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of an oval shape, some few being quite irregular. The 

 hammocks that we visited are exceedingly dangerous to 

 walk over, and one has to be very careful, using a cane 

 to prevent his stepping into one of these pitfalls, as from 

 time to time limbs, leaves, and fern fronds conceal their 

 openings. As an evidence of their dangerous character 

 I am now limping about with an exceedingly badly 

 sprined knee and limb, which the doctor says may con- 

 tinue for some time. It was quite unfortunate but as I 

 was getting over a large fallen tree I slid into one of 

 these traps and thought I had broken my leg. 



The whole trip was truly a revelation to me, and I feel 

 well paid for all the trouble experienced. In as few 

 words as possible I will describe how and where most of 

 these ferns grow. It is quite an interesting study to note 

 the selection of location (shady or open light), nearness 

 to or on the surface of the ground, or depth in these 

 wells, in which these ferns thrive. A few feet in depth 

 either way seems to mean their destruction, or at least 

 the conditions for their reproduction are not favorable. 

 , In describing some of these conditions I will do so gen- 

 erally, except to indicate the depth in these wells in which 

 some of the smaller ferns grow. 



Asplenium myriophyllum. Hammocks in pot holes 

 not lower than four feet below the surface; quite abun- 

 dant. Think this fern would make quite a fine one for 

 fern dishes and baskets. It certainly is a beauty, cover- 

 ing as it does the walls of some of these holes. 



Tectaria . New, quite dwarf in habit, pot holes, 



same relative position as No. i. Abundant. 



Tectaria trifoliata. Hammocks; rather scarce. Grows 

 only on the upper edge of pot holes, sometimes forming a 

 beautiful fringe around the holes. 



Phegopteris . Hammocks in pot holes, not 



nearer to the surface than five to eight feet ; very rare 

 and exceedingly scarce. Mr. Eaton claims to have found 

 it in December, 1903. for the first time in the United 

 States. 



