wm 



228 



FKllN-KLOllA OF CANADA. 





rliiirnctor, wlion pn'sont, of tlio (Iclicato iiuMiibriino or scalcj-Iikc l)o<ly called tlio 

 [luliimun, wliioh covers anl protects the S )i'a-i until tiie spore-caws are matured. 



The Table of (ietieric Characters, and figures of portions of fronds showini^' 

 sori and viaiatian, will assist in idcntifyinf,' the several Gi'H"i'a. When the <^(uius 

 is found, the des(!ri[)ti()n ^'iven of each species will cnahle the species to he 

 delected. * 



BENERA OF FERNS, (Canadian,) 



I. TRUP2 FERNS. — Fronds circinnfc in hud {unnd/ini:^ in form of a crosier); 

 s/forc-ca.srs with an claxtic rint:^, whicli at maturity straightens out and tears their 

 delicate membrane, alhnuing the spores to escape. 



GENIS. 



!• StrUthloptOriS. Pinn.v of the few fertile fronds not leafy much contracted, the 

 small pinnules turned bark, bearintf sori (fiif. i, «), with thin lacerate evanescent 

 indusia ; veinules o'i infertile fronds free (not nettt^d), fijj;. \,h.) (A very larg-e fern, 

 its erect fronds in compact circular tufts). 



II. OnOCleSi* Pinna* of the few fertile fronds short, not leafy, much contracted, 

 forminj^f iclobose involucres (tig-. 2, a,) ; venation o'i infertile fronds netted, tit^-. 2, /;. ) 

 (A larjfe fern with ample, coarsely divided fronds). 



III. "TToOlisiSlt Fronds all leafy, often scaly ; indusium, a very thin hemispherical 

 membrane, which splits from the top downwards, in some cases into a mere frinj^e, 

 and g-raduall}' disappears as spore-cases mature, fig-. 3, a, nat. size, 6, enlarged). 

 (Small tufted ferns). 



IV. DSUBStSSdtift* Fronds all leafy, soft an'd hoary ; indusium cup-shaped (not valved 

 on end of veinlet, (fig-. 4, a, nat. size, b, enlarg^ed). (Large fern, with elongated 

 fronds and creeping rhizome). 



* Where the Kern-Flora is used, it will be found a good plan to keep, in the School, a Collection 

 of Dried Specimens of all the Ferns of the inuncdiate district These speeiinen.s can be compared' 

 in lessons, from time to time, with the descrii)tions given of the genera and species. The Pupils 

 may then be directed to search, in suitable h)calilies in the woods, for the particular species. Hav- 

 ing collected their plants, they should l»e allowed to compare these fresh-gathered specimens with 

 the dried specimens in the School Collection, and with the descriptions in the book, so as to asi-er- 

 t>un how far they agree, or are different. The great object should be to avoid all i)uzzling, and 

 lead to pleasant and intelligent enquiry hito points of correspondence and difference. 



