190 ROCHESTER ACADEMY OF SCIENCE. [June 22, 
that manual the habitat of the Marginal Shield Fern is described as 
“Rocky banks in shady and exposed places, the large rhizome enabling 
this species to resist the heat and drought of summer.” That descrip- 
tion is correct for the most of’ Canada, while the descriptions of Gray 
and Eaton are proper for the most part of this country. In regard to 
these two ferns, and in relation to their power to bear sun exposure, the 
two localities mentioned are on the opposite sides of a dividing line, 
and their climatic conditions are nicely indicated by the behavior of 
these plants in each region. 
The territory about Rochester, taking in Monroe and adjoining 
counties, presents a considerable variety of surface; generally it is 
slightly rolling, but in a few places rises to a height of three hundred 
to five hundred feet. There are some swamps of considerable extent. 
The Genesee river and numerous creeks and small streams intersect 
the land, and from Lake Ontario a number of deep bays extend 
inward; ponds and small lakes add to the diversity. Ravines and 
gullies traverse the hilly sides of the bays, lakes and water courses. 
The rougher and broken portions of the land are mostly covered with 
timber or a growth of shrubs and smaller plants in a state of nature, 
A region of this character possesses the requisite conditions for a 
su table home for many species of ferns, and, as may be seen by the 
list herewith, the fern flora is well represented in the vicinity of 
Rochester. 
The complete list of the Ferns of New York, as given in the 
Bulletin of the Torrey Botanical Club,* comprises fifty-three species 
and varieties ; forty-six in the order Filices or true ferns, and seven 
in Ophioglossaceee. Of these there are found in this vicinity thirty-fiv© 
species and varieties, and, also, two varieties of Cystopteris not 
contained in that list. 
The species lacking in our flora, eighteen in number, and which 
are found in some other portions of the State, are the following : 
Cheilanthes vestita, Swartz. 
Pellea gracilis, Hooker. 
P. atropurpurea, Link. 
Woodwardia angustifolia, Smith. 
Asplentum montanum, Michaux. 
A. Ruta-muraria, Linneus. 
Scolopendrium vulgare, Smith. 
Phegopterts polypodtoides, Fee. 
Aspidium fragrans, Swartz. 
A. Boottit, Vuckerman. 
* Bulletin Torrey Botanical Club, vol. vi., p. 268. 
