rPnilP V FERTILE AND STERILE FRONDS LEAF-LIKE AND SIMILAR J 

 UKUUf V SPORANGIA IN LINEAR OR OBLONG FRUIT - DOTS 



rocks, though it has been found on sandstone, shale, 

 and conglomerate as well. I have also seen it on the 

 stumps of decaying trees near limestone cliffs in 

 Central New York, where it is a common plant, 

 creeping along the shaded, mossy ledges above star- 

 like tufts of the Maidenhair Spleenwort and fragile 

 clusters of the Slender Cliff Brake, venturing to the 

 brook's edge with sprays of the Bulblet Bladder 

 Fern, and climbing the turreted summits of the hills 

 close to the Purple Cliff Brake. 



Although without the grace of the Maidenhair, 

 the delicacy of certain of the Spleenworts, or the 

 stately beauty of the Shield Ferns, the oddity and 

 sturdiness of this little plant are bound to make it a 

 favorite everywhere. 



Occasionally a plant is found which will keep up 

 its connection with two or three generations ; that 

 is, a frond will root at the apex, forming a new plant 

 (the second generation). This will also send out 

 a rooting frond which gives birth to a new plant 

 (the third generation) before the two first fronds 

 have decayed at their tips so as to sever the connec- 

 tion. 



At times forking fronds are found, these forks also 

 rooting occasionally at their tips. 



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