ASPIDIUM NEVADENSE.— SIERRA NEVADA SHIELD-FERN, I31 
Then the fronds are much narrower, being generally not more 
than one-tenth of the length. In these and other respects 
however it is prokable the species will exhibit the variations so 
often found in ferns. Our plant differs in some respects from 
the one illustrated by Professor Eaton. Though his description 
calls for “a few of the lower veins forked,” the drawing has the 
upper and lower ones in this condition. We find no tendency 
to forking in the veins of our specimen. The venation or 
arrangement of the veins is very pretty in this species. The 
lower veinlets are nearly opposite and give a palmately branched 
appearance. In most ferns the arrangement is usually alternate. 
Like the “New York fern” 
uous. In the specimen illustrated the barren frond has already 
this species appears to be decid- 
faded, and the fertile one is preparing to follow. Our specimen 
is undersized to accommodate our page, and hence only a few 
of the upper pinnules are fruitful. 
A very interesting’ circumstance in connection with the life- 
history of the species is given in Professor Eaton’s work from a 
letter of Mrs. Austen. She says that the divisions of the pinnz 
of the fruiting frond are closed or folded together early in the 
day. In the cool of the morning they were unfit for the botan- 
ical press from this peculiarity. About two or three o'clock of 
the same day she found them flat and in excellent condition for 
the collector's purposes. Professor Eaton remarks that Mrs. 
Austen had found on subsequent occasions the same phenom- 
enon, but was unable to say whether it was brought about by 
alternations of “light or darkness, dampness or dryness, or heat 
or cold.” 
With the rapid development of our railroad system, and the 
increased facilities for travelling, it will not be long before many 
of our readers will be able to make the acquaintance of this 
pretty fern in its natural home as well as by the aid of Mr. Lun- 
zer’s admirable drawing. In the meantime they will be anxious 
to cultivate it, and no doubt before long it will be offered for 
sale in the catalogues of some of our enterprising fern-florists, 
