30 



THE AMERICAN BOTANIST 



One can never tell until he tries, however, and if success is 

 possible, it may be most easily attained by keeping in mind 

 the rules laid down in this article. 



EBONY SPLEEN WORT AND SHINING CLUB 

 MOSS IN NORTHWEST INDIANA 



By Edwin D. Hull. 



The 'Tern Flora of Indiana" in the Fern Bulletin 

 for October, 1911, does not record the ebony spleenwort 

 (Asplenmm platyneuron) from the northern part of the state 

 except in the extreme northeastern portion. On October 12, 

 1912, in company with a class from the University of Chicago, 

 I found a single juvenile specimen of this fern on the eastern 

 slope of a large sand dune somewhat near Lake Michigan in 

 Porter County. The dune had long been covered with vege- 

 tation which accounts for the occurrence of such a plant. It 

 was associated with the common maidenhair (Adiantiim pe- 

 datum) which was fairly abundant. Other specimens might 

 have been found if time permitted. The occurrence of such a 

 fern in the dune region is remarkable and it is certain that 

 there are very few places where it could exist. 



Lycopodiuni Incididnm is another fernwort that the ''Fern 

 Flora of Indiana" does not record from Lake County. On 

 November 30, 1912, I found two specimens on the south border 

 of the bed of the old Calumet river at Millers. The nearest 

 locality to Millers where I have seen the plant is near Sawyer, 

 Berrien County, Michigan. Both the plants found were much 

 dwarfed, being not over 7 cm, tall in vigor falling far behind 

 those seen in Michigan, so it appears likely that the Indiana 

 habitat is not favorable. One plant had a very few sporangia 

 in the axils of the upper leaves ; the other had none, but on 

 both abundant gemmae occurred. The plants are in my col- 

 lection. 



