24 TALKS AFIELD. 



which occur in the United States east of 

 the Mississippi are over one hundred and 

 twenty-five in number. Of these probably 

 the greater part are not recognized by the 

 casual observer. A few of them grow in 

 dry and open places and in sunny swales 

 where they are popularly known as brakes. 

 Three or four of them are troublesome weeds 

 to the farmer. Some of them are evergreen 

 and may be seen in winter protruding from 

 the snow on hillsides. When transplanted 

 to the garden many of the species grow well 

 and are highly ornamental. It is impera- 

 tive, however, that they be planted in a 

 shady place which is protected from strong 

 winds. In former years the propagation of 

 ferns was regarded as a great mystery. No 

 flowers or seeds could be detected by the 

 curious. In Shakespeare's time the mystic 

 "fern seed" was supposed to be a potent 

 aofent in the incantations of witches. The 

 whole process of the reproduction of ferns 

 is now understood, and nearly every one is 

 familiar with the peculiar dots of fruit on 

 the backs of the fronds or leaves. Fig. 26 

 illustrates the fruit-dots on the common rock 

 polypody. If we magnify one of these fruit- 

 dots we find it to be composed of many 



