A SPRING HOLIDAY 



heads " 



ers are in full bloom. Then, too, it is generally 

 acknowledged to be the first orchid of the year to 

 flower, a fact which entitles it to special consider- 

 ation. 



Close to the plants of the showy orchis grew 

 the rattlesnake fern {Botrychium Virginianum) in 

 various stages of development. Botrychium is not 

 a true fern, and consequently its young frond does 

 not curl up in conventional " fiddle-head " fashion, 

 but folds over the fertile portion, which is also 

 "doubled up" in the bud. In its immediate "Fiddle- 

 neighborhood, however, there was no lack of 

 "fiddle-heads." 



The interrupted fern and the cinnamon fern 

 had just come up "fist first," and could easily 

 be identified by their juicy, vigorous appearance, 

 and by their soft wrappings of white or brownish 

 wool. In sunny, sheltered spots they had thrown 

 aside their wraps, and were erecting, gracefully 

 enough, their slender, pale-green fronds. Many 

 other species, less warmly clothed, yet chiefly 

 distinguishable by the brown or black or whitish 

 scales of the young fronds, were shooting up on 

 every side, now curled into the smallest possible 

 compass, watch-spring fashion, and now almost 

 erect, though still noticeable for a certain scrawny 

 youthfulness of aspect. But the day was waning, 

 and we were obliged to leave further explorations 



49 



