Lake Maxinkuckee, Physical and Biological Survey 199 



in autumn. The plants were up well by May 24, 1901, in Farrar's 

 woods. Herbarium specimens collected southwest of the lake June 

 26, 1901. 



Family 2. Osmundacfle. Royal Fern Family 

 3. royal fern 



OSMUNDA KEGALIS L. 



This tall handsome fern is quite abundant in Walley's swamp, 

 where it grows in large tussocks, often to the height of four or five 

 feet. On September 23, 1900, the ground, or rather peat, of this 

 swamp was covered in places by prothallia of a fern, doubtless this 

 species. On May 12, 1901, the plants were well up. The species 

 was also noted in swamp places in Farrar's woods. 



The Royal Fern usually grows in rather deep woods about the 

 edge of ponds and swamps. It does not closely resemble the other 

 ferns of the genus or indeed any other fern, and is attractive as 

 much for its "otherishness" — oddity is not just the word — as any- 

 thing else. The form of leaf and venation remind one of fossil 

 forms, rather than common living species. 



4. CINNAMON-FERN 



OSMUNDA CINNAMOMEA L. 



This is one of the stateliest and most handsome of our native 

 ferns, often growing to a height of five feet or more. A great patch 

 crowned a hillside bordering the southeast side of Lost Lake plain, 

 and it was generally distributed throughout the flat low forest be- 

 tween Murray's and Farrar's along the old road that ran near 

 the shore of the lake. 



About the middle of September, 1900, the plants of this species 

 were observed to be sending up from the base peculiar furry pro- 

 tuberances, which, from subsequent observations, appear to have 

 been the buds for the next year's growth. These dense brown 

 wooly conical buds were observed early the next spring. By April 

 22 they began to show active signs of growth, and five days later 

 they were six inches high, but not unfolded. The spores, which are 

 borne in great abundance in peculiar brown contracted fronds were 

 nearly ripe by May 12. On September 17, 1900, a large number of 

 prothallia were found near and under the parent plants. 



This fern is frequently planted in city yards but does not ap- 

 pear to thrive well in such places, as they are usually too dry for it, 

 and the situation too cramped and crowded. 



