50 THE CANADIAN NATURALIST. [Yol. ix. 



Aspidium Lonchitis, or Holly Fern of the Old Country. This 

 species I discovered at Grande Greve in 1875, previous to which 

 the only known locality, I believe, was Owen Sound, where 

 plants had been found, in 1859, by the Rev. Professor Hincks. 



I again found it in the nei,2:hbourhood of Grande Greve, last 

 summer, where my specimens were collected. It is a very hand- 

 some fern, but losing much of its beauty when in cultivation ; 

 throwing out a circle of rich, shining, green and narrow lanceolated 

 fronds, often two feet in length ; it appears to thrive luxuriantly 

 amongst the weathered, broken limestone rocks, that have fallen 

 from the heights above and become mixed with the fallen leaves. 

 Evidently perfect drainage for the roots is essential to a vigorous 

 growth, combined with a cool, breezy atmosphere, with a northerly 

 to easterly aspect. I have transplanted some roots oF this fern, 

 as well as Asplenium viride and Asplenium aculeatum, to suit- 

 able situations on our own mountain, and hope there will be 

 opportunities of seeing them in their early, brilliant spring beauty. 



The foregoing are the only rare ferns I have found at Grande 

 Greve. Aspidium spinulosum there presents several beautiful 

 forms, as shown in the specimens before you. 



Pellcea atropurpurea . For this specimen I am indebted to 

 the kindness of "Mrs. Roy, of Owen Sound, where I believe it is 

 sparingly located. I found this fern in 1875, on the cliffs over- 

 hanging the whirlpool at Niagara, on the American side ; but 

 last year, I found it on the Canadian side, and in the most 

 frightfully dangerous-looking places, on the perpendicular sides 

 of high calcareous rocks, which had become partially detached 

 from the main rocks, and were slowly moving, preparatory to a 

 final plunge into the turbulent river beneath. Its dark, tough, 

 wiry roots penetrate the smallest fissure, and thrive with less 

 soil than any other fern with which I am acquainted. No 

 doubt the great amount of humidity from the falls and rapids 

 helps to counteract! the want of root nourishment, the atmos- 

 phere being conatantly filled with light particles of moisture ; 

 otherwise, I think they would be burnt up, being exposed to 

 the scorching sun. I have never seen this species in any other 

 locality. 



Aspidium fragrans. For the present fine specimen I am in- 

 debted to the Rev. Robert Hamilton, of Grenville, who collected 

 it on one of the mountains in that locality. It is a rare species, 

 growing in the seams or fissures of limestone rocks, into which 



