FERN FAMILY 93 



This is an evergreen fern of narrow form, 

 being from one to two inches wide, and from 

 six to eighteen inches high. It grows in rocky, 

 open woods, and can scarcely be termed com- 

 mon throughout New England, although it is 

 abundant in some localities. It prefers lime- 

 stone soil. 



The fertile fronds are much the taller, and 

 grow quite erect, while the sterile ones lie flat 

 on the ground. 



The fruit-dots are in oblique lines each side 

 of the midvein, nearer the latter than the 

 margin, and often become confluent. They ma- 

 ture in July, and remain on the frond during the 

 winter. The indusium is silvery until maturity, 

 opening towards the midrib. 



Var. iiicisum (scr)-atum'). 



This is a form with deeply incised pinnae, and 

 is found occasionally growing with the type. 



Var. Hortona. 



This fern is another more distinct form dis- 

 covered by Mrs. Horton in Brattleboro, Ver- 

 mont, in 1900. The pinnce in this are deeply 

 cut into oblique lobes which are coarsely ser- 

 rate. The dark, glossy stipe and rachis of this 

 fern, and its mode of growth, are similar to 

 those of the type. The fronds are plume-like 



