Utilization of pteridophytes by Western American aborigines played a minor but very interesting role in their lives. Most of the pertinent information is scattered. This paper attempts to summarize much of this information. The species known to have been used by the western North American Indians north of Mexico are discussed below. The botanical nomenclature is according to Munz (1959). LYCOPODIUM CLAVATUIM L. Club-moss. Although there is no evidence for use of this species by western Indians, Frye (1934) reported its spores were collected for dusting on open raw wounds and chafed infants. The spores are very fine and light, which enables them to repel water and prevent stickiness. Lycopodium selago L., a related species in the northwest was used by Indians as an intoxicant. The stem was chewed and the juice swallowed. It is said that three plants produced a mild intoxication whereas eight plants stupified the user. EQUISETJM ARVENSE L. Common horsetail. The major use of the horsetails was as an abrasive in polishing bows and arrows (Murphey, 1959). However, it was sometimes dried and burned and the ashes used on sore mouths. The Lower Chinook Indians DSTON, KATHRYN 1958. n Amateur Plants Fern Spores. Amer. Fern 76