filled with a solid core of ice. Although a lover of moistuie, 

 this species is often found in dry situations, such as railway em- 

 bankments. 



E. variegatum Schleich. Rare. Brisbin swamp on themarginof 

 a sand slide, Coville. The only station. 



FILICES. 



POLYPODIUM L. 



P. vulgare L. Common Polypody. Plentiful in our region 

 wherever outcrops of rock occur. Usually found growing on the 

 tops of rocks where there is little moisture. Fronds nearly pin- 

 nate, evergreen, leathery ; the large, round fruit dots on the 

 under side of the fronds in late summer. Rootstocks covered 

 with brownish scales and creeping extensively. Like some of 

 its tropical relatives our species, when dry, curls up its fronds 

 until the drouth is past. 



ADIANTUM L. 



A. pedatum L. Maidenhair Fern. Abundant throughout in 

 moist, rich woodlands. Stipe a foot or more high, black and 

 shining, divided at the top into two curving branches which bear 

 the pinnae. Fruit beneath a reflexed portion of the pinnule. 

 In cultivation the fronds grow larger and stronger and are pro- 

 duced throughout the summer, 



PTERIS L. 



P. aquilina L. Bracken. Brake. Eagle Fern. Most abun- 

 dant on scrubby hillsides, on the borders of fields, roads and 

 in open woods. Stipe stout and tall, at top bearing three di- 

 visions, variously subdivided. Rootstock stout, deep in the earth, 

 creeping extensively and bearing the fronds at intervals, all 

 summer. Fruit produced in a line on the margin of the pin- 

 nules. It is difficult to make the bracken grow where wanted, 

 and equally difficult to eradicate it when once it has gained a foot- 

 hold. 



PELL/EA Link. 



P. gracilis (Michx. ) Hook. Slender Cliff-Brake. The only 

 station known for this fern within our limits is on a cliff at 



