BOTANICAL BULLETIN. 11 



Ferns of Lkavknwoktii County, Kansas. — The following- is a list of tlie 

 ferns I have found in Leavenworth Coiintj'^, Kansas: 



Adiantiim pedatum, L. Camptosorus rhizophi/llns. Link. 



Aspidhini Goldianitm, Hook. Ci/stopteris fragilis. Bernh. 



Asplenium unynstifoUum, Michx. Onoclea sensihilis, L. 



Asplenium Filix-foemina, R. Br. Onoclea sensihilis, L., 



Botrychium litnurioides, Swartz. var. ohtitsilohata, Torr, 



Botrychium Viryinicum, Swartz. PelUen atropurpurea, Link. 



Woodsia obtusa, Torr. 



Adiantum pedaium, L., the most beautiful of all our North American ferns, is 

 very abundant in Leavenworth County, sfrowins; luxui-iantly on the wooded slopes 

 and in the ravines of the Missouri bluft's, from Wyandotte to Ateliison. 



Aspiditim Goldianum, Hook, is a laro^e and stately fern, but not so graceful as 

 many others, nor plentiful in this neighborhood. 



Asjjleniuin angiistifoUian. Mielix. This graceful fei-n, common enough in some 

 states, is not plentiful in Kansas. I have found it in only a few ])laces in this and 

 Wyandotte Counties, and now that the grand old trees are rapidly disappearing 

 from the romantic ravines and lofty banks of the Missouri river. I am afraid that 

 in a few years my sylvan pets will disappear also. 



Asplenium Filix-foemina, R. Br. I have found only one plant of the elegant 

 Lady fern in this county. It may however be in places that I have not visited, for 

 my fern hunts, although numerous, have not been extensive. 



Botrychium lunarioides, Swartz. Of this interesting little plant I have found 

 only a few specimens, growing with Botrychium Viryinicum, Swartz. which in this 

 county is very abundant, frecjuently fouiul in shady hazel thickets, its fleshy 

 stipe and thick fibrous roots deepij^ embedded in the rich vegetable mould. In 

 such localities specimens are to be found fully two feet high. 



Camjttosorus rhizophyllus. Link. This curious little walking fern is not uncom- 

 mon with us on the crumbling calcareous rocks that serve as homes for many a 

 thriving colony of this industrious little pedestrian. 



Cystopteris frayilis, Bernh. This is the first fern that appears in the spring, 

 and by far the most abundant in Kansas. Sometimes I have noticed it as early as 

 the first of March, pushing its pretty little curly head through the soft vegetable 

 mould, and early in April, on the northern slopes of the Missouri blufi's and along 

 the wooded water-courses you may find them by the acre, full grown ferns quiver- 

 ing in the soft spring sun-light. 



Onoclea se7isibilis, L. This peculiar looking fern, with its broad sterile frond and 

 fruit-|)earing spike, is very common with us. In low, damp situations it is fre- 

 quently to be seen two and a half feet high. Ii.s delicate light green fronds wilt 

 immediately on being gathered and wither at the slightest touch of frost, hence, 

 ]jrobably, its popular name, "Sensitive Fern." 



0. sensihilis, L., var. ohtusilnhata, Torr. A few j^ears ago I found within the 

 city limits cyf Leavenworth a solitary plant of this variety and transplanted it to 

 mj' out-door fernery, but unfortunately lost it during an unusually dry season. 



Pellctia atropurpuria. Link. In keeping with its favorite habitat, tha \\iiH.W\ev- 

 beaten faces of limestone rocks, this little evergreen has rather a hard, dry look. 

 It is not uncommon in this county, being often found in company with the Woodsia 

 obtusa and "Walking Fern." 



Woodsia obtusa, Torr. This beautiful little fern grows abundantly in the vi- 

 cinity of Leavenworth. With us it is a partial evergreen, and gives out new fronds 

 very late in the season. — James Wilson, Leavenworth, Ko.nsas. 



Some effects of the unusual season. — The month of December, 1875, has 

 been a remarkable one. From the first to the ninth the thermometer recorded 

 here an average temperature of 45 deg. to 50 deg. Then until the nineteenth the 

 temperature fluctuated above and below freezing point, never far from it. From 



