2o Our Native JFemS. 



A. Wet swamps or marshes with or without abundant shade. 



B. Rich woods, more or less moist. 



C. Uncultivated open places and dry hillsides. 



D. Moist, rocky ravines or rocky places not subject to summer 

 drought. 



E. Exposed rocky cliffs. 



F. Standing water. 



G. Growing on other plants. (Epiphytic.) 



10. In the first location mentioned above, we may find the 

 chain-ferns ( Woodwardia), many of the spleenworts (Asplenium), 

 a few of the shield-ferns (Aspidiutn), the flowering-ferns [Osntun- 

 da), as well as the genera, Acrosttchum, Onoclea, etc. These in- 

 clude some of our largest and coarsest ferns. 



11. In the second we find a few spleenworts, most of the 

 shield-ferns, the beech-ferns {Phegopteris), most of the grape- 

 ferns {Botrychium), the maidenhair [Adiantum), the Dicksonia, 

 and some others. In this situation we find the finest develop- 

 ment of foliage and the greatest artistic finish among all the ferns., 



12. In uncultivated places, and on rocky hillsides, we often 

 find the common bracken or brake (Pleris aquilina), and the X^Ay- 

 {ern(Aspienium_fitix--/cemina), though these are by no means con- 

 fined to these locations, the latter growing quite frequently in 

 moist woods, and even in cold, wet swamps. Many other ferns 

 are found occasionally in openings of the forest or recent clear- 

 ings, where they maintain a sickly existence, sometimes for a series 

 of years. In such locations, ferns often become contracted, and 

 abnormal in growth, and lose their bright green color by expo- 

 sure to the open sunshine. 



13. In moist ravines and on rocky banks, the bladder-ferns 

 ( Cystopteris) may be found, with the peculiar walking-leaf ( Camp- 

 iosorus), the rare hart's-tongue (Scolopendrium)* and many of 

 the smaller spleenworts. The long pendent fronds of Cystopteris 

 bulbifera, add greatly to the beauty of our natural ravines, and 

 often serve to conceal the uncouth rocks, or at least draw the at- 

 tention to that which is more delicate and artistic. On dripping 

 rocks, or where the sides of ravines are kept continually moist by 



* This rare fern seems to show a decided preference for limestone rocks, and thus far 

 has been found only above the geological formation known as the Corniferous limestone. 

 1 believe a thorough search for this fern along the outcrops of this formation in Central 

 Kew York and elsewhere, would show a wider distribution than is at present attributed 

 to this species. 



