12 

 NOTES OX THE FERNS FOUND NEAR WOOL-BRIDGE, DORSET. 



BY JOHN E. DANIEL, ESQ. 



Having, during tlie last summer, collected a number of that beautiful class 

 of plants. Ferns, I venture to send you a list of tliose found in this imme- 

 diate neighbourhood ; and though I cannot presume to say it is perfect, it 

 will be found, I trust, correct as far as it goes, and may serve as the basis of 

 a more extended catalogue of the Ferns of this district. 



The nomenclature is that of Newman's " History of British Ferns," Van 

 Voorst, 1854. 



Blcchnum spicant, Hard Fern, is abundant in woods, hedge-rows, and by 

 tlie hedge-banks of small streams. It is most luxuriant, especially if grow- 

 ing in a heathy soil, well shadowed by trees, whence I have gathered fertile 

 fronds thirty inches in length. Both fronds occasionally produce abnormal 

 forms, by having the apex more or less deeply bilid; bvit a single specimen 

 which I have obtained of a fertile frond, has about four inches of the apex 

 of a frond proceeding from it, at almost a right angle, about two-thirds of its 

 length from the caudex. 



Eupteris aquilina, Eagle's-Wing or Common Brake, is ubiquitous; occasion- 

 ally, in woods and hedge-rows, attaining the enormous height of from ten to 

 twelve feet. 



Ctenopteris Vulgaris, Common Polypody. When growing from an old pol- 

 lard tree, its fronds hanging dowuv/ards, few things appear more beautiful; 

 but not only there need we look for it, but we shall find it growing from old 

 walls, roofs of houses, and banks. My observations this yeax, have shown 

 me how very susceptible it is of either frost or droughts, in the earlier 

 stages of its growth. The late frosts of this spring punished it most 

 severely, and the want of moisture during the summer, in exposed situa- 

 tions, was equally prejudicial. It is still vised, about here, as an emollient 

 tea for coughs and catarrhs. 



Qymnocarpium pliegopteris, Beech Fern, is reported to be found in some 

 part of the plantations surrounding Heflleton House. A very likely place, 

 but I have not been successful in finding it there. 



CystojJteris fragilis, Brittle Fern. Old churches in Dorsetshire, is given 

 by Newman, as a station for this most interesting little plant ; and I have 

 some specimens, found by myself, growing on a bank, near a wood, six 

 inches long. 



PohjsLichum aculeatum, Prickly Fern, always appears to me to recall the 

 head-dress of aboriginal Indians, that is, a corona of feathers. And how 

 beautiful is the vernation. Was the form of the Bishop's crozicr taken from 

 it? In our hedges and woods it is abundant, and appears to be not unfre- 

 queutly subject to an abnormal formation. 



