32 American Fern Journal 



The hart's tongue seemed to prefer a position 50 or 

 100 feet back from the edge of the ledge, in seams between 

 rocks, where soil had accumulated, and while woods 

 extended practically the entire distance traveled, they 

 grew better where it was but partially shaded, and vines 

 and shrubs had a foothold. A great many trees had 

 been overturned by the wind, and usually their roots 

 held all the earth, stripping it clean from quite an area, 

 and leaving bare rocks. 



Though so late in the season, the days were oppressively 

 warm and made it quite impossible for me to make good 

 time, loaded down with camera, tripod, field glasses, 

 collecting case, lunch, etc., and together with the 

 extremely rough traveling, it was impossible to reach 

 Woodville for the night as planned, except by taking to 

 the wagon road. Toward evening I had a chance to get 

 my bearings and arrived in time for a late supper. Black 

 tea, which seems to be used universally in that section, 

 was placed before me, and in spite of its tendency to keep 

 one awake, I drank it freely but did not lose a wink of 

 sleep, I was so exhausted. 



The next morning at breakfast, a middle-aged 

 laborer, who learned of my interest in hart's tongues in 



untry" grow 



them 



least 



Woodville 

 following 



search. Nothing of interest was found to the north in the 

 woodsor along tli r rocks, sol returned by a little used 

 roinl. discovering two hart's tongue stations quite near 

 the little town. A narrow line of woods crossed the road, 

 rocks outcropping a foot or two, and between the rocks, 



ome 



or so from being run over by the wagon wheels. Those 

 in the open here were much thriftier than others in full 



