FERNS OF THE PACIFIC COAST. 29 



peculiar to itself, but the limits are by no means sharply denned, for 

 some of the species will pass beyond the limit, yet the majority found 

 in one province are different from those in the others. This rule does 

 not apply to the species that is widely distributed over the realm, 

 many of which are cosmopolitan in character. 



Three of the above-named provinces, namely the Arizonan, Occi- 

 dental, and Boreal, are represented on the Pacific Coast. 



Of the political divisions of our coast line, California and Alaska 

 alone appear to possess species peculiar to the territory lying within 

 their boundaries: It is probable that when the large extent of territory 

 forming the northwestern portion of the United States is more thor- 

 oughly explored, many new species will be discovered, and the known 

 habitat of many others be largely extended. 



THE UTILITY OF FERNS. 



For decorative purposes ferns stand unrivaled, their graceful and 

 delicate fronds causing them to be appreciated by all lovers of the 

 beautiful. For the embellishment of the conservatory, dinner table, 

 ball-room, or the home, ferns present a beauty of outline which is never 

 tiresome. For bouquets in connection with flowers, they are indis- 

 pensable. Woodwardia radicans, which in some parts of California has 

 fronds more than ten feet in height, is unrivaled for the decoration of 

 walls and other purposes. 



The first use to which nature put the ferns appears to have been the 

 conservation of the superabundance of poisonous carbon dioxid from 

 the atmosphere, thus gradually preparing it to sustain animal life, 

 which was evolved at a later period. 



This carbon thus taken from the atmosphere and assimilated by the 

 ferns and other cryptogams, was deposited in solid form and afterward 

 covered and stored up in nature's laboratory, where it was eventually 

 changed to coal, petroleum, and other carbonaceous substances. From 

 this storehouse, after the lapse of millions of years, it is being exhumed 

 by civilized man, to supply the heat, light, and motive power necessary 

 for his comfort. 



Man uses ferns for various economic purposes. The pith of Cya- 

 thnea medularis (a tree fern) is used by the New Zealanders as food. 



The stems (stipes) of Pteris esculenta and Callipteris esculenta, and 

 the tuberous roots of Nephrolepis tuberosa, have been used for food. 

 Asplenium filixmas, Ceterach officinarum, Scolopendriums, and many 

 others have been used medicinally. The styptic drugs brought from 

 Sumatra under the names of Penghawa Djambi and Pakoe Kidang, aro 

 supposed to be products of ferns. The tomentum of the "Pulu plant'' 

 (Ciboteum) used in California and Australia, when feathers were not 



