1900 ] BRIEFER ARTICLES 5 201 
PTERIS CRETICA IN ILLINOIS. 
Tue Cretan brake is a familiar plant in our dwelling houses and 
conservatories. It is said to be a native of Florida, Mexico, Guate- 
mala, Italy, Corsica, Abyssinia, from the Ural mountains to Arabia, 
Himalayas, Philippines, Japan, and the Hawaiian islands. 
In Mt. Carmel, Ill., it has long been one of the most common 
pot plants in our homes. About five years ago I first found it growing 
in my well, where it has continued to thrive ever since. Below about 
three feet from the surface it remains green throughout the year, and 
is now (February 15, 1900) thrifty and in all stages of development 
from mature fruiting specimens down to small plantlets. 
Last summer I found it in a second well; and today it was shown 
me inathird. In each instance I learn that the plant has been culti- 
vated in the adjoining house, whence the spores have probably found 
their way to the wells. 
So I think it would be proper to add this beautiful fern to the intro- 
duced flora of Illinois, with this peculiar habit at the north.—J. 
Scuneck, Mt. Carmel, Ill. . 
