206 
of the observers, whose opinions were published, seemed to be in- 
clined to believe in the parasitic nature of the lateral roots, while 
others sought to maintain that they do not contribute to the plant any 
nourishment whatever. Jos. SCHRENK. 
CoLLEGE Point, Jan., 1878. 
§ 217. Camptosorus in Eastern Massachusetts.—The discovery 
of Camptosorus in Eastern Massachusetts would indeed be an event 
that all lovers of ferns would hail with joy, but the question that 
will come first to every one will be,—lIs it indigenous, and to what 
extent? 
The species is one that is considered as peculiar to limestone 
regions, and is usually sought for in those regions alone, although 
it is not always found growing on limestone rocks. It has, however, 
always been confined to the limits of a prescribed range, out of 
which it has seldom, or never been found growing naturally. 
That it should have been discovered in a locality so far out of 
its known range, in a comparatively level country, and in a town 
where no lime rock occurs, with no intermediate stations between 
it and its western habitats, would be surprising indeed, if it could 
be shown that it was really indigenous there. If such were the case, 
we might expect, from the very proliferous nature of this species, to 
find it in considerable quantity, but we do not. There are only 
three or four of the principal plants with a few small plantlets grow- 
_ ing in the crevices of the rock, 
Having recently visited the locality in company with Mr. Storrow 
Higginson, who discovered it, I can verify the presence of the 
_ species there, but feel compelled to record my conviction that it is © 
not indigenous, first, because the few plants there are of a weakly 
growth,’and do not manifest sufficient vitality to render it probable 
that they are growing there naturally ; second, because the locality 
is altogether too far out of its known range with no intermediate 
stations; and lastly, because the whole conformation of the surround- 
ing country is opposed to it. 
How then came the plants there? Mr. Higginson’s theory is 
that the spores had been wafted by the wind from the mountainous 
regions, and regards it as an interesting incident in the migration of 
' plants. If this is correct then we may expect to hear of other 
localities being discovered in the “ path of the wind.” 
My own theory is that the plants have originated from other 
plants set out there at-some time under favorable conditions, and 
have propagated either from spores blown into the crevices, or by 
means of the rooting apex of mature fronds. 
That plants of this, and other species have been placed in out of 
the way places in the vicinity of Boston by different botanists I 
know, and have no doubt the recently discovered Camptosorus, so 
near to Boston, originated in this way. 
Be this as it may, the plants are there growing quite naturally, 
and propagating themselves, as the little plantlets testify, and I 
sincerely trust that no one, who may chance to come upon them 
will ever disturb them, but regard the locality as something sacred. 
Boston, Mass., Jan., 1878. Ge Bad. 
