48 



THE AMERICAN BOTANIST 



though the Indians seemed to like it ; for on giving the roots 

 to them, they were heartily swalloAved." 



Upon first hearing of this fact about the root, I spent an 

 exceedingly hot and laborious hour in my desire to investigate 

 its palatableness. After covering myself with dust and per- 

 spiration I secured enough roots to cook, but while it may be 

 very nutritious I found it had an exceedingly bitter taste and I 

 do not wonder that the white man has never learned to like it. ' /.\ 



NOTES ON THE FERN FLORA OF MICHIGAN 



By Edwin D. Hull. 



'TP HE following notes on Michigan ferns seem worthy of 

 record inasmuch as they supplement the ''Fern Flora of 

 Michigan" by C. K. Dodge in the Feiii Bulletin for January, 

 1912. The plants were collected while with a class from the 

 University of Chicago, October 19, 1912, near Sawyer, Berrien 

 County. Polypodiuin Viilgarc, the common polypody, is re- 

 ported as being ''infrequent in the lower peninsula" but it is 

 certainly common here in at least one locality, at the summit 

 of a large dune standing nearest the lake. Prince {Fern 

 Bulletin 20: 52, 1912) also records this species on sand dunes 

 in the lower peninsula. Most of the plants were much dwarfed, 

 averaging about 10 cm. in height, but nearly all were spore- 

 bearing. The narrow-leaved spleenw^ort (Aspleniiini an gust i- 

 foliuin), not previously reported from this county, was found 

 in beech woods with the Christmas fern. The latter was rather 

 common but much less so than its associate. The ternate- 

 leaved grape fern (Botrychiuni obliquuni) has not previously 

 been reported from this county. It grew in an open mixed 

 wood. Several specimens were found but the plant does not 

 seem to be common. Botrychiiun obliquuni dissectuni also 

 not previously reported was found with the typical form and 

 in about the same numbers. 



