— 82 — 



fronds are very characteristic objects in the winter landscape and 

 at any time of year may be depended upon to identify the plant, 

 for none of our other ferns have fronds like them. 



There has been a great deal of discussion regarding the 

 origin of the common name. Some say that the sterile fronds 

 are so sensitive that they will at once wither when growing, if 

 touched by the hand ; others, that the pinnae will slowly come to- 

 gether if the stem is squeezed ; and still others are of the opinion 

 that the name was given because it withers so soon after being 

 cut, or because it is sensitive to autumn, frosts. The latter is 

 likely to be the correct explanation, but the beginner should ex- 

 periment for himself. This is also sometimes called the Oak- 

 leaved fern. 



The word Onoclea is said to be derived from two Greek 

 words meaning a vessel and to close, in allusion to the tightly 

 rolled pinnules of the fertile frond. The sori are round and cov- 

 ered with a very thin indusium which is fixed to the frond by the 

 lower side. Probably very few students have ever examined this, 

 since it is so easy to identify the plant without referring to it. 



A form is occasionally found with fronds half-way between 

 fertile and sterile. This is the so-called variety obtusilobata and 

 may be produced by destroying the sterile fronds early in the 

 season. The half- formed fertile fronds are thus obliged to take 

 the places of sterile ones, with the result of making a frond that 

 is like neither. The Sensitive fern is the only species in the 

 genus. — W. N. C. 



[This series was begun in the number for July, iqoo, and will be coriT 

 tinued until all our eastern ferns have been discussed.] 



GRAPE FERNS AT MOUNT ARARAT, PENNA. 



By C. F. Saunders. 



IF we except Botrychium Virginianum, which is apt to be 

 found in almost any rich woodland of our Eastern States, 

 none of the American species of the so-called Grape Ferns 

 would seem to be common plants, and the discovery of one of 

 them in a new locality is sure to be the occasion of a special 

 pleasure to any but a very jaded collector. It was, therefore, 

 something or a red-letter day to the present writer when early in 

 July, last, he happened upon two of the rarer species (B. lan- 

 ceolatum and B. matricarcpj ~oliu?n) growing together and in 



