BOTANICAL BULLETIN. 



number four species. Of these at least one may be classsd among botanical r:ir(;ties, 

 while another deserves attention for its geographical distributicjn. Our most common 

 species is A. Filix-fmnina, Bernh., and it may be said to inhabit Jeftersos county gener- 

 all}', but as yet I have not been able to detect it upon the river bluffs of the Ohio or in 

 the ravines running back from it. It rather selects fence-rows of the moist and flat 

 uplands, while it is not uncommon in the upland woods. As noted by Professor Eaton 

 in the Filices of Gray's Manual, we find this species extremely variable here. Tlie 

 fronds often have the pinniE of the terminal quarter lance-linear. The pinnules of the 

 lower pinnae range through ovate, oblong, and lance-linear with the tooth at the base of 

 the upper margin prominent. The confluent pinnules often give an interrupted, ridgy 

 and channelled appearance to the secondary axis by an epidermal rise along tiieir 

 midrib which passes along the secondary axis to the pinnule below. The stalk is chaffy 

 below and more or less glandular (?) hairy throughout, as is also the secondary axis. 

 This feature is more decided in the immature fronds. 



A. tMypteroides, Mx., is decidedly local. Besides "3-6 pairs" (or less) of fruit dots, 

 there is occasionally an additi(mal odd lot. The margins of the lobes of the pinnce 

 seem to have a strong disposition to turn under, like Adiantum, thus concealing the small 

 teeth. The stalks are quite long and chafty hairy. We also notice that to a limited extent 

 the ridges of the seccmdary axis (spoken of under A. Filix-fmminn) still exist, but in a 

 reversed order, being more prominent upon the upper surface of A. Filix-Jmni'Ui, and 

 ui)on the lower surface of ^. thelppteroides. 



^4. ^(«(/««i(/«?/w«, Mx. is interesting as being found in Southern Indiana. It is an 

 inhabitant of cooler regions, and here it seeks the dampest and coolest portions of the 

 ravines running back from the Ohio river and is always found encircled by a rich 

 carpet of moss to shield its roots from heat and retain sufficient moisture. It is by no 

 means abundant, and indeed, this remark will apply to all our Ferns with the exception 

 of three or four species. Pinmc of the sterile frond are quite abrupt at base, those of 

 the fertile less so. Very frequently the fronds that are sterile in general appearance and 

 character will bear a few fruit-dots upon a half dozen pairs of pinnae. 



Lastly, we would mention our most interesting species, y1. Euta-inia-ana, L. This 

 species, as far as we can discover, is very local. It has been found attached to the lime- 

 stone clifts of the Niagara Ejiocli in but one locality, embracing a range of 800 or 400 

 yards in length. It also seems to confine itself to a narrow vertical range of about 15 

 or 20 feet. We have afso observed that this same vertical range applies to PeU<e<i 

 atropKrpureti, Link. A. EuUt-inurana has been found tills year growing in greater abun- 

 dance tlian ever observed before, due, perhaps, to an unusually wet season. In dry 

 seasons, being very much exposed to the direct rays of the sun, it rajiidly slirivels up 

 and thus escapes observation. Its hold upon the rocks is very close, as it sends out 

 dozens of small thread-like rootlets, which penetrate readily into the minutest creviees. 

 Speaking of the roots we would mention a very interesting observation of our own 

 which we have not seen recorded. The scales of the stipe are quite densely aggregated 

 at its base and are objects of great beauty. We would describe them as being pcUncidly- 

 netted, lanc&-li)u'ur andjilifonnly-'poiided. The duration of these ferns in their perfection 

 of beauty and color depends somewhat on the approach of frost. A. tMypteroides and 

 A. (mrjmlifoliiuit seem to be quite sensitive to the cold and bleach with our first frosts. 

 A. FUix-fieinina is much hardier and together with the last two may be ranged trom 

 July to November. The little A. liula-vitirarut, however, seems to partake of the nature 

 of an evergreen here, having been observed from March to December and, as far as we 

 could judge, not affected by the keenest frosts. A. H. Young, Hamvei\ li,d. 



[We can vouch for the correctness of this last observation, and have tliouglit for 

 some time that A. Ruta-mtimria must undoubtedly be an evergreen.— Ed. J 



