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DRYOPTER1S SIMULATA DAV.

Fig. i. Sterile frond. Fig. 2. A fruiting pinna.

Fig. 3. A pinnule slightly magnified to show venation*

the

FER/NS

AND

PERM ALLI ES

OF /NEW E/N G LAND.

BY *

EAYNAL DODGE.

BINGHAMTON, N. Y.

Willard n. clute & co.
1696.

QKSAS.S'

,jv s s

Copyright, iSgp, by Willard N. Clute, Binghamton, N. Y.

PREFACE

B

0 those fond of nature, and desirous of intimate acquaint-

ance with a part of her manifold works, the study of

Ferns commends itself in an alluring way. The variety in
form and beauty of the living plants invite the attention, whilst
their scarcely less attractive appearance when preserved render a
collection of the species of any locality an object of interest.

The cultivation of our native ferns is an added attraction,
many of them thriving under ordinary conditions of soil, shade
and moisture, whilst most of the others can be grown with a little
attention to soil and drainage A few do best in Wardian cases.
The Ferns and Fern Allies, Vascular Cryptogams, Vascular Acro-
gens, or Pteridophyta, as they are variously termed, comprise in
New England eighty-two species, distributed as follows : Filices,
45 ; Ophioglossacem, 7 ; Equisetacem, 8 ; Lycopodiaceee, 9 ; Selaginel-
laceae, 3 ; Marsiliacem, 1 ; Salviniacem, 1 ; Isoetacem, 8 If with
these are included their well marked varieties, the total number
would be about one hundred.

Many of these species are peculiar to certain districts. 8omo
are found in New England only on the mountains and higher land
of our northern sections ; two at least. Woodsia alpina and A&pleni-
um viride, having been noticed only in Vermont, whilst two others,
Asplenium montanum and Aspleninm ebenoides are lot known within
our limits excepting from Connecticut. The calcareous district west
of the Connecticut river is the home of several species rarely found
on its eastern side, and several others are nearly confined to the
vicinity of the Atlantic seaboard. In like manner Marsilea quadri-
folia is native only to a lake near Litchfield, Conn., and Isoetes
Tuckermani has scarcely been found but in ponds in the vicinity of
Boston.

V]

The larger part of our true Ferns require shade and much
moisture, but a few, as Woodsia Ilvensis, will thrive on hillsides
exposed to full sunlight. Dryopleris fragrans and apparently As-
plenium montanum, grow under shelving ledges, getting their
moisture from the atmosphere, and several of our evergreen ferns
are found in quite dry but shaded situations. Ferns, although
thriving in damp situations, are seldom found growing in water,
but Osmunda regalis is occasionally seen flourishing in the bed of a
brook, and one of our species, Asplenium filix-fcemina, seems capa-
ble of adapting itself to almost any environment. In the family
Ophioglossaceae, Ophioglossumvulgatum, Botrychium simplex a,nd\Bo-
trychium ternatum, thrive best in the open sun. In Lycopodiacere
all grow in the shade, but Lycopodium inundatum. Nearly all the
Equisetacfem and all the Isoetacea?, require abundance of both sun
and water, indeed, two species of Isoetes, I. lacustris and I Tuck-
ermani, are usually submerged to the depth of several feet.

There is much difference in the dimensions attained by our
native ferns, Onoclea Struthiopteris under favorable circumstances
reaching the height of eight or ten feet, while the fronds of the
little Asplenium ruta-muraria are only one or two inches long.

In the following pages an attempt has been made to furnish
students and collectors with a ready means of identifying the spe-
cies and varieties of the ferns and their allies native to the New
England states, to give their natural surroundings, and in the case
of the more uncommon species, their stations ; and particularly to
give as accurately as possible the proper time for their collection,
which latter has possibly never before been attempted. To this
end every available source of information has been utilized, includ-
ing Underwood’s “Our Native Ferns,” Gray’s Manual, Hooker’s
•‘Synopsis Filicum,” Wood’s “Botanist and Florist, ’’Eaton’s “Ferns
of North America,” and the many local lists which have been
published. Much has been gleaned from an extensive correspond-
ence with collectors, and much as regards the chronological list
from the author’s personal observations. Although prepared for

vii

the northeastern sections of our country, it is to be borne in mind
that there are very few plants in this list which do not occur in the
Middle states ; in fact there are only twenty-five others in the whole
Gray’s Manual range.

It is hoped that the remarks on the literature of our subject
will render this little book suggestive to beginners for whom this
work is mainly intended, although perhaps even the life-long stu-
dent may glean something from its pages.

The term frond as applied to ferns, is often used both by bo-
tanical writers and in ordinary conversation, to include both stalk
and leafy portion, At other times it is evidently the leafy part
alone which is referred to. As it is very desirable that the term
should not be thus loosely applied, the frond is here considered to
comprise both stipe and blade, the blade being dlstinguised by the
term lamina, first used in this sense we believe by Mr. George E.
Davenport.

The arrangement of orders and families, and also the species
numbers here given, are the same as in the “ The Pteridophyta of
North America North of Mexico,” or No. 9 of the Linnxin FernBul-
letin .”

The accented syllable of all generic and specific names occur-
ring in the succeeding pages has been designated, the grave ac-
cent v denoting the full long sound of the vowel and the acute ac-
cent ' the short sound. The Italian method of Latin pronunci-
ation has not been generally introduced into botanical nomencla-
ture, although it has been in use in the schools of some sections of
the country for many years. There are consequently in common
use two methods of pronouncing Greek and Latin words. The fol-
lowing rules are given with a view of making more familiar the
older, and in biology the method generally accepted among Eng-
lish speaking people. A word has as many syllables as it has
vowels and dipthongs; but in the construction of words derived
from personal names, the name is given a Latin termination, the
pronunciation remaining otherwise unchanged, as in Eatoni. A at

viii

the end of a word, is like a in father \ as in bulbifera. I at the end
of a word is like i in mile ; as in Tuckermani. U unaccented," like
u in tun ; as the first u in atro-purpurea; u accented like u in tune ;
as the second u in atro-purpurea; ce and oe are dipthongs and are
pronounced as the long e would be inEuglish in the same situation ;
au as in fraud, but in words derivedzf.rom'Germahio'proper<na/m!es
like ou in house, as in Braunfi;- eulikvu'in tune; as in platyneuron ».
oi as in boil; as ebznoidzs.' C, before e, i, y, and the dipthongs ce
and oe, has its hissing sound, in other situations it is pronounced
like k, as in Cystopteria, complantum, saQcbarata. G bcTor^e^ i; y,
cb andoe, has the sound of j; as m margirmle; otherwise it has the
sound of g in go; as in hexagonoptera . Ch has always the sound of
k; as in Botrychium P is silent in Pteris, but is sounded in its com-
pounds, as in Dryopteris, Thelypteris. All other vowels, conso-
nants and their combinations are pronounced nearly as in English.

I am indebted to correspondents from all over New England
for specimens and information. Many of their names arex. given
in the text. I would especially mention Mr. Alvab. A., Eatpp to
whom I owe many thanks for valuable fBSsistance in the prepara-
tion of these pages. Eaynal Dodge.

Newbury port, Mass., : ; r- r t i

Nov. 1896.

FAMILY I, FILICES Juss.

FLOWEBLESS plants, circinate in vernation ; leaves usually
much divided, raised on a stalk, some or many of them
bearing on the under surface or along the margins of the
divisions, small spore cases (sporangia), which are often collected
in clusters (sori) and contain very many minute spores, all of one
kind ; fertile fronds, or their fertile portions, sometimes much con-
tracted and changed in appearance, causing the sporangia to ap-
pear as if in panicles or spikes. In the following descriptions, the
frond is considered to include both leaf and §talk, and the leafy
portion to be the lamina ; the stipe is the portion of the frond be-
tween the rootstalk and the lamina, an(j the rachis its continua-
tion through it.

Sub=Family i, PoSypodiacese Presl.

Sori, either on the dorsal side of the lamina collected in clusters
or forming lines along the edge of its divisions. Sporangia
surrounded by vertical, elastic rings, bursting tranversely
and scattering the spores.

Tribe IT, POLYPODIES.

Kepresented by a single genus, and with us by a single species.

POLYPODIUM L.

V

2. P. vulgare L. Polypody. Fronds 4-12 inches long ; lam-
ime 1-3 inches wide, nearly pinnate ; sori collected in large, brown-
isn-yellow dots, with no indusia. Evergreen. Aug -Dec. Every-
where common on cliffs and rocks, usually in half shade. Europe,
Japan, etc.

2

Illustrated by Meehan, Series i, Vol. 2, and in Gray’s Manual.

Var. Cambricum is a form in which the lamina instead of being
lobed is pinnate, the pinnae broad and overlapping, and themselves
toothed and lobed. Seldom fertile.

Illustrated by Anne Pratt, and in Eaton’s Ferns of N A.

Tribe V, PTERIDEvT:.

Fructification marginal or intra-marginal, the reflexed margins of
the segments of the lamina serving as indusia. In our re-
gion are included three genera, with four species.

ADIANTUM L.

36. A. pedatum L. Maiden Hair. Fronds 8-24 in. high,
forked at the top of the black, shining stalk, the divisions once to
thrice pinnate : ultimate segments very numerous, triangular ob-
long ; sori roundish, beneath the membranaceous inwardly turned
margins of the ultimate segments. Moist woods and shaded hill-
sides. Generally distributed, but in most sections not common.
North America generally, northern India and Japan. Aug.-Oct.

Illustrated in Graj^’s Manual.

PTERIS L.

41. P aquilina L. Common Brake. 1-6 feet high; frond
ternate, the divisions twice pinnate ; sori forming a continuous line
along the margin of the oblong-lanceolate ultimate divisions. Well
drained soil, usually in half shade. Common throughout New Eng-
land, and distributed throughout the world. September.

Illustrated in Gray’s Manual.

A form of this fern occurs in which the frond is several times
pinnate, but not ternate.

PELLiEA Link

67. P. gracilis (Michx ) Hook. Slender Cliff Brake. Stipes
brown and shining, 2-3 inches long : laminae smooth and delicate,

3

2-5 inches long ; fronds dimorphous, twice or thrice pinnate. Ulti-
mate divisions of the sterile frond broad and blunt, of the fertile
frond narrow and lanceolate ; sori finally forming a continuous line
covered by the broad, membranaceous, reflexed margin of the fer-
tile segment. Damp and shaded calcareous rock#. Rare. The
known New England* stations of this fern are nearly all in Vermont :
Norwich, Dr. Edward Hyde ; Mt. Willoughby, Mt. Mansfield; Sun-
derland, Mass , Prof. Tuckerman; A. T. Beals.

May be expected in the western portions of Mass, and Conn.,
and in Northern N. H. Grows in the Himalaya mountains, and a
nearly allied form is found in Europe. Middle of July.

Illustrated in Gray’s Manual.

68. P. atropurpurea (L. ) Link. Dakk Purple Cliff Brake.
Stipes dark purple and shining, 2 6 inches long ; laminae 4-12 inch-
es long, coriaceous, pinnate or below bipinnate ; divisions very va-
riable in form ; sporangia forming a continuous marginal line, cov-
ered by the slightly altered involute edge of the ultimate segments.
Dry calcareous rocks. Mt. Horr ; Snake mountain, Weybridge,
Vt , Eggleston. Deerfield, Leverett and Greenfield, Mass., and not
rare in western Conn. Late in July.

Both species of Pellaea are apparantlv confined to that portion
of New England west of the Connecticut river. North American.

Illustrated by Meehan, Series n, Vol. 2.

Tribe VH, BLECHNEydE.

Sori dorsal, linear, on veins parallel to the midveins of the ulti-
mate divisions of the frond, and furnished with special in-
dusia opening on the inner side. In our section one ge-
nus, with two species.

WOODWARDIA J E. Smith

85. W. Virginica (L ) Smith Chain Fern. Fronds 2-4
feet long ; laminae glabrous, lanceolate, once pinnate, with remote
pinnatifid pinnae ; sori at length confluent ; sterile and fertile

4

fronds similar, resembling those of Osmunda cinnamomea. Wet
swamps and borders of ponds ; rare in the interior. Colchester,
Yt. ; Belchertown, Mass. ; West Granby, Conn. ; becoming quite
common near the coast. Often sterile, especially in dense shade.
North American^and mainly on the Atlantic seaboard.

Illustrated by Meehan, Series n, Vol. 2 #

86. W. areolata (L.) Moore. (W. angustifolia.) Fronds di-
morphous, the sterile pinnatifld, with broad serrate divisions- and
green stipes, the fertile nearly pinnate with narrow divisions near-
ly covered beneath with the linear sori ; stipes of the fertile fronds
dark brown and shining ; sterile frond resembling that of Onoclea
sensfbilis, but its veins are reticulated. Hadley and Deerfield,
Mass. ; East Haddam, Conn. ; becoming more common near the
coast, but much less so than the preceding species. Same range.
Late in September.

Provokingly sterile at some stations. Both species of Woodr
wardia fruit when transplanted into half shade.

Illustrated by Meehan, Series n, Yol. 1.

Tribe VIII, ASPLENIEyE.

Sori dorsal, linear, on veins oblique to the mid-vein, and furnish-
ed with special indusi# which are attached on one side to the
fertile vein and open on the other. With us two genera, one
with nine species and one with a single species.

ASPLENIUM L.

Sori on the upper side or rarely on both sides of the veinlet ; veins
free.

89. A. ebenoides R. B. Scott. “Fronds 4-9 in. long, broadly
lanceolate, pinnatifld, pinnate below, the apex prolonged and
slender ; divisions lanceolate from a broad base, the lower ones
shorter, often proliferous, as is the apex of the frond ; stipes lus-
trous black, as is the lower part of the midrib, especially beneath.”
— Prof. D C. Eaton.

Fronds usually more or less abortive, Probably a hybrid be-

tween Camjjtosorus rliizophyllus, the Walking fern, ancl Aspl&n/ium
platf/neuron, the Ebony spleenwort, and to be expected to occur
sparingly where these ferns grow in proximity. Some of those
who have access to living plants of this species should test the fer-
tility of its spores. Distributed throughout the United States east
of the Mississippi river, but very rare in New England. One or two
plants have been found near Canaan, Conn., Adam. August.

Illustrated in Eaton’slFerns of N. A., Yol. 1, and »by Meehan,
Series n, Vol. 1.

90. A. platy neuron (L.) Oakes ( A. ebeneum.) Ebony
Spleenwort. Fronds 5-20 inches long, erect; laminae once pin-
nate ; pinnae mostly alternate, lanceolate, £-1 inch long, auricled
at the base ; stipe and rachis lustrous brown Dry rocky soil, often
in company with Red Cedar (Juniperus Virginiana ) Common.
Middle of August. North America east of the Mississippi.

Illustrated by Meehan, Series 1, Yol. 1.

93. A. Trichomanes L. Maidenhair Spleenwort. Tuft-
ed. Fronds numerous, 3-6 inches long, spreading, simply pinnate ;
pinnae mostly opposite, roundish and small ; stipe and rachis lus-
trous black. Evergreen. Shaded ledges,. ^either calcareous or
granitic. Rather frequent, but becoming rare in the neighborhood
of large cities. Middle of August. Distributed throughout the
world .

Illustrated by Meehan, Series 1, Yol 2.

94. A. Trichomanes incisum. Laminae broader; pinnae
sometimes much incised. Norwich, Vt , Prof. Jessup • Brattle-
boro, Vt.

A. Trichomanes under cultivation often takes on incisecf pinnae
sometimes to a very marked degree, perhaps caused by growth in
a stronger light, as is the case- with variety incisa of the common
Christmas fern. It may be expected perhaps in localities where
this fern is abundant and its shade has been removed by the wood-
cutters. Fine plants of this variety occur on the Pacific coast. It
is also native to Great Britain

6

Illustrated in Anne Pratt’s “ Ferns and Flowering Plants of
Great Britain.”

96. A. viride Huds. Green Spleenwort. Stipes tufted,
chestnut brown ; fronds 4-10 inches long, simply pinnate; pinnm
ovate or rhomboidal, crenately toothed, Evergreen. Shaded cliffs
in Northern Yt. ; Sterling Mt , Mt. Mansfield, Smuggler’s Notch,
and extending across our northern border "to the Pacific. Pare.
Middle of September. Europe and Himalaya mountains.

V

99. A. angustifolium Michx. Narrow-leaved Spleenwort.
Fronds 1-3 feet long ; laminae simply pinnate, very thin ; pinnae
lance-iinear and acuminate, those of the fertile fronds narrower ;
sori 20-40 each side of the midvein ; stipes green Damp ground ;
not common and nearly confined to that section of country west of
the Connecticut river. Mt. Toby, Leverett, Mass. ; Berlin and
Meriden, Conn. ; Danville, Yt. September. North American

This fern is usually sterile when in complete shade, but will
fruit if transplanted into more sunny situations.

101. A. ruta=muraria L. Wall Rue. Yery small, 1-2| in ,
bipinnate below, simply pinnate above ; divisions few, petiolate,
cuneate to obvate, toothed at apex ; sori few, soon confluent. Ever,
green. Calcareous rocks. Mt. Toby, Mass. ; Southington, Berlin,
Canaan, Conn. ; Mt. Willoughby, Mt. Mansfield, and Snake moun-
tain, Vt Scarce. August. Northern Europe and Asia.

102. A. montanum Willd. Mountain Spleenwort. Small,
2-8 inches ; bipinnate ; divisions parted into 3-7 two or three-tootli-
ed segments. East Haddam and Lantern Hill, N. Stonington, Ct.
Very rare in our region. Peculiar to the United States. Cliffs and
rocks. Evergreen. Middle of August.

This fern appears to be in fair condition at all seasons.

107. A. acrostichoides Swz, ( A . thelypter aides Michx ) Sil-
very Spleenwort. Tall, 1-2 feet ; laminae pinnate ; pinnae deeply
pinnatifid ; segments crowded, those of sterile fronds very obtuse ;
two rows of distinct linear sori ; rachis winged. Rich woods and

7

moist sliady banks. Generally distributed, but not common, the
stations being usually small. Middle of August. Asia.

108. A. fiHx=foemina (L ) Bernh. Lady Fern. Usually tall,
6 inches to 5 feet ; laminae twice pinnate, pinnules lance-linear, in-
cised ; sori short, curved, finally confluent. August to October.
Throughout the world. Very variable, the following being the
most distinct native varieties :

a. Var. exile D. C. Eaton. Small, growing in very dry situa-
tions. Not common.

b. Var. angustum D. C. Eaton. Laminae narrow ; pinnae ob-
lique, ascending, at length confluent In dry situations fully ex-
posed to the sunlight.

c. Var cyclosorum Rupreclit. Fronds very large, often 4-5 feet
high, 18-20 inches broad, nearly tripinnate ; sori nearly annular.
Wet places in the open sun.

CAMPTOSORUS Link.

Sori oblong or linear, partly on veins paralled to the midvein, and
partly on oblique veins, causing them to appear irregularly
scattered.

no. C. rhizophyllus (L.) Link Walking Fern. Fronds
lanceolate, 6-12 inches long ; laminae usually auricled at the base,
and gradually tapering into a slender prolongation which often
roots at the point. Shaded calcareous rocks. Mt. Toby, Leverett,
Mass. ; Lebanon, N. H. ; Shapleigli, Me. ; and not rare in Western
New England. Forked fronds of this species are occasionally found
with a little plant growing at each prolongation. August. North
America, principally east of the Mississippi.

Illustrated in Gray’s Manual, and by Meehan, Series n, Vol. 1.

Tribe IX, A.SPIDIE^.

Sori round or nearly so, on the back or rarely on the apex of a vein
and furnished with special indusia, (wanting in Phegopteris.)
With us, five genera, including twenty-four species.

PHEGOPTERIS Fee.

Sori round, rather small ; no indusium.

in. P. Phegopteris (L.) Underw. Beech Fern. Fronds
3-20 inches long ; laminae triangular, longer than broad, bipinnati-
lid ; pinnae linear-lanceolate, the lowermost pair standing forward ;
basal segments of each pinna adnate to the main rachis ; sori near
the margin. Damp woods and shaded banks. Abundant in nor-
thern, less so in southern sections. Early July. Around the world
between the 36th and 66th parallels, north latitude.

1 12. P. hexagonoptera (Miehx. ) Fee. Angled Polopody.
Fronds 5-20 inches long ; lamina* triangular, broader than long, bi-
pinnatifid ; pinnae lineai’rlanceolate, the lowermost pair very large,
standing forward and upward, with pinnatifid pinnules ; basal seg-
ments adnate to the main rachis, and connected, forming a many-
angled wing ; sori near the margin of the ultimate segments, some
between the sinus and midvein Plant growing in dryer situations
maturing later, and with more distant pinnae than in Phegopteris
Phegopteris. Fragrance powerful and peculiar. Generally distrib-
uted, but most common in R. I. and Conn. Latter part of August.
Occurs only in the U. S., principally east of the Mississippi river.

1 14. P. Dryopteris (L.) Fee. Oak Fern. Fronds ternate,
the three divisions stalked and bipinnate. Light green. Moist,
shaded banks. Common northward, less so in southern sections.
Easily preserved and very pretty June. Across Northern North
America and in Northern Europe and Asia.

DRYOPTERIS L. ( ASP1DIUM .) Shield Fern.

Sori dorsal ; indusia round and peltate, fixed by the center, or rcni-
form, and fixed by the sinus, opening all around the margin.

120. D. acrostichoides (Michx.) Kuntze. Christmas Fern.
Fronds thick, rigid and evergreen, 1-2| feet long, lanceolate, once
pinnate ; pinnae linear-lanceolate, scythe-shaped, auricledon the up-
per side and furnished with bristly teeth ; fertile pinnae contracted,
bearing soon confluent sori ; indusium orbicular, fixed by its de-

* 9

pressed center. Rocky woodsy Common and well known July.
Only in the United States, east of the Mississippi.

Illustrated by Meehan, Series i, Yol. 2.

a. Var. incisa is a form in which the pinnrn are much incised,
and in fertile fronds nearly all of them fruit bearing. Occasionally
the whole under surface of the lamina is covered with sori. Most
common in recent clearings.

127. D. aculeata Braunii (Spenner) Underw. Fronds thick,
rigid and evergreen, 1-2| feet long, spreading ; laminae lanceolate,
tapering both ways, bipinnate ; pinnules ovate to oblong, ttuncate,
almost rectangular at the base, covered beneath with chaff and
hairs ; indusium orbicular fixed by its depressed center ; stipe very
shaggy. Randolph and Williamston, Vt., Small. Gorham, N. H.
Deane. Common in Northern Maine, Fernald. August.

Frequent by mountain brooks in Northern New England. A
variety of the very variable D. aculeata which in one form or an-
other is represented all over the earth.

128. D. Noveboracensis (L.) Asa Gray. New York Fern.
Fronds 1-3 feet long, gradually tapering from the middle both
ways ; laminae once pinnate ; pinnae lanceolate, pinnatifid, the low
.ermost pairs gradually shorter and deflexed j veins simple ; sori
small ; indusia minute and glanduliferous. Very common in wood-
lands. Middle of August. North America, east of the Mississippi.

13 1. D. simulata Dav. Fronds 1-3^ feet long; laminae 7-22
inches long, 2-7 inches broad, oblong-lanceolate, gradually, or in
the fertile fronds abruptly narrowing to a long, acuminate apex ;
pinnae elliptic-lanceolate, sessile, deeply pinnatifid, the lowermost
wider and introrse ; pinnules only partially revdlute, but the whole
pinna often conduplicate ; venation simple ; indusia glandular ; sori
large ; spores bright brown ; bases of the stipes of previous years
persistent. In sunny situations much resembling var angustum of
A. filix-fcemina. Position and general form of lower pinme much
as Phegopteris Phegopteris, causing them to appear deflexed after
the frond has been subjected to pressure. Usually accompanies

10 .

Woodwardia cireolata. In Maine — Southport and Foxcroft, M. L.
Fernald ; Indian Point, Georgetown, G. E. Davenport. In N. H. —
Seabro.ok and Kingston. In Mass. — Salisbury, Newbury, Koxbury,
Lynn, etc. New London, Conn., C. B. Graves. Maryland, C. E.
Waters. “Woodland swamps, thriving best in deep shade, near
cool, moist hummocks in beds of sphagnum.” — Davenport. Sept.
Apparently confined to the vicinity of the Atlantic coast. A more
detailed account by Mr. Davenport is to be found in the Botanical
Gazette for Dec., 1894, whence much of this description is taken.

Illustrated in Linncean Fern Bulletin, Vol. iv, No. 3.

133. D. Thelypteris (L.) Asa Gray. Marsh Fern. Fronds
1-2 \ feet long ; laminae lanceolate, pinnate; pinnae linear-lanceo-
late, pinnatifid, the lowermost pair as long as any; margins of the
pinnules reflexed .over the sori ; veins forked ; indusium smooth;
spores very dark brown Plant with thicker and darker green fronds
thanD. simulata. Perfectly sterile in dee|) shade. Swampy fields ;
very common. August. Over most of the north temperate zone,
and in South Africa and New Zealand.

136. D. fragrans (L.) Schott. Fragrant Shield Fern.
Fronds 4-13 inches long ; laminae tapering both ways from the mid-
dle, once pinnate; pinnae linear-oblong, pinnatifid, the divisions
toothed or entire, nearly covered beneath by large, orbicular, rag-
ged indusia ; sori soon confluent ; stipe short and chaffy. Plant
aromatic and evergreen. High cliffs; mountains of Northern New
England. In Maine — Aroostook county, M. L. Fernald. Mt Kineo,
C. E. Smith. Andover, J. A Allen. Shelburne, N. H., Deane. Al-
pine cascade and gulch, White mountains, H. Willey . Mt. Mans-
field and Camel’s Hump, Yt. Middle of August. Asia and America.

Illustrated by Meehan, Series n, Yol. 1.

138. D. cristata (L.) A. Gray Crested Fern. Fronds 1-3
feet long ; laminae linear or lanceolate, once pinnate ; pinnae trian-
gular-oblong, or the lowest nearly triangular, deeply pinnatifid ;
segments 6-10 pairs, toothed and serrate ; a row of fruit dots each
side of the midvein, as near the midvein as margin ; indusium large

11

and persisetnt. Swamps. Common and very variable. July. Europe.

Illustrated by Meehan, Series n. Yol 3.

139. D. cristata Clintoniana (D. C. Eaton) Underw. Clin-
ton’s Ceested Feen. Fronds 2-4 feet long ; pinnae ablong-lanceo-
late, broadest at base or just above the base, 4- 6 inches long, its
divisions 8-16 pairs ; veins not conspicuous ; sori near the midvein ;
indusium orbicular, smooth ; sides of the sinus often overlapping.
Swampy woods. Rare in New England, attaining its best develop-
ment in western sections. Near Mt. Toby, Leverett, Mass., A. T.
Beals. Hanover, N. H, July. Fine for cultivation.

The eastern form is much smaller, with more traingular pin-
nae, fewer pinnules, and sori near the margin, and hardly corres-
ponds to Prof, Eaton’s description.

One pinna illustrated by Eaton, 11, Plate lxvi.

140. D. (ioldieana (Hook.) Asa Gray. Goldie’s Sheild
Feen. Fronds 2-4 feet long ; laminae broadly oval or ovate, once
pinnate ; pinnae 6-9 inches long, deeply pinnatifld ; divisions about
twenty pairs, slightly scythe-shaped, crenate and serrate ; sori very
near the midvein ; indusium very larg^ orbicular, with a narrow
sinus, its sides overlapping. Fairfield, Me., J. A. Allen. Spencer,
Mass., Miss A. E. Tucker. Mt. Toby, and frequent west of the
Connecticut river. Damp, rich woods in calcareous districts. July.
Canada to Kentucky.

V

142. D. marginalis (L.) Asa Gray. Maeginal Shield Feen.
Fronds 1-3 feet long ; laminae thick, smooth, ovate-oblong, twice
pinnate, the lower pinnae pinnatifld toothed ; pinnae lanceolate,
acuminate, broadest ju^ above the base ; sori very near the mar-
gin of the obtuse or obtuse-falcate segments ; base of the stipe be-
set with scales. Common on rocky shaded hillsides. North Amer-
ica, extending from Canada to Alabama, and northwestward to the
Rocky mountains. July.

In dry situations this fern sometimes matures its fruit when
only three inches in height.

V V

D. cristata* marginalis Dav. Fertile fronds in a crown. 1-2^
feet long ; laminae elliptic-lanceolate, long acuminate, often mis-
shapen ; sterile fronds proportionately longer than in D. cristata ;
pinnae deeply veined, long acuminate, those of the sterile fronds
rumpled ; lower pinnae as in D. cristata, upper as in D. marginalis ;
sori small, near the margin, often abortive. Usually at the foot
of declivities with D. marginalis above it, and D. cristata in the bor-
dering swamp. Often found growing in clumps. Boxford, New-
bury, Merrimac and Medford, Mass. ; Hampton Falls, N. H. ; War-
ren, R. I., Dover, Me., M. L. Fernald ; and probably infrequent
throughout our range. Middle of July. See Mr. G. E. Davenport
in Botanical Gazette, December, 1894.

V

144. D. spinulosa (L.) Kuntze. Spiny Shield Fern.
Fronds 1-2| feet long ; laminm bipinnate, ovate, acuminate ; pinnae
elongated, triangular, oblique to the rachis, the lower-most broad-
ly triangular ; pinnules oblique to the midrib, their segments with
spinulose teeth ; stipe, with a few pale brown, early deciduous
scales ; indusia without marginal glands ; soon withering. This
is the typical form, var. vulgare Eaton, and is common in damp
woods, at least near the coast. June. Europe.

In some situations matured plants are found 3-5 inches high,
answering to var. dumetorum.

Illustrated by Anne Pratt.

V V

145. D. spinulosa intermedia Willd. Laminae broader than
in typical plant, often tripinnate ; pinnae nearly at right angles with
rachis ; pinnules more crowded and finely dissected, the next but
one to the rachis often longest, especiall^on lowermost pinnae ; ul-
timate segments less spinulose ; indusia furnished with marginal
glands ; scales of the stipe brown with a darker center. North
American. Late in June, and scattering through the summer.

The lower pinnae of this variety are sometimes much dilated,
the pinnules next the rachis reaching the length of four inches,
corresponding to the dilated form of the typical plant.

V V 13

146. D. spinulosa di!atata Hoffm. This is a more highly-
developed form of the typical plant, the lower pinnae at times be-
ing very broad and fronds often tripinnate ; indusiiim smooth. At-
tains its best development in the northern sections. June. Europe.

V

147. D. Boottii (Tuck.) Underw. Fronds 1-2 J feet long
Laminae ovate-lanceolate, bipinnate ; upper pinnae lanceolate, the
lower triangular, both with crenate, spinulose teeth. Sori in rows
each side of the midvein, one to each tooth or scattering on the
pinnules next the rachis, indusium large, minutely glandular.
Variable. Frequent in shaded swamps, apparently most so in
eastern sections. North American. July.

CYSTOPTERIS Bernh Bladder Fern.

Sori dorsal, roundish ; indusia hood-shaped, fixed by a broad base,
opening towards front side and soon thrown off.

1 5 1 . C. bulbifera (L.) Bernh. Bulbous Bladder fern. Fronds
long lanceolate, 1-2 feet, bipinnate ; pinnae lanceolate-oblong, low-
ermost pair longest ; pinnules crowded, bearing bulblets beneath ;
indusium obtuse on the free end ; stipe short ; rachis wingless.
Shaded ravines in calcareous districts. Mt Toby, Mass. ; Guilford,
Conn. ; Mt Willoughby, Vt. West of the Connecticut river, and in
Northern N. H. and Northern Me. North America, east of Arkan-
sas and north of Tennesee Late in July.

t 152. C. fragilis (L.) Bernh. Fragile Bladder Fern. Fronds
5-12 inches long ; laminae lance-oblong, bi-tripinnate ; stipe longer
than in the preceding species and very brittle ; rachis winged ; in-
dusium acute on front side. Very variable. Damp shaded places,
usually disappearing in August. Common, but easily overlooked.
Early July. One of the most universally distributed ferns ; found
from Arctic regions to the southern extremities of the continent,
and in New Zealand.

ONOCLEA L.

Sori enclosed in the revolute segments of the contracted fertile
frond. Sterile fronds very different from the fertile.

154* O. sensibilis L. Sensitive Fern. Sterile fronds 6 inches
to 3 feet, scattered along a creeping rootstock. Laminre triangular-
ovate, deeply sinuate-pinnatifid, reticulate veined. Fertile fronds
bipinnate, much contracted, their revolute segments berry-like.
Sterile fronds throughout the summer ; fertile fronds middle of
September. Very sensitive to frost. Abundant in damp soil.
United States east of the Mississippi, and Japan.

Illustrated by Meehan, Series ii, Vol. 1.

a. Obtusilobata is an occasional form in which the normally
sterile frond has its segments revolute, enclosing a few usually
abortive sori. Fronds of this nature are usually quite small, and
are to be expected in situations where the fern has suffered an in-
jury, as by cropping early in the season, or where growing in very
dry situations. August.

155. O. Struthiopteris (L.) Hoffm. Ostrich Fern. Sterile
fronds 1-10 feet, in a crown ; laminre pinnate, the pinnae recurved
and deeply pinnatifid ; pinnae numerous, becoming gradually small-
er towards the channelled stipe. Fertile fronds 6-18 inches, con-
tracted, simply pinnate ; margins of the pinnae revolute into a
necklace form containing the sori, Along streams and in moist
places ; most common in western sections.

This fern when growing in dry situations, especially if the ster-
ile fronds have suffered injury, sometimes produces fronds anala-
gous to those of O. sensibilis obtusilobata. Sterile fronds through-
out the summer ; the fertile late in August. Northern Europe and
Asia.

WOODSIA R. Br.

Sori roundish ; indusium fixed beneath and enclosing the sori, soon
bursting and developing a hairy fringe, or in case of the last
species, splitting into irregular lobes. Four species in New
England.

156. W. Ilvensis (L.) R. Br. Rusty Polypod. Fronds 2-8
inches long ; laminae lanceolate, green above, very chaffy beneath

15

once pinnate ; pinnae crowded, pinnatifld ; pinnules nearly entire ;
stipe jointed at about one-half inch from the base. Not uncom-
mon on exposed rocks. Very variable in northern sections. Mid-
dle of August. Europe and Asia.

157. W. alpina (Bolt) S. F. Gray. (W. kyperborea. ) Fronds
2-6 inches long, laminae greensand nearly smooth on both sides,
pinnate ; the pinna? sparsely pinnately lobed ; stipe jointed. Moun-
tain ravines of northern Vermont ; Mt, Mansfiield ; Mt. Willoughby
Pringle. August. Europe.

Appears in Vermont plants to intergrade with the preceding.
Eggleston.

158. W. glabella E. Br. Smooth Woodsia Fronds 2-5 inch-
es long ; laminae linear, smooth, pinnate, the pinnae very obtuse
and few lobed ; lower pinnae remote ; stipe jointed. Mt. Willough-
by and Mt, Mansfield ; Bakersfield ledge, Vt., Pringle Gorham, N.
H., Deane. “On moist, mossy rocks, mountains of Northern New
England, etc.” — Prof. Eceton. Early August. Europe.

Illustrated in Gray’s Manual.

162. W. obtusa (Spring.) Torr. Obtuse Woodsia. Fronds
10-18 inches long ; laminae lance-oblong, bipinnate. nearly smooth ;
pinnae triangular ovate, obtuse, the lowermost pairs remote ; pin-
nules crowded, obtuse, incised, several sori to each division ; in-
dusium split into several lobes ; stipe not jointed. Not common,
especially in Ehode Island and eastern Massachusetts, and often
disappearing in August. North America July.

Illustrated by Meehan, Series n, Voi’ 1.

Tribe X, DICKSONLU).

DICKSONIA L’Her.

Indusium cup-shaped, adnate to the margin of the frond and en-
closing the receptacle bearing the sorns. In the United
States but one species,

163. D. punctilobula (Michx.) Asa Gray. Hay-Scented Fern.
Fronds 2-3 feet long ; laminre lanceolate, bipinnate ; pinme lanceo-
late, acute, pinnatifid ; lobes dentate ; one sorus on upper margin
of each lobe ; stipe purplish black at the base ; rachis hairy ; under
surface of laminae minutely glandular. V.ery common. North
American. Late in August. Fragrant when drying.

Illustrated in Gray’s Manual.

Sub=Family 3, Schizseacese Presl.

Sporangia sessile, having an articulated ring at the apex and open-
ing by a longitudinal slit. Includes in our section only one
species.

166. Lygodium palmatum (Bernh.) Swz. Climbing Fern.
Fronds slender, climbing, 3-6 feet long ; the lower pinnae roundish,
5-7 lobed, distant in pairs , the upper several times forked, their
ultimate divisions crowded and bearing the sporangia. North
Amherst and Uxbridge, Mass. ; Windsor, Conn. Scattered in smdll
patches throughout Massachusetts ; more common but local in
Connecticut. Thickets and low Avoods in half shade. North Amer-
can. September.

Illustrated in Gray’s Manual.

A little plant of this sub-family, Schizcea pusilla Pursh, which
has been found in Newfoundland, Nova* Scotia and New Jersey,
but not in the intervening territory, is to be expected in sandy
bogs along the New England coast.

169. S. pusilla Pursh. Sterile fronds 1-2 inches long, linear,
tortuous ; fertile, 3-6 inches, bearing on top a few small cimvded
pinme in two rows. Companion plants, Drosera and Lycopodium
inundatum.

For further account, with' illustrations, see Gray’s Manual,
Meehan’s “Ferns and Flowering Plants of North America,” Series
11, Yol. 1, Linncean Fern Bulletin, Yol. iv, No. 2, Underwood’s “Our
Native Ferns and Their Allies,” and Eaton, Yol. 2, Plate xxiv.

17

Sub=Family 4, Osmundaceae.

In the North Temperate zone but one genus, viz :

OSMUND A L.

Sporangia pedicelled, no ring, opening across the apex into two
valves. Fronds tall, from large crowns ; fruiting portion of
fertile frond much contracted ; spores green

170 O. regalis L Boyal Fern. Flowering Fern. Frond 1-6
feet high ; laminae bipinnate ; sterile pinnae with several or many
pairs of usually lance-oblong serrulate pinnules. Pinnules very
variable. Fruiting panicle terminal, often 12 inches long, brown,
sometimes quite leafy or even the whole upper half leafy. Com-
mon in swamps and damp places. Distributed throughout the
world.

V

17 s. O. Claytoniana L. Clayton’s Fern. Fronds 1-4 feet
high ; laminae once pinnate ; pinnae linear-lanceolate, pinnatifid ;
divisions oblong, obtuse. Fertile fronds taller than the sterile,
having 1-5 pairs of the intermediate pinnae contracted and bearing
sporangia ; fronds bluish-green. Pastures and thin woods ; not as
common as the next North American May.

172. O. cinnamomea L Cinnamon Fern. Sterile fronds 1-5
feet long, lamina1 pinnate ; pinnae lanceolate, pinnatifid ; divisions
oblong, obtuse Fertile fronds 6 inches to 2 feet long, contracted,
bearing above the cinnamon-colored sporangia, and clothed below
with cinnamon-colored wool; soon perishing, Very common in
pastures, swamps and low grounds. Late May. North and South
America and Japan.

Plants of all the species of Osmunda are found in some situa-
tions, fruiting when only five or six inches high.

18

Var. frondosci is an abnormal form in which th e fertile frond
takes on some of the characters of the sterile, such fronds being
furnished below with one or more pairs of foliaceous pinna?. Some
fronds of this sort are three feet or more long with 8 or 10 inches
of fertile pinnae and 10 or 12 pairs which are sterile.

Another form has several pairs or more of fertile pinnae below,
while the upper part is that of a normally sterile frond. Rarely we
find a normally sterile frond with two oi-three of the intermediate
pairs fertile, thus mimicking the fertile frond of O. Claytoniana.

These abnormal fronds of 0. cinnamomea occur most abundant-
ly on ground which has been burned over, the ferns continuing to
produce them for several years They are for the most part later
than the ordinary fertile fronds and should be looked for about the
10th of June.

LITERATURE.

A LARGE number of books relating to ferns have been pub
lished, some of them very expensive. To the beginner, who
wishes for illustrations, and books easily accessible, can be
recommended “A Fern Book for Everybody,” by M. C. Cooke, (Eng-
lish,) ; and Edward Knobel’s “The Ferns and Evergreens of New
England.” The latter contains outline figures of the more common
species in Filices, Ophioglossacese and Lycopodiaceae, including,
however, a few which are probably not within the limits assigned.
To these may be added Prof. Eaton’s ferns of the Northern Unit-
ed States in the 6th edition of Gray’s Manual, and Prof. Under-
wood’s /£Our Native Ferns and Their Allies,” the latter giving de-
scription of all the American species of Pteridophy ta north of Mex-
ico. Prof. Eaton’s “Ferns of North America” contains colored

19

illustrations of nearly all the North American species in Filices,
ancl is a work much to be desired by the fern student, but is some-
what expensive and nearly out of print.

The recently published Vol. i of Britton & Brown’s “Illustrat-
ed Flora of the Northern United States and Canada, Westward to
the 102d Meridian,” contains outline drawings of all known species
in Filices within the given limits. Meehan’s “Flowers and Ferns
of the United States,” of which only four volumes were published,
contains fine illustrations of many species, those of such as occur
within our limits being noted in the preceding text.

Those species of our Pteridoplivta which are also native to
Great Britain, and they are many, will be found illustrated in Anne
Pratt’s “Flowering Plants and Ferns of Great Britain” ; “English
Botany,” Hooker’s “British Ferns,” and Newman’s “British
Ferns.”

The ferns of the world, or such as were recognized in 1874,
will be found described in Hooker & Baker’s “Synopsis Filicum,”
and continued in Baker’s “Summary of New Ferns,” (1892.)

Those interested in fern culture will find much of interest in
Kobinson’s ‘‘Ferns in Their Homes and Ours,” and in Shirley Hib-
berd’s “Fern Culture Made Easy,” also in a series of articles by
Robert T. Jackson in Garden and Forest, (Aug. and Sept , 1888.)

A useful book for those interested in microscopical investiga-
tions and in the study of the minute organization of this group is
Campbell’s recently published “Structure and Development of the
Mosses and Ferns.”

FAMILY II, OPH IOQLOSSACE/E Lind

PLANTS near allies of the ferns, but consisting of a, stem with
a single leaf In Opliioglossum the leaf or sterile segment is
entire, the veins are reticulated, and the sporangia in a
simple spike. In Botrychium the sterile segment is more or less
incised, the veins free, and the fructification in a panicle, or com-
pound, or rarely simple spike.

QPHIOGLOSSUM L.

V

173. O. vulgatum L. Adders Tongue Stem simple, 2-11
inches high, bearing one smooth, entire leaf and a terminal spike.
Usually in meadows in moist, not boggy, places, scattered among
the grass, etc. Overlooked rather than rare

“A nearly constant companion plant in eastern Massachusetts
is Habenaria lacera .” — A A. Eaton. This orchid is quite conspic-
uous when in bloom, and O. vulgatum may be expected in its vicin-
ity. Througnout the New England states, and nearly cosmopoli-
tan. Middle of July.

Illustrated in Gray’s Manual, and by Knobel.

BOTRYCHIUM Swartz, Grape Fern.

•

177. B. simplex E. Hitchcock. Frond 1-3 inches high, rare-
ly higher ; sterile segment near the middle, entire or with few
lobes ; fertile segment simple, or once or twice pinnate ; apex of
both segments erect in the bud. Dry fields. “Abundantly scat-
tered over Vermont, its habitat usually poor soil, especially knolls

21

of hill pastures.” — Pringle. Conway and Plainfield, Mass., Berlin
and Litchfield, Conn. Less common apparently near the coast, or
perhaps overlooked, especially as it matures quite early. End of
May. Northern portions of both Europe and America.

The vernation of all the species of Bolrychium native to New
England is illustrated in Underwood’s “Our Native Ferns and
their Allies.”

178. B. Lunaria (L.) Swartz. Moonwort. Stem stout, 3-10
inches high ; sterile segment sessile with fan-shaped or lunate di-
visions ; fertile segment about equalling the sterile ; panicle twice
or thrice pinnate ; apex of sterile segment bent over the fertile seg-
ment in vernation ; plant fleshy Old pastures and similar situa-
tions. Piare in the United States, common in Europe and North-
ern Asia. In Connecticut — Oxford, Oscar Harge r; West Cornwall,
Dr. F. W. Hal'. Woodstock, Me., J. C. Purlin. Middle of July.

Illustrated by Eaton. Anne Pratt and Underwood.

180 B. matricarmfolium A. Braun. Frond 1-12 inches high ;
sterile segment above the middle, usually much divided ; fertile seg-
ment twice or thrice pinnate ; apex of both segments turned down
in the bud the sterile segment clasping and overtopping the fertile
one. Damp woodlands ; stations sometimes quite large, B. Vir-
gin ianum being a frequent companion plant. Throughout our re-
gion, but not common. Middle of June. Europe.

V

1 8 1 . B. ternatum (Tliunb.) Swartz. Frond 2-16 inches high ;
leaf or sterile segment long petioled ; petiole from near the base of
the plant ; fertile segment long-stalked, 2-4 pinnate, maturing its
fruit in autumn Ultimate divisions of the sterile segment varying
much in form, giving rise to several named varieties, of which the
following are found in our region :

a. Yar. intermedium ; ultimate divisions rhomboid-ovate, with
toothed margins Frequent, usually in half shade.

b. Yar. rutcefolium ; sterile segment small; ultimate divisions

22

ovate and semi-cordate. Southern N. H„ A. A. Eaton; frequent
along our northern border.

c. Var. obliquum; sterile segments having ultimate divisions
obliquely lanceolate.

d. Var. dissectum; ultimate divisions dissected into numerous
narrow divisions.

In New England, varieties c and d of this variable species are
abundant, in pastures and on hillsides, fruiting best in sunny sit-
uations, and one or more varieties are native to nearly every part
of the earth.

As all the Botrychiums are perennial, surviving many years,
the plants reach their best development along walls and similar
situations, being there more protected from injury. Plants are
sometimes found with two or even three fertile segments and oc-
casionally with two sterile segments. Middle of September.

Illustrated in Gray’s Manual, and varieties in Eaton’s Ferns.

182. B. lanceolatum (Gmel ) Angs. Frond 2-10 inches high ;
both sterile and fertile segments sessile at the top. of the common
stalk : sterile segment not at all fleshy, triangular, ternately pin-
natifid, like a reduced sterile segment of B. Virginianum. Damp
shaded soil, especially near brooks. Not common, but yet proba-
bly often overlooked

This species grows in damper situations than B. matricarwfo-
lium and is to be looked for in low ground, especially when B. Vir-
ginianum is near at hand. Often found in the shade of the tall
form of Onoclea sensibilis.

V

183. B. Virginianum (L.) Swartz. Eattlesnake Fekn Ster-
ile segment triangular, ternate, membranaceous, much divided,
sessile at the center of the frond ; fertile segment decompound.
Plant commencing to fruit when but a few inches high, but sur-
viving many years, reaching at times the height of 30 inches, occa-
sionally with a double panicle. Not rare in rich woods. Late June.
North America generally, Norway, Himalaya Mts., Australia.

Illustrated by Meehan, Series n, Vol. 1.

23

LITERATURE.

All the species iii Ophioglossaceee within our limits are figured
in Eaton's “Ferns of North America,” and outline drawings of
most are contained in Knobel’s “Ferns and Evergreens of New
England.”

FAMILY III, EQUISETACE/E DC.

RUSH-LIKE plants, often branched, with grooved and jointed
stems, the joints sheathed. Fruit a terminal spike ; spores
all alike, furnished with four club-shaped filaments, (ela-
ters), which curl around them spirally when moistened, but uncoil
quickly when dry.

EQUISETUM L.

/

184. E. arvense (L.) Common Horsetail. Stems of two
kinds ; the fertile 5-10 inches high, rather stout, pale brown, sel-
dom branched, with loose and distant sheaths, soon perishing ;
spike |-2 inches in length ; sterile stems later, more slender, us-
ually caudate, with copious four-angled branches. Common every-
where, especially in gravelly soil. Late April and early May.
North temperate zone of both hemispheres.

Figured in Wood’s “Botanist and Florist.”

24

Var. campestre Schultz, is a state in which the stem has both
fruit and branches, the fertile stem sometimes having a few
branches at the base, or, which is the more striking form, the
branched normally sterile stem having a spike of fruit which is oc-
casionally fertile. The latter form is most usual in sandy situa-
tions, several hundred plants having been collected on a half acre
of ground. Last two weeks in May. Europe.

187. E. silvaticum L. Woodland Horsetail. Sterile and
fertile stems nearly alike, 8-16 inches high, furnished with very
slender compound, recurved branches ; stem about 12-furrowed ;
branchlets three-toothed. Common along the borders of damp
woods; nearly sterile in deep shade. “The prettiest plant in exist-
ence.”— Shirley Hibbercl. Middle of May. Northern portions of
the north temperate zone.

Illustrated in Underwood’s “Our Native Ferns.”

188. E. palustre L. Marsh Horsetail. Stems ail alike,
1-3 feet high, sparsely branched, with about seven deep stria4, and
sheaths with about as many white-margined teeth ; branches most-
ly five-toothed. Marshes. Knight’s Island, Lake Champlain,
Ezra Brainerd. Shore of Lake Champlain, Pringle; A. J. Grout.
Abundant on the margins of St Johns river from the Aroostook
northward, M. L. Fernald. Apparently confined to calcareous dis-
tricts. Northern part of the north temperate zone. Early in June.

V

189. E. litorale Kulilewein. Stems of three kinds: 1 The
normally sterile, 1-3 feet high, long caudate, often much
branched. 2 — Stems, often numerous, somewhat shorter, and
bearing small abortive spikelets. 3 — Stems 6 — 12 inches high,
Avhich are stouter and bear larger spikes with spores often perfect.
Stems 6-16 grooved ; sheaths loose, uppermost on fertile stems
bell-shaped ; branches of two kinds, the four-angled hollow, the
three-angled solid ' This plant is very variable and in eastern
Massachusetts at least seems to intergrade between E. arvense and

25

E. jluviatile. Reported only from Maine, M. L. Fernuld ; shores of
Lake Champlain, Pringle, and shores of Merrimac river at Ames-
bury, Mass , but probably frequent on sandy shores throughout
our range. Early June. Common in Europe

190. E. fluviatile L. ( E . limosum.) Pipes. Stems all alike,
1-3 feet high, slightly many-grooved, and after fruiting more or
less branched, especially near the middle ; branches whorled, five-
sided, or basal ones nearly round and upright; sheaths with about
eighteen rigid, lanceolate, black teeth. Borders of ponds and mud-
dy edges of streams; quite common. North temperate and Arctic
zones. Late May and early June.

Illustrated in Gray’s Manual.

V

194. E. hiemale L. Scouking Rush. Evergreen, 1-5 feet high,
rather stout, sparingly branched ; sheaths light colored, black at
base and summit : teeth about twenty, early falling ; stem rough ;
ridges with two lines of tubercles. Moist, shaded banks ; general-
ly distributed, but not abundant.

Illustrated in Millspaugh’s “Medicinal Plants.”

This plant fruits from hibernating terminal buds about May
20th, followed by usually small spikes, sessile just below the
sheaths or sometimes on lateral branches. Later on, or about the
15th of June, stems which are the growth of the season are often
found in fruit, continuing until August. North temperate and
Arctic zones.

\

196. E. variegatum Schleicher. Stems slender, tufted, 6-18
inches high, branched from the base, 5-10 grooved ; sheaths green,
black above, with bristle pointed, deciduous teeth. Evergreen.
Canaan, Conn. ; Conway, Mass. ; Bellows Falls and Glover, Yt. ;
Northern Maine, M. L. Fernald. Kennebec at Skowhegan, J. A.
Allen, River banks in calcareous districts. Distributed through-
out the northern portion of both hemispheres. Middle of June.

197. E. scirpoides Michx. Stems evergreen, 3-8 inches long,

26

very slender, numerous, tufted and entangled, three or four fur-
rowed, with as many bristle-tipped teeth ; spikes very small. Wet
clayey banks in the shade of hemlocks. Norfolk and Plainfield,
Conn. Green river road, Greenfield, Mass., A. T. Beals. South-
bridge, L. E. Ammidown Amesbury, A. A. Eaton. Frequent in
the three northern states. Early May. Northern and Arctic re-
gions of both hemispheres.

LITERATURE.

Figures, with full dissections of all the known species in the
genus Equisetum are contained in Milde’s elaborate “ Monograhia
Equisetorum,” and an abtract in his “Filices Europmse,” both writ-
ten in the Latin language. All the species in our limits, except
E. scirpo ides and E. litorale are illustrated in Hooker’s “British
Ferns,” “ English Botany,” and Newman’s “ History of British
Ferns,” and all except E. variegation, E. litorale and E. scirpoides
are figured in Anne Pratt’s ‘Flowering Plants and Ferns of Great
Britain. ” Buysson’s ‘ ‘Filicinise de Europe” (French) contains much
of interest relating to the Equisetacese.

FAMILY IV, LYCOPODIACE/E Lind.

EVERGREEN, creeping perennials, with numerous small,
crowded leaves in several or many ranks. Spores without
elaters, all alike, marked with three radiating lines. Spo-
rangia either in the axils of ordinary leaves, or in terminal spikes
in the axils of modified leaves. In our limits one genus with eight
species.

LYCOPODIUM L.

V

198. L. Selago L. Fir Club Moss. Stems erect, 2-9 inches
long ; branches several times forked, forming a flat-topped cluster ;
sporangia in the axils of the crowded, glossy green, unaltered
leaves, all down the stem, and so not forming a distinct spike ;
midrib of the leaves obscure. Mountain summits. Mt. Watatic,
Mass, and frequent in the three northern states. Sept.-Dee.
Everywhere in the cooler portions of the globe.

Figured in Hooker’s “British Ferns,” and by Anne Pratt.

199. L. lucidulum Michx. Shining Club Moss. Stems as-
cending, 6-12 inches long, forked ; sporangia in irregular zones in
the axils of shorter leaves interspersed with longer ones ; leaves
glossy green in eight rows, some of them turned downward ; mid-
rib distinct. Common in damp woods. Northern United States
and eastern Asia. Sept. -Dec.

Figured in Knobel’s “Ferns and Evergreens of New England.”

28

\

200. L. inundatum L. Mabsh Club Moss. Small ; sterile
branches rather fragile, creeping, forking; leaves many ranked,
soft, fine and curling ; fertile stem 1-4 inches high, leafy, erect,
bearing a thick spike ; leaves of fertile stem and bracteal leaves of
spike similar to leaves on sterile branches. Damp, sandy soil.
Rather uncommon. Becoming more frequent near the coast
but easily overlooked. Viola lanceolata and Sporobolus serotinus
are frequent companion plants. Both of these are quite noticeable
and where found L. inundatum is to be expected. Middle of Sept.
Eastern North America and Europe.

Figured in Hooker’s “British Ferns,” and by Anne Pratt.

Yar. Bigelovii Tuckerm. is much larger with sparser, larger
and more rigid leaves ; fertile stem . often ten inches high. In
sandy peat near the coast.

/

204. L. annotinum L. Main stems much branched ; branch-
es twice forked, ascending, leafy to the top, causing the spikes to
appear sessile ; leaves in five ranks, smaller at intervals, giving
the branches a jointed appearance. Cold woods ; rather unusual
in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut ; frequent farther
north. Late September. Northern America, Europe and Asia.

Figured in Hooker’s “British Ferns.”

Yar. pungens has leaves shorter, more rigid and pointed.
Mountain tops. Frequent on the high mountains of Maine, New
Hampshire and V ermont.

Figured in Hooker’s “British Ferns,” and by Anne Pratt.

V

205. L. obscurum L. Gkound Pine. Rootstalk creeping
underground • stems erect, simple at the base, copiously branched
upwards, 6-8 inches high ; leaves in six ranks, those in the lateral
ranks incurved spreading, others shorter and appressed ; spikes
often numerous but solitary. Plant resembling a young evergreen
tree. Woods ; common. Middle of September. North America
and eastern Asia.

Figured by Knobel.

Var. dendroideum lias all the leaves alike and incurved spread-
ing ; branches more erect. Common.

Figured in Wood’s “Botanist and Florist,” page 413.

207. L. sabinaefolium Willd. Ground Fir. Rootstalk most-
ly creeping underground ; branches short, small, repeatedly forked
flattened and clustered ; leaves four ranked, small and appressed ;
spike short peduncled. Most resembles L. complanatum. Roches-
ter, Vt., in cold, evergreen woods, altitude 1,500 feet. TV. W. Eg-
gleston. Chatham, N. H., elevation 3,500 feet, George Haley. In
Maine, St. Francis, M. L. Fernald; Mt Katahdin, F. P. Briggs.
Probably not rare in northern sections. Middle of September. Can-
ada, Newfoundland. Rocky mountains.

208. L. davatum L. Running Pine. Extensively creep-
ing above ground with ascending branches ; usually a pair of
spikes two inches long, on peduncles ; leaves hair-pointed. Com-
mon in dry woods. Early in September. Northern parts of both
hemispheres, and high mountains of the tropi.cs. A very distinct
form of this species is to be found in moist, sunny situations.

Figured in Hooker’s “ British Ferns,” Underwood’s “ Fern Al-
lies,” and by Knobel and Anne Pratt.

210. L. complanatum L. Evergreen. Stems extensively
creeping ; branches repeatedly forked, fan-shaped ; leaves very
small, four ranked, appressed, of two kinds ; peduncles long, with
2-6 spikes. Common and well known. Middle of Sept. North
temperate zones of both hemispheres, and high mountains of the
tropics. Large patches of this species are occasionally found hav-
ing all the spikes bifurcate from near the base.

Figured by Knobel.

Var. Cliamcecijparissus A. Braun, has narrower, less spread-
ing, more erect, leafy branches ; leaves less distinctly dimorphous ;
apparently maturing its spikes earlier.

FAMILY V, SELAGINELLACE/E

PLANTS small, leafy, with leafy, quadrangular spikes, bear-
ing spore cases, (sporangia), with two kinds of spores, those
containing the smaller or microspores representing the an-
thers in flowering plants, and the larger or macrospores represent-
ing the pistil. One genus, and with us two or three species.

SELAGINELLA Beatjv.

/

212. S. rupestrfs (L. ) Spring. Plants growing in tufts, gray-
ish green, resembling a moss ; stems dividing into many branches ;
leaves densely imbricated, bristle tipped. Dry, exposed rocks;
common. Early September. Generally distributed throughout
the world.

Illustrated in Gray’s Manual.

214. S. selaginoides (L.) Link. Sterile stems creeping, slen-
der ; fertile stems larger ascending, unbranched, one-spiked ; leaves
lanceolate, ciliate. Besembles Lycopodium inundatum. Appears
to have been found in our limits by Pursh only, who reported the
plant from New Hampshire nearly a century ago. As it is frequent
in Canada it is to be expected along our northern border. Early
in September Northern portions of Europe and America in damp
places

Illustrated by Anne Pratt as Lycopodium selaginoides ; also in
“English Botany,” and Hooker’s “British Ferns.”

31

V

217- S. apus (L.) Spring. Stems tufted, small and slender,
creeping, and much branched ; leaves of two kinds, in four rows,
those in the side rows larger and spreading, the others very small
and appressed. Damp places in meadows ; most frequent in south-
ern portions of New England. Middle of September. Only in the
United States east of the Rocky mountains.

This species has seldom been figured.

FAMILY VI, HARSILEACE/E R. Br.

AQUATIC, creeping perennials, with either filiform or four-
parted leaves. Fruit borne on peduncles arising from the
rootstalk ; sporocarps containing two kinds of spores. Con-
sists of two genera, one of which is represented with us by a sin-
gle species.

MARSILEA L.

221. M. quadri folia L. Leaves long petioled, four-parted;
leaflets deltoid, glabrous, usually floating ; sporocarps on short
peduncles from near the base of the petioles. Muddy shores. Ban-
tam Lake, Litchfield, Conn., whence it has been introduced into
several localities, among others, Lake Whitney, Conn , and Cam-
bridge and Concord rivers, Massachusetts. August. Central Eu-
rope and Asia.

Illustrated by Meehan, Series i, Yol. 2.

FAMILY VII, SALVINIACE/E.

5 MALL, fugacious, floating annuals, much branched; branch-
es covered with minute leaves, and sending out roots be-
neath. Sporcarps at the base of the branch, two or several
together, of two kinds, one containing a single macrospore, and
the other many microsporangia containing microspores. Contains
two genera, one of which is represented in our limits.

AZOLLA Lam.

228. A. Caroliniana Willd. Plant reddish, much branched,
deltoid, J-l inch broad ; macrospore with three float corpuscles,
its cuticle granulated ; masses of microspores beset with bristles.
Floating on the surface of the pond in the park at Springfield,
Mass., and thence escaped into the Connecticut river. Adventive
from California. August.

Illustrated with dissections in Gray’s Manual.

FAMILY VIII, 1S0ETACE/E Underw

HERBS, aquatic or in moist ground, with simple, rush-like
leaves in a rosette, from a fleshy trunk or corm. Leaves
mostly with breathing pores (stomata) usually quadran-
gular, containing four vertical air channels divided by frequent
cross partitions and furnished always with a central vascular bun-
dle, and sometimes with others on the circumference (peripheral
bast-bundles ) Sporangia quite large, one-celled, orbicular to ob-
long, usually thin ; sessile in a cavity M the axils of the leaves,
more or less covered with a membrane (velum) produced from the
edges of the cavity ; those of the outer leaves usually containing
globose macrospores, the inner containing very small, obliquely-
oblong, three-angled microspores. Macrospores with a white sili-
cious crust, which is marked by an equatorial line and on the up-
per surface by three equidistant longitudinal lines meeting at the
apex of the spore (commissural ridges); silicious integument mark-
ed between the ridges with spines, tubercles, reticulations, etc.
which serve in a measure to distinguish the species. Microspores
white, grayish or light brown ; glabrous, papillose, muriculate or
spinulose.

One genus, comprising about fifty recognized species, of which
eight species and five varieties are known within our limits.

In the following pages are described several forms in this genus
which have not previously been noticed, and one of them, I. Eatoni
previously confounded perhaps with the larger forms of I. Engle-
manni, has proyed upon examination to be one of the most remark-
able of the North American species.

34

IsbETES L Qtjillwobt.

Characters the same as in the order
/

I. echinospora. This European species as founded by Du-
rieu, has the following characteristics : Leaves 10-40, green or
reddish at base, gradually tapering to a very slender elongated
point ; stomata altogether absent ; sporangia unspotted ; velum
very narrow ; macrospores nearly as in var. Braunii ; microspores
a little smaller. Abundant in northern Europe, extending into
Iceland, but as yet not noticed in America.

Illustrated with full dissections by Motelay.

233. I. echinospora Braunii Engelm. Leaves 10-30, green
or reddish at base, erect, spreading, 2-10 inches long, a few sto-
mata at their tips only ; peripheral bast-bundles absent ; sporangia
pale-spotted ; velum about one-half indusiate ; macrospores 350-
650 // in diameter, covered with broad spinules which are often
forked or dentate, and at times confluent ; microspores 26-30 /y
long, white or with a grayish tint ; smooth.

Margins of ponds, often wholly submerged ; also on the muddy
shores of streams, or on the tidal tracts of rivers, often where the
water is very brackish, as in the Penobscot, Kennebec and Merri-
mac. Common throughout New England. Late August.

/ /

234. I. echinospora robusta Engelm. Much stouter than
the preceding; leaves 25-70, 5-8 inches long with abundant stoma-
ta on the whole surface ; sporangia larger ; otherwise not differing.

Type locality north end of Isle LaMotte in Lake Champlain,
Pringle. Plants collected at Epping, N. H., on the Pautuckaway
river by Mr. A. A. Eaton are similar in all respects to the type
specimens.

235. I echinospora Bootii Engelm. Leaves 10-20, slender,
4-10 inches long, erect when short, bright green, with a few sto-
mata near the tip ; macrospores with long, slender, simple spinules ;
otherwise like var. Brawnii,

35

This form has not been noticed among plants of I. echinospora
from western sections. - It apparently has the same range as I.
Tuckermani

Round Pond, Woburn, (type locality), and in a brook in Tofit
swamp, Lexington, Mass., W. Boot. Also in Chebacco Pond, Es-
sex, Mass., and at East Kingston, N. H.

/ V

236. 1. echinospora muricata Engelm. Leaves a bright
green, 6-16 inches long, with few stomata ; macrospores 400-580 //
with shorter, thicker and more confluent spinules ; otherwise like
var. Braunii.

Woburn creek, (type locality), and Abajona river near Boston,
Mass., W. Boot. Mouth of Pompa*nusuc river, Norwich, Vt. ; Po-
wow river, East Kingston, N. H. ; margin of the St. Johns at Mad-
awaska, Me., M. L. Fernald.

When the leaves of this variety are very long the upper part
assumes a spiral form, leaves of 12 or 15 inches having the upper
half twisted into several convolutions, the plants in this case be-
ing entirely submerged.

/

230. I. Iacustris L. Leaves 10-30, dark green, somewhat
rigid, pointed but scarcely tapering, 3-6 inches long, without sto-
mata or peripheral bast-bundles ; sporangia unspotted ; velum
about one-third indusiate ; spores of both kinds large ; macrospores
500-800 fj, in diameter, spherical, marked all over with short, thin
flexuous ridges ; immature spores often appearing granulated ; mi-
crospores 35-45 fi long, smooth, light gray commissural ridges
cristate.

Usually gregarious in gravelly soil on the bottom of lakes un-
der 1-5 feet of water. In New England this species has been rarely
collected : Fresh Pond near Cambridge, Mass., W. Boot. Uxbridge,
Mass., J. W. Robbins. Echo Lake, N. H., Prof. Tuckerman. Brat-
tleboro, Vt., Frost.

Plants collected on the tidal tract of the Merrimac river, six
or eight miles from its mouth and near low water mark, are simL

36

lar in all respects to European specimens of 1. lacustris collected
by Durieu de Maisonneuve. The plants at this station are but
few, being interspersed among those of P. echinospora Braunii and
are perhaps from spores brought down the river by the current.
This species may be expected to occur more abundantly in the
northern portions of Now Hampshire and Maine.

I. lacustris is reported in Bishop’s Catalogue of the Plants of
Connecticut (1896) as having been found at North Stonington, but
an examination of a much larger number of specimens from this
locality has shown that they should be referred to I. Tuckermani.

I. lacutris is abundant in the lakes of northern and central
Europe.

Illustrated in Gray s Manual, and spores and leaf sections by
Motelay. Early in August.

232. I. Tuckermani A. Braun. Leaves dark olive, often
tinged with red, very slender and fragile ; outermost recurved
spreading, usually sub-distichous and spirally twisted, 2 -5 inches
long ; peripheral bast-bundles absent ; stomata few or none ; spo-
rangia small, orbicular, rarely pale spotted ; velum one-third indu-
siate ; macrospores 450-750 // in diameter, marked on the upper
half with parallel or often anastomosing ridges, the lower hal-
irregularly reticulated ; microspores 25-38// long, dark gray, near-
ly or quite smooth.

Usually gregarious, growing in gravelly soil immersed in from
one to four feet of water. Type locality, Mystic river, Prof. Tuck-
erman; and in Mystic, Spy and Horn ponds near Boston, Mass.,
W. Boot. Abundant on the east side of Chebacco pond, Essex,
Mass , and at Lake Atitash, Amesbury, Mass , growing in compa-
ny with I. echinospora Braunii, which however is always found
nearer the shore and often wholly emerged. This species is
plentiful also on the muddy shores of the Merrimac river at New-
buryport, Mass., growing in places subject to a tide of two or three
feet. Fifteen or twenty per cent, of the plants at Lake Atitash
are trilobed

37

Plants from all these localities contain macrospores of normal
size, that is, not larger than 560 g in diameter, as given by A. Braun
the founder of the species, but it has remained for Mr. A. A. Eaton
to extend the known range of this species into New Hampshire,
and to there discover plants having much larger spores than those
previously recorded; plants from Country pond, Kingston, N. H.,
having spores 5H0 n in diameter, from Pautuckway pond 700 // in
diameter, and from Pautuekaway river, Epping, N. H. , 750 //, the
spores of th-e latter being as large as any of I lacuatris, but sculp-
tured like those of I. Tuckermani in a very characteristic manner.

Dr. C. B Graves has also sent a large number of plants of this
species from North Stonington, Conn. I. Tuckermani matures its
spores earlier than any other of our species, the outer leaves often
falling away early in July.

V

238. !. saccharata Engelm Leaves 10-20, dark green,
spreading, subulate, 2-5 inches long ; stomata abundant ; peripher-
al bast-bundles wanting; sporangia spotted; velum narrow; ma-
crospores 400-550 //, “as if sprinkled with minute grains of white
sugar,” — Engelm. Microspores 24-38 g, papillose. Type locality
on Wicomico and Nanticoke rivers, eastern shore of Maryland,
above salt water, but between high and low tides. Scattered on
a thin stratum of mud covering a bed of gravel, W. M. Canby,
Piney Creek cove and Back Creek, Elk river, Mainland, T. C. Pal-
mer, Botanical Gazette, Jan., 1895 Tidal tract of the Merrimac
river near the mouth of the Artichoke, R. D. Plants like those
from Elk river.

At Lloyd's creek, Sassafras river, Md. , plants intermediate in
spore sculpture between I. saccharata and I. riparia have been col-
lected by Mr. Palmer; Botanical Gazette, Apr. 1896.

V

239. I. riparia Engel. Leaves 15-30, dark green, nearly
erect, 4-12 inches long ; stomata abundant ; peripheral bast-bun-
dles wanting : sporangia distinctly spotted ; velum one-fourth to
three-fourtlis indusiate ; macrospores often large, 450-650 g in di-

38

ameter with thin, jagged crests, sometimes anastomosing, espec-
ially on the lower surface ; commissural ridges cristate ; micro-
spores tuberculated, 26-32 ji.

This species may be distinguished from I. lacustris, which it
somewhat resembles, by the crested ridges of its macrospores,
which often form reticulations on the lower side of the spore ; by
the presence of stomata on the leaves ; a spotted sporangium with
a wider velum, and also as shown by Mr. T. Chalkley Palmer, by
its being polygamous — Botanical Gazette , Apr. 1896.

Type locality, banks of the Delaware river near Philadelphia,
Nuttall; Wm. S. Zantzinger. Uxbridge, Mass., J. W. Robbins. Brat-
tleboro, Vt., C. C. Frost. Lake Saltonstall, Ct., Setchell Amherst
Catalogue, Tuckerman. Banks of the Powow river, East Kingston,
N. H., and in the Merrimac at Newburyport, Mass., R. D.

This species when living as is often the case in the mud on
the tidal tracts of rivers, when near high water mark; is commonly
small, with leaves two or three inches long, but when submerged
for a greater portion of the time the plants become larger.

[The description of the species next following is contributed
by Mr. A. A. Eaton.]

I. foveolata A. A. Eaton, n. sp. Plant amphibous ; trunk
bilobed, rarely trilobed, inch in diameter ; vernal leaves not
seen estival 15-70, very stout, 2-6 inches long, pink even when dry,
or rarely dark green ; stomata few, near thetips only ; peripheral
bast-bundles absent ; diameter of the assembled sporangia often
1^ inches ; many plants containing only macrospores ; velum one-
fifth to one-third indusiate ; ligule round-ovate, little exserted ;
sporangia thickly sprinkled with very dark cells, these sometimes
collected in groups ; macrospores 380-560 /j, average 440 g, tetra-
hedro-globose with a thick integument (54 p), covered beneath
with very thick-walled reticulations so that the openings appear
like little pits, (whence the name) ; above, the reticulations are
elongated, especially next the commissures, or the walls even par-
allel anastomosing, or in isolated groups ; microspores dark brown,

39

22-35 /u long, densely reticulated, and usually with a few papiil©.

Abundant on the muddy banks of the Pautuckaway river at
Epping, N. H., and flats of the mill-pond of the same river; West
Epping, associated with I. echinospora muricata, I. ech inospora ro~
busta, I. Eatoni, J. Engelmanni and I. Tuckermani , or often alone.
A. A. Eaton. Flats at East Kingston, N. H , Dodge. Aug. 1896.

V

I. Eatoni Dodge, n sp. Amphibious; trunk very large,
|-1£ inches in diameter ; bulb diameter sometimes 2§ inches. Ver-
ual or subaqueous leaves sometimes 200, reaching the length of
28 inches ; estival leaves much shorter, 3-6 inches ; stomata abun-
dant ; peripheral bast-bundles irregular in occurrence ; sporangia
large, pale spotted; macrospores small, 300-450 //in diameter, tet-
rahedro-globose, their sculpture labyrinthiform- convolute ; micro-
spores 25-30 //, smooth or slightly papillose. Plant polygamous.
Vernal form the middle of July ; estival form Aug.-Sept.

East Kingston, N. H., July, 1895, and Epping. N. H., August,
1896, A A. Eaton. For detailed description with illustrations, see
Botanical Gazette, January, 1897.

241. I. Engelmanni A. Braun. Leaves 15-100, bright green,
4-20 inches long, furnished with four peripheral bast-bundles ;
stomata abundant ; sporangia unspotted ; velum narrow ; macro-
spores clear white, 350-550 /z in diameter, delicately honeycomb-
reticulated ; microspores light colored, 24-28 //, smooth or nearly
so.

This plant when growing in merely damp places, as is often
the case, or in places where it is for the greater part of the time
out of water, produces erect-spreading leaves 4-6 inches long. In
situations subject to heavy inundations during the winter and the
spring, .the leaves of early growth are much longer, at times reach-
ing the length of 18 or 20 inches. As the water recedes the upper
portion of the leaves floats on the surface. Finally the plants be-
come nearly or quite emersed and the long leaves prostrate on the
mud, decay and are succeeded by a shorter, nearly erect growth,

40

the earlier leaves of which often mature their sporangia before the
close of the season. It is only in situations where the plants are
thus alternately submersed and emersed that they attain a good
development of leaves and trunk.

This is probably the life history of all the amphibious species
of Isoetes, as I. Eatoni, I. foveolata, etc., excepting those, which,
like J. riparia and I. saccharata, grow under the influence of tide
water.

Connecticut — Meriden, F. W. Hall ; Waterford, C. B. Graves
Rhode Island — Newport, W. G. Farlow. Massachusetts — Amherst,
Prof. Tuckerman. Maine — M. L. Fernald. Abundant in eastern
Massachusetts. Probably throughout our range, but reported
principally from near the coast. In ditches, brooks and slow run-
ning streams, usually in clayey soil.

Illustrated with full dissections by Motelay.

241.1. I. Engel manni gracilis Engelm. A form with a few (8-
12) very slender leaves, 9-12 inches long. Bast-bundles weak or
but two or three of them. In deep water or often in shaded locali-
ties. As all the species of this group attain their largest growth by
abundance of sunlight, I. Engelmanni indeed requiring to become
terrestiai or nearly so for a portion of the time, it is probable that
the form gracilis is one of arrested development.

Westville, Conn., Setchell. Brattleboro, Vt., Frost. Newport,
R. I., D. C. Eaton. Hampton Falls, N. H , River Parker, Newbury,
Mass., R. D. South Hampton, N. H., A. A. Eaton

LITERATURE.

Baker’s “Fern Allies,” London, 1887, contains descriptions of
all species recognized at the time of publication.

Britton & Brown’s “Illustrated Flora of the Northern United
States and Canada,” contains illustrations of all the Fern Allies

41

within the specified limits, those of the Isoetes being accompanied
with figures of the macrospores. .

“Ueber die Isoetes Arten der Insel Sardinien,” von Alexander
Braun, Berlin, 1864, an interesting discussion of the Quillworts, in
which our species are frequently referred to.

“The Genus Isoetes in North America,” by George Engelmann,
St. Louis, 1882 An important contribution to the subject. An
abstract is contained in Gray’s Manual.

“Monographic des Isoete^,” par L. Motelay et Yendryes
Bordeaux, 1884 ; one hundred pages and ten plates.

“The Distribution of Isoetes,” L. M. Underwood, Botanical
Gazette , pages 89-94, 1888.

“The Structure and Development of the Mosses and Ferns,”
by Douglass H. Campbell : Macmillan & Co. 1895 .

REMARKS ON THE GENUS ISOETES.

THE collection, examination and identification of the species
in this genus native to New England, as elaborated
by Dr. Engelmann in his monograph, “The Genus
Isoetes in North America,” is doubtless a task attended with
some difficulties. Although these north-eastern states seen par-
ticularly rich in both species and varieties, and certainly with no
lack of individual plants, yet it is only in very dry seasons that
the larger portion, including nearly all the best developed plants,
are easily accessible ; while I. lacustris and I. Tuckermani are
nearly always deeply submerged. Plants of I. Engelmanni are of-
ten found growing in merely damp situations, but they are much
smaller and less developed than those which are immersed. It re-
quires also, considerable experience before the eye readily distin-
guishes these plants from the immature sedges and rushes which
ordinarily are their companions.

42

There are however some locations in wnich these difficulties
are not encountered ; as near the mouth of rivers where the plants
are left dry by the receding tide ; in places where the water has
been nearly drawn off from ponds and streams used for manufac-
turing purposes ; or along the margins of brooks.

To illustrate the abundance of these plants in eastern Massa-
chusetts and south-eastern New Hampshire, it might be mention-
ed that in Seabrook, N. H., a pond usually covering several acres,
which was so reduced in size by the drought of 1894 that the water
nearly disappeared, was found to contain such an abundance of
the quillworts that they formed a nearly continuous green carpet.
The only species noticed was I. echino&porci Braunii. In October,
1895, at the head-gate on Powow river at Amesbury, Mass , there
was noticed floating on the surface of the river inside the gate,
which at that time was shut but leaking badly at the bbttom,
such a mass of Isoetes leaves that they might have been collected
by wheelbarrow" loads. Many of these leaves contained sporangia
and about all the New England species and varieties were repre-
sented. At Hampton Falls river, Hampton Falls, N. H., the
banks on both sides are lined with plants of J. Engelmanni. It is
probable that many stations of like nature are to be found in Nevr
England, and in fact in other sections of the country, and that
they often escape observation.

It is only in situations fully exposed to the sun that the quill-
worts are to be expected. Although at times, a fevT scattered
plants may be found growing in shady places, they are invariably
few leaved and for the most part sterile, their numbers being main-
tained presumably by spores brought by the current from more
favorable localities.

With a strong lens and some experience, the various species in
this genus can often be determined, but it seems probable that
they intergrade at times, I Tuckermani for instance, appearing
to hybridize with I. echinospora. For any satisfactory work with
the quillwTorts, a compound microscope is indispensable. Those

43

wholly unacquainted with the use of the microscope, will seek in-
structions in some manual specially devoted to the use of this in-
strument, but it seems desirable to make a f6w general observa-
tions upon the structure and examination of these plants.

The sporangia are thin-walled, membranaceous sacs, the walls
consisting of two layers of cells, the outermost layer translucent,
but in a few of our species mixed with brown (schlerenchym) cells,
giving the sporangia a spotted appearance. The velum in all our
species only partly covering the sporangium is easily seen with
the naked eye in fresh plants ; in the case of dried specimens it is
well to soak the whole plant in water previous to examination.
At the leaf base and just above the sporangium is a small, trian-
gular, membranaceous organ (ligule) whose function is not well
understood. It can be seen to good advantage only in fresh leaves
and is apparently of small diagnostic value.

The macrospores should be examined when perfectly dry, with
a power of 50-75 diameters ; and it will be found that if they are
heated sufficiently to cause them to assume a light brown tint, as
by holding them on a glass slip over the chimney of an ordinary
lamp, that the sculpture will become more evident by reason prob-
ably of a diminution of internal reflections. The microspores are
very minute bodies, having the appearance of a fine powder when
removed from the sporangium. They are about one one-thous-
andth of an inch in length, and in a single sporangium of some
species are probably contained by millions. They may be exam-
ined under water or in balsam by transmitted light, and should
also be viewed by reflected light as opaque objects, with a magni-
fication of 300-400 diameters. Before any conclusions are drawn
regarding the condition of the surface of either macrospore or mi-
crospore, care should be taken that those under examination be
perfectly mature, as unripe spores have very frequently an appear
ance differing much from that of those fully developed. This ap-
plies also to spores from young plants.

In the preceding descriptions the dimensions of the spores are

44

given in thousandths of a millimetre, one of which is represented
by the Greek letter //. This unit is one twenty-five thousandth
part of an inch, very nearly. The measurement of the spores is
best taken by a micrometer attached to the eye-piece of the mi-
croscope.

To find the stomata (absent only in I lacustris) is not at all
difficult when fresh leaves are procured, or even in those which
have been preserved in alcohol Fragments of the epidermis are
easily removed, and with a power of 200-300 diameters the stoma-
ta when present are easily distinguished When apparantly ab-
sent the tip of the leaf should be carefully examined, as in some
species notably in I Tuckermani, and in some forms of J. echinos-
pora, they are absent elsewhere. In the case of dried specimens,
short pieces of the leaf may be first soaked, and then boiled pre-
ferably in a weak alkaline solution. Portions of the epidermis, can
then be scraped off and examined ; or if the manipulator is suffi-
ciently skillful, the section may be opened by a slit, and the whole
internal portion removed, leaving the epidermis in good condition
for examination. If the leaves have become dark brown and part-
ly decomposed, their examination requires considerable patience.

In searching for bast-bundles in the leaves, it is necessary
to make the thinnest possible transverse sections. Elder pith,
which can be found at most country roadsides, or is procurable
from the watchmaker, furnishes a good and ready means of making
these thin sections When selecting the elder stalks those of the
previous year should be chosen as the pith is large and the woody
portion readily separable A short piece of the pith is split nearly
to the end, a portion of the leaf is placed lengthwise in the slit,
and by the use of' a sharp razor and some patience, very thin sec-
tions may be obtained. These sections may then be transferred
by a moistened needle to a glass slip, or first floated on water and
removed by a pipette. A weak solution of caustic soda or potassa
or even of baking powder is then added, a cover glass placed over
all and the slip heated over a lamp until the boiling point of the

45

water is reached. A glass slip having a shallow cavity or cell in
the center is very useful in examining these thin sections, which
when placed in the cell are not liable to be crushed by the cover
glass

If bast-bundles be present and the sections be sufficiently- thin
they will then be seen by transmitted light and under a magnify-
ing power of 300 diameters, as a bundle of brown cells, quite dif-
ferent from the cells of the epidermis. A bundle of bast cells in.
the center of the leaf is to be seen in all species. The peripheral
bast cells are located in our species as follows : When four are

present, three will be found on the upper or ventral side of the
leaf — one at each end and one midway — and one in the center of
the dorsal or lower side, all of them being close to the epidermis
When two only are present, those at the terminations of the ven-
tral side are wanting.

Leaves or whole plants of the quill worts can be preserved in
good condition for any length of time, if kept covered with alcohol
or an aqueous solution of formaline, the latter being preferable in
situations where it is not liable to freeze It is quite possible how -
ever to detect bast-bundles when present, in the leaves of pressed
specimens, the sections by boiling resuming in a great measure
their original form A small test tube such as is used by chemists
when held in the flame of a lamp, serves a good purpose in boil-
ing section of Isoetes leaves.

Great care should be taken in drying and pressing the larger
plants of this genus. The dryers should be frequently changed,
and if the specimens are very large and filled wTith moisture, they
should be divided through the trunk by making a section at right
angles to its natural division. The trunk in all our species is nor-
mally bilobed bu4 individual plants are found which are trilobed.
this occuring most frequently with I. Tuckermani .

A CHRONOLOGICAL LIST

The subjoined list is intended to be a catalogue of all the
known species and important varieties in the Vascular Cryptogams
growing without cultivation in the New England states; their
chronological arrangement as regards best time for collection ; and
a memorandum, which with the assistance of references to their
description, etc., shall assist the collector in obtaining them.

The best time for collection is usually just before the spores
mature, but with some species, notably in the genus Dryopteris,
the condition of the indusium is also be considered. In the case
of some of the Equisetacece the fertile stems are in bad condition,
when the sterile become fully developed. Species in Filices having
dimorphous fronds, mature the fertile fronds so late that the ster-
ile ones are not fit for collection, or the fertile are mature before
the sterile are well developed. In such cases dates have been
given for both. Some species mature their fertile fronds quite
early but continue to produce a few scattering ones until late in
the season. In this event only the earlier and more abundant are
considered in this list, Some species, as Asplenium viride and
Asplenium montanum are in fair condition at ail seasons, while oth-
ers in Equisetum and Botrychium have a fruiting season of not more
than a week or ten days in duration,

The development of the earlier species is of course affected to
some extent by the difference in seasons, but when it is considered
that the fruiting season of no species has very narrow limits, that
the variation in time of maturing in successive years is but small,
and that the object is not usually to collect plants in quantity, it
becomes evident that an everage date may be selected which is
quite likely to serve all purposes of the collector.

Differences of latitude are also to be considered, as is also the
proximity to the coast. For such species as grow in eastern Mas*

47

sachusetts, the dates given are considered to be correct for the
latitude of Boston or about 42 degrees north, and for the earlier
species a few days should perhaps be added or subtracted in ex-
treme northern or southern sections.

This list, in its chronological features, is the outgrowth of five
seasons of observation and inquiry, and although doubtless sus-
ceptible of improvement, it is hoped to be a step in advance of the
knowledge at present available on the subject, as our sources of
information are often silent, indefinite, or altogether misleading.

CHRONOLOGICAL LIST.

May 5 — Equisetum arvense (fertile stems) Page 23

“ 10 — Equisetum scirpoides 25

“ 15 — Equisetum silvaticum (fertile) 24

“ 20 — Equisetum hiemale 25

“ 20 — Equisetum arvense campestre 24

“ 25 — Botrychium simplex 20

“ 25 — Osmunda Claytoniana (fertile) 17

“ 30 — Equisetum litorale 24

“ 30 — Osmunda cinnamomea (fertile) 17

June 5 — Onoclea Struthiopteris (fertile) 14

“ 5 — Equisetum fluviatile 25

“ 5— Equisetum palustre 24

“ 10 — Equisetum arvense (sterile) 23

* '* 10 — Osmunda cinnamomea frondosa 18

“ 15 — Equisetum variegatum 25

“ 15 — Botrychium matricanefolium 21

48

June 15 — Equisetum silvaticum (sterile) Page 24

“ 20 — Osmunda regalis 17

*• 20 — Osmunda Claytoniana (sterile) 17

‘ 20 — Osmunda cinnamomea (sterile) 17

“ 25 — Botrychium Virginianum 22

“ 25 — Onoclea sensibilis (sterile) 14

‘‘ 30 — Phegopteris dryopteris. 8

“ 30 — Dryopteris spinulosa 12

“ 30 — Dryopteris spinulosa intermedia 12

“ 30 — Dryopteris spinulosa dilitata 13

July 5 — Cystopteris fragilis . . 13

“ 5— Dryopteris acrostichoides 8

‘ ‘ 5 — Dryopteris acrostichoides incisa 9

• • 10 — Phegopteris Phegopteris 8

“ 10 — Dryopteris cristata 10

“ 18 — Isoetes Tuckermani 36

10 — Dryopteris Bootii 13

15 — Botrychium Lunaria 21

“ 15 — Woodwardia Yirginica 3

“ 15 — Ophioglossum vulgatum 20

“ 15 — Dryopteris cristata x margin alis 12

“ 20 — Pellaca gracilis 2

“ 20 — Isoetes Engelmanni 39

“ 20 — Woodsia obtusa 15

* ‘ 25 — Pelleea atropurpurea 3

49

July 25— Cystopteris bulbifera .Page 13

“ 25 — Asplenium montanum 6

“ 30 — Dryopteris Goldieana 11

“ 30 — Dryopteris marginalis 11

“ 30 — Dryopteris cristata Clintoniana 11

Aug. 5 — Isoetes lacustris 35

“ 5 — Asplenium ruta-muraria 6

“ 5 — Camptosorus rhizophyllus 7

“ 5 — Asplenium filix-foemina 7

“ 10 — Poly podium vulgare 1

“ 10 — Woodsia alpina 15

“ lu — Woodsia glabella 15

“ 10 — Isoetes Engelmanni gracilis 40

“ 10 — Adiantum pedatum 2

“ 10 — Dryopteris fragrans 10

“ 10 — Asplenium ebenoides • 4

“ 10 — Dryopteris aculeata Braunii 9

“ 15 — Woodsia Ilvensis . 14

“ 15— Asplenium acrostichoides 6

“ 15 — Marsilia quadrifolia 31

“ 15 — Isoetes riparia 37

“ 15 — Onoclea sensibilis obtusilobata 14

“ 15 — Botrychium lanceolatum 22

“ 20 — Asplenium platyneuron 5

“ 20 — Dicksonia punctilobula 17

50

Aug. 20 — Dryopteris Noveboracensis Page 9

“ 20— Asplenium trichomanes. ... 5

“ 20 — Asplenium trichomanes incisum 5

“ 25 — Onoclea Struthiopteris (fertile) 14

“ 25 — Isoetes foveolata 38

“ 25 — Isoetes Eatoni 39

“ 25 — Phegopteris hexagonoptera . 8

“ 25 — Isoetes echinospora (and varieties) 34

“ 30 — Dryopteris Thelypteris 10

“ 30 — Woodwardia areolata (sterile) 4

“ 30 — Azolla Caroliniana 32

Sept. 5 — Selaginella rupestris 30

“ 5 — Lycopodium complanatum chamsecyparissus 29

“ 5 — Pteris aquilina 6

“ 10 — Lygodium palmatum 10

“ 10— Selaginella selaginoides 32

“ 10 — Asplenium angustifolium 6

“ 10 — Lycopodium clavatum 29

“ 15 — Lycopodium obscurum 28

“ 15— Lycopodium obscurum dendroid eum 29

“ 15 — Lycopodium inundatum 28

“ 15 — Lycopodium inundatum Bigelovii 28

“ 15 — Asplenium viride 6

“ 15 — Dryopteris simulata 9

“ 15 — Onoclea sensibilis (fertile) 14

51

Sept.l5--Botrychium ternatum (and varieties) Page 21-22

. “ 20 — Lycopodium eomplanatum .... .. 29

“ 20 — Selaginella apus 31

“ 20 — Lycopodium sabinaefolium 29

“ 25 — Lycopodium lucidulum 27

“ 25 — Lycopodium Selago 27

“ 25 — Lycopodium annotinum 28

“ 25 — Lycopodium annotinum pungens 28

“ 30 — Woodwardia areolata (fertile) 4

Oct. 10 — Lycopodium alopecucoides (Appendix) 52

APPENDIX.

Page 2, 67. Instead of P. gracilis, read P. Stelleri (S. G.
Gmel.) Watt.

Page 9, 127. Instead of D. aculeata Braunii read D. Braunii

(Spenner) Underw.

These changes are made to accord with the recently publish-
ed “Illustrated Flora of the United States and Canada,” by Brit-
ton and Brown.

Page 9, 13 1. Add: — Illustrated and described by Mr. G. E.
Davenport in Garden and Forest, Dec. 2. 1896.

Page 12. D. cristata x marginalis. As above in Garden and I
Forest, Nov. 4, 1896.

Page 28. Insert : 202. L alopecuroides L. Habit of L.
inundatum ; sterile branches 2-10 in long, ramose, with many
squarrose, bristly serrate, spinulescent teeth ; fertile stems 2-8,
rigid, erect, 2-10 in. high, bearing erect appressed leaves and sim-
ple spikes; largest spikes 1-1^ in. long; spikes gradually reduced
until the last one or two stems have none at all ; scales of spike
erect-appressed, with rigid slender points and several bristle-tip-
ped serratures at the sub-ovate base.

Sandy swamp among cranberries, south end of Plum island,
Ipswich, Mass To be expected in cranberry bogs on Cape Cod
and along the shore of Long Island Sound. Early in Oct.

V V

Page 30, 214. For S. selaginoides, read S. selaginoides.

V V

Page 31, 217. For S. apus read S. apus.

New York Botanical Garden Library

QK525.5.N35 D6 gen

Dodge, Raynal/The ferns and fern allies

3 5185 00096 4302