THE FERNS OF TAMALPAIS. 
BY MARY ELIZABETH PARSONS. 
Marin County, California, has been said to consist of ‘‘ Mount 
Tamalpais and its skirts.” Although less than three thousand feet 
in height, constantly visited by naturalists, and within a few miles 
of a great city, Tamalpais is still very imperfectly explored. This 
is largely owing to its wild and rugged character and to the dense 
growth of chapparal which covers a large part of it, making ex- 
ploration away from the roads and trails, slow and difficult. In its 
fastnesses, not only the wild deer, but bear still linger, though the 
latter are seldom seen. 
It may be that future and fuller knowledge of the region will add 
one or two ferns to the following list, but they are all that have been 
noticed so far, and nearly all that are to be expected in Central 
California, near the coast. Our State is not rich in ferns. 
1. POLYPODIUM VULGARE. “ Common Polypody.” This species 
needs but a passing mention, as it is so well and widely known. 
2, PoLYPODIUM FALCATUM, which is peculiar to this Coast, is 
given as a variety of P. vulgare in Synopsis Filicum. I have found 
it in cafions about Tamalpais Station. It differs in its somewhat 
larger size, and in having pinne tapering to a long and slen- _ 
der point. Both vulgare and falcatum are found in wooded 
spots, though the former often nestles in the crevices of exposed 
rocks, while the latter may be seen hanging in great masses over 
rocks bordering a shaded stream, having a very elegant appearance. 
3. Portypopium ScCouLERI may be readily distinguished from 
our other species by its thick leathery fronds, broad blunt pinnz 
and magnificent fruit. It is peculiar to the Western Coast. Ac- 
cording to the Botany of California, it is found ‘‘on trees and 
"stumps, more rarely on rocks or on the ground.’’ These remarks 
must apply to more northern districts, for in this region it is found 
only on rocks exposed to the sea winds and fogs. I have found it 
at Point Reves, near the light-house, and it grows in crevices of 
the rocks which crown the hills behind Sausalito. 
4. ASPLENIUM FILIX-FazMINA, “ Lady-Fern,’’ occurs in both 
broad and narrow forms. It is of a tender and beautiful green, and of 
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