64 Palmer Ferns of the Dismal Swamp, Virginia. 



When little sunlight reaches these plants fruiting spikes are rarely seen,, 

 and usually but one on a plant. Along the outlet canal, where the trees 

 have been thinned and drainage is complete, the dryer and more sunny 

 conditions have affected the fruiting and many variations showing par 

 tial fertility were collected. 



3. Struthopteiis cinnamomea (Linn.) Bernh. Cinnamon Fern. 

 Osmunda cinnamomea Linn., Sp. PI., p. 1066, 1753. 



Abundant, usually with the preceding species, but not so partial to the 

 cypress knees and the shadier situations. Both species, but more espe 

 cially AS', cinnamomea, are evidently recent additions to the true swamp 

 flora; for sway from the ditches and bogie roads they are rarely seen. 

 This species is usually very tall and luxuriant, but does not fruit as ex 

 tensively as in more open and higher places. On June 9. 189!), I found 

 two plants near the head of Washington ditch in an open place. They 

 had all the pinnules much reduced in size and many of the lower basal 

 ones were greatly elongated and often pinnatifid. The plants were ex 

 posed to generous sunlight for part of the day, but owing to their situation 

 on a decaying log were necessarily limited in root moisture. 



4. Onoclea sensibilis Linn. Sensitive Fern. 



By no means common in the sandy area but found mainly in the streams 

 and ditches bordering the swamp. 



5. Polystichum acrostichoides (Michx.) Schott. Christmas Fern. 



On June 3, 1896, several hundred yards from the eastern end of Lake 

 Drummond, I found several dwarfed plants on a small well-decayed log. 

 The largest frond, a fertile one, measured 9| inches (235 mm.*) and If in. 

 (44") wide, with a stipe 4J (124) long- The longest pinna is -|- (21.5) long 

 and i (5.5) wide. The largest sterile frond was shorter and barely wider. 

 The edges of the pinnae were regular but very finely spinulose. No others 

 were found, but the species is common in the ravines near Suffolk, about 

 fourteen miles distant. 



6. Dryopteris noveboiaceiisis (Linn.) A. Gray. New York Fern. 



Where the sandy areas of the swamp blend with the true peaty swamp, 

 and especially in the old bogie roads in these dryer portions of the swamp, 

 this species is abundant. 



7. Dryopteris thelypteris (Linn.) A. Gray. Marsh Fern. 



Found at but one place, above the head of Washington ditch. Its long 

 spindling fronds were growing in the bushes on the bank, but the normal 

 plant was not seen. 



measurements in parentheses are in millimeters. 



