— 8r — 



pronounced, and last, but not least, the pinnae are cut entirely to 

 the rachis and the larger pinnules deeply lobed and toothed. 



In dryish woodlands one of the commonest species is the 

 New York fern (N. N ovcboraccnsc, Fig. 5.) Toward the base of 

 the frond the pinnae become successively smaller until the lowest 

 are mere green lobes. This single feature settles the case of the 

 New York fern. Out in the swamps, in fact, wherever there 

 is moisture, the marsh fern {N . thclyptcris, Fig. 7.) may be 

 found. It looks much like the New York fern, but the frond is 

 broadest near the base, and the stipes are much longer, ofter 12 

 inches or more. The fertile fronds are produced rather late in 

 summer, and the pinnules are rolled back over the sori in such a 

 way that they have a pointed appearance. The fruit-dots are 

 usually very numerous. 



Fig. 6 illustrates a prinna of N. simulatum, a fern which has 

 not long been known, probably because of its close resemblance 

 to two common species. In everything it seems about half way 

 between the two. The fronds are much like those of thclyptcris 

 in shape, but like those of Novcboraccnsc in habit. It will be 

 noticed that the pinnae are broadest near the middle, the sori are 

 larger, and the pinnules are not revolute. It is found usually in 

 deep shady swamps. It may always be distinguished from thcly- 

 ptcris by the fact that the veins are not forked. 



The commonest of the wood ferns is the spinulose wood fern 

 (N. spinulosum) and its varities dihitatum and intermedium. 

 The type is not common in America, but intermedium makes up 

 for the lack. Dilatation is a mountain form, plentiful in most ele- 

 vated regions. It may usually be separated from the others bv 

 the shape of the lowest pair of pinnae in which the secondary 

 pinnae on the lower side are very much longer than the rest. 

 The fronds of the spinulosum group are much more deeply cut 

 than those of the other wood ferns, being often three or four 

 times pinnate. To distinguish the group from the others is much 

 easier than separating the forms. When in doubt one should 

 consult the books— and the more books, the better, or. rather, 

 surer.— IV. N. C. 



