or berry-like segments, and _entirely unlike_ the broad, pinnatifid
sterile ones. Fertile fronds unrolling at maturity, allowing the
spores to escape, and remaining long after the sterile fronds have
perished; sporangia stalked, ringed, bursting transversely.
WOODSIA
Small or medium-sized ferns, growing among rocks, with 1-2 pinnate
or pinnatifid fronds and round fruit-dots; indusium thin and often
evanescent, attached by its base under the sporangia, either small
and open, or else early bursting at the top into irregular pieces or
lobes; sporangia stalked, ringed, bursting transversely.
CYSTOPTERIS (Bladder Ferns)
Delicate rock or wood ferns, with 2-3 pinnate fronds and round
fruit-dots; indusium hood-like, attached by a broad base to the inner
side, soon thrown back or withering away; sporangia as above.
ASPIDIUM (Shield Ferns)
Ferns with 1-3 pinnate fronds and round fruit-dots; indusium more or
less flat, fixed by its depressed centre; sporangia as above.
PHEGOPTERIS (Beech Ferns)
Medium-sized or small ferns, with 2-3 pinnatifid or ternate leaves,
and small, round, uncovered fruit-dots; sporangia as above.
WOODWARDIA (Chain Ferns)
Large and rather coarse ferns of swamps or wet woods, fronds pinnate
or nearly twice-pinnate; fruit-dots oblong or linear, sunk in cavities
of the leaf and arranged in chain-like rows; indusium lid-like,
somewhat leathery, fixed by its outer margin to a veinlet; veins more
or less reticulated; sporangia as above.
ASPLENIUM (Spleenworts)
Large or small ferns, with varying fronds and linear or oblong
fruit-dots; indusium straight or curved; sporangia as above.
PELLÆA (Cliff Brakes)
Small or medium-sized rock ferns, with pinnate fronds and sporangia
borne beneath the reflexed margins of the pinnæ; sporangia as above.
BOTRYCHIUM (Moonworts)
(_Belonging to the Fern Allies_)
Fleshy plants, with fronds (usually solitary) divided into a sterile
and a fertile portion, the bud for the succeeding year embedded in the
base of the stem.
HOW TO USE THE BOOK
Before attempting to identify the ferns by means of the following
Guide it would be well to turn to the Explanation of Terms, and with
as many species as you can conveniently collect, on the table before
you, to master the few necessary technical terms, that you may be able
to distinguish a frond that is pinnatifid from one that is pinnate, a
pinna from a pinnule, a fertile from a sterile frond.
You should bear in mind that in some species the fertile fronds are so
unleaf-like in appearance that to the uninitiated they do not suggest
fronds at all. The fertile fronds of the Onocleas, for example, are
so contracted as to conceal any resemblance to the sterile ones.
They appear to be mere clusters of fruit. The fertile fronds of the
Cinnamon Fern are equally unleaf-like, as are the fertile portions of
the other Osmundas and of several other species.
In your rambles through the fields and woods your eyes will soon learn
to detect hitherto unnoticed species. In gathering specimens you will
take heed to break off the fern as near the ground as possible, and
you will not be satisfied till you have secured both a fertile and a
sterile frond. In carrying them home you will remember the necessity
of keeping together the fronds which belong to the same plant.
When sorting your finds you will group them according to the Guide.
The broad-leaved Sensitive Fern, with its separate, dark-green fruit
cluster, makes its way necessarily to Group I. To Group II goes your
pale-fronded Royal Fern, tipped with brown sporangia. As a matter of
course you lay in Group III the leaf-like but dissimilar sterile and
fertile fronds of the Slender Cliff Brake. The spreading Brake, its
reflexed margin covering the sporangia, identifies itself with Group
IV. The oblong fruit-dots of the little Mountain Spleenwort carry it
to Group V, while the round ones, like pin-heads, of the Evergreen
Wood Fern announce it a member of Group VI.
The different ferns sorted, it will be a simple matter to run quickly
through the brief descriptions under the different Groups till you are
referred to the descriptions in the body of the book of the species
under investigation.
GUIDE
For the purpose of identification the ferns described are arranged in
six groups, according to their manner of fruiting.
GROUP I
STERILE AND FERTILE FRONDS TOTALLY UNLIKE; FERTILE FRONDS NOT
LEAF-LIKE IN APPEARANCE
1. SENSITIVE FERN
_Onoclea sensibilis_
Sterile fronds usually large; broadly triangular, deeply pinnatifid.
Fertile fronds much contracted, with berry-like pinnules. In wet
meadows. P. 54.
2. OSTRICH FERN
_Onoclea Struthiopteris_
Large. Sterile fronds once-pinnate, pinnæ pinnatifid. Fertile fronds
contracted, with necklace-like pinnæ. Along streams and in moist
woods. P. 56.
3. CINNAMON FERN
_Osmunda cinnamomea_
Large. Sterile fronds once-pinnate, pinnæ pinnatifid. Fertile fronds
composed of cinnamon-brown fruit-clusters. In wet places. P. 60.
4. CURLY GRASS
_Schizæa pusilla_
Very small. Sterile fronds linear, grass-like. Fertile fronds taller,
with a terminal fruit-cluster. In pine barrens of New Jersey. P. 63.
GROUP II
FERTILE FRONDS PARTIALLY LEAF-LIKE, THE FERTILE PORTION UNLIKE THE
REST OF THE FROND
[The species coming under the genera _Botrychium_ and _Ophioglossum_
may appear to belong to Group I, as the fertile and the sterile
portions of their fronds may seem to the uninitiated like separate
fronds, but in reality they belong to the one frond.]
5. ROYAL FERN
_Osmunda regalis_
Large. Sterile fronds twice-pinnate, pinnules oblong. Fertile fronds
leaf-like below, sporangia in clusters at their summits. In wet
places. P. 67.
6. INTERRUPTED FERN
_Osmunda Claytoniana_
Large. Sterile fronds once-pinnate, pinnæ pinnatifid. Fertile fronds
leaf-like above and below, contracted in the middle with brown
fruit-clusters. In wet places. P. 72.
7. CLIMBING FERN
_Lygodium palmatum_
Climbing, with lobed, palmate pinnæ and terminal fruit-clusters. Moist
thickets and open woods. Rare. P. 75.
8. ADDER'S TONGUE
_Ophioglossum vulgatum_
Small. Sterile portion an ovate leaf. Fertile portion a slender spike.
In moist meadows. P. 77.
9. RATTLESNAKE FERN
_Botrychium Virginianum_
Rather large. Sterile portion a thin, spreading, ternately divided
leaf with three primary divisions; 1-2 pinnate. Fertile portion a
branching fruit-cluster. In rich woods. P. 80.
10. TERNATE GRAPE FERN
_Botrychium ternatum or dissectum_
Of varying size, very fleshy. Sterile portion a broadly triangular,
ternate, finely dissected leaf, long-stalked from near the base of the
stem. Fertile portion a branching fruit-cluster. In moist meadows. P.
81.
11. LITTLE GRAPE FERN
_Botrychium simplex_
A very small fleshy plant. Sterile portion an oblong leaf more or less
lobed. Fertile portion a simple or slightly branching spike. In moist
woods and in fields. P. 82.
12. MOONWORT
_Botrychium Lunaria_
Usually small, very fleshy. Sterile portion divided into several
fan-shaped lobes. Fertile portion a branching fruit-cluster. Mostly in
fields. P. 84.
13. MATRICARY GRAPE FERN
_Botrychium matricariæfolium_
Small, more or less fleshy. Sterile portion ovate or oblong, once or
twice pinnatifid. Fertile portion a branching fruit-cluster. In grassy
woods and wet meadows. P. 86.
14. LANCE-LEAVED GRAPE FERN
_Botrychium lanceolatum_
Small, scarcely fleshy. Sterile portion triangular, twice-pinnatifid.
Fertile portion a branching fruit-cluster. In woods and meadows. P.
86.
GROUP III
FERTILE FRONDS UNIFORMLY SOMEWHAT LEAF-LIKE IN APPEARANCE, YET
DIFFERING NOTICEABLY FROM STERILE FRONDS
15. SLENDER CLIFF BRAKE
_Pellæa gracilis_
A small fern, 1-3 pinnate. Very delicate. Fertile fronds taller, more
contracted and simpler than the sterile, sporangia bordering the
pinnæ. Usually on sheltered rocks, preferring limestone. P. 87.
16. PURPLE CLIFF BRAKE
_Pellæa atropurpurea_
Medium sized, 1-2 pinnate, leathery. Fertile fronds taller and more
contracted than the sterile, sporangia bordering the pinnæ. Usually on
exposed rocks, preferring limestone. P. 90.
17. CHRISTMAS FERN
_Aspidium acrostichoides_
Rather large, smooth and glossy, once-pinnate. Fertile fronds
contracted at the summit where the fruit appears. In rocky woods. P.
96.
18. NARROW-LEAVED SPLEENWORT
_Asplenium angustifolium_
Tall and delicate, once-pinnate. Fertile fronds taller and narrower
than the sterile. In moist woods in late summer. P. 98.
19. NET-VEINED CHAIN FERN
_Woodwardia angustifolia_
Large, fronds deeply pinnatifid, the fertile taller and more
contracted than the sterile. In wet woods near the coast. P. 102.
GROUP IV
FERTILE AND STERILE FRONDS LEAF-LIKE AND SIMILAR; SPORANGIA ON OR
BENEATH A REFLEXED PORTION OF THE MARGIN
[The first clause bars out _P. gracilis_ and _P. atropurpurea_, which
otherwise would belong to Group IV as well as to Group III.]
20. BRAKE
_Pteris aquilina_
Large and coarse, frond 3-branched, spreading, each branch 2-pinnate,
sporangia in a continuous line beneath the reflexed margin of the
frond. In dry, somewhat open places. P. 105.
21. MAIDENHAIR
_Adiantum pedatum_
Graceful and delicate, frond forked at the summit of the stem,
2-pinnate, the pinnæ springing from the upper sides of the branches,
pinnules one-sided, their upper margins lobed, bearing on their
undersides the short fruit-dots. In rich woods. P. 108.
22. HAIRY LIP FERN
_Cheilanthes vestita_
Rather small, fronds 2-pinnate, hairy, fruit-dots "covered by the
infolded ends of the rounded or oblong lobes." On rocks. P. 112.
23. HAY-SCENTED FERN
_Dicksonia pilosiuscula_
Rather large, pale, delicate and sweet-scented, fronds usually
2-pinnate, fruit-dots small, each on a recurved toothlet of the
pinnule, borne on an elevated, globular receptacle. In moist thickets
and in upland pastures. P. 114.
GROUP V
FERTILE AND STERILE FRONDS LEAF-LIKE AND SIMILAR; SPORANGIA IN LINEAR
OR OBLONG FRUIT-DOTS
24. LADY FERN
_Asplenium Filix-fœmina_
Rather large, fronds 2-pinnate, fruit-dots curved, often horseshoe
shaped, finally confluent. In moist woods and along roadsides. P. 120.
25. SILVERY SPLEENWORT
_Asplenium thelypteroides_
Large, fronds once-pinnate, pinnæ deeply pinnatifid, lobes oblong and
obtuse, fruit-dots oblong, silvery when young. In rich woods. P. 124.
26. RUE SPLEENWORT
_Asplenium Ruta-muraria_
Very small, fronds loosely 2-3 pinnate at base, pinnatifid above,
fruit-dots linear-oblong, confluent when mature. On limestone cliffs.
Rare. P. 126.
27. MOUNTAIN SPLEENWORT
_Asplenium montanum_
Small, fronds 1-2 pinnate, fruit-dots linear-oblong, often confluent.
On rocks. P. 130.
28. EBONY SPLEENWORT
_Asplenium ebeneum_
Fronds slender and erect, once-pinnate, pinnæ eared on the upper or on
both sides, stalk and rachis blackish and shining, fruit-dots oblong.
On rocks and hill-sides. P. 134.
29. MAIDENHAIR SPLEENWORT
_Asplenium Trichomanes_
Small, fronds once-pinnate, pinnæ roundish, stalk and rachis
purplish-brown and shining, fruit-dots short. In crevices of rocks. P.
136.
30. GREEN SPLEENWORT
_Asplenium viride_
Small, fronds linear, once-pinnate, brownish stalk passing into a
green rachis. On shaded cliffs northward. P. 138.
31. SCOTT'S SPLEENWORT
_Asplenium ebenoides_
Small, fronds pinnate below, pinnatifid above, apex slender and
prolonged, stalk and rachis blackish, fruit-dots straight or slightly
curved. On limestone. Very rare. P. 140.
32. PINNATIFID SPLEENWORT
_Asplenium pinnatifidum_
Small, fronds pinnatifid, or the lower part pinnate, tapering above
into a slender prolongation, stalk blackish, passing into a green
rachis, fruit-dots straight or slightly curved. On rocks. Rare. P. 142.
33. BRADLEY'S SPLEENWORT
_Asplenium Bradleyi_
Small, once-pinnate, pinnæ lobed or toothed, stalk and rachis
chestnut-brown, fruit-dots short. On rocks, preferring limestone. Very
rare. P. 144.
34. WALKING FERN
_Camptosorus rhizophyllus_
Small, fronds undivided, heart-shaped at the base or sometimes with
prolonged basal ears, tapering above to a prolonged point which
roots, forming a new plant, fruit-dots oblong or linear, irregularly
scattered. On shaded rocks, preferring limestone. P. 146.
35. HART'S TONGUE
_Scolopendrium vulgare_
Fronds a few inches to nearly two feet long, undivided,
oblong-lanceolate, heart-shaped at base, fruit-dots linear, elongated.
Growing among the fragments of limestone cliffs. Very rare. P. 150.
36. VIRGINIA CHAIN FERN
_Woodwardia Virginica_
Large, fronds once-pinnate, pinnæ pinnatifid, fruit-dots oblong, in
chain-like rows parallel and near to the midrib, confluent when ripe.
In swamps. P. 156.
GROUP VI
FERTILE AND STERILE FRONDS LEAF-LIKE AND USUALLY SIMILAR, FRUIT-DOTS
ROUND
37. NEW YORK FERN
_Aspidium Noveboracense_
Usually rather tall, fronds once-pinnate, with deeply pinnatifid
pinnæ, tapering both ways from the middle, margins of fertile fronds
not revolute. In woods and open meadows. P. 159.
38. MARSH FERN
_Aspidium Thelypteris_
Usually rather tall, fronds once-pinnate, with pinnæ deeply
pinnatifid, scarcely narrower at the base than at the middle, veins
forked, fertile fronds noticeable from their _strongly revolute_
margins. In wet woods and open swamps. P. 160.
39. MASSACHUSETTS FERN
_Aspidium simulatum_
Close to preceding species, rather tall, fronds once-pinnate, with
pinnatifid pinnæ little or not at all narrowed at base, veins not
forked, margin of fertile frond slightly revolute. In wooded swamps.
P. 164.
CHRISTMAS FERN
_Aspidium acrostichoides_
[See No. 17]
40. SPINULOSE WOOD FERN
_Aspidium spinulosum var. intermedium_
Very common, usually but not always large, fronds oblong-ovate, 2-3
pinnate, lowest pinnæ unequally triangular-ovate, lobes of pinnæ
thorny-toothed. In woods everywhere. P. 166.
41. BOOTT'S SHIELD FERN
_Aspidium Boottii_
From one and a half to more than three feet high. Sterile fronds
smaller and simpler than the fertile, nearly or quite twice-pinnate,
the lowest pinnæ triangular-ovate, upper longer and narrower, pinnules
oblong-ovate, sharply thorny-toothed. In moist woods. P. 168.
42. CRESTED SHIELD FERN
_Aspidium cristatum_
Usually rather large, fronds linear-oblong or lanceolate, once pinnate
with pinnatifid pinnæ, linear-oblong, fruit-dots between midvein and
margin. In swamps. P. 170.
43. CLINTON'S WOOD FERN
_Aspidium cristatum, var. Clintonianum_
In every way larger than preceding species, fronds usually
twice-pinnate, pinnæ _broadest at base_, fruit-dots near the midvein.
In swampy woods. P. 172.
44. GOLDIE'S FERN
_Aspidium Goldianum_
Large, fronds broadly ovate or the fertile ovate-oblong, once-pinnate
with pinnatifid pinnæ, pinnæ _broadest in the middle_, fruit-dots very
near the midvein. In rich woods. P. 175.
45. EVERGREEN WOOD FERN
_Aspidium marginale_
Very common, usually rather large, smooth, somewhat leathery, fronds
ovate oblong, 1-2 pinnate, fruit-dots large, distinct, close to the
margin. In rocky woods. P. 176.
46. FRAGRANT SHIELD FERN
_Aspidium fragrans_
Small, fragrant, fronds once-pinnate, with pinnatifid pinnæ, stalk and
rachis chaffy, fruit-dots large. On rocks northward, especially near
waterfalls. P. 178.
47. BRAUN'S HOLLY FERN
_Aspidium aculeatum var. Braunii_
Rather large, fronds oblong-lanceolate, twice-pinnate, pinnules
sharply toothed, covered with long, soft hairs, fruit-dots small. In
deep, rocky woods. P. 182.
48. COMMON POLYPODY
_Polypodium vulgare_
Usually small, fronds somewhat leathery, narrowly oblong, fruit-dots
large, round, uncovered, half-way between midvein and margin. On
rocks. P. 184.
HAY-SCENTED FERN
_Dicksonia pilosiuscula_
[See No. 23]
49. LONG BEECH FERN
_Phegopteris polypodioides_
Medium-sized, fronds downy, triangular, longer than broad,
once-pinnate, pinnæ pinnatifid; lowest pair deflexed and standing
forward. In moist woods and on the banks of streams. P. 187.
50. BROAD BEECH FERN
_Phegopteris hexagonoptera_
Larger than the preceding species, fronds triangular, as broad or
broader than long, once-pinnate, pinnæ pinnatifid, lowest pair very
large, basal segments of pinnæ forming a continuous, many-angled wing
along the rachis. In dry woods and on hill-sides. P. 188.
51. OAK FERN
_Phegopteris Dryopteris_
Medium-sized, fronds thin and delicate, broadly triangular, spreading,
ternate, the three divisions stalked, each division pinnate, pinnæ
pinnatifid. In moist woods. P. 190.
52. BULBLET BLADDER FERN
_Cystopteris bulbifera_
Fronds delicate, elongated, tapering above from a broad base, 2-3
pinnate or pinnatifid, bearing fleshy bulblets beneath. On wet rocks,
preferring limestone. P. 194.
53. COMMON BLADDER FERN
_Cystopteris fragilis_
Medium-sized, fronds thin, oblong-lanceolate, 2-3 pinnate or
pinnatifid. On rocks and in moist woods. P. 198.
54. RUSTY WOODSIA
_Woodsia Ilvensis_
Small, more or less covered with rusty hairs, fronds lanceolate,
once-pinnate, pinnæ pinnatifid. On exposed rocks. P. 200.
55. BLUNT-LOBED WOODSIA
_Woodsia obtusa_
Small, slightly downy, fronds broadly lanceolate, nearly
twice-pinnate. On rocks. P. 202.
56. NORTHERN WOODSIA
_Woodsia hyperborea_
Very small, smooth or nearly so, fronds narrowly oblong-lanceolate,
once-pinnate, pinnæ cordate-ovate or triangular-ovate, 5-7 lobed. On
moist rocks. P. 203.
57. SMOOTH WOODSIA
_Woodsia glabella_
Very small, smooth throughout and delicate, fronds linear,
once-pinnate, pinnæ roundish ovate, lobed. On moist rocks. P. 206.
FERN DESCRIPTIONS
"Nature made a fern for pure leaves."--_Thoreau_
GROUP I
STERILE AND FERTILE FRONDS TOTALLY UNLIKE; FERTILE FRONDS NOT
LEAF-LIKE IN APPEARANCE
1. SENSITIVE FERN
_Onoclea sensibilis_
Newfoundland to Florida, in wet meadows.
_Sterile fronds._--One or two inches to three feet high,
broadly triangular, deeply cut into somewhat oblong,
wavy-toothed divisions, the lower ones almost reaching the
midrib, the upper ones less deeply cut; _stalk_ long.
_Fertile fronds._--Quite unlike the sterile fronds and
shorter, erect, rigid, contracted; _pinnules_ rolled
up into dark-green, berry-like bodies which hold the
spore-cases; appearing in June or July.
This is one of our commonest ferns, growing in masses along the
roadside and in wet meadows. Perfectly formed sterile fronds are found
of the tiniest dimensions. Again the plant holds its own among the
largest and most effective ferns. From its creeping rootstock rise the
scattered fronds which at times wear very light and delicate shades
of green. There is nothing, however, specially fragile in the plant's
appearance, and one is struck by the inappropriateness of its title.
It is probable that this arose from its sensitiveness to early frosts.
[Illustration: Sensitive Fern]
Though one hesitates to differ from Dr. Eaton, who described the
fertile fronds as "nearly black in color" and said that they were "not
very common," and that a young botanist might "search in vain for them
for a long time," my own experience has been that the fresh ones are
very evidently green and neither scarce nor specially inconspicuous.
I have found these fertile fronds apparently full-grown in June,
though usually they are assigned to a much later date. They remain
standing, brown and dry, long after they have sown their spores, side
by side with the fresh fronds of the following summer.
Detail _a_ in Plate I represents the so-called _var. obtusilobata_.
This is a form midway between the fruiting and the non-fruiting
fronds. It may be looked for in situations where the fern has suffered
some injury or deprivation.
2. OSTRICH FERN
_Onoclea Struthiopteris_
Nova Scotia to New Jersey, along streams and in moist
woods. Growing in a crown, two to ten feet high.
_Sterile fronds._--Broadly lance-shaped, once-pinnate;
_pinnæ_ divided into narrowly oblong segments which do not
reach the midvein; stalk short, deeply channelled in front.
_Fertile fronds._--Quite unlike the sterile fronds, growing
in the centre of the crown formed by the sterile fronds,
shorter, erect, rigid, with green, necklace-like pinnæ
which hold the spore-cases; appearing in July.
I first found this plant at its best on the shore of the Hoosick
River in Rensselaer County, N. Y. We had crossed a field dotted with
fragrant heaps of hay and blazing in the midsummer sun, and had
entered the cool shade of the trees which border the river, when
suddenly I saw before me a group of ferns of tropical beauty and
luxuriance. Great plume-like fronds of a rich green arched above
my head. From the midst of the circle which they formed sprang the
shorter, dark, rigid fruit-clusters. I was fairly startled by the
unexpected beauty and regal bearing of the Ostrich Fern.
[Illustration: PLATE I
SENSITIVE FERN
_a._ Var. obtusilobata]
This magnificent plant luxuriates especially in the low, rich soil
which is subject to an annual overflow from our northern rivers. Its
vase-like masses of foliage somewhat suggest the Cinnamon Fern, but
the fertile fronds of the Ostrich Fern mature in July, some weeks
later than those of its rival. They are dark-green, while those of the
Cinnamon Fern are golden-brown. Should there be no fruiting fronds
upon the plant, the Ostrich Fern can be distinguished by the free
veins with simple veinlets (Plate II, _a_) of its pinnæ, the veins of
the Cinnamon Fern being free and its veinlets forking (Pl. III, _a_),
and by the absence of the tuft of rusty wool at the base of the pinnæ
on the under side of the frond.
The Ostrich Fern does so well under cultivation that there is danger
lest it crowd out its less aggressive neighbors. It propagates chiefly
by means of underground runners. Mr. Robinson describes a specimen
which he had planted in his out-door fernery that crawled under a
tight board fence and reappeared in the garden of his neighbor, who
was greatly astonished and equally delighted so unexpectedly to become
the owner of the superb plant.
[Illustration: PLATE II
OSTRICH FERN
_a_ Portion of sterile frond
_b_ Fertile frond
_c_ Detail, showing free veins with simple veinlets]
The Ostrich Fern, like its kinsman the Sensitive Fern, occasionally
gives birth to fronds which are midway between its fruiting and its
non-fruiting forms. This is specially liable to occur when some
injury has befallen the plant.
3. CINNAMON FERN
_Osmunda cinnamomea_
Nova Scotia to Florida, in swampy places. Growing in a
crown, one to five feet high.
_Sterile fronds._--Broadly lance-shaped, once-pinnate;
_pinnæ_ cut into broadly oblong divisions that do not reach
the midvein, each pinna with a tuft of rusty wool at its
base beneath.
_Fertile fronds._--Quite unlike the sterile fronds, growing
in the centre of the crown formed by the sterile fronds and
usually about the same height; erect, with cinnamon-colored
spore-cases.
[Illustration: Cinnamon Fern]
In the form of little croziers, protected from the cold by wrappings
of rusty wool, the fertile fronds of the Cinnamon Fern appear
everywhere in our swamps and wet woods during the month of May. These
fertile fronds, first dark-green, later cinnamon-brown, are quickly
followed and encircled by the sterile ones, which grow in a tall,
graceful crown. The fertile fronds soon wither, and, during the
summer, may be found either clinging to the stalks of the sterile
fronds or lying on the ground.
[Illustration: PLATE III
CINNAMON FERN
_a_ Showing tuft of wool at base of pinna, also free veins with
forking veinlets]