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teris are. (Page 29, Figs. 1 and 2.) It will be found on the top 

 and higher ledges of almost any cliff, the sole representative in 

 our region of a large family of tropical ferns. At the base of cliffs 

 and in damp woodlands will be found the three members of the 

 genus Phegopteris, with tiny round sori without indusium. They 

 are often classed with the polypodies, and only differ from them in 

 small particulars. They, too, might betaken for Dryopteris. The 

 maidenhair fern (Adiantuni), so common in rich woodlands, is 

 the only member of its genus within our limits. Its peculiar cres- 

 cent-shaped sori under a reflexed portion of the pinnule (Fig. 4 

 and page 29, Fig. 4), serve to distingish it at once. 



The bracken (Pterzs), a coarse inhabitant of woods, thickets 

 and barren fields, is well known, being readily distinguished by 

 the line of spore cases that border nearly every pinnule (Fig. 5). 

 It is also our single representative of a large tropical family. On 

 limestone cliffs may be found two smaller species {Pel Ice a) fruit- 

 ing nearly like bracken, but easily distinguished from it by their 

 aspect, smaller size, and place of growth. They are often placed 

 in the same genus with the bracken. The Woodsias are lovers of 

 rocks, and the peculiar star-shaped indusium which is placed under 

 the sori, settles the question of their identity at once (Fig. 6). 

 The genus Cystopteris, which frequents the same places, might 

 be confused with the Woodsias, judging from the shape of the 

 fronds, but the indusium fixed at one side and half covering the 



