The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-07-20

ally Peltaca arucilis. or slender ciid-brake.
1t is q pretty, delicate little fern, never
more than ten inches high, and IN appear
ance similar to the Cryptogyunsme acyusfichoi-
dss. 1t grows in crevices, and is probably
more exposed to the rays of the sun than
any other fern. The fronds are smooth,
ovate and very delicate, the stalks slender
and of brown or pale-yeliow color. 1t oc-
ours In the crevices of limestone roc KS in
the eastern portion of the state.
The Clayton's cliff brake (PeEIecG afropur-
pureal is more common than the previous
one, and is an evergreen species from two
to eighteen inches high. 1t grows usually
parts of the state.
The close-set Pellaea, or the Oregon
cliff brake PeIlacd densa), is found in Wash.
ington at considerable elevation in ciefts
of rocks. The fronds are ovate or rather
triangular, oblong in outline, the stalk
brown and slender, the rootstocks tangled
and chaffy. This fern strangely enough is
TO be found only in the two extremities OF
North America, on the Atlantic and then
on the Pacific coast. The middle states
and the center of Canada do not know
anything about that plant. 1t grows in
the New England states and IN Quebec.
then disappears. to be found again in
Washington and in British Columbia.
OF the genus Cheilantes Of lip-fern we
have two species in Washington: Chcit.
aates graciLinsa, known under the name
OF lace-fern or graceful lip-fern, and Cheit-
dntes ldnnginoso, or woolly lip-fern. The
first one is an evergreen plant. with creep
ing rootstocks, dark-brown, sometimes
scaly, stalks, and linear oblong fronds. 1t
grows in dry and exposed crevices, and is
TO be found mostly on the shores of Puget
sound. The second one, or the woolly lip
fern, has stalks clothed with woolly hairs.
aud is from two to eight inches high.
The gold-fern. or gold back (Gymno-
qyuB,me tridnguldyis), is q Californian fern,
but is TO be found also in this state, though
very scarce. To the knowledge OF the
author it occurs only in this st ste in the
crevices of Port Angeles and on Vancouver
island. According to Macoun it is found
only on the grassy slopes of Cedar Hill,
three miles from Victoria The fern is
very handsome, evergreen, never higher
than fifteen inches. The upper surface of
the fronds is smooth, the lower covered
with pale-yellow GRACIOUS powder.
The genus Polypodium, very common in
the Eastern states, is also fairly well repre-
sented in this state. The so-called rock
fern, or common polypody (POlypodium mi
gdrs). is widely distributed throughout
Washington, and especially the variation
occidentale The common polypody is an
evergreen species, with smooth. leatherly
oblong-linear fronds and chaffy creeping
root-stocks. Its height is from three to
fifteen inches, and it grows in all rocky
districts. The roots have purgauve prop
critics.
A species of poly podv, which is especially
found in this state, is the liquorice fern, or
hooked polypody (Polypoaium .falcatuna)
This fern received its name because its
roots have taste resembling liquorice. 1t
grows among the rocks along the coast
and also in the hoilows of living trees on
the continents of the Columbia river. 1t is
sometimes two feet high and evergreen and
its fronds broadly lanceolate, usually ten
inches long and FIVE broad, though some
times they are even longer.
The leather-leaf poIypody (Polypodiuns
.coulcri) is also Washingtonian fern with
scaly rootstock, but smooth stalks, and
fieshy ovate fronds. 1t is also an ever
green species and grows especially on trees
and stumps. 1t is from two to eighteen
inches high.
OF the genus Lomayid, we find in WASH
ington the Oregon deer fern, sometimes
called spiked fern. Roman fern and hard
fern tLomoyia spicant). 1t is often three
feet high. and is found only in humid, cool
localities. The fronds are very short
stalked, and the rootstock thick and
chaffy. 1t is found especially in the vicin-
of Bellingham bay.
The dwarf-spleenwort, or maidenhair-
spieenwort tAsplenium frichomanes). is rare
plant growing principally on the Okano-
gan river in the crevices of shaded rocks.
1t is about seven inches in height and ever
green, the stalks very densely clustered
and black, the fronds almost as long as the
plant itself A variation of this fern (Asplen-
ium incisun.) is found near Montesano.
The leaves are used to prepare pectoraIs
for chronic coughs.
A species of fern which is undoubtedly
Asplenium flir teu,ina, or the lady fern, was
sent to The writer of this from Eastern
Washington. AS it is really an Eastern
occurs in this state.
pod, beech polypod. (Phegoptevis polypoai-
oides) is found only here and there on the
Columbia river in damp rocky woods. The
root stock is slender and the fronds hairy
on both surfaces. 1t is not evergreen, and
about twenty inches in height, though
oftener much smaller.
The oak fern (Phegopteris d,yspteris). a little
higher than the previous one is q beautiful
but not evergreen plant, found in dry
woods on the high elevations. Its fronds
are very delicate, usually smooth and of
iight-green color, the stalks erect and very
slender.
The Phegopteyis alperfris, or the Alpine
beech-fern, grows in tufts and is some
times over thirty inches in height. Stalks
are ten inches long, fronds usually six
inches wide but often about two feet long
1t is found in the Cascade and Sekirk
mountains and the surrounding country.
In the same localities as the previous
one, but very scarcely, grows the brook
fern, some times called shield-fern (Aspid-
iam noreboyueenSe). 1t is a delicate fern Of a
pale-green color. usually two feet high,
with long fropds and slender brownish
stalks. 1t is sweet-scented in drying.
The male-fern (Aspidium fii1-masl Is
found on the shores OF Puget sound on the
rocky and woody hill-sides. 1t is hand
some species. the fronds rising in circle
sometimes TO a heighth OF four feet. The
rootstock is stout and very chaffy, the
stalks from three inches to one foot long,
and are straw-colored. Though not ever
green it can stand considerable frost