362 THE CANADIAN NATURALIST. [Oct 



to be looked for in Canada, from its northern position. On the 

 other hand, Dr. Lawson's lists include Asj^^leiiium viride, Hudson, 

 Botrychium limaria, Swartz, and others which are beyond Gray's 

 stated limits, (see page 263), Should we, then, not find some 

 Canadian ferns recorded by Gray or other American authorities, 

 we must look to other countries of the same latitude, elevation, 

 &c., as ours. Taking a general view, more than half of the 

 Lower Canadian ferns are inhabitants of tracts of country not 

 dry ; they are found in open meadows, or swamps ; the remainder 

 grow upon rocks, with little moisture, as Woodsia Ilvensis, Cys- 

 topteris fragilis, (occasionally,) Allosorus gracilis, &c. ; or 

 upon rocky positions but requiring moisture, in which case 

 they suffer during dry seasons, as Asplenium TricJiomanes, &c. 

 Not a few grow in either dry or damp positions, in shade or 

 sunshine, when different varieties may be looked for ; while a 

 change of habit, such as is produced by clearing land, proves fatal 

 to some species. A northern aspect is also sometimes noticed* 

 What the progress of civilization may do in affecting the ferns, 

 time will evince, as I have noticed ferns slowly disappearing ; though 

 the loss of species will of course require long lapses of time. For 

 instance, have we any record what were the ferns of Europe, or 

 of Great Britain, some centuries ago ? 



With regard to Quebec, one of the localities indicated in the 

 above notes, the Honorable William Sheppard, who kindly furnished 

 me with a list of the ferns to be found there, is disposed to think 

 that some more snecies than he has named misfht be discovered. 

 He was guided by notes, and by memory, as his own collection was 

 unfortunately destroyed by fire some years ago. 



