THE RATTLESNAKE FERN 



this is divided into two parts, one of which bears the 

 spores. The green blade spreads out in a broad, flat 

 triangle. It is much cut and divided and quite thin. 

 If you can get some of these fronds and press them 

 you will find that they have a very delicate appear- 

 ance, and show beautiful shades of 

 color. 



The spore-bearing part of the 

 frond rises several inches above 

 the green blade. As the spores 

 ripen the spaces between the parts 

 lengthen. There is finally a long, 

 slender cluster with the parts (called 

 branchlets) nearly parallel to the 

 stalk. 



The bright-yellow spores ripen 

 in June. They escape from the 

 spore cases through a narrow slit 

 across it. 



In a hollow at the base of the stipe is a bud for 

 next year's leaf. Within its tiny stem may be found 

 a still smaller bud, and this in turn incloses an- 

 other. So we may say that this plant has its cloth- 

 ing prepared three years ahead. The spore cases 

 also begin to grow a year or more before the spores 

 are shed. 



There is a great difference in the size of these fern 

 plants. Some that are not more than three or four 



35 



Spore Cases of the 

 Rattlesnake Fern. 



