Jferns! of tJje Bellg of tte WBiSton^in Eiber M36 UJljp i.B. Mill IGtbrarg Nortl! (Harnlina fitalp (flollrgr This book was presented by QK5Z5 NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY 1 SOI 948604 W 106370 70 This book may be kept out TWO WEEKS ONLY, and is subject to a fine of FIVE CENTS a day thereafter. It is due on the day indicated below: Ills 5M— F45— Form ; ^ FERNS OF THE DELLS OF THE WISCONSIN RIVER By RUTH MARSHALL Illustrated with photographs by EVALINE M. BENNETT and BLANCHARD HARPER lAWMHCE ('..I'Vltlciri' I'.ild, itv Ki-iK M.\i;sii.\l 106370 A/T OST of tne cuts fur tnis booklet are from -^ ■*- photographs of ferns made by Mrs. Bennett, and used bere for tbe first time. Tbe illustrations for tbe long beecb purple, cliff brake, maidenbair, oak, marginal sbield, crested sbield, spmulose wood, silvery spleenwort and sensitive ferns are from Miss Harper s negatives, and are part of a collection made by ber to illustrate a booklet issued by tbe Cbicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul railroad. HERE is, perkaps, no group of plants wKick can give such large returns in pleasure ana profit to the amateur naturalist as do the ferns. Xlieir grace ana delicacy, tne attractiveness of tneir naunts, tne satisfactory way m vi^nicn they can be preserved, tkeir willingness to be domesticated, — all tbese characters make them favorites witn nature lovers. TKe Dells of tbe Wisconsin River are favored baunts of tbe ferns. In all, twenty-seven species are known, a large majority of all of tbe ferns native to tbe state, and a good representation of tbe ferns of tbe nortbern and eastern states. In tbe nine miles of its wanderings between sandstone clifrs, tbe banks of tbe Old Wiscons sbow great diversity of conditions, from tbe standpoint of a fern: deep sbady ravines witb dripping rocks for tbe bladder ferns; ricb moist woods running up from tbe dells for tbe sbield ferns; dry sunny uplands to cultivated fields and woods -wbere tbe bracken grows; ex- posed ravines witb dry shelving rocks wbere tbe purple cliff brake gets a footbold; and wet sunny spots wbere tbe marsb fern thrives. Delicate ferns and hardy, ferns like tbe slender cliff brake so small that they escape at- tention unless you are ready to see them; big sturdy ferns reaching almost to your shoulder, like a jungle of tbe interrupted fern; rare ferns whose haunts are know^n and jealously guarded by tbe few who care for them; and even a fe-w stragglers, like tbe walking leaf, more at home on limestone form- ations. A. paradise of ferns! Much of the beauty of the small ravines is due to the ferns. But tKey Kave suffered m the last years from tke crowds of excursionists wKo nave tramped tnem down, or pulled tnem up only to throw tKem away on the nome trip. Tw^enty-five years ago tke fragrant fern was so common tKat it w^as dug up and sent away ty tke basketsful. Specimens in old herbar- iums, like that of I. A. Lapkam, Wisconsin's early naturalist, wko, kack in tke 50 s made a collection of tke ferns of tke Dells, skow leaves six or cigkt inckes long. Now^ one may searck all day and consider kimself in luck if ke finds a single tiny plant. Tke raising of tke water ky tke dam skortens up tke ravines and restricts tkeir kaunts. It is koped tkat tke tkougktfulness and moderation of coming generations of visitors will save tkem from furtker destruction. Tkis skort account is intended to kelp tke beginner to a rurtker enjoyment and appreciation of tke ferns, not tke least or tke attractions of tke Dells of tke Wisconsin. Enougk of structure and terminology skould be mastered to get at least a speaking acquaintance witk tke ferns, and tkat is all tkat is attempted kere. Tke more complex study of development and reproduction is omitted. Tke leaf, or frond, is tke distinctive part of tke fern. It is not essen- tially different from tke leaf of a flowering plant. Very often it is muck divided or cut (compound), and to tkis ckaracter it owes muck of its grace and delicacy. Tkere is usually a large scaly underground stem, or rootstock, from wkick tke leaves and roots grow. Tke primary divisions of tke blade are called pinnae, and subdivisions of tke pinnae are called pinnules. Fern leaves are ckaracterized by tke presence kere of tke plant s scores, or repro- Puge Si^ ductive cells. Xnesc spores, too tiny to be readily seen witn tne naked eye, are enclosed in little spore-cases, or sj^orangm, which grow in clusters or lines called fruit dots, or sor}\ on the hacks oi the leaves. The son turn hrown when ripe, and then they become a conspicuous character. They may be naked, as in the common polypody, or covered by the rerlexed edge of the leaf, as in the miidenhair, or they may have a special covering, the I'ndusium, as in the shield ferns. The position and character of the son determine largely the relationships or the ferns, and hence their classification. In the simpler ferns, all of the leaves bear spores; but in many species there is a division of labor, only a part of the fronds producing them. The latter are then distinguished as the fertile, the other as the sterile leaves. Fertile leaves may differ only slightly from the sterile, or they may be- come so modified and specialized, as in the sensitive fern, that they have a very different appearance from the sterile. In some cases a few pinnae only are thus modified, as in the flowering fern. In the nomenclature and the sequence of the species Gray s Manual (revised, 1908), has been used throughout. Pu^e Sevei Page Eight COMMON POLYPODY Voiyjfoaium vulgare L. LEAVES otlong, Jeeply cut into otlong' blunt segments, tKe blade and its divisions of nearly tKe same width tbrougkout. Pinnae alternate, tbe sinuses between tbem broad, reaching nearly or quite to tne midrib. Son -witnout indusia, a row on each side or tne midvein or the upper pinnae, very large and conspicuous, appearing m early sum- mer, finally turning dark brown. Blade tougli, smootn and evergreen, from a few^ incnes to a foot m lengtn; stems lignt brown, long, several arising close together from a long, slender creeping rootstock near the surface. TKis sturdy fern is very common, growing everywhere on the more exposed ledges, often hign up, and in large masses. Pate Nine D. H. HILL LIBRARY North Carolina State College Page Ten LONG BEECH FERN Ptiego^teris ■^oly^oaioiaes Fee LEAF blaae triangular, some-wnat longer than oroaa, com- pound, tke segments deeply divided. Pinnae oblong, pointed, cut almost to tne midriD, tne t^wo lo-wer narro-wed at tne base, and turned forward and do"wn in a very cnarac- teristic manner; upper pinnae becoming smaller and less di- vided, forming a long sum lobe at the top. Divisions of the pinnae oblong, blunt, tKe lower ones joining tbe midrib of tKe blade. Son small, round, witbout indusia, close to tbe lower edge of tbe divisions of tbe pinnae, maturing in late summer. Blade sometimes eigbt incbes long, thin, soft, downy, especially underneatb, yellowisb, witbering in early autumn, usually bent at an angle w^itb tbe stem. Stems vari- able in lengtb, often reacbing several incbes, scaly at tbe base, arising from long slender brancbed rootstocks. 1 bis fern and its near relative, tbe oak fern, are very characteristic of tbe ledges of many of tbe ravines, tbeir root- stocks intertwining and filling tKe crevices, w^bile tbe blades m crowded clusters form a border over tne overbanging rocks. Pa^e Eleven Puge Twelve OAK FERN Ptiegopteris dryopteris (L.) Fee T EAF ternate, of three triangular divisions, tne central -L-/ largest, eacn pinna again aivided. Pinnules oblong, ratner blunt, diminishing in size toward tne top, tne lower separate, cut nearly or quite to the midriD into oolong blunt divisions, tne upper merely scalloped and united; pinnules of tne lateral pinnae longest on the lower side. Son small, round, witnout indusia, close to tne edges of tne ultimate divisions. Blade tnin, smooth, light green, sometimes six inches long, its divisions spreading more or less at right angles to the stem, Avhich is very long, slender and scaly at the base, and arises from a creeping rootstock. This IS one of ths most delicate and beautiful of the ferns, and a very common one. It grows thickly in the crevices of moist ledges, associated with the long beech fern. Page Thirteen 1 il L- H mi 3P^ 111 ^ ^4 ■ w ^^-i 11^ s^ 3&» ^.^ ^ M ■fl?..f »-.>-^ - ■- "■ 4-f Page Fourteen MAIDENHAIR Aaiantum peaatum L. STEM dark ckestnut, polisKed, often a foot or more in length, forking at tne summit, tne brancnes curving around almost at right angles to tke direction of tke stem, bearing on one side oolong compound pinnae wnich decreases in lengtK from the center, the entire leaf being thus somewhat orbicular, a foot or more across. Largest pinnae six to ten inches long, of nearly uniform -width, bearing from forty to fifty pinnules alternately on slender stems. Pinnules tri- angular-oblong, the upper margin cut and scalloped, the edges reflexed to form the indusia of the oblong or crescent-shaped son. Blades smooth, deep green. Rootstock large, dark chaffy, much branched. This 13, perhaps, our most beautiful fern, and the fern heft known. Its haunts are the deep rich woods which slope up from the moist ravines; here it is very common, growing m graceful open clusters. Page Fif/evn Pi^ige Sixteen COMMON BRAKE, BRACKEN Vteris aquilina L*. T EAF ternate, each pinna aouDly compound and bent a-way -*— ' from tne main stem; tne central largest, triangular, sta.kfcl, tne lateral ones narrower. Pinnules oolong-lanceo- late, Giviaea into oDlong olunt segments wnicn are again di- vided in tns lower pinnules of tne middle pinna, all divisions becoming less toward tne apex. Son forming a continuous line along tbe edges, covered by tbe reflexed margins. Stems straw-colored from a deep, stout rootstock. Leaves solitary, from one to two feet across, dull green, tbick. A large and ratner coarse fern, tbe brake groves abundantly on tbe exposed uplands away from tbe ravines. Page Sevetiieeii Page EightL'vn PURPLE CLIFF BRAKE i^ellaea atro^urpurea (L.) Link T EAVES narrow, nearly twice compound; pinnae widely -^— ' separated, variable in number, oval or elliptical, one or more or the lower pairs snort-stalked and usually divided into from two to rive pinnae. Son orignt brown, margfinal, covered by the entire rerlexed edge or tne blades. Sterile rronds rare, small, witn broader pinnae. Stems wiry, smooth, purplish, irom a short rootstock covered with bright hair-like scales. Blades bluish, leathery, evergreen, rinally dropping away to leave the bare stems among the clumps or young leaves. Entire lengtK not often exceeds eight mcbes. One occasionaly finds clumps of the purple cliff brake m the Lower Dells, bigh up in the crevices of the dry ex- posed rocks. It is a fern more at Kome on limestone cliffs. Page Nineteen Pttge Twenty SLENDER CLIFF BRAKE Cry^togramma stelleri (Gmel.) Prantl. LEAVES totK fertile and sterile, the two kinds unlike, but ^vltK transitional forms, variable. Blades yellow- isn, small and delicate, tnm, veiny, compound, from long', f lender straw-colored or brown stalks wnicn grow in clusters from a tkin rootstock. Blades of sterile fronds about tw^o inches long, broadly ovate; pinnae about seven, oblong to tri- angular, broad, tKe upper confluent witk tke stem, tke lower more or less completely divided. Pinnules three to five, witn triangular bases and variously cut and scalloped tops. Fertile fronds larger, the pinnae more numerous, all but the uppermost more or less completely divided into oblong pinnae. Son marginal, nearly the entire edge of the blades reflexed to form the conspicuous indusia. Like its relative, the purple cliff brake, this fern is more often found in limestone regions, but its habits are en- tirely different. It is rare in the Wisconsin Dells, and one of the most delicate, as it is one of the smallest species. It grows in the crevices of wet rocks which are well shaded by overhanging ledges. /\ii,'t' Twenl\-»ne Page Twenly-two MAIDENHAIR SPLEENWORT Asjtienium tricnomanes (i-*.} T EAVES linear, very slender, once divided. Pinnae -■— ' Tirteen to twenty pairs, -widely separated, one-Kalr an men or legs in length, the sides unequal, round or oblong with scalloped edoes. Son very conspicuous, oblong", three to six arranged ooliquely along the sides of the midrih, cov- ered v^ith delicate indusia. Blades dark, evergreen, on dark purplish wiry polished steins, which arise in clusters from a short scaly rootstock, and persisting after the blades fall away. Largest leaves about seven inches m length. The spleenworts are represented in the Dells by three species, of which this is the smallest. The maidenhair spleenwort is rather common but easily escapes notice. It finds a foothold in small crevices of rather dry shaded rocks, where it spreads out its clusters of dainty slender leaves in- termingled with the dead stems of previous years. >5^^'^' ; '', -M ^1^ ^M^^^/ ^-:m^'-: ^^, -^A- ' Page Tweiity-fo SILVERY SPLEENWORT Asplenium acrostrictioiaes Sw. T ARGE oblong' leaves, tapering at both ends, compound. -■— ' Pinnae numerous, widely separated, linear, tapering" to a slender apex, cut almost to tne midriD into many oblong' blunt segments, sligfntly tootned. Son oblong, largfe, three to SIX pairs closely and regularly packed on eitner side or tbe midrib, ocupying most or tne under side or the blades, cov- ered wKen young with silvery indusia. Many leaves sterile. Blades dark, ratner delicate, slig'htly bairy, becoming coarser, erect and more heavily fruited in sunny places. Stems sligbtly cnarry, straws-colored, from thick, creeping' rootstocks, tne entire fronds one to two feet long', forming nearly circu- lar clumps. Groups of tbis fern are rather common in the ricb, moist woods forming tbe slopes of tbe larg'e ravines; it is often associated -witb tbe lady fern and tbe wood ferns, wbicb it somewhat resembles. ibe mdusia remaining silvery- w^hite till mid-summer give tbe characteristic appearance to tbe back of tbe fern w^bicb bas suggested tbe common name; later tbe leaves become brow^n and scraggy. D. H. HILL LIBRARY North Carolina State College Pagf Twenly-si.x LADY FERN Asfilenium filix-femina (L.) Bernn. T EAVES large, broadly lanceolate, twice pinnate. Pin- -*— ' nae numerous, oblong, -witb very tapering points. Pin- nules oblong, very numerous, tbe bases confluent with tbe stem by very narrow margins, tbe small upper ones more or less united, tbe edges variously tootbed. San sbort witb straigbt or curved indusia, in two roAvs on eacb pinnule, be- coming very conspicuous in late summer. Fertile and sterile, leaves alike. Stems usually straw-colored, growing in turts from a creeping rootstock. Entire rrond two or more feet in lengtb. Xbis is tbe most delicate of tbe large ferns; it grows in graceful clumps in sbaded moist w^oods in tbe ravines or up- lands, and is very common. Mucb of its beauty is lost by midsummer, w ben tbe leaves become beavily fruited and torn. /'..-.■ 7'ue/<0- Pufie Twenty-eiii/it WALKING LEAF Camptosorus rnizo^nyllus (L.) Link LEAF entire, wavy edged, witK a cordate or sometimes auricled base, tapering to a very longf and attenuated apex wKicK often bends over and roots, forming a new plant. Sori elongated, irregularly scattered, confluent, forming very Keavy, oblique lines or masses after tbe witbering of tne m- dusia. Stems ligbt-colored, groAving in tufts from a sKort root- stock. Leaves usually not more tban six incKes long, leatK- ery and evergreen, forming a mat. A fern so un-fernlike as tKis might easily escape at- tention; but it is also tKe rarest of tbe Dells ferns. Its baunts are tKe tops of dry snaded rocks, preferably lime- stone. It is an odd little plant, and its common name, w^hicb refers to its unusual manner of propagation, adds to its inter- est. PtiiH' Tweiiiy-nint Page Thirty MARSH FERN Aspidium tne/y^tert's (L-) bv/. LEAVES lanceolate, scarcely narrower at tke base than at tke middle, pinnate, sligKtly Kairy beneath, tbe fertile fronds taller and narrower than the sterile. Pinnae numer- ous, oblong, pointed, set nearly at right angles with the stem, often curled, divided nearly or quite to the midrib into nu- merous, short oblong segments which appear quite pointed in fertile leaves by the recurving of the edges. Son numerous, in a double row on each segment, small, with minute kidney- shaped indusia, which soon wither, the sporangia then be- coming confluent and nearly covering the under fide of the pinnae. Stems straw-colored, very long, especially in the fertile leaves, grow^ing from a slender creeping rootstock. Leaves sometimes two feet long, produced all summer, the fertile ones not appearing until mid-summer. The Aspidiums, or shield ferns, the latter name an allu- sion to the shape of the indusium, constitute a large genus, which is represented by five species in the Dells. 1 he marsn fern, unlike the others, is found in Avet ground, growing and fruiting most abundantly in the sun. In the shace the leaves are larger and of a finer texture. It may be found in the marshes along the streams running out of some of the ravines. Page Thirl y-tw*e Thirly-fo MARGINAL SHIELD FERN. EVERGREEN WOOD FERN. Asj^iaium margmaie (L.) bw. LARGE otlong or broadly lanceolate compound leaves. Pinnae snort-stalked, numerous, lanceolate, somcAvnat scythe-shaped, \vith tapering points, the lo\ver ones cut al- most to the midriD into ohlong' hlunt divisions, those on the lower pinnae somewhat scalloped; upper pinnae smaller and less divided. Son large, round, separated, with persistent convex indusia, placed near the margins or the divisions, orten produced on the upper and middle pinnae only, or sometimes entirely lacking. Stems rather short, covered with scales, especially at the hase where they arise from a stout, scaly rootstock. Leaves, dark hlue-green, rather leathery, ever- green, arising in clumps, several inches to two reet or more in length. This hardy and heautiful species is very common in the rocky, wooded sides of moist ravines, where its graceful crown of leaves may he sheltered hy the base of a tree. its common name (marginal) refers to the position of the sor\. Piii;c Thirly-fix i^ ^%- '^^S" 'f^ ^^L. 1 flHK ilje J nirly-si.x CRESTED SHIELD FERN. As;^iaium cristatum (L.) Sw. T EAVES linear-otlong or lanceolate, compound, witK -*— ' conspicuous veming. Pinnae numerous, separated, tri- angular-oblong, the lower ones broadest, and sliort-stalked, deeply cut into several oroad olunt segments whicli are finely toothed, the upper pinnae confluent and less divided, all of tne pinnae snowing a tendency to turn tneir faces toward the apex of the leaf. Son in two rows on the divisions of the pinnae, separated, ■with rounded or kidney-shaped thin indusia. Stems more or less covered Avith light hrown scales, from a stout densely chaffy rootstock. Leaves dark green, the sterile ones shorter and evergreen, the fertile sometimes two feet long. One seldom sees this Aspidium in the Dells. It gro-ws in damp places, preferably in shaded bogs. /'..■:e rhirlY-ciiilil SPINULOSE WOOD (SHIELD) FERN. As^idium spinulosum var. intermedium (MuKl.) D. C. Eaton LARGE twice-compounJ leaves, broadly oblong-ovate, variable. Pinnae numerous, separated, spreading, oblong- lanceolate, tbe pinnae of one or two of tbe lowest pairs long- est on tbe lower side. Pinnules cro-wded, ovate to oblong, connected by a narrov^ wmg in tbe lo^ver pinnae, confluent in tbe upper, all of tbem again cut into oblong lobes w^bicb are tootbed at tbe apex. Son small, ratber irregularly placed on or at tbe base of tbe ultimate divisions, covered witb delicate kidney-sbaped indusia wbicb are glandular. Stems witb a few dark centered scales, arising in early spring in a cluster from a stout scaly rootstock. Leaves from several incbes to t\vo feet or more in lengtb. Tbis is tbe most beautiful of tbe woods ferns. Tbe deeply cut spreading leaves bave tbe appearance of plumes. Tbeir graceful clumps are found abundantly in tbe ricb woods on tbe sides of tbe ravines, witb tbe evergreen wood fern. Tbe common name, spinulose, refers to tbe little teetb on tbe smallest divisions of tbe leaf. Pu^e Thirly-nint Page Forty BULBLET BLADDER FERN Cysto;^teris oulhifera (L.) joernn. VERY long, slenaer, twice-compound vine-like leaves, frequently bearing one or more fleshly bulblets on the under side at tne bases or tne upper leaflets. Pinnae nu- merous, oblong-lanceolate, tKe basal ones longest; pinnules crowded, distinct only m tne lowest pinnae, oblong and blunt, variously divided and toothed. Son few, inconspic- uous, rounded, placed near tne base of some of the ultimate divisions. Indusium snort, nood-like, early withering. Ster- ile fronds shorter and broader, not common. Stems short, slender, light-colored, rather brittle, arising from a short rootstock. Leaves drooping, sometimes two feet long. There are two bladder ferns in the Dells. The name bladder has reference to the delicate hood-shaped indusium. The bulblets of this fern, which are really buds, afford a quicker means of propagation. It is typically a plant of lime- stone regions, found only m a few of the ravines, where it trails its del.cate foliage over the dripping rocks. Page Foriy-imc /'..-'C f-nrlv-l\V, FRAGILE BLADDER FERN Ct/sto^teris fragilis (L.) Bernn. 'nr^WICE compound, otlon^-lanceolate leaves witK taper- -^ ing apex, variaole. Pinnae numerous, the lo-wer ones distant and broad with snort stalks, tne upper ovate to oolong. Pinnae distinct only in tne lower pinnae, joined by a narrow w^ing along tne stem, broad and blunt, variously toothed. Son small, abundant, tne very tnm indusium soon witnering. Stems slender and brittle, long, arising from a slender creep- ing rootstocK. Leaves tnin, drooping, from a few inches to more than a foot in lengtn, nearly all fertile, the first pro- duced very early in spring, continuing to appear and fruit all summer if tnere is abundant moisture. Xnis is a common fern and one of the most delicate. It grow^s where there is shade and moisture, preferably clinging to tbe rocks. In general form tbe leaf resembles tbat of tbe blunt-lobea woodsia -wnicn sometimes gro-ws witn it. Puge Forty-three ■ 8^B^^SHK'' '^^^^'*^'-' '^K^^^S w ^^^^^^^1 mi /'((I'e Forly-fuHi RUSTY WOODSIA Vvooasia ilvensis (L.) R. j3r. SMALL, Kairy, linear-lanceolate compound leaves. Pinnae very numerous, crowded toward tne top, ob- vate to oblong, blunt, deeply cut into several oblong, obtuse segments wnicn are sligntly scalloped. Son small and nu- merous, near tke margins of tne divisions, somewhat confluent; tlie very thin indusium attacked by its base under the sorus, dividing into slender nairs which curl over tne sporangia. Stems sbort, Kairy, stout, reddish, witb an obscure ]oint about an inch from tne base, where tne leaves break off. Rootstock stout. Leaves in tufts, a few mcnes long, tnick, dark green, leathery; tne upper side generally smooth, the lower thickly clotbed with coarse shining hairs which turn rusty red at maturity. There are two woodsias in the Dells. This species is very common, growing on dry rocks, often very much ex- posed. The common name very appropriately describes the mature leaves. Page Forty-fix ^ r ^ lu Page Forty-Aix BLUNT-LOBED WOODSIA. VC^ooJsia ohtusa (Spreng.) Torr. T E A V ES broaa lanceolate, almost twice pinnate. Pinnae -I— ' aoout t'sventy pairs, obtuse, tne lower one separated, the oases nearly aivided into oolongf pinnules, tne upper parts more or less cut into segments, all aivisions obtuse and mi- nutely scalloped. Son small, round, near tbe margins of llie segments; tbe indusium distinct, fastened under tbe sorus, splitting at leng'tb into broad pieces wbicb spread out, star- like. Stems ligbt g'reen, witb a few brownisb scales, not jomted, arising from as bort rootstock. Leaves several incbes long, minutely bairy underneatb. Xbis woodsia is not common; it is sometimes confused Avitb tbe fragile bladder fern wKicb it somev^bat resembles in general outline. It is found on sbaded ledges, more often in tbe Lower Dells. Pa^e Forly-seven 1 /'iige Fiti ly-ei^hl SENSITIVE FERN Onoclea sensihilis L. T3ATriER coarse, largfe ferns -witli anastomosing veins, •'-^ sterile and fertile fronds, very unlike. Sterile leaves, broadly triangular, divided into several long narro-w divisions which form distinct pinnae in tke last pair, contracted at tKe base; upper divisions connected by a wing, finally confluent at the apex; margins of tlie upper divisions entire or wavy, the lower becoming more deeply scalloped. Stems of sterile leaves very long, yellow, arising singly and all summer from a slender sKalloAv creeping rootstock whicK is mucK branched; the entire leaf from a few inches to t-wo feet or more m length. Fertile leaves shorter and erect, produced in groups in enrly summer, persistent through winter; the blades twice compound, the pinnules contracted and rolling up to form dark green berry-like structures which turn dark brown, opening the follo\ving spring to discbarge the spores. Sori rounded; mdusia very delicate, hood-like, early withering. Forms intermediate betAveen fertile and sterile leaves occa- sionally round. 1 his common fern, one of the tw^o species of Onoclea in the Dells, grows in low, moist open ground, often forming a border or mass along the streams. The common name seems inappropriate; but the sterile leaves wither quickly when picked, and are sensitive to early frosts. Puge Fifty OSTRICH FERN Onoclea strut nio^teris (L.) Horrm. VERY large ferns, compound, fertile and sterile fronds very unlike. Sterile leaves two to several feet long, OD- lanceolate, witn rounded top; pinnae very numerous, slender and pointed, several mcnes long near the center, narrowing to very sKort ones at tKe base, witK edges very deeply cut into a great number of sbort, close, somewbat scytbe-sbaped segments. Stalks very sbort, arising in a cluster m spring from a very stout sbort rootstock wbicb produces runners; texture of the blade firm, veins free and simple. Fertile leaves, one to few, shorter, erect and stiff, arising in July from the center of the crown of sterile leaves; stems stout, deeply grooved in front, and blades once divided, the edges of the numerous long pinnae closely rolled together to form pod-like dark green segments, turning brown, enclosing the crowded and confluent son which open to discharge the spores in the following spring. The ostrich fern is, probably, the most graceful of the big ferns. The sterile leaves growing in a crown suggest a cluster of ostrich feathers, and the fertile leaves are like stiff plumes. The former may be confused with the sterile fronds of the cinnamon or the interrupted ferns. This fern is found m several places in the E)ells, m low rich moist ground. Page Fifty- one /'iige Fifly-iwu FLOWERING FERN. ROYAL FERN. Osmunaa regalis L. ^ I ^ ALL ferns Avith compound leaves, tKe upper parts of -■- some being fertile. Pinnae in several pairs, opposite and separated, a few inches long. Pinnules numerous, alter- nate, distinct and separate, often w^itK sKort stalks, oblong- ovate to lanceolate, finely tootKed, especially near tbe apex; oases oblique, truncated or even cordate or eared, tbe upper- most often lobed. Spores green, m large naked, globular, sbort-stalked spore-cases wkicK open by a longitudinal slit. Upper pinnae of fertile fronds very mucn contracted and destitute of clorophyll, bearing the spore-cases on tbe margins of tneir stem-like divisions in long cylindrical brown clusters. Leaves tv^o or more feet Kigb, tbeir blades smooth, Avitb forked veins, light green, finally turning brown; stems stout, light brown, arising in clumps from a thick rootstock in spring. There are three Osmundas in the Dells. Fhe flower- ing fern shows its relationship only in t\vz fertile parts; it may easily be mistaken for a seed plant bearing a panicle of small flow^ers. It grovv^s in large patches in shaded Avet ground along the borders of streams. Page F fty-thiee f\ig*! Fiftyfanr INTERRUPTED FERN. CLAYTON'S FERN. Osmunaa claytoniana L. VERY large, coarse ferns, tlie tallest leaves fertile in tKe middle. Fronds oolong-lanceolate, tKe fertile mucK taller than tKe sterile. Pinnae otlong-lanceolate, deeply cut into numerous otlong blunt entire segments, without wool at the tase. Two to five pairs of the middle pinnae on the fertile fronds spore-oearing, very much contracted, completely divided, densely cylindric, dark green at first, finally hrown and withering. Spore-cases large, glohular, naked, opening hy a longitudinal slit. Fertile leaves fometimes five feet tall, erect, curving at the top, surrounded by the shorter sterile leaves. Blades smooth, with forked veins, turning yellow- in fall. Stems yellow, arising in a cluster from a stout root- stock. This IS the largest fern in the Dells and a very common one in the open ravines. The common name, interrupted fern, refers to the position of the fruiting pinnae on the middle of the fertile leaves. This character readily dis- tinguishes it from the other large ferns of the same general form, the cinnamon and the ostrich. Page Fifty-five Page Ftfty-six CINNAMON FERN Osmunaa cinnamomea L. LARGE rerns, fertile and sterile rronds very unlike. Sterile leaves tKree or more feet KigK, witK long stems, broaaly lanceolate; stem ana blaae nearly smootn when ma- ture, except for a small tuft of avooI at tKe base of eack pinna. Pinnae very numerous, a few mcnes long, separated, nearly opposite, linear-lanceolate, pointed; margins deeply cut into numerous broad blunt segments; veins forked. Fertile fronds fewer, shorter and linear, wooly, appearing in spring, green at first and erect, soon turning cinnamon brown and withering; blades twice divided, the divisions much contracted, bearing the large globular naked sporangia which open by a longitudinal slit. Spores green, shed early. Rootstock very large, shaggy, creeping, producing tbe leaves in spring, the fertile ones first, w^hich soon become surrounded by the circle of sterile ones. The cinnamon fern is one of the largest species. It is rather common, growing in wet shaded ground. 1 he sterile leaves grow in graceful clusters, and in general outline resem- ble those of the interrupted and the ostrich ferns. Huiiu Fifty-sever Pu^e F'fty-vight TERNATE GRAPE FERN BotrycniuTn ternatum (Xnuno.) S"w. FLESri 1 plants, fertile ana sterile portions distinct and unlike, tKe bud of tke next year imbedded m tke base of tne stem wnicb arises from a snort erect deep rootstock -witn flesKy roots. Leaves usually single, from a few incbes to a foot or more in neignt, in two segments, sterile and fertile, sligntly hairy, arising from near the base of tne stem. Xne sterile portion dark green, broadly triangular, ternate, the divisions stalked and much divided, the final divisions round to oblong, variable in outlines and margins. Fertile segment long-stalked, inclined, twice pinnate, the contracted divisions bearing each a double ro-w of unstalked naked globular spore- cases, opening by a transverse slit, the whole segment form- ing a large heavy close cluster. The genus Botrychium is here represented by t^vo species. This one, which is quite unlike most ferns m ap- pearance, IS found occasionally on low wet ground. 1 he spore-bearing part, which is not produced till late in the season, bears some resemblance to a minature cluster of grapes. Page Fifty- Ptige -S'.v/v RATTLESNAKE FERN. VIRGINIA GRAPE FERN IjotrycniUTn virgmianum (L.) bw. A SINGLE troadly triangular, mucK divided leaf, witK -^ -*- tne fertile portion rising from tne center, the entire plant a foot or more KigK. Sterile portion sessile atove the mid- dle of tke plant, of tkree broad pinnae, tKe middle largest; pinnae snort-stalked divided into triangluar-otlong divisions wnick are again deeply cut into lobes, tootked tovt^ard tKe apex. Fertile stalk rising some mcnes above the sterile, once or twice divided, eacb division bearing a double row of large spherical naked sporangia, opening by a transverse slit. Ster- ile portion thin, light green, spreading, appearing mlate spring; fertile part later, soon witbering. Rootstock very small, ■with flesny roots; the stem and its divisions flesny, bearing tne bud of next year in a hollow at the base. This fern, like its relative the ternate grape, may easily be overlooked as a fern. It is rather common in moist w^oods. The common name, rattlesnake fern, probably originated m in the fancied resemblance of its stems of sporangia to tne rat- tles of the snake. Pu^e Sixlv-iirit D, H. HfLL LIBRARY North Carolina State College LIST Ol' FERNS Page M. 10. 12. 14. 10. 18. 20. 22. 2i. 20. 28. 80. ;t2. u. m. :w. 40. 42. 41. 4) 48. .-,(). o2. 51. .•)(). .-)«. (iU. Polyijodinin vulfj:are L.. Pheg-opteris ixilypodiodes Fee, Phegopteris {ltyi)pteris (L.) Fee, Adiantuin jjedatnm L., Pteris aquilina L., Pellaea atropnrpurea (L.) Link, Cryptogramma stelleri (Gmel.) PrantL Asplenium trichoiuanes L., Asplenium acro.strit-hoide.s Sw., Asplenium filix-femina (L.) Bernh.. Camptosorus rhizophylhis (L.) Link., Aspidium thelypteris (L.) Snv., Aspidium fragrans (L.) Sw.. Aspidium marginale (L. ) Sw Aspidium cristatum (L.) Sw Aspidium spinulosum var. Connnon polypody Long beech fern Oak fern Maidenhair Common bi-ake Purple cliff lirake Slender cliff brake Maidenhair spleenwort Silvery spleenwort Lady fern Walking leaf Marsh feiui Fragrant fern Marginal shield or Evergreen wood fern Crested shield fern Cystopteris bulbifera (L.) Bernh., ("ystopteris frugilis (L.) Bernh.. Woods, a ilsi'iisis (L.) R. Br.. Woodsiu ohtiisa (Spreng.) Torr.. Oiioc-lt'a sriisiliilis L., Onoclpu strnthiopteris (L.) Hott'm.. Osninnda regalis L., Osmunda claytoniana Tj., - Osmunda cinnamomea L., Botrychium ternatum (Thunb.) Sw Botrvchiniii vii-giniaiium iL.) Sw.. intermedium (Muhl.)D. C. Eaton, Spinulose wood (or shield) fern Bulblet bladder fern Fragile bladder fern Rusty woodsia Blunt-lobed woodia Sen.sitive fern Ostrich fern - Flowering fern. Royal fern Interrupted fern. Clayton's fern - Cinnamon fern Ternate grape fei'n Rattlesnake fern. Virginia grape ferii 0