17 



list in the Fern Bulletin. During this time new species and many 

 varieties and forms have been described and much learned of 

 the ranges of our ferns. An up-to-date list of ferns was therefore 

 greatly needed and Mr. Broun has met this need in a thoroughly 

 satisfactory manner. The list includes all known forms of 

 Pteridophytes north of Mexico. The nomenclature followed is 

 that of Christensen, though numerous forms and varieties have 

 been changed in rank or their species name changed and so the 

 names are given as new combinations. The arrangement is 

 alphabetical throughout, though a systematic outline of the 

 orders and genera is given at the beginning. As in many cases 

 the generic names used are not those found in common manuals, 

 the index, complete as to names of forms and varieties and 

 synonyms, will be found very useful. For each species and form 

 the habitat and range is given. This feature is largely the 

 contribution of Dr. Edgar T. Wherry. "Whenever practicable. 

 Dr. Wherry states the ranges so as to show the direction of 

 migration." Thus the range of the Virginia Chain Fern, 

 Anchistea virginica, is given "on the Coastal Plain from Florida 

 to Texas, and to Long Island, and sporadically northward to 

 Nova Scotia and inland to Bruce Peninsula, Ontario and to 

 southern Michigan." 



Hybrids are marked with an X, introduced species and 

 varieties with (*). The introduced forms are mostly escapes from 

 cultivation in Florida or adjoining states; exceptions are the 

 European Hart's Tongue, Phyllitis scolopendritini, intentionally 

 introduced in the north, and Marsilia quadrifolia first found in 

 Connecticut in 1862. Incidentally the number of introduced 

 species given in the table at the end of the book as 21 should 

 be reduced to 16 as five forms of Isoetes are put in the column of 

 introduced species instead of native forms where they belong. 

 The list might be further reduced to 15 as it is stated that 

 Salvinia natans was "collected in Perry Co., Missouri, in 1886, 

 and not otherwise known in North America." 



In all 335 species are listed as native, with 109 varieties and 

 222 forms. The volume should be on the "must" list of every 

 student of ferns. 



