no 



latiusculum, the sensitive fern (Onoclea) and the lady fern, prob- 

 ably only the upland form, (Athy'rium angustum), were easily 

 discovered. One clump of ostrich fern (Matteiiccia) was seen just 

 back of the hotel building, in a favorite habitat of black, mucky 

 soil. With it, and elsewhere, was a good growth of the hay-scented 

 fern (Dennstaedtia). 



The Osmunda family was represented on the Pines property 

 by two species, 0. cinnamomea, and 0. Claytoniana, but the lake 

 shore was most favorable for these and regalis also, and all three 

 should increase in number. 



Only two members of the Ophioglossum family were found, 

 two botrychiums. B. virginianum was everywhere through the 

 woods, as scattered plants. After considerable search had proved 

 unavailing, B. matricariae folium was unexpectedly found by a 

 well-trodden path in the woods to the number of some twenty 

 scattered plants, varying from tiny specimens, barely above the 

 leaves to others, several inches high. Wishful thinking might have 

 added two more 'species' here ; one of these 'matricaries' was slen- 

 der, suggesting the Onondaga moonwort ; two or three others were 

 triangular, like B. lanceolatum. No adders' tongue {Ophioglos- 

 sum) was found, although some search was made in boggy ground 

 at the edge of the Sparta swamp. 



The whole list of thirty is interesting, not only for the species 

 represented, but for some unexpected omissions of rather common 

 forms; the silver spleenwort; Dryoptcris CUntoniana, Cystopteris 

 hulhifera, and two ternate botrychiums ; — these are very likely to 

 be found in the course of a more extended search on the Pines 

 property itself, while some nearby sphagnum bog should yield 

 Woodwardia virginica, and the adder's tongue is almost certain to 

 turn up where least expected. A final total of forty species is prob- 

 ably safe prediction for the general Branchville region. 



The writer will be glad to send any readers interested a small 

 assortment of fern literature, including as long as they last, a key 

 to Botrychium and a sample copy of the American Fern Journal, 

 now in its nineteenth volume. The Fern Society would be glad 

 to join in promoting any future Branchville field meetings, if in- 

 vited. 



Ralph C. Benedict 



