| GROUP II | FERTILE FRONDS PARTIALLY LEAF-LIKE, |
have poisonous qualities, which not only injured the cattle that fed upon it, but destroyed the grass in which it grew.
9. RATTLESNAKE FERN. VIRGINIA GRAPE FERN
Botrychium Virginianum
Nova Scotia to Florida, in rich woods. One or two feet high, at times much smaller, when it becomes B. gracile.
Sterile portion.—Usually broader than long, spreading, with three main divisions which are cut into many smaller segments, thin, set close to the stem about half way up.
Fertile portion.—Long-stalked, more than once-pinnate.
On our rambles through the woods we are more likely to encounter the Rattlesnake Fern than any other member of the Botrychium group. It fruits in early sum-
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