M'PI'NDIX, 



Tin: SCHOOL fj^^hn-floma 



OF CANADA. 



Comprising Dkscriptions of ai-l Ff.rn.s known io Tnmahit thf. Dominion 



« 



To(;kthkr with an AccouNr of riiKik Ofocrapiikal Kanok ok 

 Frkvalknck in tiik Sf.vkrai. Trovincks, and Si'F(i\i. Localities 

 for the Rarkr Spkciks. 



BY PROF. r.EORGE LAWSON. 



FERNS : THEIR GENERAL CHARACTER ; THEIR PARTS - OR URGANS ; 

 CLASSIFICATION OF THE CANADIAN. FERNS. 



Tho I^Ytiis form a very iiatural ami distinct gr()Up'''of plants. Tlmy are 

 familiar to all observers of natural ohjocts from tin; huauty of their ampl(^ 

 foliage, wlii(!li is most commonly plume-like in form, of a fre.^h and vivid f^reen 

 hue, and much divided or cut into small leaflets or lohes ; these, on close observa- 

 tion, are seen to be marked on the surface, or liglitly sculptured or embo.'^sfd, 

 with delicate veining. 



The Ferns are called Cri/pfo'/anioua (flowerless or hidd(Mi-Hovvered) plant.^, 

 becau.se flowers proper, consisting of petals and other showy parts, are here 

 absent. They are also called Acwf/ens (summit growers), on account of a 

 peculiarity in the mode of growth of their stems, which do not increase, as in 

 hardwood trees, by annual layers of wood, or, as in the palm-stem, by descend- 

 ing, interlacing, fibrous bundles, but only by successive additions at the top end 

 or apex. 



,18. 



