148 
BEAUTIFUL FERNS. 
This is now admitted by all pteridologists to be a distinct 
species ; though it was formerly confounded with the Camptosoru:, 
from which it is clearly distinguished by the free veins, the mostly 
single indusia, and the usual absence of a proliferous bud at the 
apex of the frond. Some of the less compound and more attenu- 
ated forms of A . montanum come much nearer to it ; but in its 
simplest form this other species always has the fronds fairly pin- 
nate, and its more compound forms resemble A . pinnatifidmn 
very little. 
I take occasion to express my thanks to Hon. Thomas M. 
Peters of Moulton, Alabama, who has sent me abundant and fine 
specimens of this fern and of other rare species which are found 
in the northern part of Alabama. 
