TROIIP VI FERTILE AND STERILE FRONDS LEAF-LIKE 

 AND USUALLY SIMILAR ; FRUIT-DOTS ROUND 



It is found frequently in the valley of the Hudson. 

 Though not related to the Common Bladder Fern 

 (C.fragilif\ it has somewhat the same general ap- 

 pearance. Its fronds, however, are usually both 

 broader and longer, and its stalk and pinnae are 

 slightly downy. Its range does not vary greatly 

 from that of the Common Bladder Fern, but 

 usually it grows in more exposed spots and some- 

 times basks in strong sunshine. 



Meehan says the Blunt-lobed Woodsia is found 

 along the Wissahickon Creek, Penna., on dry walls 

 in shady places. " One of its happiest phases," 

 he continues, " is toward the fall of the year, when 

 the short, barren fronds which form the outer circle 

 bend downward, forming a sort of rosette, in the 

 centre of which the fertile fronds somewhat erectly 

 stand." 



The sterile fronds remain fairly green till spring. 



56. NORTHERN WOODSIA. ALPINE WOODSIA 



Woodsia hyperborea ( IV. alpind) 



Northern New York and Vermont, and northward from Labra- 

 dor to Alaska, on rocks. Two to six inches long, with stalks 

 jointed near the base. 



Fronds. Narrowly oblong-lanceolate, nearly smooth, pinnate ; 

 fiinncz triangular-ovate, obtuse, lobed ; lobes few ; fruit-dots some- 

 what scattered ; indusium as in W. Ilvensis. 



This rare little fern has been found by Dr. Peck 

 in the Adirondacks and by Horace Mann, jr., and 



Mr. Pringle in Vermont. In his delightful " Rem- 



203 



