BALL THE INDIGENOUS FERNS OF NOVA SCOTIA. 149 



SUB-ORDER. Polypodiace.e. 

 Tribe I. JPoIypodiece. 

 Polypodium vulgar e. (Lin.) This is commonly known as 

 the rock-fern, a name which its habitats fully authorize : for it is 

 uncertain if it has ever been found growing elsewhere than on rocks. 

 I once thought I had found an exception ; but upon removing the 

 thin coating of mould in which it grew, there, sure enough, were 

 the rocks. From this peculiarity, and from its much smaller size 

 than the British species (which grows under hedges and on banks), 

 our indigenous P. Vulgare is looked upon as a variety by Hooker, . 

 and called Americanum. It is of very general distribution through- 

 out the Province, abounding on shaded rocks and boulders. It is 

 an evergreen. 



Tribe II. Pteride^;. 



Adiantum pedatum. (Lin.) This plant is the pride of indi- 

 genous Fernists, and is our only representative of the Maiden-hairs. 

 Its only known habitat in this Province at present is Newport, 

 Hants Cy., where it was first found by Mrs. Bennet. It can be 

 seen growing at Mr. Harris' Gardens. There is scarcely one of the 

 world-wide spread species of Adiantum which can be preferred before 

 it, the only regret being that it is not an evergreen. 



Pteris aquilina. (Lin.) The common brake is widely distri- 

 buted over the world. Common and hardy though it appears to be 

 it is the only indigenous species which seems to defy all efforts to 

 transplant it either into an artificial fernery, or for pot culture. The 

 nearest successful attempt which can perhaps be made is to dig up 

 very carefully some of the soil in spring where the old fronds mark 

 its habitat, and then being careful having once potted it or placed 

 it in the fernery not to again move it. 



Tribe III. Asplenie^e. 

 Woodwardia Virginica. (Smith.) This one only indigenous 

 representative of the Woodwardias is evidently quite rare in the 

 Province, having as yet been found only in two habitats, on other 

 side of N. W. Arm opposite the penitentiary, in a swamp ; and at 

 Dartmouth, (latter hab. Mr. Harris, Jr.) 



