156 BALL — THE INDIGENOUS FERNS OF NOVA SCOTIA. 



so, for two fronds could scarcely be more distinct than are the very 

 simple barren segment of this fern and the extremely pretty highly 

 decompound segment of Viriginicum. It is very rare in this 

 province, having been found only by Prof. How, D. C. L., of 

 Windsor. 



Botrychium Virginicum. (Swartz.) This fern is also rare 

 and is the finest species of Botrychium. It is highly compound in 

 its divisions, the barren segment being sub-quatrepinnate. As yet 

 only two habitats for it have been made known, Pictou (Prof. 

 McKay, B. A.) ; and back of lower part of Port Mulgrave commons, 

 Strait of Canso. (Rev. E. H. Ball.) 



Botrychium lunarioides. (Swartz.) By no means an ostenta- 

 tious looking fern, being the smallest of our Indigenous species. 

 The barren segment is evergreen. It is not uncommon, though 

 from its being generally found in old pastures, from its dull green 

 colour and dwarf nature it is apt to escape observation. On this 

 account some habitats are here given. Lower and cultivated parts 

 of Cape Porcupine ; in woods near Clam Harbour bridge, and along 

 road thence to the Guysboro River; Field at Head of Broad Cove, 

 Boylston, Guysboro Co. ; along road from Cornwall to New 

 Germany, Lunenburg Co. ; low narrow marsh on outskirts of town, 

 near Holy Trinity Church, Bridgewater ; Oakland's Lake, Mahone 

 Bay, Lunenburg Co. ; very common in churchyard and adjoining 

 lands, Rawdon, Hants Co. (All these habitats Rev. E. H. Ball.) 



B. L. var. obliquum. (Botr. obliquum, Muhlenbei'g.) Differs 

 from typical plant in being much larger, the sterile segment being 

 about three times the size and tii-pinnate instead of only bi-pinnate. 

 Habs. : New Germany along roadside from Barss' Corner to the 

 Lahave ; and Oakland's Lake, Mahone Bay. (Rev. E. H. Ball.) 

 In the latter habitat I found a specimen with the barren segment 

 having two fruitful segments growing from it low down near its 

 connexion with the principal fruitful segment. Gray's Manual 

 records the finding of a specimen of the typical plant somewhat akin 

 to this. 



Var. dissectum. (Botr. dissectum, Muhl.) A very interesting 

 and distinct variety, about the size of obliquum but having the 





