Iher, he states that the summer of 1897 being a "wet one, the 

 t'ronds were somewhat shorter and narrower than in previous 

 years." The habitat of the fern is, in each case, cool, well shaded, 

 and invariably upon limestone. But Mr. Jenkins remarks further 

 that while each is "moist so far as atmosphere is concerned," it 

 appears that " moisture as a soil constituant is not of prime import- 

 ance to large growth." 



(b) The Durham Station. The fern was found in 1883, "on 

 Guelph dolomites, Little Sau river, at Durham, Gray county, On- 

 tario," by Dr. H. M. Ami, of the Canadian Geological Survey/"' 

 who has written me as follows: "The specimens obtained were 

 growing in the narrow crevices of the cream-colored dolomites of 

 the Gnelph formation (Silurian). They appeared to be somewhat 

 depauperate forms, still sufficiently alive and vigorous to warrant 

 the expectation that they would survive under the existing environ- 

 ment. There was very little earth where they were growing, the 

 rock everywhere being practically bare or destitute of earth or 

 drift." Durham is about 20 miles south of Owen Sound in a very 

 wild country, little explored botanically. Guelph dolomite is a 

 good half magnesium carbonate. 



, (c) The Col ling wood Station. 1111898. Prof. Jenkins wrote me 

 of the supposed occurrence of Phyllitis at Collingwood, Ontario. 

 Lately I have learned through Mrs. E. G. Britton of its rediscovery 

 by Mr. B. B. Osier, of Toronto, a member of this Chapter. Mr. 

 Osier has kindly communicated tnost of the following data, which 

 are set down largely verbatim : The location is lot XI. in the 3d 

 concession of. the township of Collingwood, Grey county, Ontario. 

 It is seven miles in a westerly direction from the town of Colling- 

 wood, which is on the Georgian Bay, and about 50 miles east of 

 Owen Sound. The land is about 1500 feet above sea level and of 

 the Upper Silurian formation, a limestone of sufficient purity to be 

 burned in neighboring kilns. The forest is ordinary Ontario 

 growth of hard maple, mountain maple, basswood, elm, ash, beech 

 and iron-wood, with more or less cedar and butternut. The soil is 

 a rich clay loam, with a great deal of leaf mould. The rock on 

 which the ferns grow is full of seams and crevices, which, together 

 with the absence of quick evaporation (due to the dense shade), 

 generally gives ample moisture. The region is essentially a plat- 



* Macouii, Cat. Can. PI. Part V. 268. 1890. 



