26 PACIFIC STATES FLORAL CONGRESS. 



Others more ambitious, climb among and over the shrubs and forest 

 trees, while many of the smaller and more delicate species vie with the 

 orchids in their endeavors to hide the rough bark and unsightly appear- 

 ance of the fallen and decaying giants of the forest; and the tree ferns 

 share with the palms in adding to the beauty and character of the 

 scenery of the tropics. 



They vary in size from species in which an entire plant may be 

 covered by a silver dime, to the tall, palm-like, arborescent species which 

 support their crowns of feathery fronds at a height of fifty or sixty feet. 



WHERE TO FIND THEM. 



It is generally supposed that ferns are restricted to shady, moist 

 places, such as woodland streams, shady banks, and dense, moist forests. 

 While this is in a measure true, we find that they thrive under almost 

 as many and varied conditions as do flowering plants. People, while 

 in search of rest and amusement, seek such conditions as do the ferns 

 most often found and best known. 



The warm, humid atmosphere of islands, like the West Indies, the 

 Hawaiian group, and the South Sea Islands, seems peculiarly adapted 

 to the best development of ferns, the conditions being somewhat of the 

 nature of the atmospheric condition of the carboniferous period of the 

 world's geological history. Tropical regions where not too arid, produce 

 ferns in the greatest profusion. 



Different genera of ferns require different conditions to enable 

 them to thrive; some, like our Woodwardia, grow in or near running 

 streams, Avhile Pellaeas are often found at their best on sunny hill 

 slopes, among rocks. 



The Cheilanthes and jSTotholsenas grow at higher altitudes than most 

 of our native species, but generally in the shade of rocks or trees, or in 

 crevices. 



The filmy Adiantmns grow best under the spray of falling water. 



Polypodiums prefer to grow on the trunks and limbs of trees, or on 

 rocks where there is sufficient moisture in the atmosphere. 



Some prefer the sandy barrens of pine forests, notably the Schiza?a 

 pusilla of Xew Jersey, while others, such as Aspidiums and Aspleniums, 

 require the deep, rich humus under stately trees of the forests. 



Acrostichum aureum and some other ferns grow like reeds or bam- 

 boo in marshy swamps. 



The Vittaria makes its home in the tops of the Palmetto trees, and 

 resembles a bunch of grass much more than a fern. 



Lygodiums, or Climbing Ferns, require rich, damp soil, or moist, 

 decayed logs, which they cover with their dainty sprays, or, climbing 



