Ferns oF New Mexico 67 
The most interesting locality for ferns known in New 
Mexico is the Organ Mountains, near the Texan border. 
From this low, narrow range, only a few miles in length, 
none of whose peaks reach an elevation of 9,000 feet, 
twenty-three ferns and Selaginellas are known. This 
large number results partly from the fact that a great 
deal of collecting has been done in the region; but no 
doubt this range is exceptional in the State, especially 
in view of its small size. From the State as a whole 
forty-five ferns and fern allies are known, a number that 
compares favorably with the fern floras of most other 
states. In Rydberg’s Flora of Colorado only forty 
species are listed. Doubtless Arizona possesses a 
larger number than New Mexico, for, when one con- 
siders the large number of diverse species discovered in 
that State in the last few years, it would seem that 
almost any North American species might ultimately 
be found there. It is remarkable that several charac- 
teristically northeastern ferns, such as Dryopteris Dryop- 
teris and Filix bulbifera should occur in Arizona and not 
in New Mexico, which apparently lies in the natural 
path of their progress southwestward. There is still 
hope, however, that, when the mountains of our State 
have been more thoroughly explored, some of these 
species will be discovered. 
1. PoLypopruM HESPERIUM Maxon. A _ somewhat 
abnormal form of this species is known only from Brazos 
Canyon, Rio Arriba County.’ It is possible that the 
same plant was collected also by Miss C. C. Ellis in the 
Sandia Mountains, but there is some doubt concerning 
the specimens, which are not now accessible. 
2. BoMMERIA HISPIDA (Mett.) Underw. One of the 
characteristic ferns of the low arid mountain ranges. 
It is known from the Bear Mountains, Organ Mountains, 
1Amer. Fern Journal 4: 111. 
