THE SENSITIVE AND OSTRICH FERNS. 



OTANISTS have always been 

 divided in opinion as to 

 whether the ostrich and sen- 

 sitive ferns should be con- 

 sidered members of the same 

 family. They have an un- 

 mistakable likeness and must 

 be considered as cousins if not 

 of nearer kinship. The princi- 

 pal differences are that one has 

 a running rootstock, scattered ^ 

 fronds and anastomosing veins, 

 an upright rootstock, fronds in 

 The first is the type of Onoclea, 

 the second of Strut kiopter is. Onoclea is named from two " 

 Greek words meaning a vessel and to close, in allusion 

 to the berry-like, fruiting pinnules. Struthiopteris is 

 also from the Greek and may be literally translated as 

 ostrich fern. As modern botanists view them, there is 

 but a single species of Onoclea in the world, and but two 

 of Struthiopteris. 



The Sensitive Fern. 



The sensitive fern (Onoclea sensibilis) is one of our 

 most abundant species. Wherever the soil is moist, in 

 woodland, thicket and the open field, it is likely to occur, 



while the other has 

 crowns and free veins. 



