Haunts, Habits, and Distribution. tg 



the walking-leaf {Camptosorus) less commonly, while the same 

 tendency is noticed in various compound forms, as Asplenium 

 angusti/olium, Cheil'anthes vestita, Pellcsa atropurpurea and others. > 

 Some of the species of Botrychium show the same tendency, es-. 

 pecially in their fertile segments.* 



7. Time of Fruiting.— The- time of maturing fruit is dififerent 

 among diflFerent species, and also varies with geographical loca- 

 tion and proximity to tropical climates. In the Northern States 

 some species produce their fruit as early as May, and others as 

 late as September, but the greater number are best studied in July 

 and August. In semi-tropical climates, like Southern California 

 and the Gulf States, the time of fruiting is often earlier, some- 

 times occurring in February or March. Some fronds are killed by 

 the early frosts, while others like the Christmas-fern, ^re ever- 

 green and may be gathered in midwinter. 



8. Local Distribution. — Ferns are largely dependent for suc- 

 cessful growth on the amount of warmth, moisture and shade to 

 which they are subjected, and we would naturally expect to find 

 them reaching a maximum in size and abundance in warm swamps 

 or shady marshes. While this is in general true, we nevertheless 

 find many species thriving only in rocky places, thrusting their 

 roots into the crevices of the rocks with little earth for their nour- 

 ishment, and many times exposed to the scorching rays of the 

 sun. Of necessity, such species are of comparatively small size, 

 and likely to be protected in some way against the heat of the sun 

 and the lack of moisture in times of drought. Others still are 

 found in wet, rocky ravines, often where moistened by the spray 

 of cascades or waterfalls, and, consequently, have no such provi- 

 sion against the heat of an extended summer. Certain others 

 thrive in open fields that are comparatively dry and unshaded. 

 One species of Southern Florida is aquatic, having the sterile 

 fronds floating in shallow water. A few species are epiphytic, or 

 grow on other plants, some being found on tree-trunks to the 

 height of 150 or 200 feet ! 



So, while moisture, warmth and shade in abundance are the 

 climatic conditions essential to promote luxuriant fern growth, it 

 can and does continue when any or all these Conditions are re-' 

 duced to a minimum. 



9. Ferns may then be sought in any of the following situations, 

 and it will be seen that each situation has its characteristic species. 



* See also Bulletin Torrey Botanical Club, August, 1880. 



