- 5 8- 



being finely cut, they are more lacy in appearance than 

 the common Bracken. 



Osmunda regalis is far from scarce and is truly a 

 royal fern. Some of the handsomest specimens are 

 found with their roots in deep ditches, rearing their 

 heads however high, until the sunlight is reached, which 

 is as necessary to them as the moisture is for their roots. 

 They are not particular as to their surroundings if these 

 requirements, are met. They are as often found in a ditch 

 open to the full rays of the sun as in the underbrush 

 bordering streams. Another of our ditch loving ferns 

 is Nephrodium patens, found too in sandy soil and in- 

 clined to shaded situations. In general appearance this 

 fern is so distinctive as to be recognized at first glance. 

 Notwithstanding the fronds are softly pubescent and of 

 a tender green they are less perishable when cut than 

 many apparently more durable and is one of our most 

 attractive ferns. 



One other Nephrodium we have, N. Floridanum. Like 

 all of Nature's choicest treasures it is not exposed to the 

 common gaze, but grows in such secluded spots as are 

 only sought by the most appreciative. Though often 

 within a few feet, its presence is not suspected until the 

 tangle of cat-brier and underbrush is penetrated, when a 

 sight never to be forgotten by a fern lover is exposed to 

 view. Within the depths of the green woods this superb 

 fern grows broadcast. As one wades through the tropi- 

 cal luxuriance the tip of the fronds tower more than waist 

 high. Like a veritable greenhouse the enclosure seems 

 and a refreshing picture it is in mid-winter, for the fronds 

 though fallen to the ground retain their gloss and deep 

 green, the most beautiful of all our evergreen ferns. 

 Not until one is in the vicinity of the Lakes and nearing 

 the Florida line is the sensitive fern (Onoelea sensibilis) 

 met with. Adiantum capillus-Veneris grows in profusion 

 at a deep lime-sink in an adjoining county, I have not 

 despaired of finding it nearer, as there are similar spots 

 unexplored in this county. 



One other must be added to our meagre list and that 



