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watching and comparing their growth. Indeed, he may follow 

 his latitude entirely around the earth and be sure that the ferns 

 of the regions it crosses will thrive with him. Thus Northern 

 Europe. Siberia and Japan may contribute to his collection. 

 Even Xew Zealand and South Africa will afford numerous addi- 

 tions. Many of these can be obtained by exchange : others may 

 be secured from dealers. 



When the ferns are once established all they require is to be 

 left to themselves. They resent any digging about their roots 

 and show it in many ways. A few of them, such as the maiden 

 hair, may be cut sparingly for use. as new fronds are produced 

 throughout the season: but the majority will thrive best if 

 simply kept free from weeds and frequently watered. 



NOTES ON THE FERNS OF THE FLORIDA EAST COAST 



By Mrs. E. C. Anthony. 



The following notes are based on observations made from 

 Jacksonville to Key West, during the winter of 1900- 1901. The 

 fern found most abundantly is Nephrodium patens. A peculiar- 

 ity of it which is not noticed in the Manuals, is the suddenly re- 

 duced upper part of the frond to a long caudate tip. from three to 

 five inches long, which makes the plant readily identified. Os- 

 munda regalis is somewhat common as far south as Ormond 

 but not abundant below that place. O. cinnamotnea is very 

 common also but no O. claytoniana is seen. Onoclca sensibilis 

 is abundant from north to south. 



Florida is no exception to the rest of the world in having an 

 abundance of Ptcris aqnilina. It differs little from some forms 

 of our northern plant, except that where ours are scurfy, the 

 southern form is smooth and coriaceous in texture. In the 

 vicinity of Miami the variety pseudocaudata is clearly marked. 

 P. longi folia with P. aquilina were the only ferns found in 

 the dry coral limestone of Key West. But one plant of Blech- 

 num scrrulatum was found and that was sterile. It was beside 

 the road at Ormond. and as further search both then and later in 

 the season failed to bring to sight any other specimens, one must 

 conclude that it is rather rare in that part of Florida. 



