GENERA AND SPECIES. 105 
PLATE XXXIX. 
CYSTOPTERIS BULBIFERA. Bernhardi. 
BuLBous BLADDER FERN. 
The specific name, dulbifera (bulb-bearing), applied to 
this plant, is much more characteristic than many of the 
scientific names given to plants. On the underside of the 
rachis and pinne are situated, at intervals, several little 
bulbs, which the amateur might readily mistake for organs 
of fructification. They are, however, in no way connected 
with the fruit-bearing function, but are mere excrescences, 
or expansions of the epidermal tissue. 
This plant has the same general appearance as the C. 
fragilis, with much longer lanceolate fronds, often two feet 
in length, with lance-oblong pinnez. ‘The stem is so frail 
and delicate that it seldom supports the plant in an upright 
position, but allows it to bend over upon the rocks or the 
surrounding vegetation. It is not socommon in Kentucky 
as the preceding species. But it is found in numerous 
localities, on the cliffs of the Kentucky River (Short), and 
notably at Rock Springs, in Oldham County, where it 
grows in moist situations in the greatest luxuriance. It is 
a very tender fern, withering at the first touch of frost, and 
difficult to cultivate. 
