So FERNS AND THEIR ALLIES 



Its habitat is low, moist thickets and open 

 woods, only in southern New England. The 

 Climbing Fern has been so much sought for 

 decorative purposes that the species has become 

 extinct or nearly so in many sections where it 

 was formerly found. We understand that a law 

 for its protection was passed years ago in Con- 

 necticut. It is sometimes known as the " Hart- 

 ford " Fern. 



The fertile pinnules form a terminal panicle, 

 suddenly contracted, and several times forked. 

 These pinnules have much the same form as 

 the larger, sterile ones. The fruit-dots are soli- 

 tary or in pairs, covered by large, imbricated, 

 scale-like indusia which are fixed by a broad 

 base to short oblique veinlets, and open verti- 

 cally. The fruit matures in September. 



The sterile portion is evergreen. 



ADIANTUM. Maidenhair. 



The name is from the Greek a, without, and 

 diainein, to wet, referring to the smooth foliage 

 which sheds water so readily. 



MAIDENHAIR. 



Adianium pedatum. 



Frond forked at the summit of the slender, 

 upright, dark purplish, shining stipe, which is 



