Schizaea pusilla in its natural surroundings 



R. C. Benedict 



Schizaea pusilla — sometimes called "curly grass," is 

 perhaps our most elusive fern. It occurs in only a few 

 very limited regions, — Newfoundland, New Jersey. It 

 is also the most diminutive and least conspicuous of all 

 our ferns. Possibly it is more wide-spread than has been 

 supposed as it might readily escape the notice even of a 



careful searcher. 



The plant shown in the plate was found last July near 

 the Toms River, New Jersey. The species had been 

 found there before, and the writer was guided in his 

 search by the careful directions of one of the earlier visi- 

 tors to the locality. One discrepancy between the lo- 

 cality as described and as found last summer was dis- 

 covered when it was found that according to the direc- 

 tions, the route lay through a pond of some acres extent 

 on which no boat was available. As was learned later, 

 this pond is a temporary affair, and is filled or emptied 

 according to the exigencies of cranberry culture. 



The important landmark, according to the directions, 

 was a railroad embankment. This was visible the other 

 end of the pond, and was reached finally after a consider- 

 able detour. For the benefit of those who may wish to 

 hunt for Schizaea, let me describe in some detail the actual 

 surroundings under which it grew at that particular lo- 

 cality. 



The pond lay in a hollow only a little lower than the 

 adjoining tract. Along two sides, the ground was at 

 that time very dry and covered with blueberries and scrub 

 oak. Along the railroad embankment, the marginal 

 ground was very moist, with scattered patches of sphag- 



11 



