for scientific
reasons, but we still like the old name better.

(5) THE ROCK BRAKE. PARSLEY FERN

_Cryptogramma acrostichoides_

Sterile and fertile fronds very dissimilar; segments of the fertile, linear
and pod-like; of the sterile, ovate-oblong, obtuse, and toothed. The plants
spring from crevices of rocks and are from six to eight inches high. Stipes
of the fertile fronds are about twice as long as the sterile, making two
tiers of fronds.

[Illustration: Parsley Fern or Rock Brake. _Cryptogramma acrostichoides_
(California and Oregon) (Herbarium of Geo. E. Davenport)]

The parsley fern is the typical species of the genus _Cryptogramma_. The
indusium is formed of the altered margin of the pinnule, at first reflexed
to the midrib, giving it a pod-like appearance, but at length opening out
flat and exposing the sporangia. Clute, speaking of this fern as "the rock
brake," calls it a border species, as its home is in the far north--Arctic
America to Lake Huron, Lake Superior, Colorado and California.

4. LIP FERNS. _Cheilanthes_

Mostly small southern ferns growing on rocks, pubescent or tomentose with
much divided leaves. Sori at the end of the veins at first small and
roundish, but afterwards more or less confluent. The indusium whitish and
sometimes herbaceous, formed of the reflexed margin of the lobes or of the
whole pinnule. Veins free, but often obscure. Most of the ferns of this
genus grow in dry, exposed situations, where rain is sometimes absent for
weeks and months. For this reason they protect themselves by a covering
of hairs, scales or wool, which hinders the evaporation of water from the
plant by holding a layer of more or less saturated air near the surface of
the frond. (In Greek the word means _lip flower_, alluding to the lip-like
indusia.)

(1) ALABAMA LIP FERN. _Cheilanthes alabamensis_

Fronds smooth, two to ten inches long, lanceolate, bipinnate. Pinnae
numerous, oblong-lanceolate, the lower usually smaller than those above.
Pinnules triangular-oblong, mostly acute, often auricular or lobed at the
base. Indusia pale, membranous and continuous except between the lobes.
Stipes black, slender and tomentose at the base.

[Illustration: Alabama Lip Fern. _Cheilanthes alabamensis_ (From Waters's
"Ferns," Henry Holt & Co.)]

This species of lip fern may be distinguished from all the others within
our limits by its smooth pinnae. On rocks--mountains of Virginia to
Kentucky, and Alabama,