THE many kinds of ferns, large and small, to be found on the floor of the Valley, and on the rocky talus at the base of the great walls that surround it, form one of the minor charms of Yosemite.

The Common Brake (Pteris aquilina) —This is found in all parts of the floor of the Valley and in some localities it attains a height of four feet, with broad spreading fronds.

Woodwardia Radicans—This beautiful large fern is found in wet rocky places.

Maidenhair (Adiantum pedatum)— This grows at the base of the great waterfalls, and wet shady cavities and clefts in the rocks at the base of the walls.

Other Varieties—Pelloea densa, Pelloea Bridgesii, Pelloea macronata, Cheilanthus gracillima, Cystopteris Fragilis, the gold-back Gymnogramme Triangularis, the moss-back Woodsia Scopulina, and several varieties of the shield fern, are founa among the rocks at the base of the surrounding walls. There are many other beautiful ferns whose names I have never learned.

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