be briefly characterized as a species with broad ternate fronds 

 inclined to triangular in shape. It has rather broad pinnules 

 which are separated by about half their width, usually. In the 

 larger forms the lower pinnules are often cut to the mid-rib. The 

 terminal pinnules are as long, or not much longer than the 

 lateral ones. Its range is the most general of all, it being com- 

 mon in all the Eastern States and extending into the south and 

 west. In the warmer parts of its range this species produces a 

 curious variety which is no doubt often mistaken for true caudata. 

 I would dispose of it thus: 



Pteris aquilina var. pseudocaudata n. var. Rootstock and 

 stipe similar to the type. Frond a foot or more long, triangular, 

 smooth or nearly so. Lowest pair of pinnae the largest. Pinnae 

 pinnate, or the lower again pinnatifid, ending in a long, broad, 

 acute, terminal pinnule, two to several times longer thau the 

 lateral ones and usually broader. Secondary upper pinnae usually 

 linear or oblong, acute or obtusish, one-half to two inches long, 

 two to four lines wide, lobed at the base or not, often crenate 

 margined throughout, sessile or slightly stipitate, usually the lat- 

 ter. Fruit as in the type. This variety is known to extend from 

 Maryland to Texas and Florida and along the coast through New 

 Jersey to Long Island. I have collected it repeatedly in the last 

 two localities. It is abundant in the " pine barrens." This form 

 has no doubt given rise to the reported instances of caudata 

 being found in some of the Northeastern States. It may be dis- 

 tinguished from the latter by its triangular form, broader, longer, 

 thinner pinnules. It seems at its best in warm sandy situations. 

 The specimens upon which this variety is based were collected 

 by myself at Babylon, Long Island, Sept. 8, 1898 (No. 339), and 

 are in my own collection. Those who prefer Pteridium to Pteris 

 will call this Pteridium aquilinum pseudocaitdatum. 



My thanks are due to Dr. L. M. Underwood and Mr. F. V. 

 Coville, for the loan of specimens for this study. 



In the mountainous region of Rutland County, Vermont 

 Pteris aquilina is called Hog-brake because the roots are a favor- 

 ite food for swine. Sometimes a portion of worthless land where 

 Pteris abounds, is fenced in and there the swine do double duty, 

 earn their own living and at the same time by tearing apart the 

 roots, prepare the land for cultivation. — Mrs. Stephen Know /ton, 

 Danville, VI. 



