THE CHAIN FERNS. 
se HE chain ferns are most at home in 
B | the sandy swamps along the Atlantic 
; seaboard, and unless the collector 
lives within a short distance of the 
ocean, he is likely to see compara- 
tively little of them. One species, it 
is true, is found sparingly in inland 
swamps throughout most of the 
northeastern States but it is never 
: f plentiful enough to become com- 
mon. One is likely to always re- 
member the day upon which he first 
found it in his locality. The family 
is distinguished from others by the 
fact that the species bear their spor- 
angia in oblong sori parallel to the 
midvein, differing in this respect 
] from the Asplentums whose sori are 
oblique to the midvein. Otherwise 
the fruit dots are not so very unlike. 
The Common Chain Fern. 
It is a frequent occurrence for collec- 
jj, tors to mistake the fronds of the common 
l chain fern (Woodwardia Virginica) for 
those of the ubiquitous’ cinnamon fern. 
MW), When growing in dense clumps they are 
practically indistinguishable until one is 
: ‘i 
