60 The Feu\ Lovek's Co.mi'axion 



AMii'.e its sti]>e.s are ])ur])lisli, its leaves are hluisli-nrcen, 

 and its scales liglit-hrown or yellow. Strani;e to say, this 

 brake of the cliffs thrives in cnltivation. Woolson says 

 of it. "This fern is interestintj and ^•al^a!)le. It is not only 

 heautifnl in design, lint nni(|ue in color, a dark hhie-green 

 eni])liasizing all the varying tints ahout it - -a first-class 

 fern for indoor winter cultivation. It is a ra]>id grower, 

 flourishing hnt a few feet from coal fire or radiator, in a 

 north or sonth window. It (|nickl.\' forgives neglect, and 

 if allowed to dry np ont of doors or indooi-s, reco^'crs in due 

 time when jmt in a moist atmosjihcre. It makes but one 

 imperative demand, and thai is the l1ri^-ilege of standing 

 still. ()\'erzealo\rs cultnrists nsnally like to turn things 

 around, but revolving cliff's are not in the natural order of 

 things. The slender black stipes are ^•ery susce])til)le to 

 changes of light and war])ed and twisted fronds result." 



Dry, calcareous rocks, southern New England and 

 westward. Rare. \:\r. crislalH has foi'ked ])inn;e some- 

 whal crowded towani the sunniiit f)f the frond. Missouri. 



I'D Smooth ("life Huake 

 PclIiiCii ijhibcllit. I'cUacd dtropurpurcci, ynr. Bui^hii 



Naked with a fe\\ , scaltcred, spreading hairs, smooth 

 surface and dark ])olished stipes. Rhizome .short with 

 mendiranous, orange or brown scales ha\'ing a few bluntish 

 teeth on each edge. Pinn;e sub-opi.)Osite, divergent, 

 narrowly olilong, obtuse; base truncate, cordate or clasp- 

 ing, occasionally auricled; lower pinuie often with orbicu- 

 lar or cordate ]>innides. Sterile i)innie broader, bluish or 

 greenish glaucous above, often crowded to overlapping. 



