center and base and open all round the outer margin. The 

 sori have a general resemblance to those of the wood fern 

 (Ncphrodium) tribe, and as might be surmised the genus is 

 placed with them in the tribe Aspidieae, which also includes 

 the sword ferns (Nephrolepis) . The sori are unusually large 

 and occupy most of the space on the narrow fronds. 



The fronds of the Jamaican walking fern are scarcely 

 longer than those of our familiar native species, but the sterile 

 are much broader and the plant appears much larger in con- 

 sequence. By many it is supposed to grow only in Jamaica, 

 but it has been reported from Cuba, also. Jamaica, however, 

 appears to be the only land where it is abundant. 



PELL^EA ORNITHOPUS. 



By A. A. Eaton. 



Growing upon the face of bare rocks, wherever a natural 

 crevice and the elements have formed a proper foothold and soil, 

 exposed through eight months in summer to the uninterrupted 

 glare of the burning sun, with no possible chance of getting a 

 drop of water, where no dew ever falls and no passing shower 

 refreshes, with few companions hardy enough to dispute its 

 claim in its chosen province, grows the black fern (Pcllaca 

 ornithopus). It is often called poison fern, but never receives 

 the more appropriate name of bird's foot cliff-brake. 



The fronds are from three to twelve inches in height, rigidly 

 erect, with the appearance of dignity which is conscious of 

 want of majesty. The smooth and shining rachises and stipes 

 of a dark chestnut* or almost ebony color give it one of its 

 popular names, while the other comes from its reputed poisonous 

 effect on sheep, the only herbage eating animal (with the excep- 

 tion of the cottontail) nimble enough of foot to intrude on its 

 chosen domain. The pinnulae are set in threes and revolute 

 in order to hoard what scant moisture they possess through ex- 

 posing as small surface as possible to the hot winds. This gives 

 them a cylindrical appearance, not remote in resemblance to a 

 bird's foot, whence Hooker drew the name. Their color is 

 bluish or lead tinted, and the whole plant has a stiff, dry aspect, 

 as though generations of drying had extracted the sap and 



