FERN FAMILY 27 



From its name, one might expect 

 to find the Common Polypody of fre- 

 quent occurrence but we saw it only 

 once. It grows, together with the 

 Brittle-fern and Golden-back, in a 

 rocky crevice which the spray of Yo- 

 semite Falls keeps constantly damp. 



2. PHEGOPTERIS. Beech-fern. 



1. P. alpestris Mett. Alpine Beech- 

 fern. Stalks clustered, 4 to 12 in. 

 long, straw-color, grooved, with large 

 scattered scales when young. Fronds 

 12 to 24 in. long, oblong-lanceolate, 

 acute, smooth, tapering toward the 

 base, 2-pinnate; segments deeply cut 

 fruiting profusely except those of the 

 lower pinnae. Sori small, round, on 

 the backs of veins, without indusia. 



Although this fern has not yet 

 been defected in our district, there 

 is little doubt of its occurrence at 

 high altitudes, since it has been Poly podium vulgare 



found in the High Sierra Nevada of Tulare Co., to the south 

 of us, and also on Pyramid and other high peaks to the 

 north. The fronds, which are surprisingly large for an Alpine 

 plant, are delicate and finely cut, closely resembling those of 

 the Lady-fern. 



3. GYMNOGRAMMA. 

 1. G. triangularis Kaulf. Golden-back. California Gold- 

 fern. Stalks densely clustered, slen- 

 der, brown, shiny, iy 2 to 12 in. long. 

 Fronds 1 to 6 in. long and nearly as 

 broad at base, triangular, pinnate; 

 pinnae sessile, generally opposite, 3 

 or 4 pairs, upper ones confluent into a 

 pinnatifid apex, lowest pair much the 

 largest and broader on the lower 

 side and often again pinnate; seg- 

 ments obtuse, more or less scolloped, 

 under surface covered with yellow or 

 white powder. Sori oblong or linear, 

 following the veins, often covering 

 the whole under surface at maturity, 



