44 Our Native Ferns. 



Until recently there has been much difficulty in distinguishing the 

 smaller species oi Botrychium, and some forms seem to connect the 

 smaller ones with the reduced forms of B. tematum and B. Vir- 

 ginianum. 



The publication of a series of distinguishing characters with 

 illustrations by a specialist in this genus,* has added much to our 

 positive knowledge of these intimately related species, and has 

 made their identification a matter of comparatively easy investi- 

 gation. The buds may be found enclosed in the base of the com- 

 mon stalk (except in B. Virginianum where they are placed in an 

 upright cavity at one side) and may be examined with a strong 

 lens. The three divisions are summed up as follows : 



" I . Vernation wholly straight. B. simplex, Hitch. (Fig. 29.) 



II. Vernation partly inclined in one or both portions. B. lu- 

 naria, Swz., (Fig. 30), B. boreale, Milde., B. matricariafolium, 



A. Br., (Fig. 31), and B. ternatum, Swz. (Fig. 32). 



III. Vernation wholly inclined, in the fertile frond recurved. 



B. lanceolatum, Angs., (Fig. 33), and B. Virginianum, Swz." 

 The special characters of each species will be found under the 



descriptions of the Botrychia later in this work. The cuts will be 

 valuable for reference, and will enable even beginners to identify 

 the species of this complicated genus with comparatively little 

 difficulty. 



* Vernation in Botrychia, by Geo. E. Davenport. Bulletin Torrey Botanical Club, 

 Jan., 1878, from which the cuts iu this work are copied. See also Bulletin, Nov., 1880. 



