  to  cut),  two-forked. 
Dicksonia,  121  ;  also  3,  5,  7.  17.  79. 
Dicksonieae,  79 
Pimorphism,  3.— Literature,  of  7. 


GLOSSARY  AND  INDEX. 


Dimorphous  (Gr.  fit's,  twice,  and 

ju.wp0»j,  shape,  form),  of  two  forms; 

said  of  ferns  whose  fertile  fronds  are 

unlike  the  sterile. 
Dioecious  (Gr.  fit's,  twice,  and  <HKOS, 

house),  bearing  the  male  and  female 

organs  on  different  plants. 
Distichous    (Gr.    fit's,    twice,    and 

ort'xos,  a  row),  disposed  in  two  rows 
Distribution,     Geographic,    62.— 

Geologic,  67. —Local,  4. 
Dryopteris,  no;  also  2,  5,  7,  8, 10, 

u,  16,  26,  42,68,  73. 


Ebeneous  (Lat.  ebenus,  ebony), 
black  like  ebony. 

E later,  the  spirally  coiled  append- 
ages of  the  spores  of  Equisetum. 

Endospore  (Gr.  Iv&ov,  within,  and 
o-jTopds,  a  seed),  the  inner  wall  of  the 
spore. 

Epidermis  (Gr.  «rt,  upon,  and 
Se'p/ua,  the  skin),  the  external  covering 
of  the  plant. 

Epiphytic  (Gr.  «ri,  upon,  and 
<£vTOf,  a  plant),  growing  upon  an- 
other plant,  but  not  nourished  by  it. 

Equisetacese,  132;  also  31 —Lit- 
erature of,  34. 

Equisetum,  132 ;  also  31,  33,  69. 

Exospore  (Gr.  e£w,  outside,  and 
(rTropos,  a  seed),  the  external  covering 
of  the  spore. 


Falcate  (Lat..A/.r,  a  sickle),  scythe- 
shaped  ;  slightly  curved  upward. 

Farinose  (Lat.  farina,  ground 
corn),  covered  with  a  white  or  yellow- 
ish powder. 

Fern  Allies,  28 

Fern  Structure,  Literatureof, 28 

Ferns,  Artificial  Synopsis  of  genera 
of,  80 — Mode  of  growth.  2.— Time  of 
fruiting.  4. — Variation  in.  2. 

Ferruginous  (Lat.  ferrum,  iron), 
resembling  iron  rust. 

Fertilization,  21. 

Fibrillose  (Lat.  jilra,  a  thread), 
formed  of  small  fibres. 


Filices,  75. 

Filiform  (Lat.  filum,  a  thread, 
forma,  form),  thread-like. 

F  la  be  Hate  (Lat.  flabellum,  a  fan), 
fan-shaped;  broad  and  rounded  at 
the  summit  and  narrow  at  the  base. 

Flaccid  (Lat.  flaccus,  flabby),  soft 
and  weak. 

Floating-fern.  Vide  Cera- 
topteris. 

Flowering-fern.  Vide  Os- 
munda. 

Foliaceous  (Lat.  folium,  a  leaf), 
having  the  nature  of  a  leaf. 

Fovea  (Lat.  a  small  pit),  the  depres- 
sion in  the  leaf  of  Isoetes  containing 
the  sporangium. 

Frond  (Lat.  front,  a  leafy  bough), 
that  which  answers  to  the  leaf  in 
ferns,  8,  26. 

Fructification  of  Ferns,  10;  of 
OPHIOGLOSSACE.*,  30 ;  of  Equisetum, 
33;  of  Club  mosses,  35;  of  Isoetes,  38; 
of  Marsilia,  39;  of  Pilularia,  39; 
of  Azolla,  39;  of  Salrinia,  40. 

Fulvous  (Lat.  fulv us,  reddish-yel- 
low), tawny. 

Fungi,  49.— Literature  cf,  56. 


Gasteromycetes,  52-  -  Litera- 
ture of,  59. 

Genera,  44- 

Generic  Names,  41. 

Geographic  Distribution,  62. 
— Literature  of,  69. 

Geologic  Distribution,  65. 

Germination  of  Ferns,  19;  of 
OPHIOGLOSSACE^E,  30;  of  Equisetum, 
33;  of  Club-mosses,  36;  of  Isoetes,  38; 
of  Marsilia,  40. — Literature  of,  23. 

Glabrous  (Lat.  glaber,  smooth) 
smooth. 

GlanduliferoUS  (Lat.  glandula,  a 
little  kernel,  and  ferre,  to  bear),  fur- 
nished with  glands 

Glaucous  (Gr.  yAavKos,  sea-green), 
covered  with  a  bloom  like  a  plum. 

Globose,  spherical  in  form  or  nearly 
so. 

Goethe  on  species,  43.  ' 


152 


GLOSSARY  AND  INDEX. 


Cold -fern.        Vide    Gymno- 

gramme. 
Grammitideae,76. 
Grape  -  fern.      Vide     Botry- 

chium. 
Ground -pine,    Ground -fir, 

etc.    Vide  Lycopodium. 
Gymnogramme,  84;  also  3,  9, 13, 

41,  68,  76. 


Hartford-fern.  Vide  Lygo- 
dium. 

Hart's-tongue.  Vide  Scolo- 
pendrium. 

Hastate  (Lat.  hasta,  a  spear),  fur- 
nished  with  spreading  lobes  on  each 
side  at  the  base. 

Helvellaceae,  52.— Literature  oi, 
60. 

HepatiCSB,  52.  —  Literature  of, 
61. 

Herbaceous  (Lat.  herba,  an  herb), 
having  the  texture  of  common  herb- 
age. 

Heterosporous  (Gr.  crepe?,  other 
and  o-jropo?,  a  seed),  producing  two 
kinds  of  spores,  as  in  Selaginella, 
Marsilia,  etc. 

Histology  (Gr.  toros,  web,  tissue, 
and  Aoyos,  a  discourse),  the  study  of 
the  microscopic  characters  of  the  tis- 
sues of  plants  and  animals. 

Holly-fern.   Vide  Dryopteris. 

Horsetail.    Vide   Equisetum. 

Hymenomycetes,  50. —  Litera- 
ture of,  55. 

Hymenophyllaceae,  «,  26,  79. 


Imbricate   (Lat.  imbrex,  a  rhollow 

tile),  breaking  joints    like   slates  or 

shingles. 
Indusium   (plu.  indusia)  (Lat.   in- 

duere,  to    clothe),   the    membranous 

covering  of  the  sporangia  in  many 

species  of  ferns. 
Inferior,  attached  below;  said  of  an 

indusium  below  the  sporangia  as  in 

Woods  ia. 

Intramarginal  (Lat.  infra,  with- 


in, and  margo,  a  border),  near  the 

margin. 
Involucre  (Lat.  involvere,  to  wrap 

up),  the  indusium. 
Isoetaceae,   142;  also  37.—  Litera- 

ture of,  38. 

Isoetes,  142;  also  37,  38,  69. 
Isosporous  (Gr.  Z<ros,  equal,  and 

o-Tropos,  a  seed),  producing  spores  of 

one  kind. 


Lace-fern.  K/ 

Lacinia  (plu.  laciniee)  (Lat.  the  lap- 

pet of  a  garment),  a  long  narrow  lobe. 
Lady-fern.  Vide  Asplenium. 
Lanceolate  (Lat.  lanceola,  a  little 

spear),  lance-shaped. 
Lepidodendraceae,  69. 
Lichenes,  52.  —  Literature  of,  60. 
Ligula  (Lat.  a  strap),  a  triangular  of 

somewhat    elongate    stipule-like    or- 

gan of  the  leaf  in  Isoetes,  situated 

above  the  sporangium. 
Linear  (Lat.  linea,  a  line),  long  and 

narrow. 
Linnaeus,  definition  of  species,  43.— 

System  of,  47. 

Lip-fern.    Vide  Cheilanthes. 
Lobule  (Lat.  lobulus,  diminutive  of 

lobus,  a  lobe),  a  small  lobe. 
Lomaria,  101;  also  2,  14,  77. 
Lunate  (Lat.  luna,  the  moon),  cres- 

cent-shaped. 
Lunulate  (Lat.  lunula,  diminutive 

of    luna,   the    moon),     smaller    than 

lunate. 
Lycopodiaceae,    135;    also  34.— 

Literature  of,  37. 
Lycopodium,  135;  also  34,  35,  36, 

6g. 

Lygodium,  122;  also  4,  17,  66,  79. 

M 
Macro-  (Gr.  M«"cpos,  long),  (as  a  pre- 

fix) large  or  long. 

Maidenhair.   Vide  Adiantum. 
Male-fern.    /'/<&•  Aspidium. 
Marattiaceae,  45. 
Marsilea,  125  ;  also39,  40,  69. 
Marsileaceae,  125;  also  39.—  Liter- 

ature of,  40. 


GLOSSARY  AND  INDEX. 


153 


Mesozoic  Age,  Pteridophytes  of, 

66. 
Micro  (Gr.  /uiKpos,  small),  (as  a  prefix) 

small. 
Midvein,  the  middle  or  main  vein  of 

a  frond,  pinna,  pinnule,  or  segment. 
Mimicry,  3. 
Monoecious  (Gr.  /mo^os,  single,  and 

OIKOS.  house),  bearing  the  male  and 

ft-male  organs  on  different   parts  of 

ihe  same  plant. 
Moonwort.      Vide   Botrychi- 

um. 
Mucronate  (Lat.   mucro,  a  sharp 

point),  having  the  mid  vein  prolonged 

beyond  the  pinnule,  forming  a  sharp 

point. 
Musci   (mosses),  52. — Literature  of, 

61. 
Myxomycetes,   51.  —  Literature 

of,  57. 

N 

Nephrodium.  V.  Dryopteris. 
Nephrolepis,  117;  also  -5, 16,  78. 
Nomenclature,  4- 
Notholaena,  85;  also  6,  9, 13, 76. 


Oak-fern.  Vide  Phegopteris. 
Oblong,  from  two  to  four  times  as 

long  as  broad. 
Obovate   (Lat.   ob,   reversed,   and 

oTTitn,  an  egg),  inverted  ovate. 
Onoclea,  119;  also  2,  3,  5, 10,  17,  66, 

72.  78. 
Oophyta  (Gr.  <iov,  an  egg  (spore), 

and  (£VTOI',  plant). 
Oosphere  (Gr.  <idv,  an  egg),  the 

female  element  of  Pteridophytes. 
Oospore    (Gr.    uov,    an    egg,    and 

o-TTopd?,    a   seed),    the    fertilized  oo- 

sphere. 
Ophioglossaceae,  128;  also  28.— 

Literature  of,  31. 

Ophioglossum,  128;  also  6,  29,  30. 
Orbicular  (Lat.  orbiculus,  diminu- 
tive of  orbis,  a  circle),  circular. 
Orders,  45- 
Osmunda,  124;  also  2.  3*  4*  5.  6. l8, 

19,  80. 
Osmundaceae,  12,  79. 


Ostrich-fern.    Vide  Onoclea. 

Ovate  (Lat.  ovum,  an  egg),  having 
the  form  of  the  longitudinal  plane  of 
an  egg  with  the  base  downward. 

Ovoid  (Lat.  ovum,  an  egg,  and  Gr. 
eZSos,  form),  having  the  form  of  an 
egg. 

P 

Paleaceous  (Lat.  palea,  chaff),' 
clothed  with  chaffy  hairs. 

Palmate  (Lat.  palma,  the  hand), 
with  the  divisions  spreading  from  the 
end  of  the  stalk  like  the  fingers  of  the 
hand. 

Panicle  (Lat.  panicula,  a  tuft  on 
plants),  an  open  cluster,  consisting  of 
more  or  less  branching  stems  bearing 
fruit. 

Papillose  (Lat.  papilla^  a  nipple), 
bearing  minute  nipple-like  projec- 
tions. 

Papyraceous  (Lat.  papyrus,  paper 
reed),  having  ihe  texture  of  paper. 

Pedicel  (Lat.  pediculus,  diminutive 
of  pes,  foot),  the  stalk  of  a  sporan- 
gium. 

Pellaea,  97;  also  2.  3,  6, 14,  77. 

Peltate  (Lat.  pelta,  a  small  shield), 
shield-shape;  said  of  an  indusium 
borne  on  a  stalk  attached  at  its  centre. 

Pentagonal  (Gr.  TWTC,  five,  and 
ywfia,  angle),  having  five  sides. 

Perisporiaceae,  52-— Literature 
of,  60. 

Peronosporeae,  51.— Literature 
of,  57- 

Petiole  (Lat. petielus,  diminutive  of 
pes,  foot),  the  stalk  of  a  pinna  or 
pinnule. 

Phegopteris,  108;  also  5,  9,  16,  27, 
78. 

Pilose  (Lat.  pilus,  hairy),  covered 
with  soft  hairs. 

Pilularia,  126;  also  39,  69. 

Pinna  (Lat.  a  feather),  the  primary 
division  of  a  compound  frond. 

Pinnate  (Lat.  pinna,  a  feather),  hav- 
ing the  divisions  of  the  frond  ar- 
ranged on  the  two  sides  of  a  common 
rachis. 

Pinnatifid    (Lat.  pinna,  a  feather 


154 


GLOSSARY  ANT)  INDEX. 


and  findere,  to  cleave),  having  the 
sides  of  the  frond,  pinna,  or  pinnule 
cut  half-way  or  more  to  the  midvein. 

Pinnule  (Lat.  pinnula,  diminutive 
of  pinna,  a  feather),  the  secondary 
division  of  a  frond  twice  or  more 
compound. 

Polypodiaceae,  n,  76. 

Polypodiese,  76. 

Polypodium,  82;  also  6,  7,  10,  u. 

12,  76. 

Pro-embryo,  the  thread-like  pro- 
longation between  the  germinating 
spore  and  the  prothallium. 

Prothallium  (Lat.  pro,  previous 
to,  and  thallus,  a  young  shoot),  the 
sexual  generation  of  a  fern,  20. 

Protophyta  (Gr.  7rpa>Tos,  first,  sim- 
plest, and  </>VTOV,  a  plant),  50. 

Psilotum,  139;  also  35. 

Pterideae,  76. 

Pteridoid  (Gr.  irre'pis,  fern,  and 
elfios,  form),  fern-like  in  appearance. 

Pteridoid  Phase,  22. 

Pteridophytes  (Gr.  TTT«>IS,  fern, 
and  ^vTOf,  a  plant),  52,  75. 

Pteris,  9°;  also  5, 13,  68,  77. 

Pyrenomycetes,  52.— Literature 
of,  60. 

Q 

Quadri-  (Lat.  quattuor,  four),  (as  at 
prefix)  four,  fourfold. 


Rachis  (Gr.  'pagi*  the  spine),  the 
continuation  of  the  stipe  through  a 
compound  frond. 

Raphe  (Gr.  'pa<Mt  a  seam  or  suture), 
the  ridge  which  connects  the  sporo- 
carp  with  its  stem  in  Marsilia. 

Rattlesnake-fern.  Vide  Bo- 
trychium. 

Receptacle  (Lat.  recipere,  to  re- 
ceive), the  part  to  which  the  sporan- 
gia are  attached,  especially  in  the 
HYMENOPHYLLACE^:. 

Reniform  (Lat.  renes,  the  kidneys), 
kidney-shaped. 

Resurrection  -  plant.  Vide 
Selaginella. 


Re  volute   (Lat.    revolvere,  to    roll 

back),  rolled  backward;   said  of  the 

margin  of  fronds. 

Rhizocarps.    Vide  Marsilia. 
Rhomboidal  (Gr.'pdM/Bos,  a  rhomb, 

and  eZSos,  form),  approaching  a  rhomb 

in  shape. 
Rock-brake.      Vide  Crypto- 

gramme. 
Rock-moss.       Vide     Selagi- 

nella. 
Roots,  25. 
Rootstock,  an  underground  stem 

8. 


Salvinia,  127;  also  39,  40. 
Salviniaceae,  127;  also 39.— Litera- 
ture of,  40. 
Scandent  (Lat.  s.andere,  to  climb), 

climbing. 

Schizaea,  123;  also  n,  18,  79. 
Schizaeaceae,  n,  79. 
Schizomycetes,   51.— Literature 

of.  57- 
Scolopendrium,  107;  also  3,  6, 15, 

19,  26,  78. 
Scouring- rush.     Vide  Equi- 

setum. 
Segment,  one  of  the  divisions  of  a 

pinnatifid  frond. 

Selaginella,  140;  also  34,  35,  36,  69. 
Selaginellaceae,  140;  also  34.— 

Literature  of,  37 
Sensitive-fern.       Vide   Ono- 

clea. 
Serrate  (Lat.  serra,  a  saw),  having 

the    margin  cut  into  teeth  pointing 

forward. 
Sessile  (Lat.  sedere,  to  sit),  without 

a  stalk  or  petiole. 
Setiform  (Lat.  seta,  a  bristle,  and 

forma,  form),  bristle-like. 
Shield-fern.    V.  Dryopteris. 
Sigillariaceae,  67. 
Sinuate    (Lat.    sinus,    a    bending), 

having  the  margin  alternately  bend- 
ing inward  and  outward. 
Sinus  (Lat.  a  bending),  a   recess  or 

bay;    the  re-entering  space  between 

two  lobes. 


GLOSSARY  AND  INDEX. 


155 


SorUS  (plu.  sari)  (Gr.  awpos,  a  heap 
or  cluster),  the  clusters  of  fruit  in  the 

POLYPODIACE>E. 

Spatulate  (Lat.   spatula,   a  little 

spoon),  shaped  like  a  spatula. 
Species,  43. — How  to  determine,  68. 
Specific  Names,  41. 
Spermaphytes    (Gr.    cnr^a,   a 

seed,  and  $\nov,  a  plant),  10,  20,  50. — 

Literature  of,  59. 
Spinulose    (Lat.    spina,    a  thorn), 

thorny. 
Spleenwort.      Vide  Aspleni- 

um. 

Sporangium  (plu.  sporangia)  (Gr. 
o-Tiopo?,  a  seed,  and  ayyo?,  a  vessel), 
the  case  or  capsule  enclosing  the 
spores.  10. 

Spore  (Gr.  <rirop6<;,  a  seed),  the  fruit 
of  the  higher  cryptogams,  produced 
asexually,  10,  18. 

Sporocarp  (Gr.  CTTTOPOS,  seed,  and 
Kapn-os,  fruit),  the  fruit-bearing  re- 
ceptacle in  Marsilia,  etc. 

Squamous  (Lat.  squama,  a  scale), 
with  appressed  scales. 

Stellate  (Lat.  stella,  a  star),  star- 
shaped. 

Stipe  (Lat.  stipes,  a  stock),  the  stem 
of  a  frond,  8,  25. 

Stoma  (plu.  stomata)  (Gr.  a  mouth), 
the  breathing  pores  of  plants,  26,  33. 

Stramineous  (Lat.  stramen* 
straw),  straw-colored. 

Struthiopteris.  Vide  Ono- 
clea. 

Sub-  (as  a  prefix),  about,  nearly, 
somewhat. 

Sub-Orders,  44- 

Subulate  (Lat.  sulula,  a  shoe- 
maker's awl),  awl-shaped. 

Superior,  higher,  applied  to  indusia 
that  are  attached  above  the  sorus  as 

in  Dryo/'ttris. 

Synonymy,  43- 


Taenitis,  88;  also  6,  13,  76. 

Ternate  (Lat.    term',    three    each),    ! 

branching  into  three  nearly  equal  di-    j 


Tertiary  Age,  Pteridophytes  of, 
66. 

Thallophy  tes  (Gr.  doXAo?,  a  young 
shoot,  and  ^vrdf.  a  plant),  a  group  of 
plants  including  the  lichens,  fungi, 
and  algae,  50. 

Thalloid  (Gr.  0oAA6«,  a  young  shoot, 
and  elfios,  form),  having  the  form  of  a 
thai  1  us.  i.e.,  no  leafy  axis. 

Thalloid  Phase,  19. 

Tissues,  24. 

Tissue  Systems,  25. 

TomentOSe  (Lat.  tomentum,  a 
stuffing  of  wool),  covered  with  mat- 
ted woolly  hairs. 

Tomentum  (Lat.  a  stuffing  of 
wool),  the  dense  matted  woolly  hair 
found  on  some  ferns  as  many  species 
of  Cheilanthes. 

Tri-  (Lat.  iris,  three),  (as  a  prefix) 
three,  thrice. 

Tribes,  44. 

Trichomanes,  122;  also  6,  11,17, 

79- 
Trichomes  (Gr.  0ptf.  hair),  hairs, 

variously  modified  as  scales,  indusia, 

sporangia,  etc.,  produced    from    the 

epidermal  cells,  26. 
Triquetrous      (Lat.     triquetrui), 

three-angled. 
Truncate   (Lat.    truncare,    to    cut 

short),  cut  off  abruptly. 
Tufted,  growing  in  clusters. 

U 
Undulate    (Lat.    undula,    a    little 

wave),  wavy-margined. 
Uredineae,  51.— Literature  of,  58. 


Vallecuia  (plu.  vallecula),  the 
grooves  on  the  stems  of  Equisetum. 

Variation  among  species,  2. 

Varieties,  44- 

Vascular  (Lat.  vasculum,  diminu- 
tive of  z-as,  a  vessel),  containing  ves- 
sels, as  ducts,  etc. 

Velum  (Lat.  a  curtain),  the  membra- 
nous margin  of  the  fovea  in  Isoetes. 

Venation  (Lat.  vena,  a  vein),  the 
veining  of  the  frond.  10. 


56 


GLOSSARY  AND  INDEX. 


Vernation  (Lat.  ver,  spring),  the 
arrangement  of  the  leaves  or  fronds 
in  the  bud,  29. 

Vittaria,  89;  also  6, 13,  76. 

Vittarieae,  76. 

W 

Wai  king- leaf.  Vide  Camp- 
tosorus. 


Water-fern.    Vide  Marsilia. 
Wood-fern.  ^/rf^Dryopteris. 
Woodsia,  119  ;  also  6,  ii,  17,  43,  79. 

Woodwardia,  102;  also  2,  5,  10, 

*5,  68,  77. 


Zygrophyta  (Gr.  fryov,  a  yoke,  and 
,  a  plant). 


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2 


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