48 



out into the pond, with little if any earth over it, which seems at 

 variance with the rest of the ferns hereabouts. 



11. ASPLENIUM TRICHOMANES L. 



Dwarf Spleenwort. 



A charming little fern growing upon the rocks, with its black, 

 thread-like roots working their way so deep into the crevices that it 

 is with difficulty removed without breaking them off. This varies 

 greatly in size, but in the cutting very slightly. Not rare; good 

 localities in Peabody, Marbleheacl, Georgetown, etc. 



12. ASPLENIUM EBENEUM Ait. 

 Ebony Spleenwort. 



Found in pine woods near rocks, but not so much on and in them 

 as No. 11, which in general style it resembles, although never to be 

 mistaken for it. A much serrated form is frequently met with, and the 

 fronds are often found split, forming a double apex. Found in nearly 

 every town ; fine localities in Beverly, Essex, etc. 



13. ASPLENIUM THELYPTEROIDES Michx. 



Silvery Spleenwort. 



This is a rare fern with us but very abundant in Vermont and 

 western Massachusetts, particularly near the eastern end of the 

 Hoosac tunnel, on the path to the " twin cascades." The fruit on the 

 fertile pinnules is very regular and distinct, a very beautiful object 

 under the microscope. The only plant I know of thio is at Swamp- 

 scott. It is at Georgetown (Mrs. Homer), Lyn'nfleld (Russell), and 

 " with Mr. Oakes it was a favorite fern and found by him at Ipswich." 

 (Prof. Tuckerman.) 



14. ASPLENIUM FILIX-FCEMINA Bernh. 

 Lady Fern. 



The most abundant and variable of all our ferns, except, perhaps, 

 Aspidium spinulosum. It grows everywhere, in sun and shade, and 

 often so much fruited that the fronds will look black. It sometimes 

 is found nearly four feet high, and one quite marked variety has the 

 lower pinnae as long, if not longer than the rest, while in the common 

 form they are conspicuously reduced. 



Some will confound this with Dicksonia, when not in fruit, and with 

 Aspidium spinulosum, but the difference will be readily seen upon 

 examination. Common everywhere. 



