1907] Flora of the Boston District, — I 81 
REPORTS ON THE FLORA OF THE BOSTON 
DISTRICT,— I. 
OvER a year ago the New England Botanical Club decided to col- 
lect information in regard to the plants growing within 25 miles of 
Boston. This district was afterward extended, so that it runs north- 
ward to the New Hampshire line; west to include Dunstable, Groton, 
and Ayer; then southward along the Worcester county line, includ- 
ing Southboro, to Bellingham, on the Rhode Island boundary; thence 
eastward to the coast at Duxbury. The district thus formed is a 
good geographical unit, bounded by the New Hampshire line, the 
hill country of central Massachusetts, and the level sand-plain and 
morainal territory of southern Bristol and Plymouth counties. It 
therefore seems that it should possess a definite flora of its own, dis- 
tinct in many ways from regions to the north, west and south. 
The committee in charge has gathered a large amount of data in 
regard to the ferns of this district, which has been condensed into the 
present form for publication. This list is still regarded as a pre- 
liminary one, and any additions or corrections will be welcomed. 
There is especial lack of information in regard to the outlying towns 
of the region, in the south and west portions. 
Card-records have been received regarding the ferns of this district 
from the Gray Herbarium, the Ames Botanical Laboratory, and the 
herbaria of Tufts College, the New England Botanical Club, the 
Boston Society of Natural History, the Appalachian Club, and the 
Bridgewater State Normal School. The following individual col- 
lectors have also furnished cards recording the ferns in their collec- 
tions: Dr. C. A. Cheever, Hon. J. R. Churchill, J. A. Cushman, 
Walter Deane, Raynal Dodge, A. A. Eaton, F. G. Floyd, T. O. Fuller, 
C. H. Knowlton, A. H. Moore, C. H. Morss, A. S. Pease, George O. 
Tilton, R. A. Ware and E. F. Williams. 
Wherever unusual ferns have been reported, the specimens them- 
selves have been examined. Special examination has been made 
of the ferns in the Gray Herbarium, the Davenport collection of the 
Massachusetts Horticultural Society, and the herbaria of the New 
England Botanical Club and the Ames Botanical Laboratory. 'The 
Committee wishes to express its indebtedness to Dr. B. L. Robinson 
of the Gray Herbarium for advice and assistance in preparing this 
report. 
