86 The Ohio Naturalist. [Vol. X, No. 4, 



A LIST OF THE FERNS OF MAHONING COUNTY WITH 

 SPECIAL REFERENCE TO MILL CREEK PARK. 



Earnest W. Vickers. 



Lying toward the north-eastern corner of the state and 

 belonging to a group known as the Highland Counties of Ohio, 

 Mahoning presents variations of soil and surface which find 

 natural expression in its flora. 



The erosions of the Mahoning River which flows up the west 

 side of the County and again down across the north-east corner, 

 as well as numerous smaller streams have left steep banks, glens, 

 ledges and cliffs and in the case of Mill Creek — which gives the 

 park its name — at Lautermain Falls, near Youngstown, a gorge 

 has been cut seventy-three feet in depth. 



It is in these places that the rock loving ferns find congenial 

 habitat. There are rich wet woods — remnants of noble forests — 

 where the sylvan groups are well represented; while swamps of 

 greater or less area are scattered over the county where ferns of 

 the marsh or bog flourish. 



In its remarkably varied character in such small compass, 

 Mill Creek Park represents the whole county so faithfully that 

 the botanist may expect, and without disappointment, to find 

 therein almost a complete living index to the fern flora of 

 Mahoning County. 



The ferns listed below have been verified by Prof. J. H. 

 Schaffner and are represented by specimens deposited in the 

 State Herbarium at- Columbus, Ohio. 



Polypodium vulgare L. Common Polypody. Commonest on 

 rocks and ledges, its natural home, but also found on stumps 

 and logs. 



Phegopteris polypodioides Fee. Long Beech Fern. Appears to 

 be well distributed growing on high banks and on sandstone 

 ledges, not so abundant as the next species which is frequently 

 found growing with it. Abundant in Mill Creek Park and along 

 the Mahoning River in Berlin Township. 



Phegopteris hexagonoptera (Mx.) Broad Beech Fern. 

 Common evervwhere in moist shady woods. 



Adiantum- pedatum L. Maiden-hair Fern. Everywhere and 

 common . 



Pteris aquilina L. Common Brake. Common. Wherever 

 found there is a generous colonv preempting the ground. 



Asplenium pinnatifidum Nutt. Pinnatifid Spleenwort. July 

 18, 1909, while carefully searching the cliffs in Mill Creek Park 

 near Lautermain Falls, the writer discovered this rare species. 

 This is at once the most eastern and northern station for this 



