GENERA AND SPECIES. 47 
PLATE: X. 
CHEILANTHES VESTITA. Swartz. 
CLOTHED LIP-FERN. 
The ferns of this genus, at least those indigenous to the 
United States, are very strikingly marked with a great pro- 
fusion of hairs, which cover the stalks and give them a 
rusty appearance. ‘This plant, however, is less hairy than 
any of the other species found in this country. The frond 
is twice pinnate, lanceolate, with oblong pinnatifid pinnules, 
somewhat slender, usually seven or eight inches, but some- 
times fifteen inches in height. The mature fronds appear 
to be crisped from the reflexed condition of the lobes of 
the pinnules. The hairs are flattened, and strongly articu- 
lated, with from three to five joints, a characteristic which 
is not readily perceived without the aid of the microscope. 
The C. vestita is exceeding variable in form and general 
appearance, which is probably due to local and climatic 
influences. It is rare in Kentucky, and does not appear 
to have been found by the earlier botanists of the State. 
It is chiefly confined to the mountain regions. Some fine 
specimens were obtained, last summer, by Dr. Crosier on 
Sweet Lick Knob, near Irvine, Estill County. Although 
growing in the greatest luxuriance upon the rocks near the 
summit, the plants seemed to be rather diminutive, as the 
largest fronds were scarcely more than four inches in 
length. This was probably owing to the exposed situation 
where they grew. It is quite hardy, and able to withstand 
long droughts, as its fresh, green appearance upon the 
parched declivities of Sweet Lick Knob sufficiently indi- 
cates. Prof. Hussey found it near the boundary line of 
Edmonson and Barren counties, growing upon sandstone 
