-4<>- 



shows no material signs of growth until January or Feb- 

 ruary. At this time the stalk begins to lengthen, and the 

 blade assumes a semi-erect position, but never so much 

 as in the other species. It is now far easier to find than 

 at any other time. The fruiting period generally lasts 

 through March into April, and by the last of April the 

 spores are all shed, and the plant presents a ragged 

 appearance. 



Along the edge of fields and pastures, where the 

 ground is kept moist and mellow by a carpet of pine and 

 cedar needles, is the place to find our plant. Occasion- 

 ally it is found out in the open, but the specimens are 

 smaller, and of a reddish cast. The general outline of the 

 sterile frond is triangular, 2 to 3 inches wide, and 3 to 4 

 inches long. As the name implies, it is twice-ternate. 

 The sterile frond when at the fruiting stage rises 3 to 5 

 inches above the ground, and is nearly sessile. Some 

 specimens even branch from the surface of the ground. 

 The outer segments are rounded, decurrent on the sec- 

 ondary rachis, and finely crenulate. 



In the early stages of its growth the plant shows a 

 bright clear green, which gradually deepens with age ; 

 some plants showing a decided bronze tint, especially 

 those which obtain more sunlight. As in other Botrychia 

 the roots are clustered. They are rather more abundant 

 than in most species, although not so large, and branch 

 horizontally two or three inches below the surface, never 

 running as deep as in the taller species. 



Mobile, Ala. 



THE AUTHOR CITATION. 



By Willard N. Clute. 



The subject of nomenclature has been pretty well 

 ventilated during the past ten years with the result that 

 the principles upon which plants are juggled from one 

 genus to another are well known even to the novice. ■ As 

 yet, however, we have been unable to shake the cumber- 



