4 FERNS AND THEIR ALLIES 



midway between it and the margin. They are 

 found on the upper half or more of the frond, 

 and mature in July. 



CAMPTOSORUS. Walking Leaf. 

 The name is from the Greek kamptos, bent, 

 and soros, a heap, for fruit-dot, referring to the 

 form of the fruit. 



■WALKING FERN. 



Camptosoriis rhizophyllus. 



Frond from four to twelve inches long, ever- 

 green, heart-shaped or hastate at the base, en- 

 tire, tapering to a very long, slender point, 

 which, when coming in contact with the soil, 

 takes root and forms a new plant. Its manner 

 of growth suggests steps, whence its common 

 names of Walking Fern or Walking Leaf. 



This fern was formerly given as an Aspleniiim, 

 and Pinnatifid Spleenwort was considered a 

 variety. 



It grows in tufts on dry, shaded rocks, pre- 

 ferably limestone. In texture it is somewhat 

 leathery. It is an odd and rare fern, although 

 it might be called locally common in a few sec- 

 tions, especially in southern and western New 

 England. 



The fruit-dots are oblong, very large, and ir- 

 regularly scattered on the under surface of the 



