American Sern Journal 
Vol. 7 OCTOBER-DECEMBER, 1917 No. 4 
Fresh Pleasures from old Fields 
H. E. RANSIER 
A man past 60, country raised, went to the Adiron- 
dacks for a few weeks recently for his health. While 
killing time on his balsam bed, he picked the leaves of 
plants within his reach. Something about one kind 
which abounded, excited his curiosity and he asked the 
guide the name of the plant. The guide did not know, 
neither did any one he inquired of, so he brought home 
a few of the leaves and put it up to me, saying the leaves 
when rubbed to a powder in his hands, would produce 
Violent sneezing. They were only common buttercup 
leaves, Ranunculus acris. It appears that none were in 
flower when he saw them. This is an extreme case, but 
illustrates how we all are apt to overlook the common 
things that surround us, be it plant, insect or animal 
life. The purpose of this article is to help its readers 
- to become more intimately acquainted with the ferns 
that abound in their own section, and to show how they 
may get fresh pleasures from old fields, for what is true 
of the hart’s tongue fern, may be equally so of some more 
Common kind that may have not been noticed closely 
- heretofore, 
To be located. in a section rich in ferns and yet be 
able to go afield but a couple of half days in a season has 
“n my lot for many years. Under such circumstances 
there has been a tendency to follow well known and 
familiar paths. ‘This in itself tends to a monotonous 
— 
(No, 
3 Of the JOURNAL (7: 61-98, Plate 4) was issued Aug. 9, 1917.] 
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