WOODWARDIA ANGUSTIFOLIA. NETTED CIIAIN-FERN. I 79 



barren one. To the unassisted eye the sori, or fruit masses, look 

 Hke mere right-angled blocks, but as seen in the magnified sketch 

 they are the outgrowth of veins which, taken in pairs, make 

 oblique hexagons in successive order. Between each pair is a 

 small scale appearing so regularly as to suggest the possibility 

 of these appendages, usually regarded as mere accidents, being 

 abortive intentions of important parts. 



The resemblance in the barren frond to Onoclea is so close 

 that the philosopher fond of speculation will be tempted to 

 inquire whether the two species may not have had a commu- 

 nity of origin. The anatomical structure of the female frond is 

 indeed widely different in the two genera ; but we now know 

 that anatomical structure follows and does not govern form. 

 We also know that time in growth-waves has a great influence 

 on form. In Onoclea the female frond is not thrown up till late 

 in the season, while in Woodwardia it commences growth in 

 midsummer. The Onoclea is understood to be of very remote 

 geological age — the Woodiuardia, from its local range, we may 

 believe to be modern. If, to all these considerations, we may 

 imagine an Onoclea that had achieved the power of advancing 

 the female frond, it might result in the change we see. At any 

 rate, we do know such an acceleration would result in a changed 

 form; but we do not know the direction the change would take. 

 Such imaginary plans, suggested by a few observations, must 

 not be taken for facts ; but it is only under the inspiradon of such 

 possibilities that scientific knowledge is ever advanced. 



As already noted, the geographical range of this species Is 

 comparatively limited. It Is generally believed to be confined 

 to the marshes of the seaboard Adandc States from Massachu- 

 setts to Florida, in v/hich latter State Miss Mary C. Reynolds 

 finds It fruiting profusely. In Dr. Newberry's catalogue of the 

 Plants of Ohio, however, it finds a place, if correcdy so placed, 

 probably along the lake region. 



Its botanical history dates back to the time of Clayton, the 

 early Virginia botanist, who sent It to Gronovius, by whom It 



