80 AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL 
scandens L., a lovely filmy with lacy fronds twelve to 
fifteen inches long. Two other filmies, Hymenophyllum 
polyanthes Sw., with lacy fronds six to ten inches long, 
and T’richomanes arbuscula Desv., with erect, tufted, 
relatively dense fronds two to four inches high, the 
latter in turn affording foothold to a minute liverwort, 
were also collected here. Three species of Elaphoglos- 
sum with entire fronds, the fertile ones smaller and soft 
pinkish brown, found space on the tree trunks; also 
Polypodium piloselloides L. and Rhipidopteris peltata 
(Sw.) Kaulf., with solitary fronds evenly spaced along 
slender wide-creeping rhizomes which cling by numer- 
ous rootlets to the tree, weaving in and out among the 
other occupants. The Rhipidopteris has sterile fronds 
in shape much like an attenuated leaf of Viola pedata. 
The fertile fronds, raised on long stipes, are little pel- 
tate affairs about half an inch across. It is surprising 
how many species and individuals can find accommo- 
dation on one tree trunk. A single tree may bear sev- 
eral species of ferns, big and little, various orchids, 
peperomias, and bromeliads. Polystichum adianti- 
forme (Forst.) J. Sm., with great fronds two to three 
feet long, spaced upon a twining, chaffy, rope-like 
rhizome, was perched high up on a trunk along with 
its small relatives. Two other species of Polypodium 
also were collected: P. angustifolium Sw., with long, 
narrow, simple, leathery fronds, and P. duale Maxon, a 
very delicate little moss-like plant with tiny saw-toothed 
fronds like a fairy’s scroll saw. Pteris altissima Poir., 
even more gigantic than our own brake, grew on the 
banks of the Maricao. 
The following day I made a trip to Monte Alegrillo, 
reaching a higher altitude, and seeing mountain palms 
and more tree ferns, especially the common, but none 
the less lovely, Cyathea arborea (L.) Sm., with great 
plumy fronds and a nest of fiddle-heads, three or four _ 
