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British Fern Gazette.

VOLUME. VL.

EDITED BY

F, W. STANSFIELD, M.D., F.L-S.

(READING).

> b Lt

PUBLISHED BY
Che British Pteridological Society.

President: Mr. W. B. Cranfield, F.R.H.S., F.LS.

2 2Jtd “Sel ee ee aon
= f ~ “= 3 —
7

' Cs, 4
‘VOL. VI. />27. No. |.

= Whe =

British Fern
Gasette,.

—_—

December, 1929.

EDITED BY

F. W. STANSFIELD, M_LD., F.LS.

(120, OXFORD ROAD, READING.)

PUBLISHED BY

_ THE BRITISH PTERIDOLOGICAL SOCIETY

President : Mr. W. B. Sa Sh F.R.H.S., F.L.S., Hast Lodge, are
hase, Middlesex.

Hon. Secretary: Dr. F.W. Stansfield.

Hon. Treasurer: Mr. J. J. Sheldon, **Monkhams,’ Lower Road,
Great Bookham, Surrey.

7 at

‘
Opty,

Blechnum spicant plumosum, Forster.

THE
@ertioln FERN GAZETTE.

NEW SERIES.

Vot. VI. DECEMBER, 1929. No. 1
CONTENTS.
EDITORIAL NOTES ie Y -
Our FRONTISPIECE: Blechnum sp. plumosum, Forster 2
THE ANNUAL MEETING at Ae - Mie tes x 3
FERNS AT THE SOUTHPORT SHOw (Mr. A. J. MacSelf) 9
BriTIsH FERNS In LONDON Town (Mr. F. W. Thorrington) ... 12
Her For [sotatTeD StTuDENTS (Mr. F. W. Thorrington) _... 13
OCystopteris alpina, Desvaux (F.W.S.)_... : ee ee 15
Cystopteris fragilis var. Dickieana (Dr. 8. P. eoceinuaey 18
THE FERNS. Professor F. O. Bower, D.Sc., F.R.S. Vol. III.
(Review completed, by Mr. F. W. Thorrington) kc 20
DISTINCTIVE PROTHALLIA OF FERNS (F.W.S.) ... “ul bs. 24
OBITUARY : PEARSON ae 3 ore oh "7 25
List OF MEMBERS... fA bes Ae ee oye ibe 26

EDITORIAL NOTES.
We have received the following communication from the
Editor of the American Fern Journal, whose greetings we

“The American Fern Society sends greetings to the
members of the British Pteridological Society. While in
general our particular interests in ferns are along somewhat
different lines we have more in common than in difference ;
for example, it happens that, whereas you have been concerned
for a long time with the development of the interesting
varieties of the Hart’s Tongue Fern, our chief interest in this
country has been devoted to an effort to maintain this species
as an element in our native flora. The conservation of our
native plants—their maintenance in natural habitats—has
been a matter of increasing concern with us for at least a
quarter of a century.”

In our last issue we made reference to the matter above
mentioned both as applied to our own oe and to the
continent of America.

2

In the present number Mr. Thorrington completes his.
review of Professor Bower’s new book on “The Ferns.”
No doubt our more scientifically-minded members who have
not already made the acquaintance of this monumental work
are looking forward to the opportunity of studying it
in detail for themselves. It may prove too strong meat
for those who are mainly, if not entirely, horticulturists
and who grow ferns only in order to enjoy their beauty.
There is, however, more than this purely aesthetic satis-
faction to be got out of fern-growing and fern study. We
can, at least, all thank the author for the book itself and
Mr. Thorrington for his able introduction to it. _

The Editor regrets that he was prevented from attending
the Annual Meeting, and from taking part in the subsequent
excursions by an accident which put him out of commission
for several weeks. Fortunately there were no permanent
bad effects of the mishap. He is deeply grateful to those
members, and other friends, whose help and sympathy were
so valuable both at the time and during convalescence.

Sir Frederick W. Moore, V.M.H., F.L.S., of Rathfarnham,
Co. Dublin, has accepted, with thanks, the honorary member-
ship to which he was elected at the Annual Meeting.

The Hon. Treasurer, Mr. J. J. Sheldon, will be glad to
receive remittances of any subscriptions for the current

year (now due) or any arrears which may remain unpaid.

OUR FRONTISPIECE.
Blechnum spicant plumosum, Forster.

The origin of this fern was involved for many years in
some degree of mystery. It was first brought before the
Society in 1924 by Mr. W. Forster, then of Salford and since
deceased, the history being that he had sown a lot of “ old
spores of which he had lost or forgotten the name. The

3

result was a considerable crop of this, apparently quite a
new form. It is probable that there were other varieties
in the batch, but these seem to have been neglected or
discarded as inferior things. When exhibited the fern
showed, in addition to the foliose and bipinnatifid character,
a slight amount of cruciation and, at the request of the
raiser, it was named Blechnum spicant cruciato-plumosum,
Forster. Subsequent cultivation, however, showed that
the cruciate character was, at most, only occasional and
very partial, and that the fern was better without it, so the
cruciato- was eventually dropped and the sufficiently descrip-
tive title of plumosum alone retained. The frontispiece is
from a photograph, taken several years ago, of a plant in the
Editor’s own collection. A curious thing subsequently
happened—the plant divided into two crowns, one of which
retained its character, while the other sported into the likeness
of Airey’s serratum No. 2, thereby affording a significant
suggestion as to the origin of plumosum itself. The part
which remained true died as the result of the severe weather
in the early part of this year, but fortunately we have been
able to re-obtain the variety from Messrs. Perry, of Enfield.
The variety has now become rare, and it is time that a fresh
crop should be raised from spores. We are not aware that
this has been done since the original batch came into being

more than thirty years ago.

THE ANNUAL MEETING.

The Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting of the Society was held
on Monday, September 2nd, at the Ingleborough Hotel,
Ingleton, Yorks, the President, Mr. W. B. Cranfield, occupying
the Chair. Members were present from Enfield, Horsham,
London, Great Bookham, Welwyn, Warlingham (Surrey),
Halstead (Essex), Dublin, Haslingden, Lancaster, Grange,
and Edinburgh.

4

In opening the Meeting the President referred, in feeling
terms, to an accident which had befallen Dr. F. W. Stansfield
on the previous Saturday. (While hunting for ferns on the
slopes of Ingleborough the Doctor had slipped in getting
over a wall and a large sharp-edged stone from the wall had
fallen upon him and injured his back. Fortunately he was
able, with assistance, to walk to the hotel. A rib had been
broken and he was removed to a nursing home in Lancaster
on Sunday. His absence, and its cause, cast a gloom over the
members, but during the Meeting they were greatly cheered
to receive a message from Lancaster that he was fairly
comfortable and that there appeared to be no complications. )
A cordial resolution of sympathy was unanimously passed
and sent to the Hon. Secretary.

The Minutes of the previous Meeting were read, confirmed,
and signed by the President. The President read the Hon.
Secretary's Report, as follows :—

‘Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen,

The number of ordinary members of the Society is now 126
and there are eight honorary members.

Mr. W. A. Bilney, of Newbury, Berks, Mr. E. H. Wilding,
of Stoke Poges, Bucks, and Mrs. Alfred Hollington, of Potters
Bar, Middlesex, have resigned their membership.

Mr. R. A. Martindale, J.P., of Boston Spa, Yorks, and
Sir Archibald Buchan-Hepburn, Bart., of Prestonkirk,
Scotland, have died. Although these gentlemen did not
attend the Meetings of the Society they took a lively interest

in its work and were both valuable members, whose loss
we must all deplore.

I'welve new members have joined the Society since the
last Annual Meeting and their names will be found recorded
in the two succeeding issues of the, Gazette, with the exception —
of that of Mr. Denis J. Doody, of the Gardens, Mucross Abbey,
Killarney, Ireland, who joined only a month ago.

5

The normal activities of the Society have been greatly
restricted by the severity of the last winter, and the extreme |
drought of the following period. It has been a continuous
struggle for many members to keep their plants alive and,
even in this, they have not always succeeded. The ferns,
found around Sherborne at the time of our last Meeting,
have barely survived and many other valuable things have
been lost.

Our President delivered a lecture, illustrated by lantern
slides and specimens of cut fronds, before the Royal Horti-
cultural Society on July 16th. Several of our own members
were present, but the Meeting was somewhat thinly attended,
although those present showed their appreciation by their
comments and interest.”

The Hon. Treasurer presented his annual statement as

follows :—
BALANCE SHEET.

_ INcoME. eS sd. EXPENDITURE. me. a.
Balance from last year 43 11 0 | Affiliation Fee to
Subscriptions Se? fae a 1 ON Pala ae en oe ©
Sale of ‘‘ Gazettes ”’ 6 O ‘** Gazette,’ Dec., 1928 13 2 6
Advertisements or ae See ee | ae “a June,1929 15 0 O
Plate for December Leaflets in R.H.S.

‘Gazette’ (given : Journal ... nek ee Bo S
by Mr. T. B. Blow) 1 2 6 Postages & Sundries 2 8 3
| Balance in Bank ... 48 13 10

— / ———

£94 16 9 £94 16 9

Audited and found correct, September 2nd, 1929.

(Signed) PERCY GREENFIELD.

Upon this statement the President expressed his regret
that the leaflet, issued with the R.H.S. Journal, had, so far,
proved to be a great disappointment as not more than two
or three members had joined as a result of it. The members
present unanimously agreed that such a result could not
have been foreseen, that there had appeared to be every
prospect of a successful result, and that seed might have

6

been sown which had not yet shown itself above ground.
The balance sheet was then passed without further comment,
on the proposal of Mr. Whiteside, seconded by Mr. Stephens.

The President was unanimously re-elected after Mr. Blow
and Mr. Whiteside had expressed the Society’s great apprecia-
tion of his constant and invaluable support and the enthusiasm
with which he used his influential position in the horticultural
world to further the Society’s interests.

The Officers and Committee for the ensuing year were
elected as per the following list :—

President :
Mr. W. B. Cranfield.

Vice-Presidents :

Mr. Alex. Cowan, Rev. Canon Kingsmill Moore,
Mr. T. E. Henwood, Mr. J. J. Smithies,
Rev. Canon Hawkins, Mr. G. E. Stephens.

Hon. Treasurer :
Mr. J. J. Sheldon.

Hon. Secretary and Editor of The Gazette :
Dr. F. W. Stansfield.

Hon. Auditor :
Mr. P. Greenfield.

Committee :
Mr. T. B. Blow, Dr. 8. P. Rowlands,
Mr. Robert Bolton, Dr. T. Stansfield,
Mr. Thos. Brown, Mr. A. J. Sinclair,
Mr. P. Greenfield, Mr. F. W. Thorrington,
Mr. A. J. MacSelf, Mr. R. Whiteside.

The following new members were elected to the Society :—

Mr. Morsdell, East Lodge Gardens, Enfield Chase. —

Mr. Frank Butler, 2, Prospect Street, Reading.

Mr. John Lovelady, 129, Manchester Road, Haslingden,
Lancs.

~
i

Mr. J. E. Hughes, Lee Hall, Mollington, near Chester.
Mr. George Perey Gill, Head Master, Bentham Grammar
School, Bentham, Yorks.

Mr. Frank Bouskell, Sedgemere, Market Bosworth,
Leicestershire.

It was resolved that Sir Frederick W. Moore, F.LS.,
should be invited to become an honorary member of the
Society.

The President suggested that the Secretary be empowered
to express to the authorities of the Southport Show the
Society's appreciation of their enterprise in regard to the
exhibition of British Ferns. This was carried nem. con.

New Certificates—The President handed round for inspec-
tion a draft of the proposed new form of Certificate to be
printed upon good paper with a counterfoil to form the
Society’s record of the issue of the Certificate. The Certifi-
cates would be serially numbered and it was thought that
the Secretary might be able to trace, at least approximately,
the number of Certificates hitherto issued and to start from
that number. The draft, with slight amendment, was thought
to be suitable, but it was left to the President and Secretary
to decide finally.

Silver Medal.—As, upon consideration, the expenditure,
which would be involved in obtaining a special die for the
proposed Silver Medal was found to be too heavy for the
Society’s funds, the President handed round a silver medal
of stock pattern bearing the word “ Horticulture’ and a
design upon which the Society’s name, etc., could be engraved.
This suggestion commended itself to the members generally
but Mr. Blow said he had some hope of obtaining a present
of a special die. In these circumstances it was left to the
President and Hon. Secretary, in consultation with Mr. Blow,
to decide what form of medal should be adopted.

8

The place of meeting for next year was then discussed.
The President expressed his pleasure that there was so good
an attendance of Northern members and, as there might be
as good an attendance, or even a better one, next year if a
locality to suit Northern members were again chosen, it —
was provisionally decided to hold the meeting in the Lake
District. |

Fronds or plants were then exhibited by Mr. Askew,
Mr. Cowan, Mr. Lovelady, Mr. Sheldon, and Mr. Whiteside.
Certificates were awarded as follows :—

(i) to Mr. Sheldon for Athyrium f.f. percristatum, Sheldon :
frond exhibited by himself.

(ii) to Mr. Whiteside for Lastrea pseudo-mas polydactyla,
Whiteside ; wild find at Hornby thirty or forty years
ago: frond exhibited by himself.

Mr. Sheidon’s fern was a very beautiful and perfect thing.
Although it is well known that cristatwms and percristatums
can be raised from the original setigerum of Garnett, and
many pretty forms have been raised before, this one was
thought to surpass, in neatness and thoroughness, anything
previously seen in this line.

The members remained in the neighbourhood for several
days after the Meeting and various fern-hunting excursions
were made. Several uncommon species were seen such as
Polystichum lonchitis, Lastrea rigida, Asplenium viride and
Polypodium Robertianum, but no variety was found except
a multifid form of Asplenium viride by Mr. Sheldon. Scolo-
pendrium vulgare was found in fair quantity in the clefts of
the limestone pavements of Ingleborough and several minor
variations were noticed, but none worthy of record. The
locality recorded by Lowe for Lastrea uliginosa—viz., Brows-
holme Park, near Clitheroe, to which the members were kindly
invited by Colonel Parker, the owner—was searched but it
was no surprise that that elusive fern was not discovered.

9

The members were also entertained and made welcome by
Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Farrar, of Ingleborough, and _ their
wonderful Alpine garden was inspected and admired.

Very satisfactory quarters and the greatest consideration
were met with at the Ingleborough Hotel during the party’s
stay in the district, and this typical Yorkshire hospitality
_ contributed in no small degree to the comfort of the members.

THE HARDY FERNS AT SOUTHPORT.
By A. J. MACSELF (Editor, Amateur Gardening).

For the second time we have reason to be well pleased
with the manner in which the classes for hardy British Ferns
were supported at Southport Show (August 28-30).

True, there were but three exhibits in the class for a group
occupying 100 square feet, as against seven entries last year,
but it must be remembered that the season had been an
extremely trying one for ferns. Most collections suffered
first from the exceptionally severe late frost, and then from
the prolonged drought and parching winds which prevailed
in most districts and almost without a break right up to the
time of the Show. Two owners of good collections who had
promised the writer to exhibit in this class were obliged by the
unhappy condition of many of their plants to abandon the
idea.

Let us hope next season will be favourable to growth and
that several new exhibitors will stage groups to add to the
importance of our own particular feature of this wonderful
exhibition of British horticulture.

That the Show Committee were well pleased with the
results of the first year’s experiment is evidenced by the fact
that they readily acquiesced when it was suggested that
additional small classes should be provided for plants in pots,

10

and it is pleasant to record that these brought sufficient
entries to fill a long stretch of staging, and among the plants
shown were some very fine varieties.

It may at once be said that whilst we were pleased with
both the number and quality of the exhibits in these smaller
classes we are convinced that many more of the members of
this Society could well stage in some of them. There can be
no doubt the cult of Hardy British Ferns will make greater
and more rapid progress when the public are enabled to make
acquaintance with the choicer and most beautiful varieties
by seeing them at flower shows.

Membership of the British Pteridological Society expresses
a desire and determination to foster and aid the development
and advancement of the study and cultivation of Hardy
British Ferns. We have now an excellent opportunity to
support Southport Flower Show in its willing endeavours in
this direction, and by well filling the Fern classes there,
may not only show the appreciation due, but also induce
the organisers of other important shows to introduce similar
classes. One result of the Southport enterprise has already
been to bring new members to our Society. Let all endeavour
to keep interest growing. We may make our own section
one of the most popular and important features of the whole
show, so that the majority of visitors will go home talking of
British Ferns. |

To return to the Trophy class, our President once again
secured the coveted award with a superb group, rich in
variety and full of cultural excellence. The strong point
about Mr. Cranfield’s group was the magnificent development
of the larger growing kinds ; Polystichwms with fronds longer
than one’s arm, crested Lastreas bold and upstanding,
Scolopendriums with foliage both broad and long, yet precise
in their frilled margins and crested ends made the group
spectacular at first glance and pleasing to all. Nevertheless,
a closer and more critical examination revealed the fact that

11

the congested, fastigiate and dense forms of smaller and
extremely choice things were well represented, and every
plant was a picture of health bespeaking careful and clever
culture. A grand plant of the unique Athyrium f.f. Claris-
sima again occupied a conspicuous position in the centre of
the group, compelling unstinted admiration. Other notable
plants were Athyrum f.f. cristatum, Druery (Kilrush), A. ff.
Victoriae, Lastrea ps.-mas polydactyla, Wills, Polystichum
aculeatum densum, Polystichum aculeatum plumosum, Green,
P. acul. pulcherrimum, Bevis, P. acul. pulcherrimum, Druery,
P. acul. gracillimum, Druery, P. acul. gracillimum, Cranfield,
P. angulare divisilobum, Bland, P.a. flabellipinnulum, P.a.
divisilobum plumosum laxum, Scol. vulgare crispum speciosum,
Moly, S.v. crispum grande, Wills.

There was, admittedly, a long stride between the all-round
excellence of the Cup-winning group and that staged by
Mr. Joseph Lloyd, of Southport, who was awarded second
prize, but that is not to say his group was lacking in merit.
It contained, in fact, a number of really good examples of
first class ferns, a beautifully developed specimen of Aspleniwm
trichomanes incisum being one of the best pieces in the group,
while among other choice things were Scol. v. crispum, Mrs.
_ Stabler, Polystichum angulare divisilobum plumosum laxum,
Athyrium f.f. setigerum percristatum, A. f.f. gemmatum,
Barnes, and Lastrea dilatata crispata ochracea. In general
arrangement Mr. Lloyd proved himself a capable exhibitor,
his group containing enough, but not too many plants, all
of which were so placed as to display every charm to the
full.

Messrs. Geo. Oliver & Sons, Melrose, Scotland, deserve
high praise for again bringing so great a distance a superb
collection of good ferns with which they closely followed
Mr. Lloyd. The weakness in this case, as last year, was an
insufficiency of large specimens to cover space. We know a
nice plant of a miniature fern is as meritorious as a big strong

12

grower, but in an exhibit at a flower show bare space and
sparsely furnished foreground must inevitably prove a sore
handicap against groups which require no additions to
complete a well-balanced and pleasing display. Messrs.
Oliver’s Athyrium f.f. uncoglomeratum was a_ covetable
specimen worthy of many points for quality and skilful
cultivation. They had also some choice Polypodvums and
Aspleniums.

The pot plant classes were well filled and embraced some
delightful ferns, exhibitors including the Rev. Canon Moore
from Ireland, Mr. F. W. Askew from Keswick, Miss E. A.
Lloyd, Mr. John Lovelady and Messrs. G. Gibson & Co..
as well as Mr. Cranfield and Mr. Joseph Lloyd.

BRITISH FERNS IN LONDON TOWN.
24th September, 1929.

One went from busy Oxford Street into Southampton Row,
and to the London Day Training College (L.C.C.). Therein
was a huge exhibition of all kinds of activities bearing in the
main on Nature Study in our schools. It was the ‘‘ Annual ”
of the School Nature Study Union. Sir John Russell and
Lady Russell opened the proceedings, and, afterwards, going
around the tables of exhibits, seemed very much interested
in the fine display of fronds sent by Mr. Cranfield.

That they were not alone in this was evident during the
afternoon. As “‘demonstrator’’ of the exhibit, on behalf
of our President, I found real wonderment, not only at the
kinds of ferns, but at the fine condition of the fronds, after
this long period of drought.

As usual, the two main causes of “‘ exclamation notes ”’
were the crispum Hart’s-tongues, and pluwmoso-divisilobe
Shield Ferns. Their beauty was evident and much com-
mented on. However, A. f.f. Victoriae and Clarissima,
also kalon superbum were much noticed, besides the Poly-

ryan

13

podiums, Blechnums and Lastreas. ‘This enabled me to call
attention to the scientific side of our cult. We may consider

it a decidedly useful afternoon.

FRANCIS W. THORRINGTON.

HELP FOR ISOLATED STUDENTS.

.Very few people become pteridologists without some slight
tendency towards use of “‘ the midnight oil.”” Amongst our
membership there must be many who are at least willing to
acquire a little knowledge of the natural laws governing
plant life: or even of the somewhat special requirements of
the multitude of Ferns. The latter—at least as far as British
Ferns are concerned—have, in the past, been very well served
by the articles in this Gazette.

For the more general body—those who desire to study the
trend of modern botanical research; or for the more
“specialist ’’ group amongst them, who wish to know what
scientists are finding out as to the intimate structure,
physiology, or the evolution of the Ferns generally—these
pages are perhaps hardly the place. The knowledge the
first group requires is too general ; that needed by the latter
too technical.

What, then, is the Fern-lover to do, when he, or she,
becomes anxious to know more of the ferns, etc., than is
strictly necessary for their cultivation and enjoyment ?
If living near a large town, or if wealthy enough to purchase
the books required, the task is relatively easy. This article,
written by an Hon. Librarian of a village Library (under the
County Library System) is an attempt to explain the methods
by which, although “ buried in the country,” those whose
purses are not long may yet participate in the joy of borrowing
and studying the many specialist books now available.
The County Libraries, with their village branches, served by
voluntary helpers, are well known to most people. Not
quite so familiar, though, are the facilities developed during
the last few years in connection with the Central Library

14

for students. This organization, mainly financed by the
Carnegie Trustees, but of late, to some extent, by grants from
various County Council Education Committees, is gradually
freeing even the most isolated villages from the reproach of
** book-hunger.”’

We will suppose the country student desires a particular
technical work. He mentions this to the local librarian, who
then gives him an application form and, if satisfied, certifies
thereon that the applicant, a member of his Library, is a
responsible person and to be entrusted with such books.
This form is sent to the County Librarian, who may have the
book in stock at County headquarters, and will then post
it to the borrower, usually for one month. If, however, it
is not in the County Library, the application is then ‘sent
on to the Central Library at Galen Place, Bury Street, near
the British Museum, London. |

The Central Library supplies books (except fiction) pub-
lished from 6s. to two guineas, and unobtainable by County
headquarters. Usually, the County Education Authority
undertakes the payment of the outward postage and all the
borrower incurs is the return postage. If the book is not —
desired by some other applicant, there is generally no
difficulty in having it renewed for a second month, or even
for a third, so the student has a chance of a highly fruitful
browse in his favourite pastures.

At first sight, that the Central Library should undertake
such a large commitment seems too good to be true, and this
would, no doubt, be the case if dependent solely on their own
resources. After all, their space is limited, and their income
a restricted one, (for example, the Government grant
expected has not materialized) so one can hardly expect
miracles.

Nevertheless the result seems miraculous, for the Central
sends out tentacles and so gets in touch with some forty
libraries which have undertaken to co-operate in the great

15

enterprise. Naturally their Librarians retain the right to
veto the issue of any book unsuitable for lending, but, in
practice, there is now access to most * serious” works.

Moreover, arrangements can be made to lend a number of
books (for as much as six months) to a group of students.
One only faintly realises what this may mean when the
countryside awakens to the opportunity.

In conclusion, should one of our members be out of touch
with even a village library branch, why not start such a centre
under the system. It is really simple, and I would very
readily give further information desired to anyone sending a
stamped addressed envelope.

FRANCIS W. THORRINGTON.

CYSTOPTERIS ALPINA, DESVAUX.

This is considered to be the Polypodium regium of Linneus,
Cystopteris regia of Presl and Fee, Cystea regia of Smith,
and is a fern about which there seems to be much confusion
in the minds of both botanists and cultivators. For, while
some botanists consider it to be a form or sub-species of
C. fragilis, others stoutly maintain it as a distinct species.
Also the figures and descriptions which have been published
are exceedingly various. For instance, the picture of it,
given by E. J. Lowe, in “‘ Our Native Ferns,”’ and reproduced
in Druery’s “ British Ferns and their Varieties,” is a small
Woodsia-like plant having bipinnate fronds and blunt rounded
segments, and looks rather like a dwarf form of C. fragilis
dentata. Under Cystea regia Newman figures a somewhat
similar plant as “‘ a sketch of a frond gathered from the wall
at Low Leyton, Essex,’’ which was the first recorded British
station and the one upon which its reputation as a British
plant mainly rests. This figure shows the pinnules more
acutely incised than in Lowe’s plate, but the fronds are still
bipinnate, not tripinnate. Moore’s Nature-printed British

16

Ferns (folio edition), however, shows fronds which are fully
tripinnate, although the ultimate divisions are blunt.
Britten’s ‘‘ European Ferns” shows a fern still more ex-
quisitely divided and with linear but notched ultimate —
segments. Hooker, in the ‘‘ Students’ Flora,” describes
“ sub-species alpina’ as ‘‘frond quadripinnatifid, pinnules
incised nearly to the rachis, ultimate divisions not quite
contiguous.”” Dr. Druce, in his edition of “ Hayward’s
Botanists’ Pocket Book,” gives alpina as a sub-species of
fragilis, and describes it as having “ fronds quadripinnatifid,
seoments cut nearly to the mid-rib.”” Newman, in his
‘ British Ferns,” says ‘“‘ the fourth and last variety noticed
by (Sir J. E.) Smith, and one which Professor Don considers
distinct as a species, is called Cystea regia by Smith, who
supposes it to be the Polypodiwm regium of Linneus. I have
carefully examined the specimens preserved in the Linnean
herbarium ; these are three in number: the first appears
to be the normal form of C. fragilis, although the specimen
is injured ; the second is the plant known to cultivators as-
Asplenium fontanum; and the third is the Polypodium
dentatum of Dickson.’ It would appear therefore that
Linné himself was not very clear about the identity of this
fern. Following in Newman’s footsteps I have myself
examined the Linnean specimens and I agree with him except
that I should call the first specimen a form of fragilis a little
more finely divided than the normal. (There are plenty of
these in Switzerland and some in England.) It does not
seem to have any of the distinctive characters of true alpina.

In the latest edition of Babington’s “‘ Manual of British
Botany ” alpina is placed, ‘‘ with much doubt,” as a sub-
species of fragilis and is described as: frond bipinnate ;
pinnae ovate, deeply pinnatifid with broadly and shortly
linear segments, partly cloven, veins reaching the blunt end.
Modern botanists now lay great stress upon the veins ter-
minating in the notches, and not in the apices of the ultimate
segments, and this seems to be the chief, if not the only,

17

character which is common to the forms which are variously
described as C. alpina. M. Kestner, who has kindly sent
me fronds and plants from various stations in Switzerland,
comments upon this character as the only distinguishing
one which can be relied upon. He also states that alpina’
is not found lower than 2,000 metres in that country, and
that it affects limestone and is rarely found upon non-
calcareous formations. Through the courtesy of various
correspondents I have had at least half a dozen different
plants sent as C. alpina. Some of them I am unable to
distinguish from fragilis and the rest are exceedingly variable
in form while mostly agreeing in the termination of the
venules in notches. My grandfather grew a plant sixty years
and which came, he

?

ago which he called “ the true alpina’
said, from the Dolomite Mountains. This plant was dis-
tinguishable at a glance from all forms of fragilis, being
finely divided like Moore’s figure, but having also blunt linear
lobes with notched apices. The character which impressed
itself upon me at the time was the conspicuousness of the
veins which, however, were depressed rather than prominent.
Until recently I had lost sight of this type for thirty years,
but, through the courtesy of two members of the Society
(Dr. Rowlands and Mr. Sherrin) I have again obtained it
and have raised a large batch of seedlings which are quite
true to type and the plants are distinguishable from fragilis
and from other so-called alpinas in a very early stage of
growth.

On a consideration of all the available specimens I should
myself describe alpina (aggregate) as generally dwarfer than
fragilis ; fronds, pinnae and pinnules all noticeably rounder
than that species ; ultimate segments more or less deeply
notched ; veinlets terminating in the notches. I distinguish
two main types of alpina : (i) forma obtusa, which is bipinnate
with pinnules only slightly notched, and (ii) forma dissecta,
which is tripinnate or quadripinnatifid with the ultimate
segments deeply notched, the notch being slightly open.

18

Also in this form the canaliculate veins are very noticeable.
The two forms are doubtless connected by intermediates.
They both sow themselves in my fernery and the seedlings
are distinguishable, even in the primary fronds, not only
from fragilis but from each other. Both are worth growing,
but dissecta is, in my opinion, much the more beautiful and
distinct of the two. In conclusion, I regard the aggregate
alpina as a distinct species (which is variable like most other
species) but, in the absence of any precise definition of what
constitutes a species, this must always be a matter of opinion
(cf. Gazette, Vol. ILI, pp. 159 and 178 et sequitur).
F.W.S.

CYSTOPTERIS FRAGILIS BERNH, VAR. DICKIEANA (SIM).

This little fern, with its obtuse pinnules, its deflexed and
imbricated pinnae, its deep green colour, is too well known
to fern-lovers to require any extensive description. The
object oi this note is rather that of correcting the statement,
which is made in almost every book on Ferns, that Dr.
Dickie was the original discoverer of it. The following
extract, which may well serve as the final word on the subject,
is taken from Dr. G. Dickie’s book, ‘‘ The Botanist’s Guide,
to the Counties of Aberdeen, Banff and Kincardine,” pub-
lished in 1860, and his own words are quoted :—

“ Cystopteris fragilis, Bernh. var. y., Dickieana.—Having
been the first to distribute specimens in a living state, among
cultivators, my name has been associated with this singular
variety. It was, however, no original discovery of mine, the
late Professor Knight having been in the habit of showing
it to his pupils. It is now completely extirpated from the
little cave South from the harbour at the Cove. I have
found what appears to be the same variety in the crevices
of a moist wall on the North side of the road about two miles
West from Dunkeld. About half a mile North from the
Cove, there is a dripping cave where there is a variety near
the last. I have known it there during the last fifteen years.”’

19

There is some variation in the literature of the subject
as to the number of localities in which Dickie’s Fern has been
found. There appears to be some doubt as to whether it
has been found elsewhere besides the neighbourhood of
Aberdeen, where all the plants may easily have originated
by wind-borne spores from one primary sport. This might
be considered good evidence against its being given specific
rank. In any case, it is of interest as being one of the very
few among the great number of fern variations which have
found their way into the botanical text-books and which
have earned the serious notice of systematic botanists. A
further point which might be noted is that Cystopteris Dickie-
ana, “‘ the least divided form,” has by at least one botanist
been included as a sub-species or variety of Cystopteris alpina.
The two plants are so distinct that the reason for such a close
association is not easy to understand.

S. P. ROWLANDS.

[We do not know upon what grounds Milde refers to Dickieana
as a variety of alpina unless it be that it has some resemblance, in
its blunt and rounded segments, to the obtusa form of alpina. There
does not seem to be any evidence that it has been found anywhere
in association with alpina, nor indeed that it has been found on the
continent at all, and the resemblance above mentioned seems to us
to be merely superficial and accidental. Dickieana shows no sign
of the notched segments of alpina and the venules terminate in the
rounded edges of the pinnules as in dentata. Lowe describes, and
figures, a variety of fragilis (decurrens, Moore) as found near Wemyss
Castle in Fifeshire. The figure shows this fern to be intermediate
between Dickieana and dentata, though nearer to the former than to the
latter. Lowe also records for Dickieana the locality near Dunkeld
(Perthshire) which is mentioned by Dr. Dickie, and also another habitat
in the Isle of Arran off the coast of Ireland, where it was found by the
late Dr. David Moore, of Glasnevin. Dr. Druce has found Dickieana
in several places in Aberdeenshire and Kincardineshire, and, on account
of its comparatively wide distribution and constancy from spores,
is half inclined to regard it as a separate species. The variety decwrrens,
' we think, is a significant connecting link with dentata, of which we
regard Dickieana as an extreme and congested form. We have
examined the spores of alpina, fragilis, dentata and Dickieana, and
find that while those of alpina are distinctly echinate (like little hedge-
hogs) those of fragilis are less markedly so and some of them only
covered with papilliform projections: those of dentata are mostly
papillate and those of Dickieana almost entirely smooth. We do not
consider these differences sufficient to constitute specific characters,
but certainly, so far as spores are concerned, Dickieana is more
distinctly marked off from the rest than any of the others. It is also
the furthest from alpina and nearest to dentata.—FEd.]

20

THE FERNS (Filicales), by Professor F. O. Bower, F.R.S., etc
(Continuation of Review.)

Vol. I11.—The Leptosporangiate Ferns.

The Ferns dealt with in this concluding volume are,
typically, the ‘“‘modern”’ ones, i.e. those which have been
called, usually, the Polypodiaceae. The attempt to arrive
at a phyletic grouping of these multitudes must necessarily
be an immense -task compared with the relatively small
number of the survivors of the older—Eusporangiate—Ferns.

It becomes evident that the Polypodiaceae are not to be
classified as having one line of descent. As was mentioned
in Vol. II, the result, up to the present, shows six main phyla
of the Leptosporangiates, arising, far back in time, from three ~
of the great ancient groups (vide diagram, p. 288, Vol. V,
No. 12 of Fern Gazette). |

Chapter XXXVI deals mainly with Hypolepis and Denn-
staedtia, as beginners of the change from Dicksonioid ferns
to the typically Davallioid groups that are described in
Chapter XXXVII, such as Davallia, Lindsaya and
Nephrolepis.

The other side of the Dicksonioids then comes in—Chapter
XXXVIIT with the Pteroids. Of these, our Bracken (Pteri-
dium aquilinum) is probably the best known example ; the
only one of its genus, now separated from the 157 species of
Pteris because of its two “‘ indusial lips ” which prove a near
relationship to Lindsaya. Here also come Paesia, Lonchitis,
Acrostichum and H istiopteris.

With Chapter XXXIX commence the Gymnogrammoid
ferns, held now to be descendants, through Plagiogyria, of
Osmunda-like primitive types. The number of genera of the
Gymnogrammoids is large; many of the names decidedly
unfamiliar to all but specialists, but we note such familiar
friends as Cryptogramme, Onychium, Adiantum, Gymnogramme,
Pellea, and Cheilanthes. The reason in tracing these from

21

Osmundaceae seems clear, yet how “ different’ to the in-
expert eye seems Adiantum from Osmunda. Nevertheless,
when I contemplate many Osmunda sporelings I can almost
see the primal Adiantum frondlet, though this, of course, may
not be real evidence, but only resemblance

We now come—Chapters XL to XLIV—to the great _
eroups that have arisen, apparently, from the Cyatheaceae,
forming the two great phyla of Blechnoids and Dryopteroids.
In Chapter XL we commence with such as Woodsia and
Cystopteris ; Chapter XLI continues with the terrific Dryop-
teris of the 741 species; (we can only gasp ‘“ Good Lord,
deliver us!”) the 138 species Aspidiwm; the 112 species
Polystichum, and a number of lesser genera such as Polybotrya.

‘

Of course, as the “central” figure of this great Dryopteris
genus we have our Common “ Male Fern.”’ Other old friends
_ are the Oak Fern and our Shield Ferns ; but I am still quite
unrepentant as to the unwieldy nature of those 741 species

in Dryopteris.

Chapter XLII contains the Asplenieae, with the 429 species
of Asplenium, 208 species of Diplazium, 86 species of Athy-
rium, and some other genera such as Ceterach with its 4 species.

Chapter XLIII brings in Onoclea and its relations, such as
the Ostrich Feather Fern (Matteuecia struthiopteris (L) Todaro);
and then Chapter XLIV concludes with the family of the
Blechnoids. These, of course, mainly range around the
138 species of the genus blechnum; lesser genera being
Stenochlaena, Woodwardia, Doodia, and last, but not least,
the small genus Phyllitis containing our Hart’s-tongue
(P. Scolopendrium).

Those two strange genera, Dipteris and Natonia, in Chapter
XLV., introduce us to the Dipteroid ferns. We find, instead
of two isolated genera, as formerly understood (or should we
rather say misunderstood ?) that here the Dipteroids are
held also to include such types as Platycerium, Hymenolepis,

22

Pleopeltis, etc. The “etc.,’ it may be stated, is advisable,
for as a concluding * tea ’ we are told that even “ Phle-
bodium may be held as a Dipteroid derivative.” That is
coming remarkably close to our Common Polypody (see
p. 280 of British Fern Gazette, Vol. V, No. 12), and who, a few
years ago, apart from “ pteridological prophets,” would
have related that to the strange Malaysian Natonia on the
one hand, or to Platycervum on the other ?

Nearly related to the Dipteroids—as probably coming via
Metaxya—in Chapter XLVI the Metaxyoid ferns are con-
sidered, with the genera Elaphoglossum of 280 species and
Syngramme of 16 species.

Chapter XLVII discusses the Vittarioid ferns, mainly
grouped around the 46 species of the genus Vittarra. These
strange “epiphytic Ferns with narrow grass-like leaves ”’
have always been rather puzzling to systematists, who have
variously placed them as Acrostichoid, or Gymnogrammoid,
etc. Here they are considered as a group of 5 genera, of
which Hecistopteris is a probable ancestral type shewing
Gymnogrammoid characters, but evidencing the transition
to this small “ natural group of genera.”’

Chapter XLVIII deals with ‘“ Genera incertae sedis ”’
groups which evidently require much more study before
their true affinities are decided. It seems strange to me to
find Cystopteris “in this galley.” However, its position
seems uncertain, though perhaps ‘“‘ Cyatheoid ’”’ rather than
Davallioid.””, A number of small genera, equally doubtful,
are described ; and then the Salviniaceae, with genera Salvinia
and Azolla, which are said to be “ difficult to attach definitely
to any family of living Ferns.”

Chapter XLIX attempts a ‘‘Summary of results,” and
Chapter L discusses the “ Evolutionary bearings of the
results.”” Both chapters are, necessarily, somewhat technical,
but the main idea one gets is that, in the Ferns—perhaps

23

due to more intensive study—we have attained to a phyletic
understanding somewhat ahead of our ideas of other families
of plants. That is not to imply, of course, that even in
Filicales we have reached near to finality. On the contrary,
so many new paths for investigation are opened that Prof.
Bower again quotes Stevenson’s motto, “‘ To travel hopefully
is a better thing than to arrive.’’ He leaves us, for the future,
many “worlds to conquer.” The great thing is that this
remarkably interesting “‘3-volume novel” has brought so

)

much “sense ’’ into the tangle of Fern relationships. I, for
one, have gained a perspective far greater than I ever hoped
for prior to my hurried browse in this new Bowerian pasture.

One conclusion of this investigation into the “‘ Evolutionary

29

bearings of the results’ is decidedly of great import to the
members of the British Pteridological Society. Professor
Bower analyses the evidence for the “‘ inheritance of acquired
characters.” From the known facts of Fern life, past and
present, he, to put it briefly, ranges himself with Sir Francis
Darwin’s Presidential Address to the British Association in
1908, and advocates consideration of the Mnemic theory of
Semon. It appears necessary to conclude “‘ that ontogenetic
adjustments—so-called fluctuating variations—continued
without any time limit, may become hereditary.’’ Semon’s
Mnemic Theory postulates that the effect of constantly
repeated stimuli—each such influence impressing a record or
“engram ”’ on the nuclei of the part affected, tends to spread
to all parts of the organism. Eventually, even the germ-cells
can become passers-on of the persistent ‘‘engram.”’ It “ gives
one furiously to think ’’ when we remember the practice of
many of us has been to “‘ sow only from spores of the most
characteristic part of a frond.” Has the Editor of our
Fern Gazette a series of ‘‘ later views ”’ to give us, on the lines
of his survey of Weismann’s Theory (B.P.S., August, 1896) ?

Finally, this brief ‘‘ description,” for I fear it is miscalled
a “review,” especially of Vol. III, is all too inadequate to
convey any idea of the mass of detail involved. A very long

24

period of study would be necessary before any of us could

.

become “‘ competent critics’ of such'a Fern Encyclopaedia

as this.

FRANCIS W. THORRINGTON.

NOTE.—I must cry ‘“* Peccavi’’ for the number of terrible
fern names I have been induced to quote. Yet, I have
‘‘ sinned ”’ deliberately, for to familiarize fern students
with the nomenclature of the exotic relatives (or the
fossil ancestors) of our British Ferns, is, I must contend,
a good work.—F¥.W.T. -

DISTINCTIVE PROTHALLIA.

There is a good deal of sameness about the prothallia of
various ferns and the superficial observer might imagine
that they were all alike, but this is by no means the case.
They are mostly small green circular or heart-shaped trans-
lucent scales having root-hairs upon their lower surface, but
those of Osmunda and Todea, for instance, have the quality of
translucency in a greater degree than most others (the spores,
even, of these two genera are distinct, being of a green colour
instead of the usual brown tint). Those of Dryopteris
(Lastrea) montana are of a pale yellowish green colour and
are strap-shaped rather than circular in form; those of
Polypodium vulgare also tend to be strap-shaped, but are of
a darker green than those of montana. Those of Woodsia
alpina are downy upon the upper surface and can be recog-
nized easily by this peculiarity, while those of Anagramma
(Gymnogramma) leptophylla are lacerated like Endive and
are equally recognizable though entirely different from those
of Woodsia. It is probable that many other peculiarities
of these incipient ferns may be noticed by those who pay
special attention to them while raising ferns from spores.

F.W.S.

25

OBITUARY : PEARSON.

PEARSON : On November 14th (accidentally killed on
railway), Charles Edward Pearson, V.M.H., F.L.S., M.B.0.U.,
Hillcrest, Lowdham, Nottingham. Mr. Pearson’s firm were
the originators of a distinct strain of plumose divisilobes in
P. angulare. Our member’s death is:a heavy loss to horti-
culture generally as well as to the Society.

26

LIST OF MEMBERS OF THE
BRITISH PTERIDOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

HONORARY MEMBERS.

BakER, W. G., Curator, Botanic Gardens, Oxford.

Bower, Professor F. O., M.A., D.Sc., F.R.S., etc., 2, The Crescent,
Ripon, Yorks. |

Curtis, C. H., F.L.S., ‘“‘The Gardeners’ Chronicle,” 5, Tavistock |
Street, London, W.C.2.

Druog, G. C., M.A., D.Sc., F.R.S., Yardley Lodge, 9, Crick Road,
Oxford.

Hay, T., V.M.H., Superintendent, Hyde Park, London, W.2.

Moors, Sir Freperick W., Kt., M.A., V.M.H., F.L.S., Willbrook
House, Rathfarnham, Co. Dublin. .

Preston, F. G., Curator, Botanic Gardens, Cambridge.

Wirrer, JosepH, 431, Young Street, Vancouver, British Columbia.

Wriacut, C. H., A.L.S., 10, Clarence Road, Kew Gardens, Surrey.

SUBSCRIBING MEMBERS.

Apkin, F. N., River Knowle, Northam, N. Devon.

Askew, W. F., Fern Nursery, Grange, Keswick, Cumb.

ArKkinson, F., Lake Side Cottage, Keswick, Cumberland.

ANDERSSON-KorTté, Miss Irma, John Innes’ Institute, Mostyn Road,
Merton Park, London, S.W.19. |

BickHAM, SPENCER H., J.P., F.L.S., Underdown, Ledbury, Hereford-
shire.

BiaLAND, J. W. S8., 20, Parkfield Road, Bebington, near Birkenhead.

Bitow, THomas Batss, F.L.S., The Chalet, Welwyn, Herts.

Bowtss, E. A., M.A., V.M.H., F.L.S., Myddleton House, Waltham
Cross, Herts.

Brown, Tuomas, J.P., 102, Donegall Street, Belfast.

Bowman, J. H., Greenham Common, Newbury, Berks.

Burton, FRANK, Roughetts, Hildenborough, Kent.

Briaut, J. DeENnNy, Welham Manor. Welham Green, near Hatfield.

Bury, Linpsay, J.P., Stanford Wood, Bradfield, Berks.

Bouton, Rospert, F.R.H.S., Birdbrook, Halstead, Essex.

Bouttron, THomas Henry, F.R.H.S., Birdbrook, Halstead, Essex.

BouskKELL, FRANK, Sedgemere, Market Bosworth, Leicestershire.

ButTLER, FRANK, 2, Lorne Street, Reading, Berks.

CorDREY, C., 151, Bedfont Lane, Feltham, Middlesex.

Cowan, ALEXANDER, Valleyfield House, Penicuik, Midlothian.

CRANFIELD, W. B., F.R.H.S., F.L.8., East Lodge, Enfield Chase, Mdx.

CoVERDALE, W. H., West Lodge, Ripon, Yorks.

CHEALE, J., & Sons, Crawley, Sussex.

CHURCHER, Major G., F.R.H.S., Beckworth, Lindfield, Sussex.

CARTER & Co., Raynes Park, Wimbledon (S.W.), Surrey.

CocHRAN, JOHN, 54, Nursery Street, Kilmarnock, Scotland.

Dempster, R., Carresden, Dumfries, Scotland.

Donatp, W., Ashburn Lodge, Milliken Park, by Johnstone, Renfrew-
shire, Scotland.

Dawkins, ALFRED, 16, Fordhook Avenue, Ealing Common, London, W.

Daruinetron, H. R., M.A., LL.M., F.L.S., Park House, Potters Bar,
Middlesex.

Doopy, Dents J., The Gardens, Muckross Abbey, Killarney, Treland.

EKwtron, C., 3, Stirling Road, Enfield, Middlesex.

Etiot, Rev. E. A., M.A., The Vicarage, Longstone, Bakewell, Derby-
shire.

FENWICK, Mark, J.P., Abbotswood, Stow-on-the-Wold, Glos.

me

Fietcuer, B., J.P., The Yews, East Hagbourne, Didcot, Berks.
Fetton, R. F., 7, Hanover Court, Hanover Street, London, W.1.
Gorpon, W., Lauriston, Victoria Road, Maxwelltown, Dumfries.
GREENFIELD, PERcy, Stuart Road, Warlingham, Whyteleafe, Surrey.
Gitt, Major Wo. P., 13, Crescent Parade, Ripon, Yorks.

GRANT, JOHN, 7, Market Street, Turriff, Aberdeenshire.

Git, G. P., Head Master, Bentham Grammar School, Bentham, Yorks.
Hawkins, Rev. Canon E. H., M.A., Trinity Lodge, Bisley, Stroud, Glos.
Henwoop, T. E., 16, Hamilton Road, Reading.

Harvarp University (Gray Herbarium), Cambridge, Mass., U.S.A.
Hansoury, FrepeRIcK J., F.L.S., Brockhurst, East Grinstead, Sussex.
Houtmes, Mrs. Cari, The Node, Welwyn, Herts.

Huaeues, J. E., Lee Hall, Mollington, near Chester.

Kentucky University (Department of Botany), Lexington, Mass.,

U.S.A.

KestneEr, Paut, F'.L.S , ‘‘ Le Clos Etoilé,’’ Chailly Village, s/Lausanne,
Switzerland.

Kaye, REGINALD, Coombehurst, Coombe Hill Road, East Grinstead,
Sussex.

Lauris£, G. F., Laurel Villa, Kenmure Avenue, Bishopbriggs, Scotland.

Lawson, G. C., Mayfield House, near Ashbourne, Derbyshire.

Laxton. Epwarp, 73, Bushmead Avenue, Bedford.

LAWRENCE, Sir WILLIAM, Bart., Burford Lodge, near Dorking, Surrey.

LopER, GERALD W. E., M.A., F.L.S., Wakehurst Place, Ardingly,
Sussex.

Leak, G. W., 1, Clarkson Avenue, Wisbech, Cambs.

Luioyp, JosEPH, 4, Richmond Road, Birkdale, Southport.

Le Ricue, F. P., Halberton, Hastings Road, Jersey, C.I.

LOVELADY, JOHN, 129, Manchester Road, Haslingden, Lancs.

Mars, Miss S. A., Glenlyon, Holywood, Co. Down, Ireland.

Moore, Rev. Canon H. Kinesmitzt, D.D., Cedar Mount, Dundrum,
Co. Dublin.

Morrison, W. T., Glensaugh, Bowerswell Road, Bridgend, Perth.

Meapeg, JosepH, Old Connaught, Bray, Co. Wicklow, Ireland.

Mount, Henry, 5, Summer Hill, Harbledown, Canterbury.

MacSetr, A. J., 114, Hamilton Road, Reading.

Monro, Grorce, C.B.E., The Red House, Hendon Lane, Church End,
Finchley, N.

MorspEtit, —, East Lodge, Enfield Chase, Middlesex.

McLeop, J. F., Winton House, Ware, Herts.

MuscGrRAvE, C. T., F.R.H.S., V.M.H., Hascombe Place, Godalming,

Surrey.

MaITLAND, JouHN, J.P., Blythwood, Bycullah Park, Enfield, Middlesex.

Naytor, E., Corner Garth, Leadhall Lane, Leeds Road, Harrogate.

Norra, Mrs., Ingle Nook, Grindleton, near Clitheroe, Lancs.

OrmeEROD, G. F., Stratford Park, Stroud, Glos.

Orr, ALLAN, The Institute, Riccarton, Kilmarnock, Ayrshire.

OsBORNE, ARTHUR, 83, Abbey Street, Faversham, Kent.

OLIVER, GEORGE, Tower Road, Darnick, Melrose, Roxburghshire.

PAINE, FRAMPTON, Chase Ridings, Enfield Chase, Middlesex.

Prrry, A., The Nurseries, Enfield, Middlesex.

PickarD, A., 2, Snow Hill View, Wakefield, Yorks.

PRAEGER, R. Luoyp, D.Sc., 19, Fitzwilliam Street, Dublin.

Parkinson, J. J., The Lodge, East Lodge Gardens, Enfield Chase,
Middlesex.

Prarson, C. E., Hill Crest, Lowdham, Notts.

Pam, Major ALBERT, Wormley Bury, Broxbourne, Herts.

PuatTen, E. W., High Street, Needham Market, Suffolk.

Rocerson, Miss B., Stanby Rokeby, Dunblane, Perthshire.

28

Ruae, H. G., Dartmouth College Library, Hanover, New Hampshire,
U.S.A,

RUSSELL, ARCHIBALD, 4, Crossgate, Cupar, Fife, Scotland.

Row.uanps, Dr. S. P., 58, St. Mary’s Road, Doncaster, Yorks.

RoyaLt Boranic GARDENS (J. W. Besant), Glasnevin, Dublin.

RussEtt, L. A., Richmond, Surrey.

REEVES, Hucu, Honingham Hall, Norfolk.

Ross, W. W., M.B., J.P., C.C., The Limes, Irthlingborough, Northants.

Ransom, Francis, F.C.S., Newlands, Hitchin, Herts.
REvTHE, G., F.R.H.S., Foxhill Nursery, Keston, Kent.

Scott, W. D. S., The Gardens, Government House, Buluwayo, 8.

Africa.

Scott, Mrs. W., The Gardens, Government House, Buluwayo, 8. Africa.

Scott, F. W., Tullibole Castle, Fossway, Kinross-shire.
Scott, Mrs., Tullibole Castle, Fossway, Kinross-shire.

SHELDON, J. J., Monkhams, Lower Road, Great Bookham, Surrey.

SmitTHIES, J. J.. Boundary Bank, near Kendal, Westmorland.
STANSFIELD, F. W., M.D., F.L.S., 120, Oxford Road, Reading.
STANSFIELD, Tom, M.B., B.S., 120, Oxford Road, Reading.

SHERRIN, W. R., A.L.S., South London Botanical Institute, 323,

Norwood Road, London, S.E.24.
STEPHENS, G. E., 36, Bedford Road, Horsham, Sussex.

SINCLAIR, JAMES A., 57, Stradella Road, Herne Hill, London, 8.E.24.

SMITHERS, Major A., Morleys, Great Hallingbury, Essex.

SAORSTAT EIRANN (Irish Free State), Stationery Office, Dublin..

STEPHENS, MicHAEL, Coverwood, Ewhurst, Surrey.

SUTCLIFFE, ROBERT, 21, Market Street, Burnley, Lanes.

THatcHerR, Mrs. E. J., The Manor House, Chew Magna, Somerset.

TuHorp, W., Sorrentaile, Dalkey, Co. Dublin.

THORRINGTON, F. W., Sunnymead, Little Baddow, near Chelmsford.

Taytor, Mrs. JAMES, Colomendy, Mold, N. Wales.

TrRotrer, P. D., Leith Vale, Ockley, Surrey.

VeiItcH, Peter, Royal Nurseries, Exeter.

WarpiLL, C. H., Field Villas, 4, Quay Road, Bridlington, Yorks.

WHITESIDE, R., 51, Borrowdale Road, Lancaster.

Wituiams, J. C. (Life Member), Caerhays Castle, St. Austell,
Cornwall (Lord Lieutenant).

Wywncu, Mrs. Viotet A., F.R.H.S. (Life Member), Pine Hill, Camberley,
Surrey.

WALKER, W. B., Cook’s Hollow, Enfield, Middlesex.

Wituimott, Miss ELLEN, V.M.H., F.L.S., Warley Place, Great Warley,
Essex.

- WARBURG, Sir Oscar, O.B.E., Boidier Headley, near Epsom, Surrey.

WARREN, JAMES, Capel House, Waltham Cross, Herts.

WILLIAMS, P. D., Lanarth, St. Keverne, R.S. O., Cornwall.

WALLACE, R. W., Py, The Old Nurseries, Tunbridge Wells.

Woop & Son, F. RH. S., The Nurseries, Taplow, Bucks.

WoopMANSEY, oy Wz Knaresborough, Yorks.

WATERHOUSE, ALFRED, East View, Warton, Carnforth, Lanes.

WESTLEY, EpwIn, 2865, Nina Street, Lamanda Parke Pasadena,
Chlifornia, | ie S. A.

Younc, Joun, Helston, 4, Pembroke Road, Sevenoaks, Kent.

oan 30

ee ee ae

_ THE BRITISH PTERIDOLOGICAL SOCIETY

Pee

&. ‘HE SOCIETY originated, in September 1891, in the Lake District
_ with headquarters at Kendal. Its members were, however, distributed
ughout Great Britain and Ireland, whilst some few reside in the
Ak re Dominions and U.S.A. Its declared objects were :—

(i) The Study of Species and Varieties of British Ferns ;
_ (ii) The Recording of Information with regard to Ferns generally.

_ The British Fern Gazette was established in September 1909,
% publication being quarterly until the commencement of the war.
_ After the war publication was restricted to two issues per annum
_ on account of the increased cost of printing and the decrease in the
x amber of members. It is hoped shortly to resume quarterly
p ablication.

E Manbers are invited to communicate with the Hon. Secretary
=~ subjects of interest with regard to British Ferns.

By, Certificates are awarded to new ferns of distinction of which plants
or characteristic fronds are shown at the Annual Meeting for adjudica-
tion. The Annual Meeting is held usually in August or September,
at some place where ferns are abundant and from which excursions
for fern hunting can conveniently be arranged. ‘These excursions
| + € an important feature of the Society’s activity.

Parconds may be sent to the Hon. Secretary to be identified or named
aE: at any time.

_ Recently a Sub-Committee of the Society undertook the correct
) on st ming of the National Collection at Kew and, in conference with
the Director and staff, planned and arranged the present fernery,
a ‘supplementing the collection with gifts of plants from the ferneries
of some of the members.

The collection in the Royal Horticultural oer s Garden at
¥ NV Wisloy was similarly dealt with and augmented.

| The Society is affiliated to the Royal Horticultural Society, which
: < s also an individual subscriber to its. funds.

‘ ‘s ‘The Committee is endeavouring to increase the membership of the
So pared and, through this and by other means, to encourage the more
general cultivation of the varieties of British ferns. Any lover of
ut iculture is eligible for membership and the subscription is 10s.
per annum (due in advance at or immediately after the Annual Meeting),
wi ich entitles members to copies of The Gazette.

Ey f ‘The Hon. Treasurer or Hon. Secretary will be pleased to supply
_ members who may desire it with Bankers’ Orders for the convenient
_ payment of subscriptions.

py

Further particulars may be obtained from the Hon, Secretary,

F. W. STANSFIELD, M.D., F.LS.,
120, Oxford Road,
> . Reading,
— Berks.

HARDY EXOTIC AND BRITISH FERNS. |

Bs
a
?
i.

CORONATION CUP.

Awarded by the Royal Horticultural Society for the poe |
meritorious exhibit at their great Summer Show. My cole

lection of Hardy Ferns on this occasion was considered one_ q
of the finest groups ever staged at a Horticultural Exhibition.

During the last 5 years we have

been awarded 50 Gold and Silver
Medals, Diplomas, & Certificates
for New and Rare Hardy Ferns. __ ae |

Headquarters for Alpines, Perennials, Liliums,

Water Lilies, Aquatics, New and Rare Shrubs.

Catalogues free—

ENFIELD, MIDDLESEX.

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EDITED BY
Ww. "Seman MLD., F.LS.

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ss PUBLISHED BY

: BRITISH PT ERIDOLOGICAL SOCIETY

: Mr. Ww. BS Cranfield, F.R.H.S., F.L.S,, East Lodge, Enfield
Chasey Middlesex.

Hc aii: Secretary: Dr. F.W. Stansfield.

Mr, J. J. Sheldon, *“*Monkhams,’ Lower Road,
Great Bookham, Surrey.

-_

BRADLEY & SON, LTO., THE CROWN PRESS, CAXTON STREET, READING.

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Athyrium f.f. setigerum percristatum. Sheldon.

THE
eer liSH FERN GAZETTE.

NEW SERIES.

Vou. VI. JUNE, 1930. No.* 2
CONTENTS.
EpiToriAL NOTES .. ve i £5 an é oa 29
Our FRONTISPIECE : Athyrium f.f. setigerum percristatum, Sheldon 31
THE ANNUAL MEETING IN SEPTEMBER .. “ie se . 32
OBITUARY: WIPER .. ME, gl we es fe = 33
Cystopteris alpina, Desvaux (M. Paul Kestner, F.L.S., Dr. S. P.
Rowlands and Mr. T. E. Waltham) .. my = af 33
FERN EvucGeEnics (F.W.S.) .. fe ek My “9 Rh 4]
Adiantum Capillus-V eneris AND ITS VARIETIES (F.W.S.) 2. 43
Some Ranpom Remarks (Dr. 8. P. Rowlands) e *e 45

VARIETAL TyPEs OF BRITISH FERNS (The late Mr. C. T. Druery,
panies). sh Ee =e £ .~ th x 48

EDITORIAL NOTES.

We have received from Miss Phillips, of Lemonfield,
Holywood, Co. Down, daughter of our late Vice-President,
Mr. W. H. Phillips, a present to the Society of her late father’s
lantern slides with which he was accustomed to illustrate
his lectures on British Ferns. Dr. Praeger was an important
intermediary in the choice of a home for these valuable slides.
They illustrate many species and varieties of British ferns,
including some of Mr. Phillips’ own finds and showing the
parentage of many of his cross-bred seedlings. They will
no doubt be useful to those of our members whose enterprise
takes the form of lectures and who may wish to borrow them
for the purpose. Our hearty thanks go to Miss Phillips and
to Dr. Praeger.

The present issue contains several contributions from various
points of view on the subject of Cystopteris alpina or regia,
a plant whose status as a British fern has been, and is still,
in some doubt. Its place as a species (or variety) in the
European Flora has also been the subject of some controversy.
We trust the discussion will clear away at least some of the
fog which has enveloped the subject of this interesting fern.

30

The Corporation of Southport has issued the schedule of
prizes for the coming Exhibition at Southport on August
27th, 28th and 29th, which includes no fewer than twelve
classes in which British Ferns can be shown, although there
are several in which the word “ British ”’ is not specified and
in which therefore American and other hardy species will be
entitled to compete. There is also a class for three Exotic
Ferns.

We have received a letter, enclosing a photograph of
“Tree Fern Gully,” from Mr. Charles Barrett, Hon. Editor
of the Victorian Naturalist (Journal of the Field Naturalists’
Club of Victoria), who will be glad to correspond with any
member who is interested in ferns other than British. Mr.
Barrett is also interested in orchids, of which Victoria is rich
in terrestrial species. His address is Maralena, Maysbury
Avenue, Elsternwick, 8.4, Victoria, Australia.

Our Vice-President, Canon H. Kingsmill Moore, D.D., has
been elected a Fellow of the Linnean Society of London.

Our Hon. Member, Dr. G. C. Druce, celebrated his eightieth
birthday on May 23rd, when a reception, attended by many
distinguished people, was given in his honour in London,
Viscount Grey of Falloden, K.G., being the principal speaker.

We are glad to learn that our esteemed member, Mr. T. B.
Blow, F.L.S., is safely back from Japan, whither he had
been hastily summoned in the early winter on account of a
bereavement in his family.

New members of the Society are: His Honour Judge
Woodcock, K.C., Lyppiatt Park, Stroud, Glos.; Mr. Ernest
Wiper, 7263, Yates Street, British Columbia, the son of our
late Hon. Member, Mr. Joseph Wiper, whose obituary notice
will be found in the present issue ; and Mr. George Hawkings,
Cressy House, Goldhawk Road, London, W.12.

The Hon. Treasurer, Mr. J. J. Sheldon, will be glad to

receive remittances from any members whose subscriptions
may be in arrear.

31

OUR FRONTISPIECE.
Athyrium f.f. setigerum percristatum, Sheldon.

A. f.f. setigerum, a wild find by Mr. Garnett, of Bowness, in
1878, is a pretty fern in itself, but is chiefly remarkable for
the very beautiful seedlings which have been, and can be,
raised from it. The original find was not crested, but finely
divided and very bristly. A large proportion of its seedlings,
however, when the variety is sown alone and grown as a pure
culture, are crested and many are percristate. Setigerwm is
a fertile breeder and tends to communicate its character to
other forms with which it is crossed. Many beautiful things
have been raised from it, but unfortunately, in later life,
these are apt to lose the crested character though retaining,
to a variable extent, the setigerwum type. Mr. Garnett,
Colonel Jones and Mr. Wollaston raised percristate seedlings
from it more than forty years ago as did the present writer
soon afterwards. Messrs. Birkenhead, Mr. H. Stansfield and
Messrs. May & Son crossed setigeruwm with congestum, Victoria,
and other.varieties, and many beautiful and curious things
resulted. Unfortunately, both crosses and seedlings of pure
descent afterwards deteriorated and most of them have been
lost or thrown away as * rogues.” In 1914, the late Mr. C. T.
Druery gave to Mr. Woollard, of Acton, some seedlings
believed to have come from his swperbum strain of plumosum,
and among these one was afterwards found which seemed
to have been crossed with setegerum and in all probability
was so though it may have been simply a stray setegerum
seedling. This was thought to be a great acquisition and
it was figured as a frontispiece in the Gazette for March, 1915,
over the name of A. ff. percristatum setigero-swperbum
Nothing was afterwards heard of it, however, and we presume
it turned out a “ rogue,”’ or at best only a temporary “ star.”’

Mr. Sheldon’s plant is not only, as will be seen, a neater and
more symmetrical fern, but it has retained its character
unimpaired for at least three years in three different gardens.
Of course, it may eventually prove a renegade, but we must

32

give it credit for at least a good beginning. Mr. Joseph
Lloyd showed a very nice seedling of similar character in
his second prize group at Southport in 1929, and we are
looking forward to seeing it again next August. The illustra-
tion is from a plant grown in the open air in the Editor's
garden. It is in equally good character, but, as might be
expected, is not so fully developed nor so foliose as Mr.
Henwood’s plant grown under glass. The latter was first
selected for illustration but the photograph was judged less
suitable for reproduction than the one shown.

THE SEPTEMBER MEETING.

The Annual Meeting of the Society will be held at the
County Hotel, Kendal, Westmorland, at 10 a.m. on September
Ist next. Kendal is considered to be the best centre for the
Lake district fern hunting ground as motor omnibuses run
to practically every part of the district, so that places which
were formerly only reached by long walks or by specially
chartered vehicles are now conveniently and cheaply accessible.
From the fern-hunter’s point of view this is not an unmixed
benefit as it tends to the denudation of fern habitats by
hawkers and other raiders of species. It does, however, lend
itself to the exploration of such places as are still unspoiled
of which, we hope, there are still many in the district. So
far as is known the Lake district has not been systematically
hunted for varieties for many years now, owing to the death
or infirmity of most of the old hunters. The County Hotel
(proprietor, Mr. J. C. Dougall) is near the railway station
and affords comfortable accommodation for guests ; members
are advised to make early application for bedrooms and to
arrive at Kendal on the Friday or Saturday before the
meeting if possible. No doubt alternative accommodation

is available, but the County Hotel will be the headquarters
of the party.

33

OBITUARY : WIPER.

We regret to announce the death, at the ripe age of 82,
after only two days’ illness, of our Hon. Member, Mr. Joseph
Wiper, of Victoria, British Columbia, one of the founders of
the Society. It was at his house that the original meeting
was held, those present being Joseph Wiper, George W hitwell,
John Wilson, John Gott, Wiliam Wilson and Robert White-
side, the last-named acting as Hon. Secretary pro tem. Mr.
Whiteside is now the only surviving member from that
pioneer band, although Mr. Gott and Mr. W. Wilson are also
still living, but no longer members of the Society. Mr. Wiper
continued an enthusiastic collector and cultivator of ferns
to the end of his life and a recent photograph shows him
holding in his hands a plant of (apparently) Osmunda regalis.
He was reputed to have the best collection of British and
Canadian ferns in the Dominion of Canada, and his letters
to the Gazette were always full of enthusiasm and energy.
He was Treasurer to the Society during its early years before
he migrated to Canada. He was the finder of a curious and
beautiful dimorphic form of Lastrea montana (filifera, Wiper)
and was present at the finding of several other good things,
e.g. L. montana corymbifera, Garnett.

CYSTOPTERIS ALPINA, DESVAUX.

Dr. Stansfield, in the last issue of the Gazette put things
on the right footing as regards this fern. C. alpina is very
strictly alpine. It is, in fact, the most alpine of all European
ferns, reaching higher than any other; 2,700 metres is the
record given by Jaccard (Catalogue de la flore Valaisaine,
1895) ; 2,800 metres has also been given by Schroder, August
6th, 1890, for a station at Cresta Avers in Switzerland on
Dolomite formation for sub-var. deltoidea, Milde, which is a
form also found on the Dolomite mountains in the Tyrol.

This fern is particularly abundant on or near the top of
the mountains right and left of the Rhone near its entry into
the Lake of Geneva and on the Savoyan mountains situated

o4

on the southern shore of the lake. There it is everywhere
at altitudes between 1,800 and 2,400 metres, growing either
on the rock, at foot of rocks or in loose stones and even in the
alpine lawn. These mountains are all calcareous and I have
never found the fern on non-calcareous formations. A very
good illustration is given by Dr. Christian Luersen in ‘“ Die
Farnpflanzen,” Leipzig, 1889, p. 465. This volume is the
third of Dr. L. Rabenhorst’s ‘‘ Kryptogamen Flora von
Deutschland, Césterreich und der Schweitz.” Luersen gives
the fern as a sub-species of C. fragilis ; three forms of alpina
are mentioned : (i) var. regia, Milde, which is said to be the
connecting link with fragilis; (ii) var. alpina (the type) ;
(iii) var. deltoidea, Milde, found in the Dolomite mountains
in the Tyrol.

H. Christ, “ Die Farnkrauter der Schweitz,’’ Bern, 1900,
admits C. regia as subspecies of fragilis with alpina and
sub-var. deltoidea as forms of high altitudes.

Paul Ascherson & Grachner’s “‘Synopsis der Mittel-
Kuropaischen Flora,’ 2 Auflage, 1911-13, is the most recent
synopsis of Central European ferns. He admits two species :
(A) C. Hu-fragilis and (B) C. regia. The latter he divides
into (1) fumariaeformis, (11) alpina, and also the form deltoidea
of Dolomite formations.

I have had occasion to observe C. alpina for the last two
years since I settled down in Lausanne near its main stations,
and in its true forma alpina this fern is so striking that I can
always recognise it from a distance owing to its crispy look,
especially when it peeps out of loose stones as Allosorus
crispus generally does. The forma deltoidea I have not yet
seen. It is a very different thing when you take this fern
home and grow it in your fernery, where it takes to cultivation
kindly, though apt to be attacked by an orange fungus.
Then you have generally to take a lens to distinguish it from
fragilis. The fronds change shape entirely—they grow
larger, are less divided, with broad instead of linear pinnules,
and put on many sterile fronds, which they do not in their

35

natural habitat. These sterile fronds often lack the notches
characteristic of the species.

The description given by Dr. Stansfield is quite perfect
for the altitude alpina, especially his forma dissecta (*‘ tripin-
nati or quadripinnatifid ’’), but it does not answer for plants,
taken from high altitudes and cultivated in the garden or
in the greenhouse, which change their shape and _ habit
entirely. The notches are the only characteristic by which
they can be recognized and this only on fertile fronds. But
is not this a general occurrence with flowering plants? The
higher altitude alpinas which accept cultivation at low levels
are modified, sometimes to a considerable extent

What we must consider as exceedingly interesting is the
fact that Dr. Stansfield and the pteridologists he mentions
have succeeded in growing a strain of alpina which retains
the alpine character under cultivation. There is no doubt
in my mind that alpina is a good species. What is described
under regia by Luersen, Christ, Ascherson and others is an
intermediate and very variable form between fragilis and
alpina, or (better) a lower altitude form of alpina. Every
time I have been up to some summit where alpina grows I have
found in the valley, beginning at, say, 1,200 metres altitude,
some notched Cystopteris which are very much like the
degenerated alpina I have in my garden. The lens is
necessary to distinguish them from fragilis. The higher you
ascend the more they approach alpina until you find the true
form. These ferns I take to be plants grown from spores
fallen from above. They are intermediate between fragilis
and alpina, but not as crosses or subspecies, but simply as
low altitude forms of alpina. The proof could easily be given
by taking such plants and planting them on the top of the
mountains from whence they originated. They would, I am
sure, put on the alpina fronds and take the alpina habit,
exactly as if I were to take the degenerated plants I have in
my fernery and replace them where I obtained them. I may
mention that C. fragilis co-exists with alpina up to 2,400

36

metres altitude. It grows there much smaller than below,
but with the same characters and is readily distinguished
without the use of a lens. I cannot, therefore, agree with
Christ giving alpina as subspecies of regia. If there be a
subspecies it is regia and alpina is the type. The description
he gives of regia corresponds with the lower altitude forms
of alpina. The same with regard to fumariefolia of Ascher-
son. As regards the question of C’.. alpina being found only
on calcareous mountains, in looking through the specimens
in the herbarium of Lausanne University I have ascertained
that, out of one hundred specimens that can be identified as
true alpina, two only are from non-calcareous formations.
I was much interested to find in the herbarium one specimen
of English origin. It is, however, neither alpina nor regia,
but is much like the form described by Lowe in “ Our Native
Ferns.” I shall send to the Gazette, for the next issue, a
photograph of C. alpina which I intend to fetch from the top
of a mountain I can see through my window while writing,
on the other side of Lake Geneva. The following are maxi-
mum altitude records above 2,000 metres in Switzerland

according to Jaccard :—

Blechnum spicant ... a ine ... 2,100 metres.
Lastrea montana ... om A) a «= oe
Lastrea rigida pi: ie en . 2,2 ie
Asplenvum Ruta-muraria ... te . 2c
Allosorus crispus ... i ar | |
Woodsia alpina... aie Ne . 2
Athyrium alpestre ... hs ee 1 2
Cystopteris fragilis Hs ae 1. | 2 ee
Botrychium lunaria ae Be ... (2,470 er
Asplenium septentrionale ... ge go a
Asplenivum viride ... st bi: 2 a
Cystopteris alpina ... Fra ms, on’ dy Oa

Allosorus crispus has since been found in Tyrol at 2,700
metres (Dalla Torre & Sarnthein, Fl. Tyr. VI., 1, 6), but as
mentioned Cystopteris alpina has been found by Schroeter

37

at 2,800 metres. Therefore our fern still beats the altitude
record for the Alps by 100 metres and probably could be
found even higher if systematically hunted for.

PAUL KESTNER (Lausanne).
February 21st, 1930.

(We have now ascertained that the C. alpina form a dissecta described
in the December Gazette (Vol. VI, No. 1), was found by Mr. T. Ernest
Waltham of Tulse Hill, London, who says that he collected it in 1926
on limestone rocks above Geneva at about 4,600 feet altitude (=1,400
metres approximately), and therefore well below the ordinary minimum
altitude for alpina according to M. Kestner. The plant has been
under cultivation four years in England and still retains its alpine
character. Plants raised from spores of this plant have been sent
to M. Kestner, who says they are ‘exactly like the alpine form.”

Mr. Waltham says in a letter : ** When I first saw C. alpina growing
in Switzerland I never, for a moment, confused it with C. fragilis ;
its compact growth was so different and the shaping of its lace-like
segments so distinct. Besides the blunt rounded segments which
you describe, the way they turn back, like the partly open lJaths of a
Venetian blind, struck me at once ; the vivid greenness of the fronds
was also unlike C. fragilis.”,—EDITOR.)

CYSTOPTERIS ALPINA.

I have, with Dr. Stansfield’s encouragement and help,
spent a good deal of time during the past three years trying
to solve the mystery of this elusive little fern. I hope, there-
fore, that the Editor will permit me to add a few remarks of
my own, from a somewhat different angle, to his illuminating
article in last December’s number of the Gazette.

With regard to nomenclature, I note that Dr. Stansfield
employs the term Cystopteris alpina. If the fern in question
is really the Polypodium regium of Linnaeus, then I suppose
the correct present-day name, due to a change of genus, should
be Cystopteris regia. On the other hand, as is pointed out,
it is by no means clear from the specimens in the Linnean
Herbarium in London for which fern the name was really
intended, in which case Cystopteris alpina may be more
correct. In Christensen’s Index Filicum both names are
given for the same date and authority (Desvaux, Prod. 264,
1827). In the appendix to Newman’s “ History of British
Ferns” (1844), Latin descriptions are given under the

38

heading of ‘‘ Descriptions of European species of Cistopteris,”’
by Roth, from the Flora Germanica ui, 94, of two separate
ferns—Cyathea regia and COyathea alpina. One or two
Continental nurserymen list alpina and regia separately, but
I have not been able to detect any important difference in
the plants. The fern grower will probably prefer to retain
the name to which he is most accustomed, and leave questions
of priority to be settled by critical botanists.

The original habitat, on a wall at Low Leyton in Essex,
will be familiar to most readers. Moore remarked that “ at
the close of last century, it existed in such plenty as to forbid
the notion of its being, at that early date, an introduced
species.” A Mr. W. Tamplin stated that the appearance of
the plant “‘ was as if parsley had been sown along the wall.”
Against Moore’s view is, of course, the fact that a lowland
wall is a very unlikely natural habitat for a typically alpine
plant. Other localities in this country given by some books
have apparently not been authenticated, and after its ex-
termination by building at Low Leyton, no more was heard
of this fern as a British species until it was reported from
Teesdale in Yorkshire by the late James Backhouse, who
also found Woodsia ilvensis in the same place. Mr. H. J.
Wilkinson, of York, writes that Mr. Backhouse told him ~
personally that he had found the true Cystopteris alpina in
Teesdale in 1872. There are no specimens of his gathering
in the large herbarium at York Museum, and up to the
present the only ones I have succeeded in tracing are two
immature fronds in a small envelope in the Kew Herbarium,
dated May, 1877. One would not care to give an opinion
on such poor material. Enquiry among several North of
England botanists who know the Teesdale Flora well has
merely elicited the fact that none of the present generation
had ever seen it. The site is given as Falcon Clints, between
Widdy Bank Farm and the Cauldron Snout. This gives one
a strip of precipitous basaltic cliffs a couple of miles long to
explore. Two whole days and part of a third were spent
by the writer and a friend in examining these rocks, which

39

are fully exposed to the South, but without result. Nor
were the Woodsia or the Holly Fern, which once occurred
there, seen. Cystopteris, which in this country is a marked
ealcicole, was not, as might be expected, abundant on the
basalt. Indeed, most of the plants, which were mainly of
dentata type, were seen on small exposures of the limestone
at the base of the cliffs. Mons. Kestner states that the true
Alpine Bladder Fern as he knows it in Switzerland is never,
or rarely, found off the limestone, which makes it all the
stranger that it should have been found in Teesdale on volcanic
rock.

Examination in London and elsewhere of several sets of
herbarium specimens showed a considerable confusion with
regard to the identity of the plant. Typical fragilis in every
degree of subdivision, and other ferns including even young
Athyrium fronds were found labelled as C. regia or C. alpina.
It was difficult, therefore, to get a mental image from the
specimens as to what this species should be like. An attempt
was next made to obtain a cultivated specimen. Neither
Kew nor the Edinburgh Botanic Gardens had it. Almost
every nurseryman in this country who sold ferns listed it,
but on enquiry had either sold out or sent something else
instead. Plants were then obtained from several Continental
sources, but Dr. Stansfield was not satisfied with their true
regia quality. That sent by Mons. Correvon, however
came very close to it. Dr. Stansfield, in judging these
specimens, had in mind a plant which he knew some years
ago, which was in a very fine state of subdivision, and he had
therefore set a very high standard for this species. One
almost despaired of ever finding the true thing, till one was
fortunate enough to recognize a plant of it in Mr. Sherrin’s
conservatory at the South London Botanical Institute.
Mr. Sherrin generously allowed the writer to remove a growing
point with a couple of fronds. This piece was promptly
sent to Dr. Stansfield for expert treatment, and as a result
a fine form of the true a’pina is now being raised in numbers
from spores. As the Editor remarked, even the smallest

40

sporeling shows the characteristic notching of the ultimate
segments. It is only just to record that Mr. Sherrin’s plant
was found in Switzerland by Mr. T. Ernest Waltham, F.R.H.S.,
the well-known expert on Colour Photography, who has
given me details of its discovery. He first saw it in 1911,
growing abundantly among the limestone boulders of a dried
watercourse above Lake Geneva at 3,700 feet. By 1914 the
site had been completely destroyed by an avalanche. In
1926, however, Mr. Waltham found one solitary clump in the
same region, but at a higher elevation. Part of the clump
was taken home, and it is from this that the plants now in
cultivation have been derived.

Dr. Stansfield has divided Cystopteris regia into two forms,
obtusa and dissecta, and I think this is certainly necessary
if one is to unite such diverse forms as those of M. Kestner
and of Mr. Waltham. While the best forms are very distinct
and easily recognized, one’s personal experience of living and
herbarium specimens, stated to be the Alpine Bladder Fern,
leaves a doubt as to whether the plant is really deserving of
specific rank. I see that Dr. Druce, in Hayward’s “ Hand-
book,”’ places it as a variety under fragilis. As Dr. Stansfield
has shown, spore characters are not very helpful, although
the * prickliness ’’ of the spores seems to vary in proportion
to the dissection of the fronds. If the true regia must be
tri-quadripinnate, with linear notched ultimate segments, the
veins of which terminate in the notches and not in the apices
of teeth, then the standard set is a very high one, and it is
feared that most of the so-called regia forms fall short of it.
Subdivision varies considerably with stage of growth and
cultivation and such factors must be taken into account.
But whatever the final verdict may be, fern-lovers will be
glad to retain the term for such beautifully oa forms
as are now being distributed.

S. P. ROWLANDS.

|M. Correvon’s plant was similar to one of the specimens of Polypodium
requum in the Linnean herbarium which we considered to be a
divided form of fragilis and not the true alpina of Desvaux.—Eb. |

4]
FERN EUGENICS.

The raising of new varieties of ferns up to the present
has been largely, though not entirely, a haphazard affair.
Fern breeding has been mainly confined to two or three
nurserymen and a comparatively small group of enthusiastic
- amateurs and of late years the numbers of both these sections
have been seriously depleted by the deaths of Mr. C. T.
Druery, Mr. W. H. Phillips, Mr. George Whitwell and Mr. H.
Stansfield, and by such firms as Messrs. H. B. May & Son
going out of business. Of those who remain several (like
the present writer) are getting rather ancient and cannot
expect to keep it up much longer. It is desirable, therefore,
that recruits should be found for both sections of this very
smallarmy. The trade section is, naturally, concerned chiefly
with the production of saleable stock, but, in this process,
new varieties appear from time to time and are eagerly
seized and propagated as in other branches of horticulture.
Of the non-commercial section some, such as the John Innes
Institute, are primarily interested in the working out of
purely scientific problems and take no account of the produc-
tion of new beautiful and desirable forms for garden purposes.
Many growers, both trade and amateur, have “ tried their
hands at crossing.”” Most of them, however, have been
content to raise a new variety without sufficient care that
the new form raised should be a desirable one. For the
working out of biological problems it is of no importance
whether the crosses produced are beautiful or the reverse—
indeed ugliness is sometimes an advantage inasmuch as odd
and grotesque characters are more easily recognized in the
offspring. The fern-lover whose object is the production of
beautiful things for the garden should, however, give careful
consideration, in making crosses, to the ultimate result
aimed at. There has been, in the past, too much crossing of
very dissimilar things with the object of getting merely
something different. The parents selected should be com-
patible with each other as well as beautiful in themselves ;
otherwise the result is apt to be the production of more or less

42

ugly mongrels. The crossing of plumose with crested ferns,
which was frequently attempted in the early days of fern-
breeding, generally results in spoiling both types. There is
no cross-bred modification of A. f.f. kalothrix, for instance,
which is as beautiful as the original type and the crested
forms are all more or less unsymmetrical. A. f.f. Craigi,
which is a fertile breeder and a dominant parent, invariably
spoils anything with which it is crossed. While there are so
many beautiful and regular varieties, imperfect and un-
symmetrical forms should be avoided like the plague as
factors in breeding. Also it is not sufficient that the actual
parents should be true to type and of correct character.
They should also be of pure and unmixed descent, otherwise
objectionable characters which are latent in the parents may
come out in the offspring. Animal breeders are careful to
obtain pedigree stock for their parents, and plant breeders —
should be no less careful to avoid contaminated protoplasm
in theirs. It is well, in attempting a cross, to use spores of
the original wild find whenever possible, since garden-raised
plants, although apparently of true character, may contain
in their germ plasm latent determinants of other varieties
and undesired or objectionable traits may come out in the
offspring. A good example of a successful cross is the P.
angulare divisilobum perserratum, which was distributed by the
late Mr. Phillips. although there is some doubt whether it
was actually raised by him. The two parental characters
do not jar at all, but blend beautifully and the result is a
charming and constant new variety. In P. angulare crosses
between plumose forms, on the one hand, and polydactylous
or lineare forms on the other, are to be deprecated. It is
true that sometimes very beautiful children may be the
immediate result, but one never knows what the mongrel
will do next ; it rarely continues in the same character for
many years.

Cross-breeding is not, of course, the only method of raising
new varieties ; indeed most of the best new garden varieties
have been raised by simply breeding from good types with

43

careful selection of the offspring. An example of this kind
of breeding is seen in the many beautiful forms which have
been raised of and from the Jones-Fox strain of plwmose
divisilobes in angulare—plumose and _ ultra-plumose, rare-
factum and pulcherrimum forms in bewildering variety have
come from this strain without any crossing whereas whenever
an attempt has been made to cross it the result has invariably
been to spoilt it. Even in breeding from pure strains rigid
selection is necessary as there are sure to be some rogues or
“ throw-outs ’’ which should be destroyed without mercy and
almost every large miscellaneous collection contains some

examples of these.
F.W3S.

ADIANTUM CAPILLUS-VENERIS.

On account of its lack of hardiness this species is but little
grown by cultivators of British ferns, while its comparatively
small size and slow growth make it not a paying crop to the
cultivators of greenhouse and hothouse ferns. It is, however,
the type of the genus and probably the first one that was
known to botanists. As it is a truly British fern, and one of
the most distinct, it is a pity that its culture should be
neglected. Its requirements are not very difficult to supply,
but one of them is absolute freedom from frost, so that for
most parts of these islands not only glass protection but also
artificial heat is essential. Given these, and a light peaty
soil containing lime in some form or other and the moist
atmosphere demanded by most ferns, its cultivation presents
no difficulty. It dislikes, however, having its fronds wetted,
so it should not be watered overhead. We have seen it
somewhere growing in the chinks of the brickwork on the
outside of a warm greenhouse, but the fronds disappeared
every winter although the brickwork retained sufficient
warmth to preserve the roots and rhizomes alive. The
consequence was that it never grew to anything like its full
size and never looked happy except for a short time in the
summer and early autumn. The species has never been

4s

much hunted for varieties and very few of any note have been —
found wild. Almost the only one of these which got into
general cultivation was A.C. V. Cornubiense, found by Mr.
H. H. Trevethick in Cornwall in 1868. When well grown
this beautiful fern was almost a rival of the magnificent
A, Farleyense, though it never showed the pink tones of that
favourite hothouse fern. Farleyense, however, was not a
wild find, nor did it originate in this country, but was raised
under cultivation at Farley Hill in the island of Barbadoes.
It is a matter for the deepest regret that Cornubiense has
disappeared from cultivation ’so far as the writer has been
able to discover after prolonged inquiry among those estab-
lishments most likely to possess it. It may be that it still
survives in some private collection from which it may
eventually reappear before the public view. Should any of
our readers know of a living plant we hope they will record
the fact of its existence. Failing Cornubiense, the finest
variety at present known is A.C. V.imbricatum, raised by the
late Mr. E. J. Lowe, though from what source is not recorded.
Mr. Druery in his “ British Ferns and their varieties,’ indeed
‘ presumes ” that it came from Cornubiense, but as there is no
direct evidence that the latter ever produced seedlings, the
presumption is somewhat doubtful. The present writer
thinks the Irish A. C. V. magnificum a more likely source as it
is at least fertile and a vigorous grower like imbricatum.
This is, however, a mere guess and is perhaps entitled to no
more respect than Mr. Druery’s speculation. Imbricatum
is worthy of attention as a parent and we have at present
a batch of seedlings coming on (although as yet very small)
from which it is hoped that something of interest may be
produced. Mr. MacSelf has a fine specimen of imbricatum
of which we hope sometime to obtain a photograph for
reproduction, though the plant is not at the present moment
in a condition to be figured, the new fronds being immature.
Other forms which have been found are pluwmoswm, Dadds
(Jones), found in Cornwall, and inciswm Footii (Lowe), found
in County Clare, both fine things on the same lines as Cornu-

45

biense, but now apparently lost. Varieties raised from spores
were Daphnites and spectabile, both of which received certifi-
cates from the R.H.S. Mr. Lowe records that spectabile
was “a close copy of Farleyense.”’ Both of them have now
disappeared from general cultivation, if not altogether.
There is, however, no reason why these or similar (and also
different) forms should not be found or raised again ; there
is plenty of scope for hunters and raisers so far as this species
is concerned. Who is to be the discoverer of the new British
Farleyense or plumosum ? Irish hunters, now is your chance.

F.WS.

SOME RANDOM REMARKS.

Modern Botany is concerning itself increasingly with
questions of Ecology. Why do certain plants favour certain
conditions regarding altitude, aspect, soil or position ? There
are some morphological characters which are fairly obvious,
such as those which enable some plants to exist under desert
conditions, and permit others to live in sour bogs or under
water. There are many other factors, however, governing
plant associations in certain habitats which are not yet fully
understood. <A great deal of work is being done in studying
the alkalinity or acidity of soils, and the pH values are
being gradually worked out in connection with our British
Flora. Ecological investigations would, of course, include
our British ferns, and many interesting questions await an
answer. Why, for instance, should Lastrea rigida be almost
confined to a small area around Ingleborough when there are
hundreds of other apparently suitable places, and when, in
fact, the plant causes no difficulty under ordinary garden
conditions ? Why should the Hart’s-tongue show itself in
the wild state to be an undoubted calcicole, when it can be
grown splendidly in peat moss litter? The Common Poly-
pody is well known to grow well in the mortar of old walls,
and as well or better in pure, lime-free, vegetable soil. This

46

same characteristic may sometimes be seen among the
flowering plants, as in the case of the Bitter-sweet, which
may be found growing on a dry chalk hill as well as in the
comparatively acid soil around a pond at the bottom. I have
myself seen our beautiful little Grass of Parnassus, typically
a plant of damp bogs and moist heaths, flowering profusely
on a dry ledge in a limestone quarry. Some plants, therefore,
seem to find their needs equally satisfied by a dry calcareous
soil or a moist peaty one. It has been suggested that the
essential factor is in some way connected with the water
supply of the plant, but much work remains to be done before
the mystery is cleared up. Blechnum Spicant and Lastrea
montana are two common ferns which seem to have a genuine
dislike for lime in any degree, and among the others, Lastrea
dilatata is usually considered a lime-hater. But during the
past season I have come across quite a number of plants of
the Broad Buckler growing happily with the Male Fern and
Polystichum in an old magnesian limestone quarry near here.
This suggests the question as to whether the magnesian
limestone of the Permian formation differs markedly from
the plant’s point of view, from other forms of limestone.
Can it be considered a specially mild form of lime? In a
friend’s garden, the Lady Fern grows quite happily in a soil
consisting chiefly of magnesian limestone fragments. Dr.
F. A. Lees, in his “ Flora of West Yorkshire,’ points out,
that Cystopteris fragilis is common on the mountain limestone.
but rdre on the Permian, suggesting therefore that the two
forms of limestone are not equally acceptable to this plant.
Such problems as this will doubtless be solved when the
Kcologists have done their work. |

I have often thought it curious that foreign ferns do not

appear more frequently among the alien flora of this country.
The list of the flowering plants that have been found as
casuals about docks and railways and as escapes from gardens
is a very long one, but apart from the Sensitive Fern, Onoclea
sensibilis, an American which takes kindly to our country
in suitable places, I cannot remember hearing of a foreign

Ags iP - gpa

47

fern establishing itself over here. Probably spores do come
over with foreign grain or packing material, but presumably
conditions are in the main unfavourable for successful

germination and development.

This leads to another thought. What happens to the
myriads of spores which are annually produced in this country
by our common Bracken? Fern growers know only too
well how readily stray spores of this plant will invade their
greenhouse pots, but how often does anyone see a Bracken
sporeling in its natural haunts. Several competent botanists
whom I have asked candidly admit they have never seen one.
Perhaps the sporelings are easily overlooked in the usual
jungle of Bracken, but my own impression is that extension
of a colony occurs almost entirely by growth of the under-
ground rhizomes and not by spore germination. Practically
all the sporelings I have seen have been on old damp walls,
and more than one good botanist has been puzzled by these
unusual occupants of the walls. Naturally the young plants
do not survive for long in such positions.

Is the Common Polypody particularly sensitive to an
impure atmosphere ? This question was suggested by the
fact that in this town, surrounded now by a ring of collieries,
practically the whole of my outdoor collection of Polypodies
has died out in three years. Although this fern was fre-
quently found in neighbouring woods before the collieries
came, it is now practically extinct. I feel sure that Dr.
Stansfield’s view is correct, namely, that the Polypody is
very sensitive to atmospheric impurities. Further, that as
this species is late in producing its new fronds, it has special
need to retain its old fronds during winter and spring—a
thing it cannot do in a smoke-laden, foggy climate. While
it can be considered an easy-going plant in most places, it
requires the shelter of a frame or greenhouse in many of our

manufacturing towns.
S. P. ROWLANDS.

48

VARIETAL TYPES OF BRITISH FERNS.
By Mr. CHAS. T. DRUERY, F.L.5.).V¥Va0e

(Read at the Meeting of the British Pteridological Society, at
Bowness, Windermere, August 3rd, 1903.)

In comparing the varietal types of exotic ferns with those
which have arisen as wild sports in our British species, no
one can fail to be struck with the immensely greater diversity
of the latter, a very large number having no similarity at all
with exotic abnormalities. This is, perhaps, one of the most:
remarkable facts in connection with our cult, especially when
we consider the immense number of exotic species as compared
with home ones, while, so far as we have been able to gather,
there is no special factor in these islands which cannot be
common to many other islands as well as continental fern
habitats. The abnormal exotic forms in our collections are
relatively few, and consist mainly of cristate and plumose
types in which fronds otherwise normal possess larger or
smaller tassels at their terminals, or vary on the line of our
own plumosums by extended subdivision associated with a
lack of spore production. The innumerable forms of Pteris
serrulata, tremula, and cretica, which constitute the bulk of
trade ferns, originated too, not as wild sports as with us,
but through selective culture by a large number of nursery-
men who have raised them in such enormous numbers that
it would have been odd indeed if they had not yielded an
abundance of sports. All these, however, are mere varieties
of the two types cristate and plumose, and we look in vain
for the cruciate, or truncate, or muricate, etc., types of which
we have so many, to say nothing of the subtle variations of
the normally outlined frond such as we see in A. f.f. Vernoniae,
conioides, the setigerum section, and many others. Exotic
polystichums also figure in catalogues, and yet despite their
close relationship with our three species, there is nothing
to show beyond a single typical grandiceps found in the
States. That charming fern, P. setosum, despite its long
culture, has never swerved in the least from its allegiance

49

to the ancestral type to endow us with such feathered and
tasselled gems as its more ambitious relatives here have
done. Some botanists, the Kew authorities among them,
class this as a form of aculeatum, a pill which it is hard for
most of us to swallow and impossible for the writer.

There has been a tendency lately to impute all variation
to crossing or intermixture of specific forms, or to reversion
to ancestral types, but we cannot certainly accept such an
explanation of the sports in British ferns. In the first place,
we all know that several of our species, to wit, the Lady Fern,
Hartstongue, and Blechnum are the sole representatives of
these genera in this country, and that all these, the first two
especially, are extremely prone to sport ; and, in the second
place, as regards reversion, where is the sport (outside the
merely extra divided ones) which can be pointed out as in
the remotest degree resembling any specific form, either
extant or fossil? A curious fact in this connection is, that:
though it is only reasonable to assume that sports must have
played a part in the production of species, since every constant:
distinct form which comes true from spores fulfils every
specific qualification yet defined, there is absolutely no crested
species in existence, at any rate, none has yet been discovered :
and yet almost every species, if it vary at all, is more apt to
vary in this direction than in any other, while the faculty of
cresting, unlike that of plumation, detracts not at all from
the normal spore production. This in itself is singular, since
we impute the entire or partial barrenness of all true plumo-
sums to the spore producing energy being diverted to foliar
formation ; and yet, though the production of heavy tassels
would seem to imply an equal drain upon the plant’s resources,
even the tassels themselves are often so crowded with sori
that the spore yield is largely increased instead of diminished.

The main types of variation, as we have seen, are cristation,
or the production of tassels, and plumation, an extra division
in the case of divided ferns, or extension of area in undivided
ferns. Cristation, or tasselling, also properly embraces the

50

\

branching of the rachis of the fronds at any point and to any
extent, since it is caused by the same peculiar faculty in the
formative cells of splitting into two or more mother cells,
each of which then goes on building up an independent frond,
if it starts early enough, or an independent subdivision, if it
divides later on. In the merely tasselled forms this splitting
up does not take place until the frond is nearly completed,
and in the symmetrical types it takes place regularly at a
certain stage of development. This faculty varies in degree
from a mere forking into two at the frond tip, which occasion-
ally occurs in otherwise normal plants, to heavy fanlike or
corymbose developments, produced by its repetition over
and over again, so as to form strands with subsidiary tassels,
as we may see in A. f.f. muiltifurcatum. In branched forms
this splitting may take place at so early a stage that the
fronds are divided at the very base of their stalks as in
A. f.f. Frizelliae nanum ramosum, in which four or five fronds
rise at once with the semblance at first of a closed fist in lieu
of a single coil. This branching also varies in degree ; in the
example just cited it goes no farther, and each frond branch
is typical of the variety but naturally dwarfed, the whole
group being really one frond despite appearances ; but in
other cases it is repeated over and over again until we have
the extreme cases of A. f.f. velutinum or unco-glomeratum
and Scol. v. Kelwayii densum, which resemble balls of fine
moss, all trace of the normally flat frond being lost, and the
two widely different species rendered so similar as to be
easily mistaken for each other.

In connection with tasselling proper as well as other
characters, it is to be observed that the fundamental plan
of the frond is generally also that of its subdivisions, its
development depending entirely upon size. Thus it is the
rule, when a frond bears a terminal crest, that the side divisions
or pinne bear smaller ones of similar pattern, and if the
crest be large and the fern robust, the tertiary divisions or
pinnules will fan out also. In the case of the writer’s A. ff.

5]

superbum percristatum, and in the best form of Pteris aquilina
cristata this goes even a step farther, the pinnulets or ultimate
divisions being also distinctly forked, a remarkable example
of the splitting up of the mother cell at a definite period of
development. On the other hand, it occasionally, but rarely,
happens that fronds with good terminal crests show no signs
of cristation in their pinne, and in Moly’s and Grey’s Poly-
stichums, cristato-gracile, the converse case occurs, where the
small subdivisions are distinctly tasselled, the pinne only
small tasselled, and the frond tip but little divided. Nature
here, as ever, delights in upsetting any hard and fast rule
which man may try to deduce from her procedure. In those
male ferns which are termed “ rogues,’’ known to every fern
hunter and by no means rare, we have an example of this
splitting on erratic and inconstant lines, sometimes temporarily
assuming such tempting forms to the beginner, that they are
captured as treasures, only to assume the common form under
culture.

The converse case, however, as usual exists, and this
occurred in the writer’s experience. A splendid, apparent
thoroughbred, polydactylous male fern, without a trace of
that irregularity which the experts can usually detect, and
with tassels of twenty to thirty points at all terminals of
its yard-long fronds, was found in Scotland and pronounced
by so eminent a judge as Colonel Jones to be the finest form
then found. Next year it was an arrant, ragged “‘ rogue,”’
depauperate all over, and with only a tag of a tassel here and
there to denote the high estate from which it had fallen, and
thus it has remained ever since. Several other exact counter-
parts were subsequently found near-by, and all behaved in the
same scandalous manner when removed, even in their native
Scotch air. Spores, of course, were sown as soon as ripe,
and before the delinquency was detected, and a big posse of
youngsters appeared in due course, ragged “ rogues ’”’ even
in their cradles—all but one. This one, which forms the
converse case in question, evidently had collected enough

52

blue blood in its veins to withstand the inheritance of parental
baseness, and in time developed into a thoroughbred of the
precise type of the original find, and thus redeemed the
‘‘ character ’’ we had thought for ever lost.

With the other main varietal section, the plumosums, we
must class also the decompositums, accepting as true plumo-
sums only those which are absolutely barren, such as the
true crispum section of the hartstongue, the cambricum
section of the common polypody, and the encrswm section
of Asp. trichomanes, adding perhaps the microdon forms of
Asp. ad. nigrum and lanceolatum, and the plumose variety of
Asp. marinum. The fertile forms, even including the plumose
divisilobes of the polystichums, really grade so much into each
other that we are bound to lump them in describing their
peculiarity, which is a continuation or extension of these
divisions on more or less normal principles. Thus in the
Holly fern we have a type of Polystichum consisting of a
once-divided frond, i.e. two rows of the characteristic mitten-
shaped pinne attached to a central stalk. In P. aculeatuwm
and P. angulare we see this division carried normally one
step farther, so that the pinnze resemble roughly P. lonchatis
fronds. This is the normal range, but in many varieties we
find this division carried farther and farther still, accompanied
by modifications of the shape of the subdivisions or mittens
and the length of their stalks, until we arrive at the plumose
divisilobes, which are rendered densely mosslike by the

multiplicity, length, and piled up character of these ultimate
divisions.

In classifying these divided forms of the Shield Ferns,
the shape of the ultimate divisions has been taken into
account as well as their grade, the acutilobes having them long
and very acutely pointed, and the multilobes of a rounded
form. The latter name, however, is obviously an unhappy
one, as it properly applies to all decomposite forms; an
excuse, however, is to be found in the great difficulty of
finding descriptive names which would not be cumbrous and

53

pedantic, for the almost innumerable forms assumed by the
subdivisions independently of their multiplication. Here,
indeed, Polystichum angulare is an easy first in versatility,
even among British fern varieties, for with all the diversity
of Athyrium forms, this peculiar faculty is far less in evidence
in that species. The extremes, perhaps, are shewn in P. ang.
rotundatum, with almost round pinnules, and any one of the
finest acutilobes with linear pointed ones ; or perhaps a better
example is seen in that unique form P. ang. Baldwinii, with
almost hairlike pinnulets or pinnuletines to carry the diminu-
tives far enough. In Birkenhead’s marvellous P. ang.
plumosissimum we reach, however, the acme of plumation,
fully justifying its name, since although it does not divide
so finely as Baldwinii, the ultimate divisions continue their
growth apparently indefinitely by producing long tongue-
like extensions which heap themselves upon the fronds like
a mossbed, and are capable, if severed and layered, of con-
tinuous development through prothalli into a new typical
generation. ‘This, so far I believe, has not produced spores
and may therefore serve to lead us to the consideration of
the absolutely barren or true plumose forms. In the Poly-
stichum family these are very few, in point of fact until
quite recently I should only have pointed to P. aculeatum
pulcherrimum with any degree of conviction, and this has
been upset by the discovery by Dr. Stansfield of perfect
sporangia on a plant given by me to Mr. Green, and I am
happy to say that at least 150 spores were visible as shed
from the capsules I gathered, and, I need hardly say, have
been sown with the utmost care. In the Athyria also,
despite the abundance of accepted plumosums on divided
lines, I know of none which are absolutely barren, either of
spores or aposporous growths which take their place. Barnes’
is reputedly barren, but I once had an extremely fertile plant,
a division of the original, and considering its only medium
plumose character as compared with others its general
infertility is a puzzle. So far indeed from the plumosums
in this species being barren, a number of them supplement

54

their spore heaps by associated bulbils, and this faculty
seems even to be enhanced by extra division, as I have a
pan full of young plumosums, Druerys, all raised from the
bulbils on a single pinna. In the Cambricum Polypodies,
the true crispum Hartstongues, and the incisum Asp. tricho-
manes, however, we find the spore-producing capacity utterly
suppressed, and I am not aware of any established record of
an exception.

Having now dealt, though very superficially, with the
two main branches of fern variation, we may consider some
of the minor ones. As a set off, as it were, to the super-
abundant folioseness of the plumose or extra-divided types,
we have an immense number of the converse kinds, the
lineares, depauperatums, truncatums, marginatums, angusta-
tums, and so on, to which we may also add the dwarfs, and
in this last direction undoubtedly the Lady Fern scores off
its rival the Shield Fern since, despite its normally larger
size, with the exception of P. ang. Lyellii, there are no tiny
gems to compare with A. f.f. congestum minus, minimum,
frizelliae ramosum, crispum, velutinum, and some of the dwarf
forms of the orbiculare type. Nor can we find parallels, on
the larger scale, for A. f.f. Victorig, Frizelli@, excurrens,
medio-deficiens (abasilobum), caudiculatum (Phillips), Prit-
chardu, Vernonia, conioides, and a number of flexwosums.
In the lineare types we find normally wide divisions reduced
to little more than midribs or very much narrowed ; but
here comes in the confusing elements of varied naming, for
instance, in blechnum spicant lineare, Barnes, we have nothing
akin to P. ang. lineare, they are not the same types at all.
The Blechnum is a simple or undivided form of the species,
while the Polystichum is divided on specific lines, but divested,
more or less, of its leafiness.

The depauperate section we may dismiss at once, as it
embraces a line of forms which, being imperfect, we set our
faces against in this Society. <A. f.f. depawperatum is, however,
an exception, being really a misnamed pretty cristatum.

° IO

Truncate forms, which embrace the excwrrens type, are very
curious and seemingly unnatural in plants which grow as
ferns do, by development of their apices ; and yet, as we know,
it is a comparatively common wild variety in Lastrea montana ;
we have it more rarely in L. filix mas ; it occurs in the excurrens
Athyria ; and many finds and forms of the Hartstongue of
the peraferens and cornutum types are simply the same type
under other names. In all these the frond and side divisions
end abruptly, and the midrib projects like a thorn or bristle.
It is a curious fact that this form finds specific expression
also in the leaf of the tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipiferum).
Strangely enough, we find no example of a thoroughbred
excurrens type among the Polystichums, i.e. with the character
exemplified in the subdivisions as well as the frond tip.

Another peculiar type of variation is that of brachiation,
in which the basal divisions of the frond, normally short or
narrow, are abnormally developed, sometimes into secondary
fronds. In Polystichum we have numerous examples of this,
of which Keall’s appears to be the most striking ; in Blechnum
we have several examples known as ftrinervium, and Mr.
Forster’s plumosum has frequently a percentage of fronds so
characterized. In the Hartstongues it appears under the
heading of sagittatum, but, curiously enough, we find no
examples of a marked character in any of the other species.

Cruciation, or the duplication, of the secondary and even
tertiary divisions, and their setting on at an obtuse angle to
each other, is a very remarkable type indeed, and finds its
utmost expression in A. f.f. Vuictoriz, which it pervades
throughout in the original find, though not always in the
seedlings. This also seems limited to a few species, i.e. in a
thoroughbred form. In Athyrium we have Victori@ and
Pritchardii as two examples, and Mr. Lowe records no less
than 59 forms under this section, of which, however, only
eight were wild finds. I found, however, a form in Devonshire
some years ago which had two or three pairs of cruciate
pinne near the top of each frond and a tendency to cruciation

56 :

in the pinnules, and from this I have raised a thoroughbred
cruciate caudate form, not so far catalogued. In Lastrea
I know of two examples only, L. fm. Tyermannu, occasionally
cruciate near the terminal crest; and L. dil. Howarde,
pervaded with cruciate pinnules. In 4. f.f. Pritchard we
see cruciation extended into a partial bunching, which probably
is a step towards Frizellie, which forms the nodose, or
knotted, type, of which no parallel has been found in other

species.

Surface variation we naturally only find in such a fern as
the Hartstongue, but in that species it takes several forms,
and combines with many others to swell the list of varieties
to which that marvellous fern has lent itself. Rugose,
muricate, scalpturate, marginate, and supra and sublineate
types explain themselves ; and to these may be added the
viviparous type exemplified in O’Kelly’s cristatum.

In this same species we must mention the projectum series,
including laceratum, in which it is obvious the fern is trying
to assume the pinnate form, a converse case to Barnes lineare
Blechnum, which endeavours, and not unsuccessfully, to ape
a narrow Hartstongue. Allied to, but different from, the
projectum type, is the fimbriate one, exemplified in Stansfield’s.
and Cropper’s charming forms and in SN. v. crispwm Drum-
mondie, and its improved offspring, and this brings us to.
the small but interesting section of the aposporous ferns
which, as an up-to-date list appears in the Society’s Book of
British Ferns, I need not here recapitulate, although I take
this opportunity of recording my recent find of an aposporous.
seedling of P. vulgare, variety not yet determined.

(T'o be continued.)

THE SOCIETY originated, in Seuietanes 1891, in the Lake District

witl headquarters at Kendal. Its members were, however, distributed —

roughout Great Britain and Ireland, whilst some few reside in the
minions and U.S.A. Its declared objects were :—

: The Study of Species and Varieties of British aban:
pe Recording of Information with regard to Ferns generally.

The British Fern Gazette was established in September 1909,
sation being quarterly until the commencement of the war.
the war publication was restricted to two issues per annum
icon of the increased cost of printing and the decrease in the
1umber of members. It is hoped shortly to resume quarterly

eS

rec 5}
ON [embers are invited to communicate with the Hon. Secretary
. ‘i eet of interest with regard to British Ferns.

*
ee

te

_ Cer ificates are awarded to new jae of distinction of which plants
or characteristic fronds are shown at the Annual Meeting for adjudica- |
t 6 n. The Annual Meeting is held usually in August or September,
3 m 1e place where ferns are abundant and from which excursions
“Sea m hunting can conveniently be arranged. These excursions

n eyes feature of the Society’ s pkey

so stor and cae planned and arranged the present ees
supple ementing the collection with tose of plants from the SORNOTIOS
of some of the members. | |

Ti F atlestic in> ‘the Royal Horticultural Society’ S Garden at
y was” similarly dealt with and augmented,

os

e eect 5 is affiliated to the Royal Horticultural Society, which
* an individual subscriber to its. funds.

; Committee is endeavouring to increase the membership of the
ociety and, through this and by other means, to encourage the more
ne ‘a. i. cultivation of the varieties of British ferns. Any lover of
ulture is eligible for membership and the subscription is 10s.
anum (due in advance at or immediately after the Annual Meeting),
iat members to copies of The Gazette.

TT ne | Hon. Treasurer or Hon. Secretary will be pleased to supply
| mem: DE ers who may desire it with Bankers’ Orders for the convenient
boys rm ent of subscriptions.

cr uw ether particulars may be obtained from the Hon. ES Se
Vea _ F. W. STANSFIELD, M.D., F.L.S.,
seas * , | 120, Oxford Road,
Bi to ign gio. Reading,
Berks,

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CORONATION CUP.

_ Awarded by the Royal Horticultural Society for the most”
meritorious exhibit at their great Summer Show. My col- :

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lection of Hardy Ferns on this occasion was considered one”

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of the finest groups ever staged at a Horticultural Exhibition,

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During the last 5 years we have
been awarded 50 Gold and Silver
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for New and Rare Hardy Ferns.

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Headquarters for Alpines, Perennials, Liliums,

Water Lilies, Aquatics, New and Rare Shrubs.

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Catalogues free—

PERRY’S HARDY PLANT FARM, |
ENFIELD, MIDDLESEX.

hese _ EDITED BY

cw: STANSFIELD, M.D., F.L.S.

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(120, OXFORD ROAD, READING.)

hileis ts Mr. W. B. Cranfield, F.R.H.S., F.LS., Hast Lodge, Enfield
Ut BAN Ca sia - Ri aieflageds

| Hon, Secretary : Dr. F.W. Stansfield.

: Mr. J. J. Sheldon, “*Monkhams,’ Lower Road,
Great Bookham, Surrey.

b dhavwey a SON, LTO., THE CROWN PRESS, CAXTON STREET, READING.

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THE
BRITISH FERN GAZETTE.

NEW SERIES

Vou. VI. DECEMBER, 1930. No. 3
CONTENTS.
EDITORIAL Notes ... 7 A im aan att dutt 57
OuR FRONTISPIECE : Polystichum ang. divisilobum, Bland ... 58
Harpy FEerns at SoutHport SHow (Mr. A. J. MacSelf) 59
THE ANNUAL MEETING _... ee a mee ae oe 62
Mr. HENwoop’s Ferns (F.W.S.) ref oS 33 ae 67
Cystopteris alpina, Desvaux (F.W.S.) ee ous ie a 71
Cystopteris alpina (M. Paul Kestner, F.L.S.) ... He sas 72
Ceterach officinarum (Revd. E. A. Elliot, M.A.) tus as 73
FERN-HUNTING IN DERBYSHIRE (Revd. E. A. Elliot) ... a4 77
VARIETAL TYPES OF BritisH FERNS (The late Mr. C. T. Druery,
F.L.S.) abe act a Sa — tars waa 78

EDITORIAL NOTES.

We have received copies of the ““ American Fern Journal,”’
Vol. 20, No. 2, which contains an important article on the
genus Cyrtomium by Dr. Carl Christensen, in which that
genus of ferns is exhaustively described, and others by G.
Looser on the “ Ferns of Central Chile,” by Douglas H.
Campbell on “‘Some Reminiscences of Fern Collecting,” and
by F. W. Stansfield on ‘“ Variation in British Ferns, &c.”’
Dr. D. H. Campbell’s article is of absorbing interest, his
travels having been largely in tropical and sub-tropical
countries, including the Sandwich Islands, Jamaica, Java,
Borneo, Sumatra, Ceylon, The Malay Peninsula, Australia,
New Zealand and South Africa. This botanist is not of the
dry-as-dust order as may be judged from the following
extract :—* The great object was to secure material showing
the development of the reproductive organs and embryo,
especially of certain types which there was reason to believe
were the older and more primitive forms, whose development

might throw light upon the evolution of the more recent fern

types. Such collections included, not only the fully developed

58

fern or ‘sporophyte,’ but the often very small and incon-
spicuous sexual plant—the gametophyte or prothallium—
which is quite overlooked by most collectors, but is of the
first importance in studying the life history of the fern.”
This number of the Journal is, we understand, a special
anniversary publication and contains several illustrations of
which the most striking is a plate showing ferns in the
Botanical Garden, Buitenzorg, Java.

The ‘‘ Gardeners’ Year Book ”’ (British) has an article on
‘“ British Ferns,” by F. W. Stansfield, contributed by special
request.

We have received from a former member, Mr. Alfred Kirby
of Cardiff, fronds of a ramo-cristate Lastrea recently found
wild by him. It is supposed to be a form of L. emula, but
the fronds are too small and the specific characters not
sufficiently developed for us to make quite certain that it is
really wmula and not dilatata. If it should prove to be the
latter species, the plant may be something like L. d. grandiceps
found by the late Mr. J. M. Barnes. If really emula it will
be an interesting and valuable find as there is at present only
one known variety of that species and the new find is certainly
quite distinct from L. emula cristata, Gill.

For the illustration, in the present issue, of the Meeting in
the Kent Valley, our thanks are due to Mr. J. A. Sinclair who
took the photograph, had the plates reproduced from it, and
presented them to the Society ready for insertion. Mr.
Sinclair himself appears in the group of members.

The Hon. Treasurer, Mr. J. J. Sheldon, will be glad to
receive remittances of any subscriptions for the current
year (now due) or for any arrears which may remain unpaid.

OUR FRONTISPIECE.
Polystichum angulare divisilobum, Bland.
The illustration is from a photograph of a plant, in the
collection of Mr. T. E. Henwood, which was sent to him some
years ago by Mr. J. K. Austin of Detling near Maidstone.

59

The original plant was found wild, by the late Mr. J. H.
Bland of Tobarcooran, Carnmoney, Co. Antrim, only a few
miles from Belfast. It is not only the best divisilobum ever
found wild but is undoubtedly the finest pure divisilobe in
cultivation, notwithstanding the number of beautiful forms
found wild and the still greater number raised from spores of
the Jones-Fox and other strains. Probably no one has
grown it more successfully than Mr. Henwood, though no
doubt, if well treated in Dorset or Devon or in some parts of
Ireland it might surpass even this splendid development. It
produces bulbils freely, but for some reason these have been
found to be not very easily grown into plants as they are
rather apt to dry up when the fronds are laid down in our
arid and comparatively ungenial climate. In a more
favourable district there would probably be no difficulty in
raising it from bulbils. It also produces spores freely but
we are not aware that it has been raised by this means, the
apparently quicker method of raising from bulbils being too
much of a temptation to growers. This fern was previously
described, and its history given, in the Editorial Notes of the
“ Gazette,’ Vol. IV, Nos. 7 and 8, i.e., December, 1920, and
March, 1921.

THE HARDY FERNS.

AT SOUTHPORT SHOW.

Highly satisfactory progress in the Hardy Fern section of
this great show may be recorded. A separate tent of
considerable dimensions was entirely devoted to the exhibits,
and this was comfortably filled.

There were four groups in the Challenge Trophy class, and
all were very good although none so perfect as to leave no
room for criticism.

Mr. W. B. Cranfield won this class for the third time, thus
becoming permanent owner of the ‘“ Abol” Fifty Guinea
Challenge Cup.

60

The arrangement and constitution of Mr. Cranfield’s group
was much upon the lines of former occasions. His fine
specimen of Athyrium F. f. Clarissima provided the central
feature, and the big plumose and divisilobe Polystichums
afforded it substantial support. Crested Lastreas and an
Osmunda helped to fill in the background. These, by the
way, provided those who were keen to criticise with the
chance they sought, for in banking up as high as possible in
order to provide a good slope, the exhibitor ignored the fact
that a back view was given from the other side of the tent, and
here, naturally, the rougher and somewhat damaged fronds
were exposed. The end of the group also was not too neatly
finished off, a few holes and patches of moss being discernible.

It says much for the magnificent quality of the ferns in
the group that what blemishes of this nature there were could
not bring the exhibit, as a whole, down from its unquestioned
position at the head of a series of fern groups such as the
oldest exhibitors have seldom seen together. It would
simply mean stringing together the names of some of the
best ferns in cultivation to enumerate the choice examples
that played a part in Mr. Cranfield’s exhibit which was a
centre of admiring inspection by enthusiasts and the general
public throughout the show.

It is with mixed feelings we learn of our President’s
intention to refrain from competing in this class next year.
We shall feel and regret the loss of so magnificent a group of
plants, but realize that behind the decision is Mr. Cranfield’s
anxiety that other competitors shall not entertain the idea
that he will afford them no chance to share the honour of
winning the trophy. As the writer has prevailed upon
Messrs. Abol Ltd. to provide another Trophy, it is sincerely
hoped that several new competitors will come forward and
ensure that the loss of our President’s entry will not rob this
class either of spectacular effect or educational value.

The second prize group, staged by Mr. Lovelady, was rich
in the smaller species and varieties, and was arranged with

»%. $

61

good taste. A few more large specimen Polystichums would
have made a powerful difference to general effect, but close
inspection gave a deal of pleasure to the connoisseur.

The third and fourth prizes went to Mr. J. Lloyd of
Birkdale and Mr. W. Low of Southport, respectively.

We missed our friends George Oliver and his sons who
were unable to come down from Scotland this year, but by
correspondence we have learned that their ferns are making
good headway, and it may be hoped that next year another
group from Melrose may make its mark, for the Messrs. Oliver
have undoubtedly some very fine ferns.

A very remarkable improvement was manifest in the classes
for plants in pots, starting with a dozen in distinct varieties
and including various classes for three of a given genus.

Mr. Robert Bolton and his son, Thomas, both of whom are
as keenly enthusiastic for hardy ferns as any of the members
of the Bolton family have been for half a century past, put
up some magnificent plants in almost every class and
accounted for a full share of the prizes. Mr. Robert’s first
prize set of a dozen included a very fine Polystichum angulare
plumosum and P. a. elegans and exceptionally good Scolopend-
riums, cristatum and crispum. An Athyrium gemmatum
with depauperate stems and tremendous heavy crests was a
very distinctive item and there was also a good form of
Polypodium v. Cambricum. Mr. Thomas Bolton followed his
father in this class, Mr. W. B. Cranfield coming third.

In the class for six, Mr. Robert Bolton again headed the
list and in this set Scolopendrium v. undulatum cristatum was
an outstanding feature. Mr. Cranfield came second here, Mr.
Thomas Bolton being third. These three exhibitors rung
the changes with each other in most of the classes, but in that
for three Polypodiums, Mr. Cranfield was first, followed by
Mr. J. Lovelady, with Mr. Robert Bolton third. Mr.
Cranfield’s varieties were P. v. Cambricum, pulcherrimum and
omnilacerum (Oxford variety). Three good Polystichums won

62

Mr. Cranfield first prize, his varieties being P. aculeatum
gracillimum, and P. angulare acutilobum and capitatum.

In the class for one British fern raised by the exhibitor
Mr. Robert Bolton scored with a very beautiful plant of
Scolopendrium crispum cristatum, a plant which was greatly
admired and favourably commented upon by the fern lovers
who attended the Show.

Whilst everybody may justly be pleased and proud of this
year’s display, let us look forward to still greater things in
1931. One or two alterations in regard to classes and staging
matters are already under the consideration of the Southport
authorities who have, from the beginning, shown themselves
most anxious to help in every way possible to make the Hardy
Fern classes just as the growers and exhibitors would wish
them to be.

In view of the fact that the annual meeting of the Society
is fixed to be held in Southport during the week of the Show
we may surely anticipate a much larger attendance of members
both in the exhibition tent and at our own Annual Meeting.

THE ANNUAL MEETING.

The Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting of the Society was held
on Monday, September Ist, at the County Hotel, Kendal,
Westmorland, the president, Mr. W. B. Cranfield, occupying
the chair. Members were present from Enfield Chase, Kendal,
Dublin, Welwyn, Great Bookham, Grange, Halstead (Essex),
London, Warlingham, Southport, Lancaster, -Haslingden and
Reading. ‘The President welcomed the members present and
congratulated them upon meeting once more in the original
home of the Society. The Minutes of the last meeting were
read, confirmed and signed. The Hon. Secretary read his
report as follows :—

Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen,

The past year has been a comparatively uneventful one in
the history of the Society. For fern growers it has been a

63

time of slow and partial recovery from the effects of the
disastrous winter and spring of 1928-29. The number of
ordinary members is now 125 and there are 8 honorary

members.

Mr. Charles E. Pearson of Lowdham, Mr. Joseph Wiper of
Vancouver, B.C., and Miss B. Stanby Rogerson of Dunblane,
Scotland, have died. Mr. Wiper was one of the founders of
the Society ; Miss Rogerson was an old and faithful member ;
while Mr. Pearson, although a comparatively new member,
was an old fern grower and a distinguished horticulturist.

Four members have resigned.

New subscribing members since the last annual meeting
are :—His Honour Judge Woodcock, K.C., of Lypiatt Park,
Stroud ; Mr. Ernest Wiper of Vancouver, B.C. ; Mr. George
Hawkings of Cressy House, Goldhawk Road, London ; and
Mr. R. J. Dyson of Overcourt, Bisley, Stroud.

Sir Frederick W. Moore, F.L.S., of Rathfarnham, Co.
Dublin, has been elected an honorary member and has
accepted the honour with thanks.

The natural history of Cystopteris alpina, Desvaux, has been
somewhat extensively discussed in the “Gazette,” and.
through the efforts of several members and friends, of whom
Dr. Rowlands was the most energetic, the true alpine type
has been restored to cultivation in this country from which
it had, apparently, been missing for many years. I have
raised a crop of seedlings from a plant found wild in Switzerland
and introduced by Mr. T. E. Waltham of London, and these
have been distributed to the members apparently most
interested. I shall be glad to send plants to any other
members who may wish for it and who are willing to pay the
small expense of postage, &c. It is still an open question
whether the species can be considered a true native of Britain,
inasmuch as there is still some doubt (i) whether the true
plant ever grew here, and (ii) whether, if true, the plants
found were indigenous or introduced. I hope to have the

64

opportunity, before long, of examining some of the specimens
upon which the reputation of the fern, as a British plant,
mainly rests. Not many finds of varieties have been recorded
during the year—the only one of which I have any knowledge
being a very fine serrate form of Scol. v. crispuwm found in
South Dorset last year by Dr. T, Stansfield. Specimens of a
very curious, but not beautiful, cornute form of Polypodium
vulgare were sent from Wisley to our president, but I have
no information whether the plant was found wild or appeared

under cultivation. Probably it was a wild find. (Fronds

exhibited).
The Hon. Treasurer, Mr. J. J. Sheldon read his report, to
wit :—
BALANCE SHEET.

INCOME. i Ss ah EXPENDITURE. £ 8. ay
Balance from last year 48 13 10 Affihation Fee to |
Subscriptions O98 15 3 RiELSs See 2 ae
Sale ot ‘‘Gazettes’”” 1 2 0 ‘* Gazette,”’ Dec., 1929 15 2 9
Advertisements owt pl ae cae 1930 15 Oe

Certificates of Merit
(printing) .. a |) ae
Other Printing ; 13 3
Expenses at ‘Annual
Meeting ... a) i
Postages & Sundries 2 16 2
Balance at Bank ... 55 5 2
£106-13 4 £105 13 1

Audited and found correct, September Ist, 1930.
(Signed) PERCY GREENFIELD.

It was proposed by Mr. Blow, seconded by Mr. Sinclair and
carried, that the Secretary’s and ‘Treasurer’s reports be

received and adopted.

The President was re-elected on the proposition of Mr.
Blow, seconded by Revd. Canon Kingsmill Moore.

The remaining Officers and Committee were mostly re-
elected with slight changes, the complete list being as
appended :—

65

President :
Mr. W. B. Cranfield.

Vice-Presidents :

Mr. T. B. Blow Revd. Canon Hawkins
Mr. Alex Cowan Rev. Canon Kingsmill Moore
Mr. T. E. Henwood Mr. J. J. Smithies

Mr. G. E. Stephens

Hon. Treasurer :
Mr. J. J. Sheldon.

Hon. Secretary and Editor of The Gazette :
Dr. F. W. Stansfield.

Hon. Auditor :
Mr. P. Greenfield.
Committee :

Mr. Robert Bolton Dr. S. P. Rowlands
Mr. Thomas Brown } Dr. T. Stansfield

Mr. P. Greenfield Mr. A. J. Sinclair

Mr. A. J. MacSelf Mr. F. W. Thorrington
Revd. E. A. Elliot Mr. R. Whiteside

New members elected were :—Mr. H. Stinchcombe of
Foleshill, Coventry and Miss Jessie Stansfield of Sale, Nr.
Manchester.

A letter was read from Mr. A. J. MacSelf (who was unable
to be present through ill-health) suggesting that the next
annual meeting should be held at Southport during the time
of the Show there. It was proposed by Mr. T. B. Blow,
seconded by Mr. R. Bolton, and carried, that the meeting
should be held at Southport on the second day of the Show,
the members afterwards passing on to Whitewells, Trough of
Bowland, N.W. Yorks, for the succeeding excursions, this
locality being thought to be a new and promising one for
fern hunting.

Mr. Alex. Cowan sent a large packet of fronds for exhibition,
mostly varieties of Lastrea montana and including L. m.
plumosa, Barnes, plumosa, Stansfield, plwmosa-cristata,

66

Whitwell, incisa, Barnes, curvata and corymbifera, Garnett.
Also Athyrium f. f. plumosum divaricatum and Lastrea
filix-mas incisa, Barnes (the last a grand frond, 4 feet long)
and other fine things.

Canon H. Kingsmill Moore exhibited a number of seedlings
of the plumoso-divisilobe strain of P. angulare. He was
awarded certificates for :—

(i) P. ang. tripinnatum grande, Kingsmill Moore, a very
fine faleate-plumose tripinnatum of large size.

(ii) P. ang. acutilobum polydactylum, K. Moore, of more
robust habit than usual and of very symmetrical
form.

Mr. Sheldon exhibited some seedling Scolopendriums and
was awarded certificates for :—

(i) WScol. v. crispum fimbriatum sagittatum, Sheldon.

(ii) col. v. lacerato-fumbriatum, Sheldon.

Mr. Lovelady exhibited A. f. f. plumoso-cristatum, Lovelady,
a cross between A. f. f. pluwmosum, Horsfall, and regale,
Barnes. A certificate was awarded for this.

Dr. F. W. Stansfield exhibited :—

(i) P. angulare acutilobum macrodon, T. Stansfield, wild
find in South Dorset in 1926.

(i) P. a. acutilobum divisum, F.W.S., wild find at Tenby
in 1927. .

Both these were awarded certificates. He also exhibited a
fine frond of Athyrium f. f. fimbriato-cristatum, Garnett,
raised more than 30 years ago but still very rare.

Mr. Askew exhibited a number of seedling Scolopendriums
and Polystichums including one said to be a cross between
P. angulare perserratum and P. a. grandiceps but in which the
perserratum character was not recognisable.

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At a Committee Meeting held on September 2nd, Mr. W.
Wilson of Kendal, one of the founders of the Society, was
elected an honorary member. Mr. Wilson was present and
exhibited a frond of a very fine P. ang. plumosum raised by
himself from a sport raised by the late Mr. George Whitwell
from P. a. divisilobum plumosum, Jones.

During the week or so that the party was in the neighbour-
hood of Kendal, excursions were made to Long Sleddale,
Kentmere, Langdale, &c., but no variety of importance was
found, although a number of interesting species was noted.
Lastrea montana and Allosorus crispus were the prevailing
ferns ; Blechnum was less abundant than we expected and
Polystichum aculeatum (not angulare) was found occasionally
as a rarity. ‘The rare fern ally Lycopodium selaginoides was
noted in Kentmere, and Lastrea rigida and Polypodium
Robertianum were abundant on the limestone of Farleton

Knott.

A visit was paid to the interesting garden of our past
president, Mr. J. J. Smithies of Kendal, where many valuable
ferns were seen including several kinds almost lost to general
cultivation but still flourishing in the genial air of West-
morland under the care of our veteran member and friend.

A visit was also made to the interesting and picturesque
rock-garden of Mr. C. H. Hough, M.R.C.S., of Ambleside, and
also, incidentally, several members made the acquaintance of
Mr. Wm. Purdom, the father of the late W. Purdom who
accompanied the late Reginald Farrer on his journeys through
China and Thibet and who is frequently and affectionately
referred to, under the name of “ Bill,” by that picturesque
writer.

MR. HENWOOD’S FERNS.

Fern-loving visitors to Reading have, this year, been more
than ordinarily gratified by the sight of the collection of our
veteran member, Mr. T. E. Henwood. Although our friend

68
has only a small garden it is crowded with ferns of the best
varieties, all cultivated to the highest pitch of excellence by
the use of the best procurable soils and fertilizers and the

unstinted application of skill, time and energy to the fight
against climatic difficulties and insect and other enemies.

The small enclosure is primarily a fern garden, but the
walls are mostly covered with climbing roses and ornamental
ivies, &c., which are not only beautiful in themselves but

form a fine background for the ferns as well as serving, in

many cases, to shade them from strong sunshine and to
shelter them from cutting winds. The gardens of neighbour-
ing houses contain many trees, some of large size, whose roots
invade the fern beds robbing them of both nutriment and
moisture. In several cases the ferns are actually growing
close to the stems and over the roots of large rose trees.
Mr. Henwood has, however, seen ferns growing wild in hedge-
rows and woods and knows that their roots are able to
compete even with the roots of trees, provided they are
supplied with sufficient moisture. It is no small task to
supply this artificially in the dry weather which we frequently
experience here during the spring and summer months. The
work is, however, successfully accomplished with the help of
garden hose by which water can be conducted to any part of
the garden and to any extent.

To come now to the ferns themselves. There are large
specimens of Polystichums, both angulare and aculeatum, in
their most beautiful varieties. The angulares comprise all
the best plumose divisilobes including laxum, densum, robustum
and Baldwinii of the Jones-Fox strain, besides Grimmondie
and Esplan’s form as well as many beautiful seedlings which
have been raised from them. There are also numerous wild
finds of the acutilobe and divisilobe section. The King of all,
for this year at all events, is divisilobum, Bland, which is
shown in our frontispiece of this issue. Others are laciniare,

Moly, and acutilobum, Hartley, Dr. T. Stansfield’s acutilobum —

macrodon, the Howley acutilobe, &c. This last is growing

69

close to the stem of a large tree of Rose Madame Alfred
Carriere. Both rose and fern seem to enjoy the association.
Near to the Bland Polystichum is the plant of P. ang.
divisilobum plumosum foliosum, H.S., which is not only a
fine thing in itself but possesses the faculty of producing
from its spores the most wonderful seedlings. We believe
that practically all the pulcherrimums which have been
raised under cultivation have come from this source. There
is also a very fine plant of Grimmondia, 6 feet in diameter,
but neither of these is seen in the photograph. Of aculeatums
there is pulcherromum, Bevis, the wild find from which all
the best aculeatums have been raised, most of which are here
seen in grand form, viz., plumosum, Green, pulcherromum,
Druery, and a host of the beautiful gracilluomums raised by
Druery, Green, Cranfield, &c., and which still continue to be
produced when a sowing is made from pulcherrimum, Bevis.
Of Scolopendriums there are some twenty different types of
crispum including speciosum, Moly, grande, Wills, splendens
Moly, fimbriatum, Stansfield, nobile, Bolton, the Roundstone
and Mrs. Stabler’s form, all of the best and in splendid
character. Of Athyriums the most conspicuous is a grand
specimen of the original Clarissima with 4 feet fronds, a
perfect shuttlecock ; close alongside is a fine plant of the
original Victorre which, like the original Clarissima, is not
equalled by any of its offspring, fine as many of these
undoubtedly are. Another near neighbour is A. ff.
plumosum percristatum, Druery, still probably the finest
example of the combination of the plumose and crested
characters in this species.

In a small house is a grand plant of A. f.f. kalothrix with
faultless silky fronds just now yellowing towards autumn.
The same house encloses what is generally considered to be
the greatest “‘ eye-opener ”’ in the garden, viz., the collection
of Polypodies of which almost every known form is grown,
and certainly all the best. The King of these is plumosum
Whilharris, of which an illustration was given in No. 5, Vol.

70

V., of the ‘“ Gazette.” The development there shown,
however, has been surpassed in recent years and we consider
it the finest thing in Polypodies ever seen. It may be
described as a condensed Cambricwm of large size, robust
habit, and solid texture. Its nearest rival we consider to be
Cambricum Barrowit, which here also grows to the highest
pitch of perfection. Next come Prestoni and Hadwini,
both most lovely things but lacking the robustness and
solidity of Whilharris. Other fine things, magnificently
developed, are P. v. omnilacerum superbum (the “ Oxford ”
variety); P. semilacerum falcatum, O'Kelly, with bluntly
lobed upward curving pinne ; P. v. pulcherromum, Atkinson,
with fronds 9 inches wide, and its derivative pulcherromum
densum of Perry, and the sport from Hadwini which so
oddly mimics it ; bipinnatum, Bell, and bipinnatum, F.WS.
Of crested forms, besides the ordinary cristatums, the three
grandiceps forms of Parker, Fox and Forster, all much less
known than they deserve to be and all quite distinct, are
seen here in their highest development. Most exotic-looking
of all is P. v. Cornubiense which has quite lost the ordinary
pinnate character of the species and assumed the cutting
and outline of the Killarney fern. Lastly there are the three
Canadian forms or sub-species which, though not British, are
as hardy as any vulgare and have a luxuriance of habit
which render them peculiarly suitable for basket ferns.
(They are referred to on p. 81, Vol. V., of the ‘‘ Gazette.’’)
Close to the Polypody house is a frame for Blechnums in
which just now the most striking plant is a magnificent
seedling raised by Mr. Sheldon from Mr. C. Henwood’s B. s.
serratum. It is a foliose bipinnatum with fronds 2 to 3 inches
wn width, the divisions of the pinnze rounded and overlapping
in the barren fronds but more acute in the fertile ones. It
is perhaps no more than a vigorous development of the parent
in the exuberance of youth, but it is certainly the finest grown
and one of the most striking Blechnums we have ever seen.
There is still another unheated greenhouse, one side of which
is devoted mainly to Aspleniwms. These are not so fine as in

71

years past since the collection was severely punished by th®
severe winter of two years ago, but the plants are slowly
recovering and there are good examples of A. trichomanes
incisum, Clementii, bipinnatum, confluens, cristatum, ce.
The other side of the house contains P. aculeatum gracillimum
in several forms, a hybrid Polystichum acrostichoides, A. f.f.
acrocladon densum and wunco-glomeratum, setigerum per-
cristatum, Lastrea montana plumosa in grand form and some
large Adiantums, &c. Although there are at least three other
fairly good collections of ferns in Reading, visitors are
generally most impressed by Mr. Henwood’s plants and never
fail to exclaim in admiration on seeing his Polypodies.

CYSTOPTERIS ALPINA—DESVAUX.

Following up the discussion on this interesting and rather
mysterious fern, | have made a pilgrimage to Edinburgh in
order to examine the late James Backhouse’s Teesdale
specimens. I was materially assisted in this by the kind
help of our late president, Mr. Alexander Cowan, who met
me at the railway station, drove me directly to the Botanical
Gardens and introduced me to the keeper of the herbarium
when the specimens were promptly produced for my
inspection. The result of this examination leaves no doubt
in my mind that Mr. Backhouse’s fern was the true alpina,
which must be acknowledged as a British fern on the strength
of this record, whatever may be thought of the Low Layton
fern which constitutes its first and best known claim to rank
as a native of this country.

I was fortunate in finding also in the Edinburgh herbarium
specimens of this Low Layton plant, authenticated by the
signature of Sir William J. Hooker. While, by a stretch of
generosity this plant may be regarded as possibly coming into
the domain of aggregate alpina or “regia,” it is a very
different thing from the Teesdale plant and from the forma
dissecta with which the latter practically coincides. Instead
of being tripinnate itis bipinnate. The ultimate segments are

72

not linear, and though they are slightly notched, the notches
are not open and the venules do not, in many cases, terminate
in the notches but in the pointed apices. I imagine it to be
similar to the intermediate form into which M. Kestner says
some of his plants degenerate when removed to a lower
altitude. The forma dissecta, however, retains all its alpine
characters in Reading as do also its seedlings of which I have
raised probably some hundreds. Personally, I should like to
restrict the title of true alpina to those plants which are not
only alpina at 2,000 metres or more but can bear trans-
plantation to the lowlands without changing into something
different. Such is the forma dissecta. Dr. Rowlands writes
me that he has recently visited the present Mr. James
Backhouse, F.L.S., who was with his late father when the
latter found C’. alpina in Teesdale, and that the habitat was
on Cronkley Fells and Not on Falcon Clints as Dr. Rowlands
had been informed. It was therefore a Yorkshire and not a
Durham plant. It is interesting to note that Cronkley Fells
are mostly of limestone formation and therefore more likely
to be the habitat of C. alpina than the basaltic formation of
the Durham side of the river.

F.W.S.

CYSTOPTERIS ALPINA.

Referring to recent discussion in the ‘‘Gazette’’ on the specific
characters and variations of C. alpina, M. Kestner has written
to us, just as we go to press, enclosing some excellent prints
of fronds. One is of specimens collected by him at Les
Cornettes de Bise where he found this species plentiful, in
company with L. rigida, at a height of 2,400 metres not far
from the summit. In that locality he says C. alpina is very
common, filling every crack in the rocks as Asp. Ruta-muraria
will fill the chinks in old walls, the specimens being mostly
very small except for larger ones at the foot of rocks in less
exposed places. On his return from the hunt our corres-
pondent was faced by some difficult and dangerous moun-
taineering, in the course of which the finest specimens collected

|
)topteris Alpina from Les Cornettes de Bise, nearly 2,400 metres. M. Kestner.

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Cystopteris Alpina from above Les Plans, about 1900 metres. M. Kestner.

73

were unfortunately lost. He therefore obtained some prints
from specimens in the Lausanne University herbarium which
he considers fair samples of the fern as found in quantity on
calcareous mountains at a sufficient altitude. Other prints
are of fronds from the mountains above Les Plans, near Bex,
at about 1,900 metres which, M. Kestner points out, are more
slender than those from the higher altitude.

M. Kestner also informs us that out of 100 specimens of
C. alpina in the Lausanne University herbarium only two are
from habitats alleged to be non-calcareous, a doubtful
allegation even in the two cases, as calcareous outcrops are
known to occur here and there in non-calcareous mountains.
C. regia, on the other hand, is described by Christ (“‘ Die
Farnkratiter der Schweiz ’’) as having no preference for any
kind of stone. C. regia is a very indefinite and variable
intermediate between fragilis and alpina, whereas C. alpina
is very definite both in characters and in habitat. We have,
therefore, M. Kestner concludes, every reason to consider
C. alpina as the type and the various C. regia as sub-species
of C. fragilis or low altitude forms of C. alpina.

F.W.S.

CETERACH OFFICINARUM.

The purpose of this article may best be introduced by
two contrasting statements. One, that the London catalogue
(1908) gives 68 as the number of vice-counties in which
Ceterach occurs : this figure making it of at least frequent
character, slightly more common than Polystichum angulare,
definitely more so than Cryptogramme crispa. Two, that in
“ The Ferns of Wales,” published in 1856, Edward Young
remarked “‘a species peculiar for being rarely found in its
native habitats, but on old walls and ruins.”’

What are its “native habitats’’? Perhaps they are
usually taken to be the old walls and ruins, where, as Mr.
Druery wrote, it is “ found sometimes in great profusion.”’

74

My argument is (1) that were it not for such stations,
Ceterach would be a very rare fern, (2) that it is NoT there
because old walls resemble its natural haunts.

(1) Lowe does not even mention localities on rocks and
cliffs, specifically, but says simply “ growing on walls and
ruins’ and “‘ growing wild they are seldom found except on
the south or sunny side of a wall.” Also, that the finest

¢

plants he ever saw were in “a close heavy clayey soil,” in a

northern sunless spot.

Britten (European Ferns) goes rather against this last
remark by saying that the fern should be in “ not too damp
a situation.”’ Shirley Hibberd demanded perfect drainage for
it.

cé

Britten says that it is “found in nearly all southern,
northern and western counties, but is comparatively un-
frequent in the eastern and midland counties. Its home
would seem to be in the west.’? And, unlike Lowe, he tells
us that (in Ireland) it grows on calcareous rocks and walls :
there it is frequently abundant.

Moore (octavo edition) besides a long list of localities that
are obviously wall-stations, names rocks in Yorkshire, cliffs
in the Lake District, granite near Dublin, marble quarries at
Kilkenny, and clay slate in two Irish places. He also records
the limestone cliffs of Dovedale, where, by the way, it has
recently been found again after supposed extinction. He says
of it : ““ grows usually on walls and ruins, less frequently on
calcareous rocks, and rarely epiphytal ”’ ; giving a Hampshire
instance in the latter case.

Smith (Ferns of Derbyshire) calls it ‘‘ a domestic species ”’
and states that it is (in 1877) found in crevices of rocks and
old walls, on limestone soils.

Druery says : “ A lover of the sunny side of ancient walls,
where it revels on old mortar pure and simple.”

75

There are directly conflicting opinions expressed by these
authorities on one point in cultivation, that is, moisture.
One favours much, drainage immaterial, another much,
drainage vital, another practical drought. The question of
soil in this case need not concern us, as it is well known that
the natural soil of a wild plant is often better avoided when
it is transferred to cultivation.

Now, is it really a rare fern? Hooker, in 1835, does not
enumerate localities, but says: “rocks and walls, most
abundant in limestone countries.” He, and Young, twenty
years later, wrote before the vandal’s day. Smith, in another
twenty years, was clearly suffering from the effects of that
devastating period: “‘ Dovedale is already stripped to the
bare rock of its ferns.””’ But even he does not claim that
Ceterach was ever common in Derbyshire’s limestone. So
Hooker’s statement seems to be not more than a comparative
one.

From all this it is fair to deduce that Ceterach owes its
reputation of ubiquity to its choice of an artificial home.
It would be interesting to know how many botanists have
seen it anywhere but on a wall.

(2) Why does it grow there so abundantly ? Here we are
faced with an ecological problem ; one of the points of fern
study suggested by Dr. Rowlands in the last “ Gazette,” as
likely to give us a good deal of work to do.

Well, before going any further, it may be taken reasonably,
as a proof of rarity, that Ceterach is abundant on walls. For
that fact shows that it is not a shy grower : the vandal, with
all his destructive ways, has not extirpated it thence : and
so it can never have grown profusely elsewhere or there would
be far more trace of it than there is.

One hesitates to proceed and to go against the usual
Opinion, expressed in the quotation already made from
Druery’s “ British Ferns.” But is Ceterach on walls because
of the lime they contain ?

16

Remember, it has been found on granite, clay, slate and
marble. And here, where this article is written, where
limestone plants such as A. trichomanes and ruta-muraria are
common in cliffs as well as old walls, no sign of Ceterach on
the latter is to be seen. If it is truly a limestone plant, one
would have expected (a) to find it common in such soil, as
one does with the two Asplenia mentioned, (b) spreading
rampantly on to walls, just as they have done.

Instead, it is most abundant, in its selected home, where
there is not a purely limestone soil.

The conclusion from this seems at least justified, that it
grows where it does, and is plentiful there, because it likes a
mild climate better than any other : can find a small amount
of soil, nature more or less immaterial, in crevices : and is
assured of perfect drainage though also of abundant moisture.
Only these three desiderata are all found together in the south
and west and in Ireland: and that is just where Ceterach
abounds.

EK. A: ELLIOT.

[It is obvious that Ceterach must have grown somewhere before any
walls were built and it is to be presumed that it migrated to these
congenial situations as they came into existence. It grows plentifully
on limestone rocks in the West of Ireland where it is undoubtedly
native. We have never found this fern growing abundantly except in
a limestone district, and the walls inhabited by it have been either
built of limestone or mortared. It is well known that many lime-
loving plants stray into other geological formations, where they live,
at all events, fora time. It is also recognized that Ceterach and other
lime lovers (including even those special habitués of limestone,
Dryopteris (Lastrea) rigida and Polypodium calcareum can be successfully
cultivated, for a time, in soils that contain no appreciable lime.
Ceterach. undoubtedly prefers a mild and moist climate such as that of
the South-West of England and Ireland, but Newman records it as
occurring in three Scottish counties including Perthshire. In 1928
we found it growing sparingly among the melting snow (in June) at
about 6,000 feet in Switzerland. There were no walls here and the
rocks were certainly not limestone, though they, or the soil, may have
contained some calcareous constituent.—Ed.]

77
ON FERNS IN DERBYSHIRE.

There is a dale, between Bakewell and Tideswell, which is
famous as the home of a very rare moss : and in August last
year I spent six hours there one day in search of this species.
The first five were taken up with the attempt to find the
correct habitat, leaving only one hour in which to hunt for
the moss itself, and this proved insufficiently long.

But a good deal else turned up, beginning with a fair
quantity of Geranium sanguineum. The whole dale is of
limestone, and this showy plant was scattered about mostly
ona dry slope. In the then dry bed of a stream below this
slope was a quantity of Hemp Agrimony, which is very
common in Devonshire hedge banks but which I never saw
in Staffordshire during five years. Lower down this stream
is overhung with bushes, and its banks are higher, and damp
in summer ; here Polystichum aculeatum appeared in some
abundance and size: also the only plant seen of Lastrea
dilatata, a large clump. Filix-mas was frequent, but filiz-
femina much less so, all day.

On proceeding up the stream-bed, the banks grew rapidly
lower until they almost vanished. The dale here becomes
more open and down-like, with low rocky hillocks on each
side. In the clefts of these Cystopteris fragilis and Asplenium
trichomanes are innumerable, especially the former, with a
good deal of ruta-muraria. The grassy slopes hereabouts were
lit up with the little yellow Pansy, and provided the second

surprise in the shape of Grass of Parnassus. This is more
abundant further on again, in a small dale branching off the
: main valley.

: On turning back down the other side of the dale some
| Polypodium vulgare was seen, and at the edge of a deep cleft
: (a dangerous place) on a hillside, one or two Hart’s tongues
Were discovered, thin weedy-looking barren specimens.
Just beyond this point a rough limestone scree of rather large
stones was encountered, with what looked on approach like

:
|
|
{

78

extra large Cystopteris. On reaching these they were found
to be Limestone Polypody, with stipes wandering apparently
feet deep and with roots going deeper still. Excavation
seemed likely to be an endless affair, and was abandoned after

considerable quarrying.

A little further on, on a ledge high up a small cliff, a cluster
of Harebells of the usual vivid blue was made noticeable by
containing a pure white varietal-flowered plant. So far no
likely habitat for the moss had occurred, but later on when
it was discovered, several more Hart’s tongues were also
seen. All of them were of the same thin texture in frond and
those low enough to be examined were barren.

In the following October I had to fill up an hour, about
twelve miles south-east of this dale. It was with no little
surprise that I found the soil entirely different, as was proved
by the discovery of several fine Blechnums, bearing fertile
fronds, and a large number of clumps of Lastrea oreopteris.
In this district, too, Lastrea dilatata is common and very
vigorous in growth, but no spinulosa were to be seen : nor

have I yet seen Lastrea pseudo-mas.
K. A. HEE

VARIETAL TYPES OF BRITISH FERNS—continued.
By Mr. CHAS. T. DRUERY, F.L.S., Vee

(Read at the Meeting of the British Pteridological Society, at
Bowness, Windermere, August 3rd, 1903.)

This paper is already long enough, though, knowing as I do
the multiplicity of types and subtypes in existence, I feel
that I have only touched the fringe of the subject, which
another paper of even greater length could not exhaust.
Obviously, however, in view of the wealth of good material,
it behoves the Society in these days to be very strict in the
awards of merit which it contemplates giving to new things.
The keynote has been struck in our Book as regards symmetry

79

and thoroughbredness, if I may use such a word, and all
examples which do not ring in accord with this note should
be gently and courteously put out of court.

On reperusal I find I have omitted to refer to the pul-
cherrimum type as exemplified in Polystichum angulare,
except indirectly with reference to apospory, an omission
which I hasten to rectify, as it is really an important one ;

since despite the unfortunately generally fugitive character

of this form of variation, it is one of the most interesting of
all. In the Polystichums, it appears in the shape of a con-
siderable lengthening of the pinnules, especially the lower
ones, into long slender falcate ones, the apices of which grow
out into prothalli. All the several finds, with the exception
of Moly’s unique variegated one, have a strong tendency to
revert to the normal and unfortunately the plants resulting

from the prothalli are invariably either very depauperate,

or in the single exception known to me relating to Moly’s
variegatum, very much weaker in constitution when true to
type. A. f.f. Clarissima Bolton would appear to be really
the pulcherrimum type of Athyrium, having the same tendency
to revert and produce imperfect offspring. One plant I
raised appeared to be a thoroughbred fixed one, growing to
full size and shewing true character throughout for two
seasons. Eventually, however, it began to throw normal and
partly normal fronds and this year is an absolutely normal
fern. Scol. v. Drummondie undoubtedly is the same type
in that species and produces very mixed progeny, many of
which are typical or improved. I am informed by Dr.
Stansfield that a number of decomposite Polystichums raised
in the Sale Nursery have presented the same aposporous
character when young, but they invariably grow out of it.
Mr. Garnett’s aposporous A. f.f. also yields imperfect weak-
lings from its fringes, at any rate, so far I have failed to
raise a typical plant of any size. Cropper’s fimbriate Lastrea,

?

however, though itself ‘‘ miffy,’’ seems capable of producing

its type exactly without exception. The moral of this

80

addendum is that whenever we find a variety tending to

special slenderness of its ultimate divisions, we may suspect
a tendency also to aposporous reproduction, with which it
is correlated in all cases so far discovered.

I should also refer to the revolvens type of variation,
characterizing as it does wild finds in several species. In
this the normally flat frond is convexly curved so that the
pinnz roll backwards and form the frond into a sort of a
tube. This is correlated with a spiral twist of the terminals
presumably induced by the tendency of the upper surfaces
to keep towards the light. The best form I think is my own
A. f.f. revolvens, in which the pinnz and frond tips curl
ringlet fashion. L. filixmas revolvens is another one with a
slight tendency to reversion and I have found Blechnum
spicant distinctly varied on similar lines. There are also

several revolvens Polystichums.

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ca — PTERIDOLOGICAL SOCIETY

x whe --- Ci

7] iB OcIETY originated, in September 1891, in the Lake District
h heac quarters at Kendal. Its members were, however, distributed
ou rhout Great Britain and Ireland, whilst some few reside i in the
min ns and U.S.A. Its declared objects were :—

The Study of Species and Varieties of British Ferns ;
. ii) i) The Recording of Information with regard to Ferns generally.

TI he “British Fern Gazette was established in September 1909,
1 sblic cation being quarterly until the commencement of the war.
fter the war publication was restricted to two issues per annum
| ace count of the increased cost of printing and the decrease in the
amber of members. It is hoped shortly to resume ) quarterly
a cat ‘AC te

M smbers are invited to communicate with the Hon. Secretary
sul oe of interest with regard to British Ferns,

> _
ne

Certi jificates are awarded to new ferns of distinction of which plants
har steristic fronds are shown at the Annual Meeting for adjudica-
"The Annual Meeting is held usually in August or September,
‘some place where ferns are abundant and from which excursions
> a nm hunting can conveniently be arranged. These excursions

een feature of the Society’s activity.

©.
ag

ha
.

s may be sent to the Hon. Secretary to be identified or named
any time. | |

a ‘Sub- daneiited of the Society undertook the correct
ming ¢ ' the National Collection at Kew and, in conference with
e I Die "3 or and staff, planned and arranged the present fernery,
o»pleme nting the collection with ta of plants from the ferneries
‘some of the members.

The - collection in the Royal Horticultural Society’s Garden at
3 a ey was similarly dealt with and augmented.

t 1e Society is affiliated to the Royal Horticultural Society, which
, val si o- an individual subscriber to its funds.

Th 16 Committee i is endeavouring to increase the membership of the
siety and, through this and by other means, to encourage the more
1eral ‘cultivation of the varieties of British ferns. Any lover of
cult are is eligible for membership and the subscription is 10s.
‘annum (due in advance at or immediately after the Annual Meeting),
1c] h entitles members to copies of The Gazette.

The ] [on. Treasurer or Hon. Secretary will be sade! to supply
smbe ors who may desire it with Bankers’ Orders for the convenient
aymen: of subscriptions. |

r particulars may be obtained from the Hon. Secretary,

F. ws STANSFIELD, M.D., F.LS.,
120, Oxford Road,

Reading,
Berks,

/

HARDY EXOTIC AND BRITISH FERNS.

A =. P fl
¢ oe
i. ; a
sie
‘ at

oan 3 ip pes ite Ra
Nee Reed

saat
eric

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[sy - : ‘
ee ae Bee Phe sabia Diet oat ao
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CORONATION CUP. a

4

Awarded by the Royal Horticultural Society for the most
meritorious exhibit at their great Summer Show. My col-
lection of Hardy Ferns on this occasion was considered one

of the finest groups ever staged at a Horticultural Exhibition,

During the last 5 years we have pe
been awarded 50 Goldand Silver —s_— “
Medals, Diplomas, & Certificates ees
for New and Rare Hardy Ferns. a

Our collection of Hardy Ferns is one of the most complete in existence.

Headquarters for Alpines, Perennials, Liliums,

Water Lilies, Aquatics, New and Rare Shrubs. eg
Catalogues free— 2

PERRY’S HARDY PLANT FARK
ENFIELD, MIDDLESEX. o

EDITED BY

F. W. STANSFIELD, mb. FLS.

(120, OXFORD ROAD, READING.)

= E : BRITISH PTERIDOLOGICAL SOCIETY

t: Mr. W. B. Cranfield, F.R.H.S., F.L.S., East Lodge, Enfield
sx Be Po 2 Chase, Middlesex.

a | Hon. Secretary : Dr. F.W. Stansfield.

be Pre a rer: Mr. J. J. Sheldon, F.L.S., ‘* Monkhams,’ Lower
e ree ~ _ Road, Great Bookham, Surrey.

pe BRAOLEY & SON, LTD., THE CROWN PRESS, CAXTON STREET, READING.

Blechnum spicant bipinnatum, Sheldon.

THE
BRITISH FERN GAZETTE.

NEW SERIES.

— =

Vou. VI. JUNE, 1931. No. 4
CONTENTS.
OvurR FRONTISPIECE .. 7 ny at x ne 8]
Epiroriat NoTes .. Be Ba. a ‘? a a6 82
THe ANNUAL MEETING = a we - - a5 83
_OxpiruaRy—GorTtT: SMITHIES Zs a re “f- he 84
_ Cystopteris alpina, Desvaux (F.W.S.) .. & ft 85
EXPERIMENTS IN THE PROPAGATION FROM SPORES OF iccae
Ferns (F.W.S.) ne ee me te 2 a 86
Our Hossy: WHat or its FutuRE? By Mr. A. J. MacSelf,
Editor of Amateur Gardening . oe , ; 88
FERN SCALES UNDER THE Moen (Revd. E. A. Elliot,
M.A., Vicar of Longstone, Derbyshire) és ie sta 91

OUR FRONTISPIECE.
Blechnum spicant bipinnatum, Sheldon.

The figure is from a photograph, taken in 1930, of a plant
in the collection of Mr. T. E. Henwood and raised by Mr.
Sheldon from the B. s. serratum found by Mr. C. Henwood
at Chenies, Bucks, in 1916 (GazrertTs, Vol. IV., p. 6). The
original plant (i.e., the parent of this) is very similar to
B. 8. serratum, Airey No. 2, but the seedling shows the same
characters in a more pronounced form, being more thoroughly
bipinnate and also more constantly characteristic than the
parent. It is probable that tripinnate forms may be raised
from this source as in the case of Airey’s plant, e.g., serratum,
Airey No. 1, which Mr. Druery ventured to call plumosum
and figured under that name in his “ British Ferns and their
varieties.’”’ Mr. Smithies raised, from Airey’s No. 2, a form
very similar to Mr. Sheldon’s bipinnatum.

82
EDITORIAL NOTES.

Our present issue contains notes of a somewhat elaborate |

series of observations made upon the scales of some of the
British species of Dryopteris (section Lastrea) by our member,
the Rev. E. A. Elliot of Longstone. They are important and
valuable inasmuch. as the scales of ferns often present
distinctive features by which the species may be recognised
when many of the principal parts of the fronds are absent or
undeveloped (c.f. “‘ Lastrea dilatata and its allies,’ GAZETTE,
Vol. IIT., p. 104, etc.). The-series does not include L. thelypteris
but probably this distinct species will be worked up-in a
later communication. Also we may be able to trace out the
connection of the Lastreas proper, through montana, with
the subgenus Phegopteris, the species of which are included,
with Lastrea, in the genus Dryopteris by modern botanists.

A recent important accession to the ranks of the Society is
Dr. F. E. Weiss, F.R.S., Emeritus Professor of Botany in the
Victoria University, Manchester. The Professor is anxious to
obtain, if possible, a complete set of the British FERN
GAZETTE for which he is willing to pay. Unfortunately we
are only able to supply him with an incomplete set, Nos. 2,
5 and 7 of Vol. I., Nos. 13, 19, 21, 23 and 24 of Vol. If.) ame
Nos. 4 and 6 of Vol. V. being out of print, while of several
others only one or two copies remain. Any members who
may have copies of the missing numbers to spare will oblige
the Editor by sending them to him and he will pay for them
one shilling per number plus cost -of postage. Professor
Weiss was recently elected President of the Linnean Society
of London. Another new member of our Society is Mr.
A. H. G. Alston, B.A., F.L.8., Assistant Keeper of the Dept.
of Botany, British Museum of Natural History, Cromwell
Road, London, 8.W.7, who also desires a complete set of the
GAZETTE for the use of the Museum. The complete
series has been supplied to the literary department of the
British Museum, in accordance with the law of copyright,
but the Natural History Museum is a separate building and

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83

entity from the Bloomsbury one. Mr. Alston also wishes
to obtain for the Museum a series of dried specimens (i.e.,
fronds) of all the species and the more important varieties of
British ferns. As it is very important to the cult that a
standard and representative set of specimens should be
available for reference it is hoped that many members will
be willing to assist in presenting a series to a national museum.
The question will be discussed at length at the coming meeting
of the Society and the Editor will be glad to hear from any
members who are able and willing to contribute to the
series.

Our esteemed Hon. Treasurer, Mr. J. J. Sheldon, has been
elected a Fellow of the Linnean Society, an honour upon
which we congratulate him.

THE ANNUAL MEETING.

The Annual Meeting of the Society will, this year, be held
at 10 a.m. on August 27th, at the Prince of Wales Hotel,
Lord Street, Southport, which will be the headquarters of the
Society while the members are in the town. The manager
of the hotel is Mr. H. Gascoigne. It is anticipated that many
members will wish to visit the Southport Show and they
will thus be enabled to “ kill two birds with one stone.” It
is also hoped that fern-lovers who are non-members may be
attracted to the meeting and may be led to join the ranks
of the Society. The Southport Show is one of the most
important horticultural events of the year and, in itself, will
more than repay a visit from lovers of flowers, ferns and

fruits of all kinds. As the country around Southport is not

rich in wild ferns it is proposed, and arranged, that those
members and friends who can spare the time shall afterwards
move on to the Trough of Bowland, in the adjoining county
of York, where ferns are abundant and where good hunting
may reasonably be expected. The headquarters of the
party will be the Whitewell Hotel (Proprietor, Mr. George
Miller), situated on the banks of the river Hodder, a tributary

84

of the Ribble, 9 miles from the railway stations of Clitheroe
and Longridge and 18 miles from Preston and Lancaster.
Visitors both to Southport and Whitewell are advised to
secure accommodation in advance as otherwise this may not

be available.

—— .

OBITUARY.

GOTT.

We have to record the death of another veteran fern-
grower in the person of Mr. John Gott of Kendal who died
on April 19th at the patriarchal age of 96 years. He was
one of the founders of the Society, for many years a
very active and energetic member, and his tall and erect
figure was generally in evidence at the meetings and excursions
in the north. He was the finder of several varieties, including
a foliose and congested form of Lastrea montana (L. m.
crispatissima) and a dentate form of Asplenium trichomanes,
The WESTMORLAND GazETTE of April 25th relates that he
occupied the same business premises for seventy years from
1859, attending regularly to business all the time, until
1929 when he retired into private life. It is stated that he
maintained that the secret of his vigorous health and long
life was the regular out-door exercise which he obtained in
the pursuit of his hobby of fern-hunting. Mr. Gott was not
alone among fern-hunters in the attainment of a ripe old
age, the late Mrs. Frisell and Messrs. W. H. Phillips, George
Whitwell and Joseph Wiper being other conspicuous examples
of longevity. There are still several octogenarians among
the members of the Society who are still active and enthusiastic.
‘Long may they wave.’ Absit omen.

SMITHIES.
Just before going to press we receive information of the
death on June 8th of another veteran member of the Society,
an octogenarian, a Vice-President, and a Past President, viz.,

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Mr. James John Smithies of Kendal. Mr. Smithies joined
the Society immediately after it was formed ; he was then
living in the neighbourhood of Manchester. He was a most
active member almost up to the time of his death, and many
of the members had the pleasure of meeting him at the time
of the last Annual Meeting. He was the finder of several
good varieties, including two quite distinct forms of Lastrea
montana grandiceps, the only ones ever found. He also
found in Ireland a plant of Aspleniwm trichomanes confluens
which, though differing slightly from the original Lake
District form, shares with it the same biological and most of
the same morphological characters. He was a man of sterling
character, strict integrity, and great generosity—altogether a
most likeable man. Almost his last words to the present
writer last September were “‘ You are my oldest friend.” He
retained his faculties, with the exception of an impaired
memory for recent events, up to quite recently. A few
months ago he underwent a somewhat severe surgical opera-
tion from which he recovered, but was never quite the same
afterwards. He is survived by his widow and a comparatively
young son and daughter, to all of whom we offer our most
sincere sympathy.

CYSTOPTERIS ALPINA, DESVAUX.

We present herewith a figure of the forma dissecta of C.
alpina taken from a recent photograph of the original plant
sent to the Editer by Dr. Rowlands and collected by Mr.
T. E. Waltham above Geneva in 1926. It will be seen
that it retains, unimpaired; its finely dissected character
after five years of cultivation in the lowlands. It also
retains, without change, the botanical characters of alpina
some of which (notably the venation) are only perceptible on
close examination of the actual plant and cannot be seen
in a reproduction, and only with difficulty in an actual
photograph. This is the plant which the writer was

“brought up ”’ to call “the true alpina.” There are, how-

eyer, other forms which are botanically true alpina, but

86

which have not the finely dissected character of this plant.
The forma obtusa collected by M. Kestner in 1928 and sent
here in the following winter has also preserved its character
under cultivation without appreciable alteration. A plant
of alpina collected by M. Kestner at 6,900 feet in 1930 is
almost as finely cut as dissecta, but is more dense in frondage
and more compact in habit. It also retains all the charac-
teristics of true alpina.

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_ EXPERIMENTS IN THE PROPAGATION FROM
SPORES OF HYBRID FERNS.

Difficult breeders as hybrids are generally admitted to be,
both in the animal and vegetable kingdoms, they are by no
means universally sterile as is well known by raisers of
roses, daffodils, orchids, Irises, Primulas, etc., as well as by
breeders of dogs. The same thing is true with regard to
ferns although attempts at raising from the spores of hybrid
ferns have not been frequently successful. The late Mr.

K. J. Lowe made a great number of sowings from Dryopteris

(Lastrea) remota, A. Braun (generally believed to be a hybrid

between D. filix-mas and D. spinulosa), but in every case
without success. Nevertheless it is practically certain that
spores of this fern once produced seedlings which came up,
self-sown, upon the soil in the pot in which remota was growing.
This was in the Todmorden nursery of the present writer’s
grandfather some sixty or more years ago. Although only
a boy at the time I remember the circumstances vividly and
I still have some of the plants in question. Only some six
or seven plants came up, but these were all alike, and, though
they differed slightly from the parent (being smaller in
stature and with a slight tendency to depauperation) they
bore more resemblance to it than to anything else and
certainly could not be referred to any other species. I

have myself made only two attempts to raise offspring from

remota—the first time four or five years ago when a very
sparse crop of prothallia appeared all of which turned out to

;

be strays of other species, mostly D. alpina fastigiata. The
second sowing was made in 1929 and again a very small crop
- @ame up, most of which were removed seriatim as soon as
recognisable since they were all a well-known form of filix-
mas. One plant, however, remains which resembles remota and

may be that fern but is not yet sufficiently developed to be
_eertainly determined.

87

Dryopteris uliginosa is believed, with good reason, to be a
hybrid (D. cristata x D. spinulosa), and I made a sowing of
it early in 1930. A very small crop of eight or nine plants

resulted, all weakly deformed things, and they are still too
| many to be recognised with any certainty. JD. cristata, the
| nearest ally of uliginosa, was sown at the same time as the
latter and came up like mustard—a very profuse crop in
-Imarked contrast with the sowing of wliginosa. Again
| Asplenium lanceolatum microdon was sown twice a few
years ago and the result was in one case nothing, while in
) the other a very small crop of puny abortions was produced,
_ none of which lived to adult life but the strongest of which
looked like Scolopendriums of abnormal but indeterminate
character. This feebleness of constitution and irregularity of
outline seems to be characteristic of the offspring of hybrid
: ferns as it occurred in the seedlings from remota previously
mentioned and also in a single seedling which I raised some
years ago from spores of Aspleniwm trichomanes confluens.
Also a hybrid Ceterach x Phyllitis Scolopendrium (E. J. Lowe)
died after making a few fronds ldinches long. Isaw the corpse
soon aiter it gave up the ghost. Asplenium Germanicum is
another fern which is accused of a hybrid origin, the late
Mr. G. B. Wollaston including it without hesitation in his
list of “ natural hybrids” (vide Gazerrn, Vol. V., p. 130),
while others hold it to be a distinct species. In the same
list Mr. Wollaston mentions Aspleniwm trichomanes confluens
which he there describes as A. trichomanes x A. Adiantum-
nigrum. I believe however that he afterwards modified this
view and agreed with E. J. Lowe who considered it to be

88

trichomanes X marinum. Of course both views may be wrong
and there is some evidence, not however quite conclusive,
that the real parentage of this fern is A. trichomanes x Phyllitis
Scolopendrium (GazETTE, Vol. V., p. 215). In February,
1930, I sowed spores of Asp. Germanicwm from a long-

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cultivated British specimen. A very thin and discrete crop —

of prothallia appeared and in the autumn of the same year

two of them produced fronds and the plants now seem to be ©

Germanicum though they are still small and feeble-looking.
In December, 1930, another sowing was made from a wild
plant of Germanicum kindly sent to me from Switzerland by
M. Kestner. Since the spores from wild plants are generally
more vigorous than those from cultivated specimens I was
more hopeful of this sowing than of the former one. So far
it has only produced a couple of very small prothallia, but it
is still possible that others may appear later. As, however,
the spores of other ferns, sown at the same time, have
germinated normally the prospect of a crop of Germanicum
seems rather remote, and the evidence, so far, seems rather
to support, by implication, the theory of its hybrid origin.
Further sowings will be made as soon as fresh spores are
available. I am not aware that this “species”? has been
previously raised under cultivation although most of the
other Alpine ferns have been so raised and I have myself
raised, at various times, good crops of A. septentrionale,
A. fontanum, Woodsia alpina, W. ilvensis, Cystopteris alpina,
and Polystichum lonchitis.
F.W.S.

OUR HOBBY.
WHAT OF ITS FUTURE ?
By A. J. Macser, Editor of Amateur Gardening. .
If it is true—and surely few indeed would dispute it—

that horticulture in all its phases is nourished upon un-_

selfish principles, we, whose particular hobby is the study
and cultivation of British ferns, may, without displaying

soslasdiiiandiiteeeaneenteaeemean

|

89

unseemly egotism, claim credit for nourishing our hobby in
4 measure. It is characteristic of the pteridologist that
he delights in welcoming all and sundry to view his collection
of ferns, and great is his joy when he is able to take an off-
set from his most unique rarity to augment a friend’s
collection. It has, indeed, been frequently remarked that the
chief reason hardy ferns are difficult to find in the average
nursery is that they are not a profitable proposition simply
because those who want ferns have gifts in plenty showered
upon them by comrades of the cult.

Had the purpose of this article been to debate that conten-
‘tion no difficulty would be experienced in confronting our
‘commercial friends with stubborn points of argument, but
other thoughts have prompted this application of pen to
paper ; thoughts concerning the future of our hobby, and
which have a direct appeal to the characteristic unselfishness
of the fraternity already alluded to in the opening paragraph.

Meditating for a moment upon the past, some of us are
old enough to remember a period when good collections of
hardy ferns were plentifully distributed through the gardens
of the British Isles, and when the British Pteridological
Society flourished with a membership strong in numbers as
well as enthusiasm. It is common knowledge that since
those days the cult of British ferns suffered a partial eclipse,
collections were lost, connoisseurs slipped away, memberships
of the Society lapsed, and other phases of horticulture
‘progressed with rapid strides while pteridology languished.

To-day, once more, we may rejoice in the unmistakable
evidence of a revival of interest in British ferns. New
‘collections are being formed, information is sought with
eager liveliness, membership of the Society is on the increase,
and, altogether, prospects may be described as rosy. Never-
theless, it is not for us who witness and delight in this new
found activity to sit back with complacent self-satisfaction.
_ There is still, and, perhaps, to-day a greater call than ever
upon the exercise of the unselfishness of which we boast.

x‘

&

90

The safety and welfare of the future of our hobby as well as —

its present rests very largely in the hands of this generation.
It needs a greater and nobler unselfishness to work for those
who are to follow us than for old acquaintances and close
friends. We owe it, however, to posterity and to the ferns
which are the object of our affections to do all that lies in our

power to safeguard the future of the cult and of the Society —

which fosters its development and progress.

A very significant fact that cannot be ignored is that most
of the best collections of ferns are owned by men of advanced
age, and it is the veterans who not only possess the plants
but also the knowledge of pteridology. However melancholy
reference to the matter may be it is futile to ignore the fact
that the time approaches when first one and then another
will foresake the care of their ferns and take beyond human
reach their store of knowledge.

Every prudent individual discharges as a duty the task
of preparing instructions for disposal of possessions of an
accepted market value, and every pteridologist should make
such provision as will ensure the preservation and future
safety of his ferns which may otherwise, for lack of such
provision, be left to fade away or be subjected to wanton
destruction by unappreciative hands. Horticulture in its
various branches has suffered many such misfortunes in the
past. How often have ferns of unique character and superb
quality vanished from cultivation which might have passed
by instruction to other collections or to public establishments
where they would have been available for inspection and
propagation ¢

In regard to acquired knowledge it behoves every one,
ereat and small, to make effort whilst he has the faculties
for disbursing from his store.

Many of the members of this Society could tell something

which would be helpful to inexperienced beginners in the study —

and cultivation of ferns, yet, though we have THE FERN
GAZETTE published at recurring intervals it is time after

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91
time left far too much to our indefatiguable but over-worked
Secretary-Editor to fill its pages. Those who know something
—anything—however much they may cherish a bit of secret
knowledge that may help others to grow better ferns, should
get the information into print. Once published it will be a
legacy to posterity.

The recent revival of interest in our hobby owes not a
little to the introduction of the Hardy Fern Classes at
Southport Show. It should be considered a moral obligation
by all who profess to be enthusiasts to support that Show
with some exhibits. No better means exist of bringing the
beauties and claims to attention of British ferns before the
notice of the rising generation, and it is young recruits we
want, and must have, to fill the ranks of connoisseurs as
time takes toll of the veterans.

Those who have influence with organizers of other shows
should use that influence to secure the introduction of classes
for hardy ferns. By these means may we safeguard the
future of our hobby.

FERN SCALES UNDER THE MICROSCOPE.

Having acquired, at much the same time, a microscope
and a special interest in the differences between Lastreas
dilatata, spinulosa and emula, investigation of their scales
was begun. The result was so interesting that further
species were tackled, and all the writer’s fern-growing friends
were pestered with begging letters for fronds. At the same
time wild plants were brought under contribution as much

as possible ; this appeared essential and of first importance,

as a Lastrea spinulosa from my own fernery showed scale
features not seen in any other plant of this species. However,
on the whole, garden and wild plants do not differ ; of course,
no two individuals, whatever their origin, are exactly alike.

The results obtained are offered as a possible, slight, and
secondary help in fern identification. Plants of some age

92

have been in all cases utilized, which in one way makes the ~
results less useful than if young specimens, not easily recog-

nizable, had been examined.

Two microscopic powers were used, one a 34 inch and one
a 4 inch objective. The former is quite enough to show
most if not all distinctive points, magnified to 120 diameters.
No measurements have been attempted, but the following
account is as accurate and detailed as possible.

LASTREA DILATATA.

In old well-established plants the scales are often very ‘
large, especially at the base of the stipes, and of crisp texture. —
The shape varies, being either oval with a blunt point; —
broad, narrowing towards a long apex; or narrow with a ‘
very long and thin apex.

The base, at point of junction with stipes, is usually cor- —
date, i.e., hollowed in a heart-shaped way. This is only —
seen when specimens are carefully detached. The distinctive
brown stripe consists of a number of veins filled with dark
brown colouring matter ; these appear to be stouter than the —
uncoloured, but when magnified 720 times it will be found
that two, three or even four closely crowded have been
simulating a single thick vein. Dark veins thicker than the ~
uncoloured do however occur.

They all spring from a red-brown opaque mass which lies
in the scale tissue at the centre of the basal curve, and run
in a very straight, rigid way upwards. The density of
colour varies considerably, in some cases being almost yellow
or light brown, in others so dark that the veins almost seem i
to stand up from the surface. The band formed by them
is usually noticeably wide.

At their junction with each other (this is referred to more —
fully below) the thickening which ensues is darker than the .
prevailing vein-hue ; and the band (stripe) is of fairly uniform |
width until the point is reached at which the whole scale —
narrows. From there upwards only a few dark veins continue i

a5 ie tae

93

to near the apical point. The colourless veins behave
distinctively, forming a margin throughout the scale from
base to apex. At the base they run outwards and upwards,
but at the extreme margin of the scale cease to ascend.
Instead, they bend in what can best be described as a series
of “ swirls,’ and look not unlike fingerprints. These
“ swirls ’’ or series of curves are fairly regular, occurring here
and there marginally higher up but to a less degree.

As the scale narrows the colourless veins become very
few, but continue to the apex, which is frequently of quite
transparent tissue.

In general, the veins give (whether coloured or not) a
rigid, stiff impression. In all scales they form a network ;
but with L. dilatata the meshes are long, and narrow, as
each vein runs for some distance before joining another.

6é

The point of junction is fairly acute, so that the “ meshes ”
are more or less diamond shaped ; narrow, because the veins

are close together.

The actual edge of the scale has a few projections of tissue,
or fringes, generally comparatively wide and short, narrowing
to a bluntish point ; colourless, with at most two or three
weak veins. These fringes are mostly near the base.

There are also a few glands to be seen, very small trans-
parent bodies protruding from the edge; club-shaped, or
shortly stalked with globular heads, or sessile. They occur
mostly near the base, and when magnified 720 times are
seen to contain dark close-set granules. Some trace of
glands or similar bodies was suspected on the scale surface
in certain instances, possibly connected in some way with
the dark veins. This is, however, doubtful, as a set of scales
(obtained from shade in a Staffordshire garden) had extremely
strong dark veins but practically no glands at all.

It has been noticed that the narrow form of scale is
frequently more glandular than the broad type, and that a
gland or two may be found near the apex.

94

In L. dilatata and spinulosa occasional note was made of
clusters of extremely small bodies, varying in number from

- two to six or eight, on the scale surface: circular or oval, —

colourless. These were not water-drops, or spores ; being
very occasional they are not distinctive.

LASTREA SPINULOSA.

We are accustomed to think that the scales of this are —
without a stripe, but close examination shows that there is —

a faint band of darker veins. These, however, are less

pronounced at the base and more numerous towards the —

apex, than in L. dilatata, and at most pale brown. The —
whole of the narrow point at times is filled with them, so —

much so that this is almost a distinct feature.

The stripe usually is widest at about the middle of the ©

scale, and its veins are not so much thicker than the un-
colovred, differing in this from L. dilatata. The veins in

general are thinner, close together, and, although about as |

long as in L. dilatata, do not form quite such acute angles at

their junction ; the “‘ meshes ”’ are slightly rounded or curved ~

at the ends, and the thickening there is less pronounced.
The colourless veins vary much in behaviour. Some scales
from a wood near Doncaster showed hardly any trace of
‘“ swirls,’ but the veins on each side of the stripe at base
bent out in a radiate fashion, and above that ascended in
more or less direct lines. Others from different localities

39

showed “swirls”? of an extreme nature, very irregular and

maze-like, contorted in every direction.

It is thought that this formation in general has a direct
connection with the type of hollowing of the base. When
this is cordate, both in L. dilatata and L. spinulosa, the
‘swirls’? seem more pronounced than when the base is
merely excavate ; but in any case they are nearly always

more frequent and definite in the latter and the basal veins _

of this have a “sagging”’ look quite unlike ZL. dilatata’s
rigidity.

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95

Compared with L. dilatata, the projections at the edge
of the scale are more numerous, longer, and narrower, and
more irregular in outline. They are mostly confined to
the base, but now and then one occurs near the apex.

The glands vary ; usually there are more than in L. dilatata ;
a scale will be found on which nearly all are sessile, while in
another case many will have a stalk markedly longer than
those of L. dilatata.

They are also found (in small numbers) more often near
the apex than in that species. At 720 diameters the granules
in them are seen to be pale brown and less compact.
The scale is usually smaller, often much smaller, and with
a narrower point which at times is hair-like.

The base may be cordately hollowed but is often only

just curved. After comparing these two ferns one gets an

impression that the scale-characters of L. spinulosa are laxer,
less robust and less definite. There is a sense of weakness
and disorder, harmonizing with the plant, which to me
always seems uncertain of itself—unlike its swarthy full-
blooded relative.

LASTREA MMULA.

Examination in this case was restricted, as there was not
so large a supply of scales available, but very distinctive
results were obtained.

_ No trace of a coloured stripe was found, though if anything
the veins were paler towards the base of the scales. The
_veins are thin, and set wide apart, and short; so that the
“meshes’”’ of the network are about half as long only as
those of L. spinulosa or L. dilatata. There is at times an
approach to a rectangle or oval in shape, as the veins tend
to turn in towards each other when joining ; and “ swirls ”’
are noticeably absent. An extremely thin line, perhaps a
vein, is often to be seen running diagonally across a “‘ mesh,”
or beside and parallel with a vein from junction to junction.

96

Being colourless, the course of veins in the apex can be
clearly followed. One or two run up some way towards
the point and from them very short lateral veins project
towards the margin, the general effect producing a resem-

blance to vertebree.

Fringe-projections are not numerous, but long, and consist
of short jointed lengths of tissue ; in this apparently differing
from the two previous species which seem to have homogeneous
fringes. Often, if not always, several such joints towards the
fringe-apex are veinless.

As might be expected in the Hay-scented Fern, the glands
are numerous. They are either stalked or sessile, the largest
being bigger than in L. dilatata or L. spinulosa ; a few are
to be seen on the scale surface and along its edge there is a
fairly close row from base to apex. Even the fringes bear
several. Chlorophyllose instances occur; in fact, when
sufficiently magnified probably all will be found to conta
chlorophyllose granules. The fringes are found, by the way,
not only on the lower part of the scale but throughout its
length.

A number of the minute round bodies seen in the two previous
ferns were specially noticed in L. emula. Near the base of
the scale they were colourless and scattered, usually along
the sides of veins. ‘Towards the apex they were chlorophyllose

cé

and in groups, mostly at one or both ends of a “ mesh”

where veins united.

The scales are usually deltoid at base, narrowing upwards
into long isosceles shape ; the edge is almost smooth with a
slightly sinuous outline but without swellings such as are to
be seen in this fern’s relatives ; these swellings in the latter

are quite distinct from fringes and usually contain “ swirls ”’

and are perhaps due to that vein formation.

During the inspection of the first two Lastreas a note was
made of certain hair-like strands running more or less trans-
versely across the surface of scales, but it was only when a
magnification of some 720 diameters was employed that

Ue

97

closer attention seemed worth while, and the result of this
led to special care being taken in all subsequent cases. The
true nature of these strands must be left to others to explain,
but there appears to be a distinctness of character about
them in each species when present, and a note is therefore
added here.

In L. dilatata these “‘ hair-veins ” are few, mostly found at
or near the base of the scale, long and not much branched and
of a rather rigid, straight, firm appearance ; here and there
minute swellings on them may be seen, but on the whole
they can be described as smooth ; and they share the dark
colour associated with dilatata scale veins, though naturally,
being extremely thin, this colour is not very deep.

Those of L. spinulosa are equally long or longer but hardly
coloured ; the branching is much more frequent and occasionally
a tiny projection or two is to be seen as if a branch had been
thought of and given up. There is a good deal of twisting
to be observed, something after the fashion of a piece of
string cut haphazard off a parcel and thrown anyhow on the
floor : and the edges of these strands bulge with minute pea-
like swellings more than in L. dilatata. Also they are found
quite as much at the middie of the scale as at the base. If
they occur in L. emula they are exceedingly thin, quite trans-
lucent, very few, and hardly visible.

Those in L. spinulosa show no trace of origin, i.e., they
appear to lie across the veins proper loosely and unattached.
After very careful looking in L. dilatata one or two ends were
discovered at their apparent source, which seems to be at
the side of a vein, or in the granules collected at a vein-
junction.

There is a solitary specimen in my fernery of L. dilatata
cristata, and this was next selected. It is a depauperate fern,
the fronds consisting mostly of tufts on a bare rachis ; and it
was not surpsising to find that the scales were in some ways
abnormal, though the veining was of true dilatata type and
calls for no comment. But, scattered freely throughout the

98

scale margin, glands were seen in small numbers, equally
scattered and in abundance long narrow fringe-projections
appeared, quite unlike the dzlatata style.

My one lepidota plant was next called upon, very suitably,
as owing its name to its scaliness, and it responded admirably ;
its veins are about as thick as in L. spinulosa but neither weak
as in that nor stiff as in L. dilatata : rather they are firm
but gently sinuous in a long slow curve, close together but not
in any way confused, each being clearly separated from the
next. They form ‘“ meshes” of a long narrowly elliptical
shape or nearly rectangular. Granular conglomerations on
the surface (to use long words for very small matter) rather
than glands appeared : there was practically no trace of

?

fringe : and a few “ hair-veins’”’ of the spinulosa type were

seen near the base, which was generally excavate.

‘“ Swirls ’ were almost non-existent, and a few only of the
minute bodies (in this case pale) noted in other previous
cases but more quadrangular than round were found lying
between veins at the base.

LASTREA REMOTA.

Then came an inspection eagerly awaited, that of L. remota,
fronds of which were very kindly supplied by Dr. F. W.
Stansfield, to whom I am indebted for much of my material
as well as for the original interest in Lastrea differences.

The scale veins are much like those of L. spinulosa in
thickness, strength, distance apart and “ mesh ”’ formation,
but at this point all close resemblance of the scales ends,
and so far as scales are concerned no relationship with L.
spinulosa—or with L. filix-mas—could be detected, other
than that of a generic type.

9

There are no real “swirls”’ though there are swellings
at the margin, chiefly towards the middle of the scale, in
which the veins are bent outwards and round in strong
curves ; and there are no fringe-projections, nor could any

glands be seen, nor any definite stripe, but here and there

99

veins were coloured pale brown : all veins are rather straighter
and stronger than L. spinulosa and the base is either cordate
or excavate. Clusters of the minute bodies already referred
to occurred, closely packed or in lines one after another, not

ce

oval or round but “cottage-loaf’’ shaped and of a pale

biscuit hue : and though a most careful search was made for

b]

“hair-veins ’ none were found, their place being taken by
the minutest wrinkle-like veinings mostly found springing
from granular masses at vein junctions. The scales are

long, of narrow isosceles shape.

My own collection includes a Lastrea remota, examination
of which produced results so closely similar that they need
not be set out. When viewed with a magnification showing
a large area of scale it was noteworthy that the surface is
thickly spotted, a pale brown colour, as though stained with
iron mould, this being due to the brown granules at the vein
junctions while the veins are mostly colourless.

Dr. Stansfield sent fronds of L. dilatata Boydii for experi-
ment since this plant had been suspected of hybridity, and,

' though certainly not conclusive, the points it had to show do

suggest closer connections than anything found in L. remota :
at the same time this very attractive fern has quite definite
scale characters of its own.

In-the GazEeTTE for September, 1916, Dr. Stansfield
described it and said that the dark stripe ends about half-way
up the scale, and so this point came in for attention first,
when the veins concerned were found to be of two distinct
kinds ; there are a number of them coloured rather pale
brown (slightly darker than in L. spinulosa) reaching about
half-way up the scale with a wide margin each side un-
coloured, and there are also a number congregated at, or not
far above, the base which are a very dark red, short, very
rigid and rod or narrow spindle shaped. Sometimes there
are only two or three on a scale, more often a number of
which some will be wide apart from each other and some will
be clustered in bundles side by side. The other veins, whether

100

plain or coloured, are set well apart, and are thin, strong,
straight and long, with the point of junction frequently

¢

forming a very distinct U or 9, at each end of the “ mesh.”
There are minute “‘ wrinkle-veins ”’ as in L. remota and similar
tiny ‘‘ cottage-loaf ” bodies rather smaller than in that fern :
and the scale surface is spotted in the same way but to a
less degree, the scale base being usually cordate, and the
apex long with a long narrow point. The scales generally
cluster thickly at the base of the stipes and are thinly
scattered higher up so that the stipes appear shaggy
below and bare above. No glands or ‘‘ swirls” were
found, and the fringe-projections were reduced to numerous
small protuberances of a very uniform size, most if not all
containing the end of a vein which makes a short outward
bend and stops abruptly. The general effect of this was
curiously “‘ machine-made.”’

Now comes
LASTREA FILIX-MAS.

As a whole the veining is not unlike that of L. spinulosa,
but in detail there are noticeable differences, the veins of
L. filix-mas being rather thicker but pale and with much the
same weak look ; rather further apart especially down the
scale centre. A few “swirls” occur here and there along
the margin, mostly slight but sometimes very strong especially
when at the base, which is usually excavate ; but the most
marked feature of the veining is the “‘mesh’”’ shape, which
is irregular owing to the point of junction at one end being
frequently acutely angular while at the other end it will be
curved or quite rectangular. At the junctions the brown
granular matter is very loose-set, and occasional clusters of
minute quadrangular-rounded bodies of a duller green than
in previous Lastreas are to be found, smaller also in size.
For some time no specially marked feature (other than the

‘“mesh ”’) could be found in the veins until an instance—the —
first of a very few—occurred in which the same type of short

rigid veins that is so distinct in dilatata Boydii was found.

a a a

101

_ The colouring was far paler but the shape and thickness and
_ position (near the base) and length were closely similar, but

as already mentioned the occurrences were rare. The fringes
on the contrary were numerous, at the base long narrow and
ragged in outline and further up the margin, even at the
apex, standing out boldly and stiffly, of a broader kind than
lower down. Some are divided at the tip into two, three or
four points, while others are undivided but with a curve at
the tip almost hook-like.

Glands seem to be absent, and in looking for them it is
important to get the scale quite flat, otherwise what appear
to be marginal glands will only be resolved into fringe points
when brought into focus : scales of L. filix-mas have a tendency
to curl, a trick shared still more strongly by L. dilatata Boydiv.

One often finds fronds of L. filix-mas which are normal in
outline except at the tip where a division into two frequently
oceurs, and it is curious that this habit extends to the
scales, instances being not uncommon in which their apex is

split. At first a tear in the tissue was suspected but the

smooth and perfect condition of both points thus formed
showed that this idea was wrong. It has already been said
that the scales do not help to show that L. filix-mas is a
parent of L. remota, unless a hybrid may be expected to
lack its parents’ most definite features.

LASTREA PSHUDO-MAS.

This fern and the next species are more difficult to describe
than the foregoing in spite of pronounced differences ; this is
partly due to a certain amount of variability in the scales of

r pseudo-mas, partly to a negative character, i.e., the absence

of points, partly to a sort of indefiniteness and “‘ flabbiness ”
that needs to be seen to be properly appreciated.

The golden brown colour of the scales is well-known in this
ease, and the shape can easily be discovered as long, narrow,
base almost straight across, apex very long and narrow.
The veins are very crowded, either uniform in thickness and,

102

if so, thinner than in L. filix-mas ; or else as thick, at centre,

as in that species and then much thinner at margin : fairly —

long as a rule but somewhat variable in this, and weaker,

“flabbier,’ than in any previous species, forming narrow

cé

irregular “‘ meshes.”’

23

At the margin near the base a few “ swirls” occur ; there

is very little fringe and what projections there are, are short,

a very few of them being similar to the little knobs seen on —

L. dilatata Boydiw : and throughout the scale the veins tend
to be coloured a very pale yellowish tint except when they
are very thin near the margin. The colour is stronger in the
tissue near the vein junctions and there, too, small darker
spots often occur ; and the veins are darker through the apex
and continue to the point of this without forming “ meshes,”

running side by side.

No glands or “hair-veins’’ were found but the small
wrinkles seen in L. remota and L. dilatata Boydii were noted,

also occasional short white veinlets across ‘‘ meshes” or

springing from junction points.

Smaller specimens of scales show some variation in being
fringed almost to apex with protuberances, these being
sometimes almost “‘ Boydian ”’ in form ; or short, narrow and
hooked at the end ; or similar to the forked or trident-shaped
type of L. filix-mas but with a wider and shorter base—
almost as wide as long. It is perhaps worth noting that a
specimen of scale perfect at base will be found to have the
veins there darker than elsewhere.

LASTRHA PSHUDO-MAS VAR. PINDERIL.,

As I had one plant of this it was pressed into service, and
showed veins more uniform in thickness than in the type,
without “ swirls,” straighter, and less coloured. Otherwise it
presented every scale feature typical of well-developed
specimens of L. pseudo-mas.

E

.
|
/ -
|

Se —
=

103
LASTREA PROPINQUA.

My own specimen again furnished material ; this plant (like
many others in my collection) came from Sale. The veins
are thin, close together at the base, wider apart above and
crowded again at the apex, forming “‘ meshes” of varying
width and (as usual in the filix-mas group) irregular in
junction, i.e., one end is angular and the other rounded, this
being a pronounced feature in this species.

The veins are rather long and bent from side to side in a

“manner not easy to describe but very noticeable when seen :

the bend is not between one junction-point and another but is
best seen if a fairly large section of “‘ meshing ”’ is observed,
when a long curve will be apparent in one direction for an
appreciable distance and then proceeding upwards in the
other direction. Occasionally the veining is wide apart and
straight throughout the scale. There is a large quantity of
light brown very loose-set granules, with some trace of trans-
parent granular matter in the few glands; the projections
(fringe) are short, blunt or pointed, found all along the
margin ; the apex is thick and short with an acute point,
and the base is hardly excavate, with yellow-brown colouring.

L. PROPINQUA VAR. ABBREVIATA.

Material in this case was very kindly supplied by Dr.
S$. P. Rowlands. The scales show a marked resemblance to
type with equally marked special points ; the veins have a
tendency to lie as far apart from the base as they do at the
centre of L. propinqua, until the apex is approached when
they become crowded. Those at the base (which is usually
broad, hardly excavate but at times narrowed and rounded
off) are colourless, forming pentagonal or hexagonal “‘ meshes ”’
like the cells of a honey-comb, as wide as long.

Small transparent glands are to be found, and, on the
surface of the scale, but rarely, glandular bodies brown in
colour with stalks apparently composed of loose granular
matter : and here and there in some frequency along the

104

margin very narrow “hair-like ”’ bodies occur, quite trans-
parent but containing quadrangular chlorophyllose granules
at regular close intervals, these “ hairs” being either loose

or springing from small brown granular conglomerations. —

The length varies considerably. They were noticed on

previous species but so rarely that no attention was given —

to them.

LASTREA OREOPTERIS (MONTANA).

Specimens of this plant were obtained from a wood near
Doncaster, a garden in Staffordshire, and open ground not

far from Matlock in Derbyshire. Scales from all these fronds —

agree in essentials but the two last had each small peculiarities —

noted below.

The veins are wide apart, mostly short and pale brown but |

lengthening towards the apex, which is short with a rather
broad point ; the “‘ meshes ”’ up to the longer veining are not

unlike those of LZ. emula, but the veins are very thin, this —

being only observed by close examination, as the brown —

colouring makes two or three appear to be one and s0 |

extremely thick. A number of small glands, colourless or —

reddish, will be found on the surface of the scale, and a very

few minute ones on the margin, where also are very occasional —

minute protuberances : the scales are subulate (awl-shaped) |

and the base practically straight.

On those from Staffordshire there were seen excessively thin
translucent shining white hairs, twisted, arising from granules
at the margin ; the Derbyshire examples showed a mass of very
thin reddish much-branched hairs spread all over the surface,
and in this case the “‘meshes”’ can only be described as muddled,
so irregular were they in formation and direction—instances
were noted in which a couple turned at right angles to the
main body.

LASTREA RIGIDA.

The scales in this fern are clustered most thickly at the
base of the stipes, giving it a very rough appearance as, at

105

east in dry weather, they are distinctly stiff and stand out
instead of lying flat ; this detail was particularly noted on a

frond sent by Dr. Stansfield, and as the scales on this were
in far better condition than other material on hand they

—_—

only were selected : the remainder however agreed closely
with the following description which can presumably be
considered typical.

| The base is nearly straight, though occasionaly approaches
to an excavate-cordate outline will be found; there is a

pale yellow brown tinge which may extend a short distance

9

upwards, and the basal “ meshes”’ in one or two rows are
I

short, wide, and even circular, above this resembling the

| L. filiz-mas type with the junctions angular or rectangular
‘and “meshes” long with the veins wide apart, colourless,
1 and thin. Here and there “ iron-mould ”’ stains appear as in
‘ L. remota, but this does not suggest any connection. There
: i are the small white wrinkles at the junctions and to some
* extent elsewhere, and in addition there are very small clear
} white sinuous veins running beside, across or between the
{ principal veins and containing very minute quadrangular-

| rounded colourless granules—these, rarely, are chlorophyllose.

The tiny bodies frequently mentioned already occur in
clusters of variable extent, in shape of the “ cottage-loaf ”’ or
\L. cristata type, pale brown usually, or colourless, distinctly
‘larger than in other Lastrea scales.

| No “swirls’’ were seen, the general direction of veins
| being upwards; the small protuberances that occur are
_,rounded and blunt ; a few glands will be seen either sessile
jor club-shaped, colourless or pale brown, filled with loose
granules or empty. Occasional loose masses of granules are
'\to be found on the surface ; the apex of the scale is long,
narrowing rapidly and hair-like at extreme end which is
(blunted, containing few veins and a good deal of brownish
granular matter. The extreme marginal vein is often clear,
vas in L. uliginosa, which may be consulted for a fuller account
‘of this point.

A|
}
]
a |
“Ty

in
a2

106

LASTREA CRISTATA.

Thanks to Dr. Stansfield fronds of this and the next two
ferns were received in time to incorporate notes on them
here ; only Lastrea thelypteris is unavoidably omitted from
lack of material.

The base of ZL. cristata’s scales is cordate or cordate-
excavate, tinged pale brown; the apex is short and broad
with a flattened point ending acutely.

- Its veins throughout are rather variable in length, but in
general long, gently curved, thin, colourless, wide apart,

forming at base very irregular “‘ meshes,” but these elsewhere —

are well defined and can hardly be said to resemble either
those of L. dilatata or L. spinulosa, being rather almost of

the L. filix-mas type ; the junctions are curved or angular —

and from them spring remota-like wrinkles which are longer —

than in that fern. ‘The minute bodies found in most Lastrea

scales are present, colourless, oval, divided across the centre —

by aline. Glands are practically absent from the margin, one —

only having been seen, rather large and club-shaped. There |

are no ‘swirls’? but very slight curved protuberances at |

margin, and on the scale surface very minute sessile glands —
occur, pale brown: also, similar in colour, granular masses |
made up of large loose-set granules ; the apex of one scale
was entirely brown from this cause and this doubtless will be |
found occasionally in this fern’s scales. As in L. remota, no |
particularly noticeable feature could be discovered though |
undeniably this would be most welcome ; perhaps someone |

else will be more fortunate.

LASTREA ULIGINOSA.

This is a difficult plant and cannot be considered as |
satisfactorily dealt with here. The scale base is excavate |
or nearly straight, dark brown, with short ‘‘ meshes.” The

matter which is found throughout the scale; though this |
higher up, together with the veins, is colourless or at most |

:
:

107

of a pale brown hue. The veins are thin, closer than in
L. cristata, variable however in distance and in length,
forming at times very long ‘“‘ meshes’ and in general being
noticeably curved at junction with each other, seldom
angularly connected: not making “swirls” but bending
considerably especially marginally. Protuberances are almost
absent and very slight, small outward curves rather than
projections ; glands, too, are very occasional, sessile or
shortly stalked, clear, or dark brown, very minute, marginal
and on surface. What look like a cross between wrinkles and
“ hair-veins ’’ occur near the base, and at the margin a verv

few white rather rigid hairs may be seen.

The apex is difficult to examine; a good specimen shows
it to be rather long, narrow, flattened, with a blunt tip ; the
apical veins are few. In a good light the extreme marginal
vein stands out very distinctly—one should say marginal

veins ; this is a marked point, as often the margin’s edge

appears to consist of tissue with no definite boundary.

AZORES TYPE OF LASTREA DILATATA.

.

Dr. Stansfield in sending this writes “‘some would make
it a distinct species.”’ Scale details can hardly settle this but
there are differences between it and our fern quite as marked
as the resemblance so far as scales are concerned. It is not

easy to examine but the following points emerge.

The scale base is excavate-cordate or nearly straight : the
apex fairly long, narrow, extremity blunt or truncate : the
extreme basal ‘“‘meshes’’ are small, square, with veins full
of red brown granules: the base is so dark that visibility
thereabouts is distinctly poor.

Above, the veins are very crowded, very dark at the centre,
apparently coalescing as in our L. dilatata to form what look

like one thick vein, but possibly some of the central veins

are much thicker than others : all are coloured right to the
margin though there the red-brown becomes only pallid.
The “ meshes”’ are variable in length, the darkest tending

108

to be shorter, and the junction points are more or less rounded.
There are no *
rigidly carried upwards than in our type. Short white hairs
project from the apical margin and are found near the base,
and there also long branching white hairs like those of L,
'spinulosa occur : on the surface glorified wrinkles are common,
thicker and longer than in any British Lastrea seen so far.
The outstanding point is the number of globose marginal

sessile glands : these positively swarm, and their presence on

the surface was suspected but not proved : they do however

appear on the longish narrow fringe-projections which are
another rather marked feature in this fern, to be found
mostly near the scale base but here and there, too, right up
to the apex. |

It is suspected, and most particularly in this case, that the
veining in some Lastrea scales is in two layers : this is by no
means certain, however, and is simply mentioned as a
possibility worth more attention.

‘swirls ’’ but the veins are more bent and less

2

a PTERIDOLOGICAL SOCIETY

on and U.S.A. hi enstee re oor were :—

ut a ation Theiae quarterly until the commencement of the war.
iter the war publication was restricted to two issues per annum
1 ac cc count of the increased cost of printing and the decrease in the
‘ of members. It is hoped shortly to resume quarterly

Members are invited to communicate with the Hon. Siseretavy
‘ee of interest with regard to British Ferns.

a Annual Meeting: is held ducgalky in August or Bee pibies
© place where ferns are abundant and from which excursions
eran ean conveniently be Se These exeursions

on oe a Sub-Committee of the Society undertook the correct
ming of the National Collection at Kew and, in conference with
a L irector and staff, planned and arranged the present fernery,
menting the collection with gifts of age from the ferneries
ie of the members.

Gillaciian in the Royal Horticultural Society’s Garden a
y was similarly dealt with and augmented.

bt Society is affiliated to the Royal Horticultural Society, which
an individual subscriber to its funds.

Committee is endeavouring to increase the membership of the
‘and, through this and by other means, to encourage the more
| cultivation of the varieties of British ferns. Any lover of
uiture is eligible for membership and the subscription is 10s.
xr annum (due in advance at or immediately after the Annual Meeting),
hich | entitles members to copies of The Gazette.

The

h the Hon. Treasurer or Hon. Secretary will be pleased to supply
sak a1 s who may desire it with Bankers’ Orders for the convenient

Pe STANSFIELD. MD., F.LS.,
120, Oxford Road,
Reading,
Berks.

ke $ _ bin ; @ ’
; ; 5 p ‘ | ie * a j
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CORONATION CUP. Je ¥
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4 a. )

Awarded by the Royal Horticultural Society for the most |
meritorious exhibit at their great Summer Show. My col- r

lection of Hardy Ferns on this occasion was considered one

of the finest groups ever staged at a Horticultural Exhibition, if

During the last 5 years we have a q |
been awarded 50 Gold and Silver at
ge 4

Medals, Diplomas, & Certificates 2
for New and Rare Hardy Ferns. 4

Headquarters for Alpines, Perennials, Liliums,
gi ae t
Water Lilies, Aquatics, New and Rare Shrubs. ~~

Catalogues free— ue % #
RR a Fe ra

PERRY’S HARDY PLANT FARM,
ENFIELD, MIDDLESEX.

No. 5.

December, 1931. ™~.,

EDITED BY

-F. W. STANSFIELD, MD., FS.

(420, OXFORD ROAD, READING.)

PUBLISHED BY

IE BRITISH PTERIDOLOGICAL SOCIETY

: Mr. te. Cranfield, F.R.AS., F.LS., East Lodge, Enfield
Chase, Middlesex.

Hon. Secretary: Dr. F.W. Stansfield.

. Treasurer : Mr. J. J. Sheldon, F.L.S., ‘‘ Monkhams,’ Lower
ee Road, Great Bookham, Surrey.

a & SON, LTD., THE CROWN PRESS, CAXTON STREET, READING.

es ee

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my age!

A 8 ore,”

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by le

THE
BRITISH FERN GAZETTE.

NEW SERIES.

A
mM
ar

DECEMBER, 19381. No. 9

, CONTENTS.

EL ORIAL NOTES .... be ye iy ae as ek ee

Menem Ereeident) 00 ae ce wee EO

Our FRONTISPIECE ... fe! My “te a zi ep dh

‘Tae AnNvuAL Meetine anp Excursions, 1931 (F.W.S.) “eee
FERNS AT THE SouTHPORT SHow (Mr. A. J. MacSelf) ... wey AY
More Norres oN FERN Scates (Rev. E. A. Elliot, M.A.) Lia eee
vc E ON Asplenium lanceolatum (Rev. E. A. Ejliot, M.A.) ... 125
SH FreRNS ABROAD (Mr. P. Greenfield) _... we ea ST
isplenium viride, New ‘“ Finp” 1N CHW...) 3s Bas Saeae
iy ‘‘ Finps”’ in GENERAL (Rev. E. A. Elliot, M.A.) ... ey. | Ea

WARTIFICIALITY IN FERN GROWING (Rev. E. A. Elliot, M.A.)... 131
ist or Members... (, “ni ca a ht igi ae

=
EDITORIAL NOTES.
7 The Gardeners’ Chronicle of October 31st, 1931, contains
al interesting article by Mr. C. D. Darlington, of the John
" mnes Horticultural Institution, showing that flowering plants
wi +h an extra number of chromosomes in the cell nucleus tend
to produce giant forms. This tendency is illustrated by a
number of genera and species, including Primula Sinensis
nd P. obconica, Datura stramonium and Campanula persici-
a. ‘These observations are in line with those of Dr. Lang,
Professor Farmer and others on the fern Dryopteris paleacea
@pospora cristata, Cropper, which has only half the normal
mumber of chromosomes and which is by far the miffiest
and feeblest growing form of the species.

Dr. Rowlands has found Woodsia Ilvensis this year in North
Wales growing mostly in inaccessible places from which it is
not likely to be exterminated. Mr. T. B. Blow has found in
the neighbourhood of Lake Annecy, Haute Savoie, France, a
highly developed form of Asplenium Ruta-muraria. It has

JAN 12 193

110

fronds 3 to 4 inches long and is tripinnate and abundantly
fertile, but the ultimate segments are not altered in shape.
A similar form is figured in Britten’s “ HKuropean Ferns,”
but without any distinctive name. Mr. R. Bolton says he
has found the same kind of thing in this country. It may |
possibly be a mere “state” of the species and it remains ©
to be seen whether the decompound character will persist —
under cultivation. As collected it looks very different from —
the species as usually seen. | “

The Editor has still a fair stock of Cystopteris alpina forma !
dissecta, and will be glad to send a plant to any member |
who may desire it and who is willing to pay the cost of postage. —
This fern is best transplanted while in a dormant state.

APOLOGIA,

An old French proverb runs “ Qui s’excuse s’accuse,’ in |
spite of which I think an apology is due for my absence from —
the General Meeting at Southport—the first occasion for ten |
years.

I had made all arrangements for attending the meeting —
and subsequent hunting trip to Whitewell, but, unfortunately, ©
lost account of the day of the week. I had received a shock |
on the Saturday before on discovering an outbreak of disease —
in my Daffodil collection necessitating their immediate
lifting, treatment and replanting away from home. This
sudden and heavy task upset all my holiday arrangements
and was the cause of my omission. It was only on the
morning of the meeting I discovered my error and telephoned
from home to Dr. Stansfield at Southport asking him to
explain my absence and that I should join the party at
Whitewell that night.

I am sensible of the compliment members have paid me —
in re-electing me as President of the Society for the ensuing
year. I can only assure members that I shall do everything .
in my power to further the interests of the Society, but I~

111

think that next year some other individual should be elected
to the office of President who may be able to devote more
time and attention to the Society’s interests.

W. B. CRANFIELD.

OUR FRONTISPIECE.
Dryopteris (Lastrea) dilatata foliosa-cristata.

As the present number is concerned, to some extent, with
“ British ferns abroad,’ we present a portrait of a very
beautiful and little-known foreign variety of a British species.
The original was found on the Island of St. Michaels, Azores,
by the late Mr. George Brown and sent by him to Messrs.
Stansfield, of Todmorden, about the year 1870. So far as
we know no figure of it has been published before although
the late Colonel A. M. Jones, who thought very highly of it,
made a nature print of it shortly before his death. It is by
far the handsomest variety of the species to which it belongs.
It will be noticed that, not only the fronds and pinnae, but
also the pinnules in the basal half of the frond are crested.
The fronds are also of a brighter and more glossy green and
have a more evergreen character than in the British form.
The Azores type of dilatata differs from the British form in
being thinner in texture and much more foliose, while the
scales are markedly different as indicated by the Rev. E. A.
Elliot in our last number. Also it may be noted that these
are macroscopically much narrower and less chaffy than in
the British type. It is perhaps not quite so hardy as our
native species, but does quite well out of doors during ordinary
winters and has withstood some very severe ones (such as that
of 1927-28) with simple glass protection. Mr. MacSelf has
had it doing quite well in the open air in a sheltered corner for
several years. The photograph is from a plant grown in a
cold house in the Editor’s garden.

THE ANNUAL MEETING.
The Thirty-sixth Annual Meeting of the Society was held
on Thursday, August 27th, at the Prince of Wales Hotel,

_ Southport. In the absence of the President the Chair was

lve
taken by Mr. T. B. Blow, F.L.S. (Vice-President). Members
were present from Dumfries, Lancaster, Kendal, Southport,
Haslingden, Accrington, Grange, Welwyn (Herts), Great
Bookham (Surrey), Birdbrook (Essex) and Reading.

The Chairman regretted the absence of the President and

welcomed the members to Southport.

The Minutes of the last Annual Meeting were read, con- |

firmed, and signed.
The Hon. Secretary read his report as follows :—
“Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen,

The past year has not been an eventful one in the history of

the Society. While there has been no dramatic development —
the Society has practically maintained its level and has not —

sustained any financial or other disaster (beyond the inevitable
loss of some members by death), in which it is perhaps more
fortunate than many institutions and individuals. The
number of members is now 123, one of whom is a life member
of old standing and another of more recent date. There are
nine honorary members, the latest addition being Mr. W.
Wilson, of Kendal, one of the founders of the Society. Mr.
John Gott and Mr. J. J. Smithies, both of Kendal, have died
full of years and honours. Both were among the founders
of the Society and both have rendered yeoman service to it
during their membership. Mr. C. H. Wardill, of Bridlington,
has also died : he was an old and faithful member, though
he rarely, if ever, attended a meeting. Three members have
resigned and two or three have lapsed from other causes.
New members at, and since, the last meeting are :—

Mr. H. Stinchcombe, of Coventry.

Miss Jessie Stansfield, of Sale, near Manchester.

Mr. R. H. Sudell, A.R.H.S., of London.

Professor Weiss, F'.R.S. (President of the Linnean Society).

Mr. A. H. G. Alston, F.L.S., of the British Museum of

Natural History, London.

the growth of ferns, although most of us, ferns apart, would

:

ee

1138

have been glad to see more sunshine. Few of us, I fear,
have had much leisure for fern-hunting and I have not heard
of any important “find” during the year beyond the very
promising grandiceps form of (supposed) Dryopteris cemula
found by Mr. Alfred Kirby in South Wales. There seems
some reason to believe that this will turn out to be really
emula and not dilatata, although the plant is still too small
to make the diagnosis quite certain since no sori have yet
developed (with me). I have here a frond which shows the
varietal character distinctly. (Frond exhibited.) Our
honorary member, Dr. G. C. Druce, F.R.S., who is one of our
few remaining octogenarian members, has returned from the
Levant (Rhodes) whither he went to recruit his health after
a rather severe illness, and where he found some lax and
4 ecompound forms of Dryopteris filix-mas. One of these has
a deltoid outline and bears a curious resemblance to aristata
ta), but the scales are distinctly those of frlra-mas.

: aT hope to raise plants from the spores of one of these forms.

The deltoid one had no spores upon it.

a

F. W. STANFIELD.”

&

The Hon. Treasurer, Mr, J. J. Sheldon, read his financial
report as follows :—

é
a

%

:
|
:
BALANCE SHEET.

te
q

«

¢

INCOME. [E.XPENDITURE.
Ba ae A |
Balance from last year 55 5 2 | Affiliation Fee to
Subscriptions a Se ae ee RG Be
| Advertisement 2°23 OO ~-!| Gazette, Mee! 1950 .... 17 17 4
| a Mes IOAD.... 47 BG
Postagesand Sundries 3 | 4
Expenses at Annual
Meeting ia Se ee
Balance at Bank... 5615 6
) fie 3.15. | £102 8 11
| Audited and found correct, August 22nd, 1931.
' PERCY GREENFIELD,
Auditor.
Mr. Robert Bolton proposed and Mr. Whiteside seconded
| the adoption of the Secretary’s and Treasurer’s reports.
;

| Carried.
|

114

Mr. MacSelf proposed and Mr. Thos. Bolton seconded the —

re-election of all the surviving Officers and Committee.
Carried.

The following new members were elected :—

Mr. Richard F. Ransom, Wymondley Bury, Stevenage,

Herts.
Mrs. Illingworth, Hanlith Hall, Bell Busk, Yorks.

Mr. Edward J. Stephens, Rose Lawn, Digswell, Welwyn,

Herts.
Mr. J. D. Dixon, Rochell Park, Dumfries.
Mr. Fred Hollings, 37, Garbett Street, Accrington.
Mr. Alfred Hellyer, Assistant Editor, Amateur Gardening,
London.
It was proposed by Mr. R. Bolton, seconded by Mr. White-
side, and carried, that the next Annual Meeting be held at

Southport, to be followed by a fern-hunting expedition in ~

Scotland.

Mr. Sheldon exhibited fronds of a number of seedling ferns

and was awarded Certificates for the following :—<Scol. v. —
crispum sagittatum, Sheldon ; Scol. v. laceratum grande, Sheldon; |

Blechnum spicant bipinnatum Sheldon (seedling from B. s.
serratum, C. Henwood); Athyrium f.f. plumosum laxum,
Sheldon (seedling of the Druery strain).

Mr. Askew exhibited a frond of Polystichum angulare
perserratum grandiceps, Askew (a cross between perserratum
Patey, and grandiceps, Moly), and was awarded a Certificate.

The Rev. Canon Kingsmill Moore sent a box of fronds of
Polystichums, all finely grown and mostly seedlings of the
plumose divisilobe and lineare sections, but there was no
outstanding novelty among these. Also a frond of a wild
find,” Polystichum aculeatum sinuosum, having a wavy
stipes and rachis, and the appearance of an intermediate
between aculeatum and angulare, for which he was awarded
a Certificate.

Mr. E. J. Stephens, of Digswell, Welwyn, sent a frond of a~

finely crested form of Lastrea pseudo-mas, which he had found

i onenthstetunsiannenioenepensesetdieesiomeenenceneetsneememe= nemeemeetndeee

115

in 1929 in Eskdale, Cumberland. It was a distinctly handsome
form, but was hardly distinguishable from the old “ King
of the Male Ferns,” although the termination of the frond
seemed more slender than is usual in the old cristata. As,
however, the latter varies, in this respect, in different fronds
even on the same plant, it was thought desirable to await
further developments and, if possible, to see the whole plant
before making an award. In any case, the fern is a very
interesting and desirable “‘ find,’ and we shall hope to see
further fronds, or the whole plant, another season.

A vote of thanks to the Mayor and Corporation of Southport
for the use of the room and for their encouragement of the
cult of British ferns at their great Show was proposed and
carried with acclamation, as was also a vote of thanks to
Mr. A. J. MacSelf for his exertions on behalf of British ferns.

The members adjourned for a final visit to the Show and,
afterwards, a small party went on by motor car to Whitewell,
Yorks, the selected locality for fern hunting, where they
arrived in the evening. They were joined next day by the
President, Mr. W. B. Cranfield. Several enjoyable days were
Spent in the neighbourhood of Whitewell and expeditions
“were made to Pendle Hill, Lancs, to the Trough of Bowland,
| Malham, etc. A visit was paid to Browsholm Hall, the seat

of Colonel Parker, on whose estate the late E. J. Lowe reported
that Dryopteris uliginosa had been found. Likely places in
the park were carefully searched, but neither wliginosa nor
cristata was seen, although a few plants of spinulosa were
detected. The members were shown a very interesting,
slender and crested variety of filix-mas which had been found
on the estate by Mrs. James Wright, the wife of the Colonel’s
{head gamekeeper. It was in the way of Martindale’s and
| Burton’s crested forms of the Male Fern, but differed from
‘both of these in its more slender build and in the entire
absence (for the present at least) of the irregularity which
;is so often found in the crested forms of this species. It

i!

remains to be seen whether these characters will prove

|
|

116
permanent under cultivation. The members were entertained
to tea by Colonel Parker and his family, and were afterwards
shown over the house, which proved a veritable museum of
rarities in the way of pictures and antique furniture. On
another day after a visit to Malham Cove, the party were
entertained to tea by Mr. and Mrs. Illingworth, of Hanlith
Hall, where the fern garden and rock garden were examined
with much interest and pleasure. Two or three days were

spent in miscellaneous hunting in the Trough of Bowland, |

but although a few minor variations were noted and there
was plenty of material in the way of Blechnum and Lastrea
montana, no “find ”’ of any importance was made until the
last day, when only two members of the party remained,
viz., the Hon. Secretary and the Rev. EK. A. Elliot. These
two forlorn hopers went out for a final hunt on foot, which
was necessarily confined to a few miles from the hotel. The
first thing noted was Polypodium phegopteris, a species which
had not been previously seen. In its immediate vicinity was
found an incised form of Dryopteris paleacea (Lastrea pseudo-
mas). It was such a huge plant that it was quite hopeless
to attempt its removal with the means at our disposal, so we
contented ourselves with taking spores, of which we could
easily have collected a snuff-box full. On our way back
to the hotel we noticed plenty of Campanula hederacea,
Pinguicula vulgaris and a plant or two of Drosera rotundifolia
growing among the grass and Sphagnum by the side of the
tarred road and bearing testimony to the general moisture of
the locality. Shortly we came to a little ravine, down which
a stream of clear water trickled and we decided to investigate
it. It was not long before we came across a clump of a
plumose form of Dryopteris (Lastrea) montana growing in a
morass of Sphagnum, overgrown by the fronds and inter-
penetrated by the rhizomes of the bracken which grew all
around. With some difficulty we managed to extract the
montana after cutting a circle around it through the bracken

roots and rhizomes. The “find’’ was quite thorough in _

character throughout, but, as it was growing under extremely

I

La iy

unfavourable conditions, it could not be fairly compared
with the best of its predecessors in this type as grown under
cultivation. We must wait to see what it will be under
proper culture. It may be noted that it is twenty-three years
since the last “‘ find” of a plumose montana was recorded—
that one being by the present writer in N. Wales in 1908.
Previous “finds”? had been made by Messrs. John Tittering-
ton, J. M. Barnes and George Whitwell—all very beautiful
things of similar character.

F.W.S.
BRITISH FERNS AT SOUTHPORT SHOW.
A MAGNIFICENT DISPLAY.

The Hardy Fern classes have firmly established themselves
as an important feature of Southport’s great Flower Show,
and this year there were improvements in the classification
and in the staging which enhanced the interest of the whole
display for visitors as well as exhibitors.

By a change of wording in the schedule it was made
perfectly legitimate for exhibitors in the big group class to
excavate or to elevate in order to produce artistic effects.
In most cases the competitors took advantage of their liberty,
and as there were seven groups in the class the whole length
of the tent was filled with the rich luxuriance and inimitable
grace of a comprehensive range of choice ferns.

For the pot plant classes the height of the staging was
reduced, and thus the plants were brought to a level that
showed up the beauty of their fronds to fullest advantage.
This was a great improvement upon former years when the
taller kinds were staged too high for proper inspection.

Classes which had not proved successful in former years

| were deleted from this year’s schedule, and in their place new
Classes were provided for the encouragement of beginners and
| Novices who have not thus far scored successes in the open

Classes at Southport. Results justified these changes, for the

| new classes brought some interesting exhibits, and showed that

118

there are novices in the ranks of pteridologists who bid fair

to become connoisseurs and successful exhibitors. We may

be permitted to remark that in a few instances plants which
might have been well in the prize list had their chances
destroyed by getting their fronds badly damgaed, apparently,
during travelling to the Show. The ease with which fern
fronds, especially Athyriwms, are bruised and broken is one
of the biggest problems for the exhibitor, but when one sees
fragile begonias, gloxinias, fuchsias and _ brittle-stemmed

primulas packed for travelling by rail or motor lorry and }

arriving at a show looking as though they had never been
moved, it may surely be contended that fern growers also
may surmount the difficulties if they will take pains to pack
for safety.

Mr. Cranfield’s entries were missed this year, but it was
really good sportsmanship on his part, after having scored

brilliant triumphs three years in succession, to stand down —

and give others a clear field.

What might have been a serious gap in the group class

was filled in the ablest manner by Mr. Robert Bolton, who :
won the new ‘“ Abol” Trophy without difficulty. It would
be very interesting to witness Mr. Bolton and Mr. Cranfield |
both putting up groups and both determined to win highest |
honours. The judges would have a task to perform to —
accurately appraise the value of the two groups. Mr. Cran- —

field’s fine big specimens of Polystichums, Athyriums and

Lastreas are telling items, and he has so wide a range of smaller —
ferns for foreground work. Mr. Bolton, also, has some big |

-plumose Polystichums and is pretty strong in Athyriwms of

the setigerwm class and grandiceps forms, whilst in Scolo- ||
pendriums he has a marvellous wealth of good varieties and |
well-furnished specimens. These played an important part — |
in this year’s group, and tribute must be paid to his skilful

showmanship. It has been common knowledge for years

that nobody surpasses Robert Bolton and his son, Tom, m |
staging sweet peas, and he proved at Southport that he can be |

oe -are

*

119

just as clever and artistic in arranging ferns. His plants
were grouped together in such a manner that each helped
its neighbours and yet retained its own individuality and
showed off its own distinctive character. Mr. Bolton had
things very much his own way in the principal pot plant
classes, accounting for the lion’s share of first prizes despite
the fact that competition was by no means slack.
[Other prize-winners were Messrs. Joseph Lloyd and J.
Lovelady in the groups, and Messrs. C. Luckin, of East
_ Grinstead, J. Lovelady and W. F. Askew in the smaller
classes. |
_ The 1931 Show was highly satisfactory from the point of
_ view of a fine display of good ferns, calculated to arouse
r interest among those who are unfamiliar with their infinite
ee stions and beauty.

As a competition among growers the group class was
_ triumphant, but it is to be hoped that a still greater number of
_members of our Society will keenly contest the smaller classes.
It has been shown that growers from Essex, Middlesex,
- Scotland and Ireland can take ferns to Lancashire and achieve
: success. Let none, therefore, excuse himself from exhibiting
next year on the plea of the difficulty of transport.

A. J. MACSELF.

Ferran

MORE NOTES ON FERN SCALES.

| In the GazETTE for June, 1931, Dr. Stansfield noted the

| absence of remarks on the scales of Lastrea thelypteris. His
own remark, made subsequently and orally, was that “‘ the
scales in this fern are like snakes in Ireland.”’ In any case,
none have been examined as yet.

;

[Scales are not entirely absent from thelypteris, but are very

rare and fugacious.—d. |

LASTREA (DILATATA) ALPINA, var. FASTIGIATA.
Dr. Stansfield kindly supplied material in this case, saying
that Wollaston wanted to make it [alpina.—Ed.] a species.

The scale is more or less oval, base slightly excavate ; it is

120

narrowed upwards rather abruptly, forming fairly distinct
‘“‘ shoulders’? and above them a short narrow apex. The
veins are of moderate thickness, wide apart, the ““ meshes ”
very long and so appearing narrower than they really are.
Many of these spring from a forking vein at the lower end, the
junctions otherwise are not easily distinguished, and occasional
“crow’s foot ”’ tangles, where several veins meet, add to the
difficulty. There is a dark brown stripe running up through-
out, broad, nearly one-third the width of the scale about the

middle ; this narrows upwards in a peculiar way by the

sudden ending of its outside veins, a process repeated two or
three times in its course. This stripe extends into the apex
which is mostly composed of dark veins. At the base of the
scale there is often a short pale space before the dark veins
begin, and they take their deepest colour about the middle of
the stripe : the margin is almost even, a few club-shaped
glands occurring in old scales.

POLYSTICHUM LONCHITIS.

The arrival of a genuine example of this species from
Scotland gave opportunity for complete notes on this genus,
which is taken next as the two more common species bear a
superficial resemblance to some Lastreas.

The scale is small, isosceles shaped, the base broad and
cordate or excavate (heart-shaped or hollowed out), the apex
varying in acuteness but not tapering to the extremely thin
point seen in some Lastreas ; the margin is rough with a fringe,
the projections sometimes being practically uniform in length

4

and so presenting a “‘ saw-edge ’’ appearance, at other times
being more uneven, and occasionally hooked at the tip. No
glands were seen, but there are brown granular masses on the

seale surface.

The veins throughout are moderately wide apart and thick,
dark red at the centre, yellowish towards the margin where
they are usually undulating or curved ; at the centre above
the middle of the scale they tend to form a stripe; the
‘ meshes ” are rather long, but variable and there is a tendency

ial tee Ola
7

121

to greater length at the scale-centre above the middle, and at
the base they are often short and square, seemingly formed of
very thick veins which on close inspection reveal a composite
character as in Lastrea dilatata. The veins generally appear
to be in two layers, and some of the “‘ meshes” contain
chlorophyll ; the general effect of the various details produces
an impression of compactness.

POLYSTICHUM ACULEATUM.

The scale varies in form, being sometimes narrowly-isosceles
in shape, at other times almost equally broad throughout,
but the apex is, typically, very long and narrow, the base
being nearly straight. and the margin very ragged throughout
with variable projections which are mostly short, wide and
blunt at the point, this being sometimes forked : no glands
were seen, but loose brown granules on the surface.

’ The veins are yellowish in colour, deepening to a light
red-brown, very thin and much bent, rather long from
junction to junction, uniting in irregular ways, and apparently
forming two layers ; near together, forming narrow “‘ meshes ”
and crossing one another ; at margin more bent and curved
than in Polystichum angulare, but not forming real “ swirls ”
of Lastrea type : on some of the basal veins minute projections
were seen like tiny red spines, which seemed to spring from the
| actual vein surface, but are so small that they are noted merely
as curiosities.

POLYSTICHUM ANGULARE.
Two gatherings from different localities were used, and as
the differences were unimportant no other material was

—— a

selected. The colouration was the main distinction, one set
being a light brown and the other a dull lead hue : the general
; vein and surface tint is yellowish.

—

But there is much variation between scales from the same
plant : the base may be either cordate or straight, while the
apex is long, and narrowed to an acute thin point : the margin
is ragged but usually less so than in P. aculeatum, the pro-
ijections being less crowded, and fewer towards the base ; but

122

equally as long, and in some scales taking a needle-shape and |
then occurring lower than usual. No marginal glands were

seen. 1

The veins are thicker and straighter than in the other two —
Polystichums ; the “‘ meshes ” vary in length and width, more i
often being rather narrow, but sometimes wide and then often —
very sinuous, giving, as a result of this marked variation, a F
sense of instability about the scale’s intentions, corresponding —
to the fern’s inclination to break loose at any moment from i

the normal.

At the margin the veins may resemble the aculeatum form, i
but more often the ‘“‘ meshes” there are straight and very ~
narrow for two or three rows, forming almost a definite pale ©
band : at the base they are short, especially at the centre. "

Dr. Stansfield suggested in the June GAZETTE that a
connection may be made between Lastrea and Phegopteris |
through L. montana : there does not seem to be evidence of —
this through scales, but notes on the four former Polypodies —

are given.

POLYPODIUM DERYOPT Uma |
Mature scales were first examined and showed a straight | |
base and an even width to near the apex which narrowed © |
suddenly to a long very thin point, almost veinless, “ verte- |
bral”’ (i.e. composed of a number of jointed sections) and |
brown from granular masses filling it : these and round or |
square chlorophyll granules are also found on the surface \
elsewhere. Along the margin there are globular sessile glands, ||
rarely stalked with granular head ; and occasionally minute |
projections occur consisting simply of a short broad stem which | |
now and then bears a chlorophyllose branch. As in other |
cases, there appear to be surface glands ; the texture is thin ||
and the scales are deciduous. | |
The veins are thin and wide apart, ‘‘ meshes ”’ not uniform |
m shape but roughly short near the base, longer above, /
especially at the margin and then short at the apex.

128

Immature scales bear pin-shaped and column-like glands,
the latter being more common near the base. At the vein
junctions “ crow’s foot’ wrinkles occur, and there are thin
translucent veinlets traversing the ‘‘ meshes.”’

POLY PODIUM PHEGOPTERIS.

In this case immature, or perhaps one should say fresh
and unweathered, scales were taken first and found to be
isosceles in shape with a straight base and a long, thin,
vertebral apex, the point almost veinless, the base with four
or five rows of honeycomb-like “‘ meshes’? which become
narrower above and towards apex much elongated and

¢

narrow. The veins are thin throughout with fewer “ crow’s
foot * wrinkles and transverse veinlets than in P. dryopteris.
The marginal glands are irregular in form, but approach the
pin-shape and occasionally the columnar, while some are
cone-shaped. More important are the long, needle-like
projections, veinless, easily broken off, occurring all along
the margin. Nothing quite like them has been seen yet on
other species.

_ The colour of the scales is a light brown in patches ; there

‘are occasional hairs, square chlorophyll granules and a few
small “ cottage-loaf ’’ bodies of the type seen in Lastreas.
_ Older scales are brown throughout, the base slightly ex-
cavate, or curved with a colourless ‘
“meshes” at the centre. The apex very long and narrow,

glands absent or sessile and very small, and the needle-

‘inset ’’ of almost square

projections persistent and therefore, though easily removed,
apparently not truly deciduous.

POLYPODIUM CALCAREUM.

Fronds of this were obtained from a limestone scree in
Derbyshire, rather late in the year to get new scales, but a
few were secured and proved similar to older ones, which
are small, the base excavate or very cordate with basal
“wings” (each side of the hollow) curving strongly inwards
and almost touching one another. There was no fringe as
‘in P. phegopteris, but columnar, pin- and club-shaped glands
‘are frequent. The scale is narrowed gradually at first, then

: |

(
in

a

124

rather suddenly to a long, narrow, vertebral and almost
veinless apex, the veins being fairly thick throughout.
There appear to be two types of scale: one, of a light brown |
colour having the veins wide part and ‘‘ meshes” rather |
long except near the base, where some are shorter ; and these
are more uniform than the remainder, which are very irregular :
in the other type the colour is leaden, the veins are close and
the *“‘ meshes

99

shorter and at the base small, oval or square — |
and very crowded, resembling in these points the “‘ meshing ~ |
of Polypodium vulgare. This is all the more noticeable as |
such veining has not been noticed otherwise, and in both |
ferns the veins (of the scales) appear to be in two layers.

POLY PODIUM VULGAGE. |

In this the scales have a straight base usually, the margin |
fringed with irregular, rather short, blunt projections and, |
apparently, no glands. The apex is vertebral, very long and |
narrow. ‘The veins are fairly stout and seem to be in two \
layers. The ‘“‘meshes”’ are very irregular in shape and |
formation, almost like a maze, near the base (as has been |
already mentioned under P. calcareum) they are short and oval, |
and like that species longer above, but differing in greater |
width. |
There are not many other ferns which might cause confusion |
by resemblance to one another. Cystopteris fragilis and |
C. regia, Asplenium septentrionale and A. germanicum, and |
Asplenium Adiantum-nigrum and A. lanceolatum are the most |
prominent, and of these only the last two are at all likely to |
give trouble owing to the rarity of three out of the remaining |}
four. Young fresh scales from not fully developed fronds
were selected from both A. Adiantum-nigrum (which to save
space is numbered 1) and A. lanceolatum (numbered 2) ; and
the following description is by comparison between them.

ASPLENIUM ADIANTUM-NIGRUM (1)

and LANCHOLATUM (2). »'

The scales of both species are long, narrow, tapering to a |
fine point, which in (2) is rather shorter and possibly a little

125
Jess acute than in (1). The base of the scale in both is straight
or only very slightly curved, and the margin has a few rather
long curved protuberances into which a vein usually projects,
and in the case of (2) does so further towards the protuberance-
point than in (1). No glands were seen in either species
The scale-tissue has in it thin colourless veins either in the
form of lines or appearing as insets to the “‘ meshes ” formed
by the thicker veins dealt with hereafter, these thin veins
‘being more evident and frequent in (2) than in (1). The
thicker veins alluded to are the most noticeable features of
the scales, and appear to be on the surface and to stand out
with an almost stereoscopic effect, particularly noticeable in
(2), in which they are stouter and darker than in (1), of a
deep brown as contrasted with a clearer red-brown tint.
\At the apex they merge into a single vein, with lateral spurs
eerr in (2) than (1). The ‘“‘ meshes ” lower in the scale are
of varying form, but never very long and usually wide. The
\econnections at the top and bottom of each “ mesh”’ are
shorter in (2) than in (1), and in (2) are straight as a rule,
while in (1) they are usually distinctly curved. This last point
is specially notable and is perhaps the most distinctive differ-
ce between the species and one that is easily seen on account

of the prominence of the veins.
| KE. A. ELLIOT.

A NOTE ON ASPLENIUM LANCEOLATUM.

In the Gazerre for June, 1928, mention was made of a
‘find ” of this on a Devonshire cliff. The record is an old
ne for that locality ; but at the time it was confirmed, some
oubt was thrown on the genuineness of the plant as Asple-
tum lanceolatum, and although my diagnosis was worked
ut by reference to Lowe and borne out by Kew, there has
lways been a shadow of uncertainty. So when staying again
Devon in June, 1931, a visit was paid to the spot and a
umber of fronds secured in torrential rain, several were sent
0 Dr. Stansfield, who divided them into A. lanceolatum and
A. adiantum-nigrum, and doubts exist no longer.

126

The habitat in fact of the two plants is quite distinct even
when growing close together ; as A. lanceolatum seemed to be |
confined to crevices in rocks, or small gullies between one rock |
and another, or ledges under overhanging rock-faces where a |
small amount of soil had collected. .A. Adiantum-nigrum, |
on the contrary, grew at or near the rock-base, but in the |
ground proper ; if found on a rock it was near the top where a |
fair amount of soil lay, no doubt washed down from a higher |

is hardly any stipes in the proper sense, just as in the case of |
Lastrea montana. Dr. Stansfield, in a letter about the fern, |
alludes to this, but the books do not appear to notice it. |

of pinne is not always obvious enough to be reliable, though |
it is true that in some fronds of lanceolatum the lowest pair |
is shorter than the pair above, whereas in Adiantum-nigrum |
the lowest pair is always the longest. But the downward |
extension of pinnae confuses this point frequently, while it |
will often be found that several of the lowest pinne are |
defective and so worthless as a test. |

:

This Devonshire locality is exposed to wind, rain and sun, |
which may account for the extremely curled character of the |
fronds collected from lanceolatum, the frond curving so that
the tip almost touches the root-stock, while the pinne are |

of the revolvens type, the whole frond being stiff and wiry

and brittle. Dr. Rowlands, however, has noticed the same ||

thing, though not to quite such a marked extent, but suffi-

ciently so to present a contrast between the feathery spreading
fronds of Adiantum-nigrum and its ally, which probably |
never attains such length of stipes and will be found duller, |

not glossy, In appearance.

127
i BRITISH FERNS ABROAD.

“It is with a certain degree of shame that the writer, who

- aims to be an enthusiastic member of the British Pterido-
-Togical Society, has to admit that he has done his fern-hunting
} this year in Switzerland, however much for other reasons
that fair land may be entitled to his affections. But the
defined objects of the Society do not exclude the study of
British fern species abroad : some of our most able and
| valued members reside in other countries and we set consider-
able store on our international connexions. In any case, it
affords some satisfaction to British fern-lovers to know that
- there is a reserve abroad of some of their rare and almost
xtinct species and that, on the other hand, they possess in
cain a relatively bountiful share of species like Polystichum
Ei among which it is most worth while to search for

Ti terland must not be taken as indicative of what is to be
found in Switzerland generally. They relate solely to a

erfunctory examination of limestone mountains in the
Oberland at heights ranging from 3,000 feet to 8,000 feet.
Polystichum angulare none was seen; of P. aculeatum a
few specimens only, on shady damp wooded slopes. Poly-
podium vulgare was rare and Lastrea filix-mas by no means
“plentiful. There was very little Aspleniwm trichomanes or

A. Ruta muraria, but A. viride was plentiful at varying eleva-
tions. This little fern afforded the only variety seen during
the whole period and this variety was found at a height of
7,000 feet, growing in a crack on the top of a rock in exposed
Seree upon which, however, were growing with it many
| plants of Cystopteris alpina, as well as various alpine flowers.
in several plants of viride at this spot were dwarfed and

yellowish, as well they might be having regard to their
| exposure (except when covered by snow in winter) to every
| sort of hardship from icy winds to baking sun. They could
: hardly have existed at all under such adverse circumstances
at lower elevations. Upon the same extensive and interesting

]

128

Alp, but lower down, Botrychium lunaria was growing in |
grassy places close to a splashing torrent. In all the Al
visited Cystopteris alpina was growing among rocks from about | :
6,000 feet upwards, much as Allosorus grows among non-
limestone rocks in the North of England. The concise}
was reached from examination of a large number of specimens
that this species is very variable, ranging towards the form
which Dr. Stansfield describes as dissecta in one direction and
towards and beyond his form obtusa in the other. C. alpina
was not observed below about 6,000 feet, and if any plants

are to be found in the same region much below this level )
they have probably been brought down from above by the | |
violence of nature, as is frequently the case in the alpine | |
flowers. But apparently in the neighbourhood of the Lake | |
|

usually of the dissecta form. It was observed that Cystopteris | |

of Geneva this fern is found at a lower altitude and is more |

fragilis, common enough lower down, did not grow much |
above 6,000 feet, where it overlapped C. alpina and simulated |
the fresh green of that species to such an extent that its

presence was a cause of confusion in the hunting of alpuna.

C. fragilis at low elevations is often very finely divided and |

sometimes of an almost glaucous hue, and it seems evident that _ |
eds has a boneeraple effect on the Bese of bem y

necessary to prove this wie The other member of the Al
Cystopteris family was seen in one place only. Here C.
montana was growing, at an elevation of about 5,000 feet,
with P. dryopteris, in deep and loose leaf mould and moss
under the high shade of tall spruces on a somewhat steep
slope. Dryopteris was very gross and C. montana was so |
nearly of the same size and general appearance that it was at
first mistaken for a variety of Dryopteris. It is hardly con-
ceivable that these conditions of growth are not ideal for |
CO. montana, and in that case if in its British station on Scottish |
mountains it is correctly described as growing on “ moist ||
ledges of rocks,” its disappearance, if it still exists, is probably |

129

only a question of time. Near these two species of ferns

_ was growing that flower beloved of botanists, Pyrola uniflora.

It was too late in the year to see it in bloom, but the foliage

was subsequently discovered in three or four other places

at long distances apart. Lastrea rigida did not appear to be

at all plentiful; but although there were extensive tracts of
limestone debris no home so suitable for this fern appeared to
be available as the limestone “ pavements” of northern
England. The position is reversed in the case of Polystichum

_lonchitis. That fern, which grows so sparingly in Britain,

was in great abundance on broken slopes at about 6,000 feet.

In one instance, over a considerable area, it was seen with
| fronds averaging nearly 2 feet long growing in quantity,

roughly estimated at one to the square yard. This was a
cheering sight for one who has spent hours in England to find

but a single specimen. No time could be spared for a pro-

longed search for a variety, but so far as could be seen, this

fern fully maintained its British reputation for constancy.

P. GREENFIELD.
NEW “FIND” IN ASPLENIUM VIRIDE.

Mr. P. Greenfield, in his account of *“‘ British Ferns Abroad ”’
in the present number, makes only casual mention of a variety
of A. viride found by him in Switzerland. The fern in
question is, however, a very important “find ’—the best
variety found wild for many years, perhaps even in this

century. It is really a plumose form of viride, similar and

equal to the incisum forms of trichomanes which are really the
analogues of plumosum in other species. Not only is it the
best variety of viride known, but it is practically the only

‘one at present in cultivation, the other so-called varieties

being indefinite and inconstant forms of multifidwm and
serratum, differing but little from the normal type and
reverting to it upon the smallest, or without any, provocation.
It is true that there is a record in Lowe’s “ Our Native Ferns ”

'of the finding, on Whitbarrow by Mr. James Huddart in
1853, of a variety which is described as having “ pinne

130
deeply incised in the manner of Aspleniwm trichomanes
incisum.’ It was named bipinnatum by Mr. Clowes, of
Windermere, into whose possession it passed. Unfortunately,
no specimen, or even figure, of this fern is known to exist
and there is no one now living who ever saw it. The name
bipinnatum would not describe Mr. Greenfield’s “find.” The
latter is incised to the midrib after the manner of the best

incisums in trichomanes, but the segments are not separated —

into pinnules as in Ellis Roberts’s A. trichomanes bipinnatum,

in which the pinne are really miniatures of the normal —

fronds of the species. Finally, the new fern is barren, as

in the best plwmosums of most species. This latter character,
although it is a serious bar to propagation and will prevent —

it from being widely distributed for many years, is not without —

its compensations inasmuch as the plant will not be liable to —

spore itself to death as many of the fertile forms of trichomanes

often do, and as even the normal type of viride has been

known to do under cultivation. The new fern at presentis
a very small scrap indeed, but will be well cared for and we
hope, after a year or so of cultivation, to give a photograph

of it in the GazETTE. Those experts who have seen it have —
been enthusiastic in their admiration of its beauty and

distinctness of character.

ON “FINDS” IN GENERAL. .|

It is a noteworthy fact that during the past few years a |
number of ‘‘ finds’ have been made, in several branches of |
natural history, which are quite equal to any recorded in |
former days, but since each branch is now specialized and |

disconnected from the rest, the total importance of such

discoveries is not readily available to those interested. The |
writer happening to have had a hand in some of them, thinks |
that they are worth reporting, though, of course, each has |
its special medium. For instance, a few years ago two)
coleopterists set out to rediscover a beetle which is fairly |
common on shingly beaches, but had also been recorded some i
seventy years before from an inland valley in the Midlands. |

F.WS._

ps —
a
2

131

When they (taking me with them) had found a large pebbly
area, success was soon assured. In this case, resemblance in
fern things would be secured by the discovery of Lastrea
cristata in one of its formerly-recorded localities, and why not ?
for one of the coleopterists referred to spent several days
once at intervals hunting a beetle in a spot where it had not
been seen for half a century or so, to be rewarded, after many
failures, with eventual success. ‘‘ Finds” are such peculiar
events. On the former occasion as we walked up the valley
and stopped to examine alder trees, a rare beetle hardly
known to either coleopterist settled on the shoulder of one
and was picked off almost as a matter of routine by the other,
who did not immediately realize what it was. More recently

discovered an entirely new British species, not far from where
two or three years before he found a species hitherto unknown.

Neither of these was particularly small and he has scoured
the wood scores and even hundreds of times, as also another
wood we visited where | discovered a really large fungus,
which proved to be a new County record : and the year before
another county provided an entirely new species. Still more
Tecently several bryologists planned a hunt for a rare moss,
ka only a few days before the successful expedition took
place one of them found it in another locality that he had

worked over previously for many years.

/

'

To come to our own special interest in ferns, fresh records
are being made to-day that rank with the best. Our Editor
keeps us informed of them and their exact value. Perhaps the
time is past when all-inclusive British Natural Histories will

be compiled, but the same work is going on and our own is
still full of the same opportunities and bears comparison as it

[| aewaye has done with the rest.
E. A. ELLIOT.

ARTIFICIALITY IN FERN GROWING.

} Here and there, dotted about the face of the earth, perfect
| Ferneries are to be found ; places in which the natural habitats
|

I was going through a wood with a fungus expert when he

132
of the plants cultivated are so closely imitated that the |
occupants adopt them to the extent of reproducing themselves |
by sporelings or by spreading out as if truly wild : and yet |
even these perfect constructions are artificial, at any rate |
in the case of many of their inhabitants, when species of |
varying likes and dislikes are grown together. Ferns, how- |
ever, have a way of confounding a definition of this kind by f
electing to establish themselves in unlikely and unnatural |
spots, and then the definition of artificiality has to be altered |
to ‘making them grow where they don’t want to.” 7

It is just that extreme that one wants to avoid, by accepting |
the fern’s own readiness for an unusual but otherwise suitable
home and by trying to introduce some natural elements into
it ; for, after all, it is not normal to have a dozen or more |
species close together in a space measuring 20° by 10 feet
especially when such diverse kinds are included as WScolo-
pendrium, Athyrium, Cystopteris fragilis, Lastrea cemula,
L. propinqua and Polystichums, with an Osmunda on the edge
and oak and beech ferns as well. However, it will probably
be found that even in the unnatura! sameness of such quarters
the ferns mentioned ee mtb others will ae and thrive,

handful or ino . beau compost when platelet is done, or of | i
some top-dressing. |

The real problem comes with the lime-haters, when one’s |
garden is limestone, or the thirsty when it is dry, or the
woodland lovers when local leaf-mould is saturated with |
lime, or, in short, those species that need special attention. |
Lastrea montana is one, blechnum another, and then there are
some Aspleniums, not to speak of the rarities such as Lastrea |
cristata, Cystopteris montana, Woodsias, and so on.

Allosorus crispus has been one of my most persistent
failures, though every effort has been made to start it in moist |

but sunny places with a stone on the root-stock—this in itself
is asking for trouble as the stone harbours slugs by day, which ||
have only a few inches to crawl at night to reach and enjoy

It
|

133

the fronds. Some years ago a wonderful bed of this very
| lovely plant was seen, composed almost entirely of leat-soil ;
well-decayed leaves mixed with soil (in this instance sack
, but real old stuff undisturbed for years. In this Allosorus
| grew and spread rampantly, sending up to 6- to 8-inch fronds,
, and the hint was at last taken, a clump of the fern, half a sack
_ of the soil, and, as an extra, a pound or so of flint fowl grit,
_ being put together into a deep hole in a sunny flat border
\ below the Fernery. Result, after a longer trial than ever
_ before, complete success : the fronds became rather yellow
till well soaked by rain and some are withering off rather
| early, but not one has been seen slug-eaten. and new fronds
[ are pushing up strongly though it is expected that they will be
|shorter for a time. Then there is Blechnum, about which
one is rather shy of writing as most people seem to have no

rouble with it, but my failures have been many, and trying,
as it is a favourite with me. Two methods are being tried
with this : one to be mentioned later. and the other a eommon-

| place one, that of growing the plant in almost pure leaf-mould
from a clay district in big oblong earthenware seed-pans,
su < in a flat bed of leaf-mould. The fern seems to like the
compression so caused and does better than when planted
| tside the pan in the looser compost. Lastrea thelypteris
i. crested variety) 1s doing nicely treated in the same way.
Wistopteris montana, which came as a kind and welcome gift,
is lable to suffer from a peculiar and rather local trouble
“most pronounced where slugs abound : the creeping root-stock,
en first planted, has so little hold on the soil that every
\insect- hunting bird pulls up each scrap of root every time the

—

| soil i is searched for food. In fact, it is probably some insect
| that haunts the plant rather than slugs. The only remedy
is to pin the roots down and cover the whole thing with wire
|netting raised some inches from the ground.

Another difficulty of mine has been Lastrea montana, which
appears to need constant moisture draining past the root,
/ as may be seen by many roadsides in North Wales, but which
did not offer a solution until specimens were seen in equally

134

wet, well-drained, but otherwise different situations on |
Dartmoor, the difference consisting in the close proximity of !
Sphagnum. This has gone to form a lot of the Dartmoor |
subsoil and suggested an idea which may not be new but is the |
height of artificiality. A look round an ironmonger’s shop, |
during a shopping call, disclosed wire frying-baskets, the wire |
handles of which can be filed off, leaving a short, innocuous |
stump, and the whole basket, on arrival at home, was filled
with a layer of Sphagnum round the sides and a compressed 7
heap in the centre. On this a small amount of best soil is |
laid, the plant’s roots spread out on this and sufficient to cover .
and hold it up pressed down on top of them : the Sphagnum |
being first well soaked. After this the basket is hung up, |
if outdoors, by a very short wire to prevent swinging, and a |
soak once or twice a week is easily managed by lowering the |
whole affair into a pail of rain-water. If the basket is allowed |
to drip and run its superfluous water off into the pail, this |
will last a considerable time. |

Besides L. montana, this is the other method in use with |
Blechnum, so far with surprising success, the plants so treated |
having begun after a fortnight or so to send up new fronds, !
though that habit is no doubt usual after a replanting occurs. |

but the latter doing far better in this way, in an outhouse
(window always open) than in a pot in open ground. I may j
venture to try one L. cristata like this later on ; at present | |
mine are but seedlings in peaty, leafy soil in tiny pots sunk |
in the Blechnum pan and growing fast. |

EK. A. ELLIOT.

he os _
egg I ED ~~

we om a = e
er ce

135

a LIST OF MEMBERS OF THE
BRITISH PTERIDOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

HONORARY MEMBERS.
Baker, W. G., Botanic Gardens, Oxford.

| Bower, Professor F. O., M.A., D.Sc., F.R.S., etc., 2, The Crescent,

Ripon, Yorks.

[ Curtis, C. H., F.L.S., Editor, The Gardeners’ Chronicle, 5, Tavistock

Street, W.C.2.
Druce, GeorceE C., M.A., D.Sc., F.R.S., Yardley Lodge, 9, Crick Road,
Oxford.

H Hay, T., V.M.H., Superintendent, Hyde Park, London, W.2.

Moors, Sir FREDERICK W., Kt., F.L.S., Wellbrook House, Rathfarn-
ham, Co. Dublin.

| Preston, F. G., Botanic Gardens, Cambridge.
| Witson, Witiiam, 1, Sleddalls Almshouses, Aynam Road, Kendal.
* Wricut, CHARLES Henry, A.L.S., Kew Cottage, Townsend Road,

Seaton, S. Devon.

SUBSCRIBING MEMBERS.

“Apxkin, I. N., River Knowle, Northam, N. Devon.
“Askew, W. F., Fern Nursery, Grange, Keswick.

ATKINSON, F., Lake Side Cottage, Keswick, Cumberland.
| AwnperRson-Kort6, Miss Irma, John Innes Horticultural Institute,
i Mostyn Road, Merton Park, London, S.W.19.

‘Atston, A. H. G., B.A., F.L.S., Dept. Botany, British Museum (Nat.

t Hist.), Cromwell Road, London, S8.W.7.

‘Bicxuam, 8. H., J.P., F.L.S., Underdown, Ledbury, Herefordshire.
Bieiann, J. W. §8., 20, Parkfield Road, Bebington, near Birkenhead.

» Biow, THomas Bares, F.L.S., The Chalet, Welwyn, Herts.
| Bow tes, fee MAL FL5., Fae VM-H.,, Myddieton House,

© Waltham Cross, Herts.

, Brown, Tuomas, J.P., 102, Donegall Street, Belfast.
|| Bowman, J. H., Greenham Common, Newbury, Berks.
i Burton, F., The Barley House, Hildenborough, Kent.

‘Bury, Linpsay, J.P., Stanford Wood, Bradfield, Berks.

1 Botton, Rosert, F.R.H.S., Birdbrook, Halstead, Essex.
Botton, THomas H., F.R.H.S., Birdbrook, Halstead, Essex.

BouskELL, FRANK, Sedgemere, Market Bosworth, Leicestershire.

|} Buriter, Frank, 2, Lorne Street, Reading, Berks.

CaurcHER, Major G., F.R.H.S., Beckworth, Lindfield, Sussex.

) CocHRran, JoHN, 52, Nursery Street, Kilmarnock, Scotland.

CorpREyY, C., 151, Bedfont Lane, Feltham, Middlesex.

Coverpatze, W. H., West Lodge, Ripon, Yorks.

Cowan, ALEXANDER, Valleyfield House, Penicuik, Midlothian,
Scotland.

SRANFIELD, W. B., F.L.S., F.R.H.S., East Lodge, Enfield Chase,
Middlesex.

| Daruincton, H. R., M.A., LL.M., F.L.S., Park House, Potters Bar,

~ Middlesex.

Dawestns, ALFRED, 16, Fordhook Avenue, Ealing Common, London, W.

Dempster, R., Carresden, Dumfries, Scotland.

Dixon, J. Darcur, Lyndhurst, Rochell Park, Dumfries, Scotland.
Doopy, Dents J., The Gardens, Muckross Abbey, Killarney, Ireland.
Dyson, R. J., Overcourt, Bisley, Stroud, Glos.

Etior, Rev. E. A., M.A., Longstone Vicarage, Bakewell, Derbyshire.
Exton, C., 3, Stirling Road, Enfield, Middlesex.

FEttTon, R. F., 7, Hanover Court, Hanover Street, London, W.1.
Fenwick, Marx, J.P., Abbotswood, Stow-on-the-Wold, Glos.

136

FLETCHER, B., J.P., The Yews, Hast Hagbourne, Didcot, Berks. —

Gorpon, W., Lauriston, Victoria Road, Maxwelltown, Dumfries,
Scotland.

GRANT, JOHN, 7, Market Street, Turriff, Aberdeenshire.

GREENFIELD, Percy, Beech Bank, Stuart Road, Warlingham, Whyte-
leafe, Surrey.

HEannuny, FREDERICK J., F.L.S., Brockhurst, East Grinstead, Sussex.

HawkINncGs, GEORGE, Cressy House, Goldhawk Road, London, W.12.

Hawkrns, Rev. Canon E. H., M.A., Trinity Lodge, Bisley, Stroud, Glos.

Harvarp UNIversity (Gray Herbarium), Cambridge, Mass., U.S.A.

Hatr, Atva J., Victoria Nursery, Victoria Road, Harrogate, Yorks.

Herenwoop, T. E., 16, Hamilton Road, Reading, Berks.

HELLYER, ALFRED, Assistant Editor, Amateur Gardening, London.

Hoxtiines, FREDERICK, 37, Garbett Street, Accrington, Lanes.

Hotmes, Mrs. Cart, The Node, Welwyn, Herts.

HoRTICULTURAL Society, THE Roya, Vincent Square, Westminster,
S.W.

Hueues, J. E., Lee Hall, Mollington, near Chester.

KAYE, REGINALD, Waithman Hardy Plant Nursery, Silverdale, Lanes.

Kentucky UNIVERSITY (Department of Botany), Lexington, Kentucky,
U.S.A.

KESTNER, Paut, F.L.S., Le Clos Etoié, Chailly Village, s/Lausanne,
Switzerland.

Laurin, G. F., Laurel Villa, Kenmure Avenue, Bishopbriggs, Scotland.

LAWRENCE, Sir WitiiamM, Bart., F.R.H.S., Burford Lodge, near
Dorking, Surrey.

Lawson, G. C., Mayfield House, near Ashbourne, Derbyshire.

Laxton, Epwarp, I.R.H.S., 73, Bushmead Avenue, Bedford.

LEeax, G. W., F.R.H.S., I, Clarkson Avenue, Wisbech, Cambs.

Lioyp, JosuPn, 4, Richewmnd Road, Birkdale, Southport, Lancs. |

LoODER, GERALD W.. E. . M.A., F.L.S., F.R.H.S., Wakehurst Pliage, a
Ardingly, Sussex. |

LOVELADY, JoHN, 129, Manchester Road, Haslingden, Lanes.

MarsxH, Miss 8. A., Glenlyon, Holywood, Co. Down. )

MEADE, JosEPH, Old Connaught, Bray, Ireland. |

MacSeEtrF, A. J. (Editor, Amateur Gardening), 114, Hamilton Road, |
Reading. |

McLerop, J. F., Winton House, Ware, Herts.

MaAIrTLanp, Jown, J.P., Blythwood, Bycullah Park, Enfield. —

MARDELL, Anrep, Rast Lodge Gardens, Enfield Chase.

Monro, GEorRGE, C.B.E., The Red House, Hendon Lane, Church End, |
Finchley, London, N ‘ |

Moorz, Rev. Canon H. Kinesmintt, D.D., F.L.S., Cedar Mount, |}
Dundrum, Co. Dublin. |

Mount, Henry, 5, Summer Hill, Harbledown, Canterbury.

MuseraAve, C. T., F.R.H.S., V.M.H., Hascomb Place, Godalming.

Naytor, E., eur Garth, Leadhall Lane, Leeds Road, Harrogate. |

ORMEROD, G. , stratford Park, Stroud, Glos.

OLIVER, ROR cil “Tower Road, Darnick, Melrose, Roxburghshire, N.B. |

PAINE, FRANKLIN, Chase Ridings, Enfield Chase, Middlesex. a

PARKINSON, J. J., The Lodge, East Lodge Gardens, Enfield Chase, ||
Middlesex. |

PreRRyY, A., The Nurseries, Enfield, Middlesex.

PickARD, A., 2, Snow Hull View, Wakefield, Yorks.

Prarrer, E. W., Needham Market Horticultural Society, High Street, |
Needham Market, Suffolk.

PRAEGER, KR. Ll., D.Sc., 19, Fitzwilliam Street, Dublin.

PRINCE, ALBERT, 1, Burton Street, Tarporley, Cheshire.

Prince, W. H., 21, Forest Road, Tarporley, Cheshire.

RANSOM, FRANCIS, F. C.S., Newlands, Hitchin, Herts.

137

Ransom, R. F., Wymondley Bury, Stevenage, Herts.

Reeves, Huex, Honingham Hall, Norfolk.

Reutue, G., F.R.H.S., Foxhill Nursery, Keston, Kent.

Ross, W. W., M.B., J.P., C.C., The Limes, Irthlingborough, Northants.

Row tanps, Dr. 8. P., 58, St. Mary’s Road, Doncaster, Yorks.

RussELL, ARCHIBALD, 4, Crossgate, Cupar, Fife, Scotland.

Russetz, L. A., Richmond, Surrey.

Ruee, H. G., Dartmouth College Library, Hanover, New Hampshire,
U.S.A.

SAoRSTAT Errann, The Controller, Stationery Office, Dublin.

Scorr, W. D.S., The Gardens, Government House, Bulawayo, 8S. Africa.

Scott, F. W., Tullibole Castle, Fossway, Kinross-shire, N.B.

SHELDON, J. J., F.L.S., Monkhams, Lower Road, Great Bookham,
Surrey.

A., 57, Stradella Road, Herne Hill, S.E.24.

SmirH, Ernest G., 147-151, High Street, Christchurch, New Zealand.

‘Smiruers, Major A., Morleys, Great Hallingbury, Essex.

STANSFIELD, Dr. F. W., F.L.S., 120, Oxford Road, Reading.

STANSFIELD, Dr. T., 120, Oxford Road, Reading.

STANSFIELD, Miss JESSIE, Broad Road, Sale, near Manchester.

SHerRRIN, W. R., A.L.S., South London Botanical Institute, 323,

: Norwood Road, London, S.E.24.

STEPHENS, G. E., 36, Bedford Road, Horsham, Sussex.

STEPHENS, Epwarp J., Rose Lawn, Digswell, Welwyn, Herts.

TEPHENS, MIcHAEL, Coverwood, Ewhurst, Surrey.

TINCHCOMBE, H., 92, Dunbar Avenue, Foleshill, Coventry.

SuUDELL, Ricuarp, F.I.L.A., A.R.H.S., 4, Bedford Square, London,

| wW.C.1.

SutTcLirFe, RoBeERT, 21, Market Street, Burnley, Lancs.

Taytor, Mrs. JamEs, Colomendy, Mold, N. Wales.

THATCHER, Mrs. E. J., The Manor House, Chew Magna, Somerset.

THORRINGTON, F. W., Sunnymead, Little Baddow, near Chelmsford.

Trotter, P. D., Leith Vale, Ockley, Surrey.

Waker, W. B., Cook’s Hollow, Enfield.

Warsoure, Sir Oscar, Kt., O.B.E., F.L.S., Boidier, Headley, near
Epsom.

WARREN, JAMES, Capel House, Waltham Cross, Herts.

WATERHOUSE, ALFRED, East View, Warton, Carnforth, Lancs.

Weiss, Professor F. E., D.Sc., F.R.S., F.L.S., Easedale, Woodway
Merrow, near Guildford, Surrey.

WESTLEY, Epwin, 2865, Nina Street, Lamanda Park, Pasadena,
California, U.S.A.

WHITESIDE, ROBERT, 51, Borrowdale Road, Lancaster.

Wrtiams, J. C. (Lord Lieutenant), Caerhays Castle, St. Austell,
Cornwall.

Wiiuiams, P. D., Lanarth, St. Keverne, R.S.O., Cornwall.

Wuumort, Miss Eten Ann, V.M.H., F.L.S., Warley Place, Great
Warley, Essex.

WIPER, ERNEST, 7624, Yates Street, Victoria, B.C. (Canada).

Woop & Son, F.R.H.S., The Nurseries, Taplow, Bucks.

Woopcock (His Honour Judge), H. Dryspate, K.C., Lypiatt Park,
Stroud, Glos.

Woopmansey, J. K., Knaresborough, Yorks.

Wyrwneu, Mrs. Vioter A., F.R.H.S., Pine Hill, Camberley, Surrey.

SO en
a ae nent ae

; BRITISH PTERIDOLOGICAL SOCIETY

“so CIETY originated, in September 1891, in the Lake District
i headquarters at Kendal. ts members were, however, distributed
r é on t Great Britain and Ireland, whilst some few reside in the
nions and U.S.A. Its declared objects were :—

1 The Study of Species and Varieties of British Ferns ;
er he Recording of Information with regard to Ferns generally.

he B British Fern Gazette was established in September 1909,
J ‘tion being quarterly until the commencement of the war.
r the war publication was restricted to two issues per annum
ic nt of the increased cost of printing and the decrease in the

_ of members. It is hoped shortly to resume qusEtetTy:

t m om are invited to communicate with the Hon. Secretary
bjects of interest with regard to British Ferns.

rtificates are awarded to new ferns of distinction of which plants
aracte eristic fronds are shown at the Annual Meeting for adjudica-
eT he Annual Meeting is held usually in August or September,
) m e place where ferns are abundant and from which excursions
fern Ponting can conveniently be arranged. These exeursions
m important feature of the Society’s activity.

mer ly

ey:

ronds may be sent to the Hon. Secretary to be identified or named
= ; i e. , . -~ ,

tly a Sub-Committee of the Society undertook the correct
of the National Collection at Kew and, in conference with
ctor and staff, planned and arranged the present fernery,
aenting the collection with gifts of nears from the ferneries

Bina of the members.
a

Be eollection in the Royal Horticultural Society’s Garden at
7 was similarly dealt with and augmented.

* he Society is affiliated to the Royal Horticultural Society, which
an individual subscriber to its funds.

ne Committee is endeavouring to increase the membership of the

y and, through this and by other means, to encourage the more
eral cultivation of the varieties of British ferns. Any lover of
iculture is eligible for membership and the subscription is 10s.
nnum (due i in advance at or immediately after the Annual Meeting),
i entitics members to copies of T'he Gazette.

Bs

, Hon. Treasurer or Hon. Secretary will be pleased to supply
ers who may desire it with Bankers’ Orders for the convenient

i t of subscriptions.
particulars may be obtained from the Hon. Secretary,

F. W. STANSFIELD, M.D., F.LS.,
120, Oxford Road,
Reading,
Berks.

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CORONATION CUP.

Awarded by the Royal Horticultural Society for the most —
meritorious exhibit at their great Summer Show. My col-
lection of Hardy Ferns on this occasion was considered one |

of the finest groups ever staged ata Horticultural Exhibition, i

oe
» im

During the last 5 years we have
been awarded 50 Gold and Silver
Medals, Diplomas, & Certificates
for New and Rare Hardy. Ferns.

asa
poh

Or collection of Hardy Ferns is one of the most complete in existences |

Headquarters for Alpines, Perennials, Liliums,
Water Lilies, Aquatics, New and Rare Shrubs.

‘

Catalogues free— oe fi

PERRY'S HARDY PLANT FARM,
ENFIELD, MIDDLESEX.

EDITED ‘BY

_v. satst M.D., F.LS.

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(120, OXFORD. ROAD, READING.)

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Saye ae Cae rd PUBLISHED BY

3 RITISH PTERIDOLOGICAL SOCIETY

i ce
Be; y

ent : : Mr. W. B. Cranfield, F.R.HS,, F.L.S., East Loder Enfield
ei ia qohare, Middlesex.

Se Mr. ak I. ‘Sheldon; F.L.S., ‘ Monkhams,” Lower
Road, Great Bookham, Surrey.

| BRADLEY & SON, LTD., THE CROWN PRESS, CAXTON STREET, READING-

_ /

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=

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‘

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Barrow

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THE
BRITISH FERN GAZETTE.

ee NEW SERIES.

Vou. VI. JUNE, 1932. No. 6
, CONTENTS.

EprroriaAL Nores ee pe pe fee hes = 139
‘Our FRONTISPIECE : Polypodium v. Cambricum Barrowii 140
OpiruaRy : DRucE (F.W.S.)_... ive ai st 141
DIFFICULTIES IN FERN GROWING (Mr. J. W. Bigland) 53 142
Mr. HENRY Botton—A VETERAN FERN GROWER ... Fs 145
Tue ANNUAL MEETING oF 1932 om - jae ti 145
FERNS IN THE SPRING OF 1932 (F.W.S.) fy oes ts 146

THE ALLEGED LARVIcIDAL PRoPERTY oF Chara fragilis (Mr.
mas. Blow, F.L.S.) . i Kes oe te is 149
EXHIBITING FERNS (F.W.S.) re ae na — 3 152

A Harpy Type oF Asplenium lanceolatum FROM FRANCE
(F.W.S.) oo SE OS eee ee 154
MANURE FoR Ferns (F.W.S.) ... shi: dei es 2: 155
Oup AGE In Ferns (F.W.S.) ... rs ie od i ae 156
OLp THEORIES oF FERN REPRODUCTION (Dr. § S. P. Rowlands) 158

i PRomisinc AVENUES (and things to be avoided) IN RAISING
_ Ferns (F.W.S.) oat aoe rh ie ae ae 161

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Our Vice-President, Mr. T. B. Blow, F.L.S., has recently
communicated a second paper to the Linnean Society on the
subject of the alleged larvicidal properties of Chara fragilis.
He has been working for some years on the Characee and
has previously contributed a paper which was noticed in our
Editorial Notes in the Gazerrs, Vol. V, No. 12. Mr. Blow
considers his second paper to be decisive (in a negative sense)
on the question examined. With his permission we are
publishing his paper in our present issue Although the
members of the genus Chara are not ferns they are fern allies
\like the Lycopodiums and Selaginellas and have been often
alluded to, and sometimes described, in the older books on
jferns.

} We have received, from Mr. F. W. Thorrington, fronds of
a seedling Osmunda which he has raised from spores of O.

F JUL 5 1932

140

well-known and favourite variety. Although the plant was
raised ten years ago it is still small and has, so far, produced
neither offsets nor spores. It is much more thoroughly
crested than the parent usually is at the same stage of develop-

; |

regalis cristata and which seems a distinct break from that

ment and seems likely to be a percristata since not only the —

pinnae and pinnules but even the pinnulets are crested,

while the fact that there are pinnulets indicates a tendency -

towards an incised, if not even a plumose, character. If it
can be persuaded to grow to anything like the size of the
species while retaining its thoroughness of character, this
should be a very striking and beautiful variety. We hope
to see it again after a year or two of further growth.

Our friend, M. Paul Kestner, says he has carefully examined
microscopically many plants of Asplenium Germanicum, but
has never yet come across a perfect spore. This experience
seems to explain our own lack of success in raising sporelings
of this fern which has, so far, been complete. We have not
made any microscopical examination of the apparent spores,
but propose to do so this year should any be available. Fern
spores, by the way, seem to be very late in germinating this
year, here at any rate. Those sown in the winter or late
autumn usually show incipient prothallia about March, but
this year the only ones showing growth at all at the end of
April are those of Lastrea pseudo-mas incisa brought from
Whitewell last year. All the rest, which include montanas,
Polystichums, Aspleniums and Blechnums, if alive, are still
completely dormant.

The Treasurer, Mr. J. J. Sheldon, will be glad to receive —

any outstanding subscriptions.

OUR FRONTISPIECE.
Polypodium v. Cambricum Barrowi.

The figure is a reproduction of a photograph from a plant |
in the collection of Mr. T. E. Henwood. The original plant —

was found in Westmorland in 1874 by Mr. Thomas Barrow, —

of Lindale. It is certainly one of the very finest forms of |

*

»
<

141

‘the species, being only rivalled by plwmoswm, Whilharris,
and it is a moot point which of the two is the more beautiful
thing. The slender pointed tips of the ultimate segments
are translucent and would probably develop apospory under
suitable conditions. As such conditions would necessitate
close culture, however, and a saturated atmosphere, which
would be unfavourable to the health of the plant, most
growers prefer to let the apospory slide and to have a healthy
and beautiful plant. It is singular that three of the finest
forms of “‘ Cambricum,” viz., Barrowii, Hadwinii and Prestonii
have all been found outside the principality in Northern
‘England. The origin of Whilharris is at present unknown.
Any reader who can throw light upon its history will be a
benefactor to the cult of ferns.

OBITUARY : DRUCE.

We regret to announce the loss of a valued friend and an
honorary member of the Society, viz., Dr. G. C. Druce, M.A.,
FERS., F.L.S., who died on February 29th, at Oxford. He
was a very keen and critical botanist and the author of
* Floras ” of the counties of Oxford, Berks, Bucks and North-
ampton, besides many contributions to the proceedings of the
‘Linnean and other learned societies. He believed he had
found wild every known British flowering plant and fern.
He was not a fern specialist, but as a general botanist was well
acquainted with all the species. He contributed to our
columns (Vol. IV, p. 182, ete.) a paper on the Nomenclature
of British Ferns, embodying the results (in this section) of
the Vienna Conference on botanical nomenclature. This
paper is valuable for reference, giving as it does all the most
modern, as well as the. most ancient, names of our British
ferns. Dr. Druce had a serious attack of illness in the early
part of 1931 which sapped his vitality at his then age of 80,
although he recovered sufficiently to pay a botanical visit
to the Levant where he collected some curious geographical
types of Dryopteris filix-mas. He retained his keen intellect
to the end of his life, His funeral was attended by a large

PS
tid

142

number of friends and by representatives of the city and
- University of Oxford and of the numerous societies of which
he was a member. He was a most genial and vivacious
companion and we have vivid recollections of many “ great
days’ with him on botanical expeditions in the counties of —
Oxford, Berks, Hants and Bucks during the last forty years.

Peace to his ashes.

F.WS.

eS — —

DIFFICULTIES IN FERN GROWING.

The Rev. E. A. Elliott’s interesting article on “ making” —
as he says “ Ferns grow where they don’t want to,” reveals —
troubles with which we are all more or less afflicted. IJ think ©
the alpines present the greatest problem of all. To anyone —
living in a manufacturing area the difficulty becomes acute. —
Under such circumstances a greenhouse becomes a necessity.
Light and air, and plenty of them, are the main factors of —
success, especially the light—a great deal more so than many :
think. Get them well up near to the glass. In time past —
I used to have a kind of long trough, fixed high up, running ©
almost the length of the greenhouse and with sides about '
3 inches deep. The Woodsias grew finely on. that shelf, in
fact most of the alpines did so. If any of the other species
showed signs of failing, when they were placed upon that
shelf for a period it usually worked wonders. On one occasion
I raised a nice little crop of Woodsia Ilvensis from spores and
that within five miles of Manchester. About thirty years
ago | managed to get a plant of Cystopteris alpina ; it was
rather small and I never managed to get it going and it soon
perished. I hope to do better with the plant of the same
species which our Editor has so kindly sent on. Cystopteris
montana (one of my favourites) never gave me any trouble.
It is one of the most beautiful of ferns—a very early riser,
always about the first harbinger of spring among the fern
tribe, and one of the first to start hibernating for winter,
which it usually does in August—sometimes earlier—and it —
seldom, if ever, sends up a second growth in one season.

1435

My method of dealing with montana is to select a good sized
, say 8 or 10 inches across (a deep pan would do as well),
e parts fill it with crocks, cover them with a thin layer of
ee -mould, then about one inch of compost; spread the
Phi omes out on this and cover with about another inch of
compost ; keep the soil on the wet side if anything. The
rhizomes soon begin to burrow among the crocks and the
fern—well !it simply revels. It has always done better with
‘me treated in this way than if planted in a bed and allowed
to run loose. The members of the Cystopteris family are
usually credited with being lime lovers, but I think montana
is an exception to that rule. I have been told, and have
; = from experience, that it likes some peat in its compost.
‘The late Mr. C. T. Druery, writing (in one of the early
| GAZETTES, if my memory serves) on Allosorus crispus and the
fficulty of growing it, said “ plant it in some corner in the

J
‘open (with a suitable compost of rap cee then throw a

spadeful of gravel on the top and forget it.” I have never
tried this method, but propose doing so as time serves.

fancy Allosorus does best with a north aspect. In the
_Lake district, its true home, one mostly finds it growing in a
} a of turfy loam with a good admixture of slaty grit. It
seems to root rather deeply and a grandfather specimen
‘ak takes a lot of digging up. Of all the British species I regard
| Aaplenium viride as the most troublesome fern to rear.
\Bhave tried all the dodges I could think of, but it has always
beaten me. It is strange when one considers the similarity
(outwardly, at least) between A. trichomanes and A. viride,
but it seems to me that all similarity vanishes when it comes
| to the growing part. Here I have A. trichomanes, with fronds
| @ foot long, growing in a frame with A. trichomanes cristatum
‘and A.t. Italicum (foliosum, Cowan Ed.), but the latter has
never made much headway. Most of our British Aspleniwms

‘need very careful nursing. Too much of the watering can,
or too little, soon brings trouble, and, once the backward
trend sets in, it is very difficult to arrest it. Of the Lastreas
a suppose I ought to write Dryopteris, but I don’t like this

|
.
\
.
\q

Ny mee as
~

144

new classification) that delightful product of our Northern
hills, Z. rigida, is, in my hands, a difficult customer to deal :
with. I have had many specimens from time to time, but ;
I must confess that I never succeeded in keeping one alive | /
for very long. It flatters one’s efforts for a short time and
then each successive crop of fronds gets gradually smaller |
until it finally winks out altogether. There is, I feel sure, a _
need for more information on how to handle these ‘difficult |
ferns and as our friend, Mr. Elliot, so aptly puts it, “ make —
them grow where they don’t want to grow.” | i
J. W. 8S. BIGLAND |
(Bebington, near Birkenhead). ,

[Mr. Bigland’s difficulties are as interesting as, if not more so than, —

4

many records of successes, since the latter are frequently the result of
naturally favourable circumstances. With regard to the Parsley }
Fern, Mr. Henwccd has a plant which he brought from Snowdon in |
1910, since which time it has only been repotted once. It is stilla rt
flourishing plant although growing in a pot and only protected by a light ~

frame which is open during the summer and autumn. Aspleniwm e
viride is generally reckoned a rather difficult subject and we have lost
plants from time to time without being able to find out why they died. —
On the other hand, two plants, evidently recently collected wild, were &|
received a couple of years ago from Mr. Oliver, of Melrose. They :
rapidly established themselves and are now as fine examples as could |
be desired, the fronds of last year being still (middle of April) fresh,
green and beautiful, and the plants breaking into vigorous growth. ‘
These have been grown on a shelf similar to Mr. Bigland’s, but in pots, ~

being planted in a moraine mixture of equal parts of loam, peat and |
broken limestone.

They have been watered from below, on moraine —
principles, by their pots being stood in a dish of water for an hour or s0
when approaching dryness and then removed and allowed to drain. ;
They are never allowed to stand in water for a long time, and a surfacing
of broken limestone prevents any growth of moss or liverwort on the
surface of the soil which consequently never becomes sour or water- —
logged. We have never had any great difficulty with Lastrea rigida, —
though we have occasionally lost plants from accident or lack of |
reasonable care. Probably the same treatment which suits viride —
would also suit rigida. A plant brought from Ingleborough in 1929 ‘3
has become well established and still looks all right, although rather ;
backward in starting into growth this season.—Ed.]

, Lancaster.

Thompson

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145

MR. HENRY BOLTON, STONY CROFT, WARTON.
th ink no one will dispute my statement when I say that
Ds bject of this article has had a longer association with
dy British ferns than any other man living. Mr. Henry
fon is, in his 85th year, still hale and hearty—may he
ng -remain so. He was born, and has lived, I believe, all
life, about seven miles north of Lancaster in the picturesque
0 ies of Warton. With this village George Washington,
> first president of the United States of America, was
30) ciated in his early life. Mr. Bolton tells how he first
came interested in ferns. This was at the age of nine
; he was in one of the beautiful lanes under the shelter
Warton Crag one Saturday afternoon when he came across
sch oolmaster from the neighbouring town—a fern enthusiast.
his man had just found what was, to him, a new fern ; he
vinted out its beauties to the boy and told him what grand
rns were to be found in the district and advised him to go
| inting for some. Bolton became interested, then en-
lusiastic and from that day, 76 years back, to this, ferns
yi ave been his great hobby ; he is as enthusiastic over them
| )-€ ay as he was when I first met him—years ago.

R. WHITESIDE.

THE ANNUAL MEETING, 1932.

fhe General Meeting of the Society will be held at the
0 ace of Wales Hotel, Lord Street, Southport, at 10 a.m.
August 25th, the second day of the Show. As the
Co poration is again offering liberal prizes for exhibits of

1 ritish and other ferns, the Southport Show affords a unique

y op] portunity for lovers of these plants to see first-rate collec-

lons and groups from growers in all parts of the country.

i.
(]
ie
;

146 t
The occasion of the Show will also, we hope, attract a large

number of members to the Meeting of the Society. On the
third day of the Show it is arranged that the members who

can do so should pass on to Wrexham in the County of
Denbigh, N. Wales, for a few days’ fern hunting. The |
headquarters of the Society will be the Wynnstay Arms
Hotel, Wrexham (Manager, Mr. F. H. Hope), where good
accommodation is to be obtained and from which convenient
access, by rail or omnibus, is available to all parts of the
county. The proposed visit to Scotland, after the Meeting,
had to be abandoned from lack of support. Denbighshire

is said to be swarming with ferns and, although it is mostly

non-calcareous, there are some outcrops of limestone to be
met with, so that a fair number of species may be found.

The county has been but little hunted for ferns so far as is

known, but our member, Dr. Rowlands, gave an account oi |

a visit to it in the GAZETTE (Vol. V, p. 151) which may be
re-read by members with interest. Members who intend to. |
join the party will be well advised to secure accommodation _

in advance and in good time.

|
FERNS IN THE SPRING OF 1932.
The present year has so far been rather a trying one fou
ferns. The mild weather of December and January a |
many things to start into growth before the proper time,
while the persistent cold of February, March and April, gave
them a strong though doubtless salutary check. Fortunately, |

it was not so cold here as actually to destroy the new growth |

and the position altogether is not so bad as in some previous

years when the cold weather came later after a mild winter

and a precocious start into growth. A curious example ot |

triumph over difficulties is to be seen in our fernery. A plant.

of a seedling variegated P. angulare pulcherrimum grew well :
|

147

7 z une last, making a nice shuttlecock of fronds, and built
| u )a healthy resting crown. Unfortunately, it began to throw
} up new fronds very slowly in October and these have continued
to expand during the periods of mild weather until the middle
of April when the fronds were about half developed. The
plant is in a cold house into which frost easily penetrates
and as frost would infallibly have destroyed the young fronds,
M the plant has been protected by sheets of paper on every
night when frost was to be apprehended and, of course, all

‘ the time during spells of frosty weather. It has now (May.

; 5th) almost completed the fronds which began to grow in
' October and really looks very well though still not quite out
of the wood since the danger of sharp frost is not yet over.
‘The ferns out of doors have only quite recently started into
\ rowth and some of them have not moved even yet. ‘Two
Pe of precocity are the two “hardy” Adiantums,
iD |. flabellulatum and A. venustum, Don, both from India.

iz
‘These started into growth about Christmas and have made

——

' growth at intervals, resting in the coldest weather. The new
“fronds have not been injured. They have both been grown
‘in the same house with the pulcherrumum and have also been
‘protected by covering on frosty nights, though less meticu-
jusly than the Polystichum. Mr. Henwood has them both
f . well in a similar house. Two plants of Cystopteris
| alpina. received last summer from about 7,000 feet in the
Alps, are both now (May 5th) in full frondage and very
beautiful, while a plant of the same species, collected some
years ago lower down and grown in the same house, is now
only just beginning to move although well established and
quite healthy. The plumose variety of Aspleniwm viride
| found by Mr. Greenfield in Switzerland last summer, as

. P viously reported, and sent to me in August, has been a

148 - ay
watched and fussed over like a sick baby. On arrival it wa |
planted in a mixture of loam, peat and broken oyster shell :

in a small pot, this being placed inside another and the second
one inside a third so as to imitate, as far as possible, the |
conditions in a cleft of rock. As it almost immediately threw |
up two or three fronds I imagined it was making roots and |
contidently anticipated that it would rapidly become estab- ]
lished. It was placed out of doors in a north aspect, while
the weather was mild, and taken under cover in frosty weather, —
being protected by a bell glass during the prevalence of east .
winds so as to preserve the old fronds as long as possible. :
Viride is a tricky customer, however, and the old fronds | |
gradually faded one by one (although pieces of them still 1
remain more or less green even now) and about the middle ot
April as it looked very tired indeed, one day I got a scare i
and decided that ‘‘ something must be done about it,” :
I turned it out of the pot and found the original roots id
dead, but there was just one new living fibre. The dead roots
were trimmed away and the fern replanted in the moraine
mixture of loam, peat and limestone and replaced upon the —
fernery shelf. In a week or so one or two incipient fronds i
appeared, but they came on so slowly that I was very doubttul |
whether the plant would pull through. Now, however (early |
May) it is decidedly looking up and several new fronds are
appearing, so I hope the corner has been turned. Possibly |
it might have come through all right if it had been left alone, —
but I am inclined to think that the removal of the dead roots
and the application of fresh soil gave it a stimulus. Probably — 4
the best treatment (had it been possible) would have been
to imitate its home conditions by burying the plant under a _
foot or two of snow from September to the end of April. df
This was, however, impracticable in our latitude and low
altitude. |

(Later, June 1st)—The plant has now sent up half a dozen t
fronds and others are showing and, although it is still very |
small, it is thought to be fairly convalescent. i

149

THE ALLEGED LARVICIDAL PROPERTY OF
CHARA FRAGILIS.

(Read before the Linnean Society, 28th April, 1932.)

From the American Journal of Hygiene of March, 1928
Bs. , No. 2), pp. 279 and ates it asd yi that hapties

is

5

¥
-
7

' SP Further tests were made by these He Fal the results
| being published in the American Journal of ‘Tropical
| Medicine of July, 1929 (Vol. 9, No. 4). Without going into
, details of the very extensive tests applied, it may be stated
| that their conclusions were that “‘ Chara fragilis, growing in
‘still and running water aquaria of various kinds, prevented
losquito breeding. In the presence of decay oviposition
\ Bakes place, and larval development proceeds normally. It
_ the plant recovers its vigorous growth the decay ceases,
: Jarval growth is inhibited, and oviposition does not take
i Place.”

{7 These conclusions came as a great surprise to British
‘investigators, who had used many species of Charophyta as
tests (in my case six species). None of them however appeared
to have tested Chara fragilis, though I had used, with negative
results, C. delicatula, a very near relative of C. fragilis, ot
which some botanists regard it as a subspecies. Thanks to
‘the kindness of Colonel Barnardiston, I obtained an ample
supply of Chara fragilis, proper, and when it had grown
vigorously in two of my large glass jars introduced larvae
of Culex pipiens and Theobaldia annulata, and they enjoyed
a vigorous life, between 80 and 90 per cent. assuming the
| oa state.

It will be remembered that Mr. Pal, in his paper on
Biorophyta of Burmah, read before the Society on the 22nd
| January, 1931, drew attention to the destruction of Mosquito
f larvae by predatory insects. I sent a copy of the abstract

of Mr. Pal’s paper to Dr. Hamlyn-Harris, the City Entomo-

‘i <
7
. oo
‘
‘=

150

Fragilis in particular, and the following is a copy of a ete |
he sent to Mr. Pal :— Bi

“Some little time ago Mr. T. B. Blow of Welwyn sent me |
your abstract on Burmese Charophyta, read before the |
Linnean Society of London, and I thought the following |
notes might interest you. Some recent experiments with |

Chara fragilis have interested me very much and have some |
bearing on the economic importance of your own investiga- |
tion. Some time ago I instituted a number of experiments |
with jars containing :—(1) Chara fragilis growing normalityl|
and (2) Chara fragilis in the state of decomposition, |
(3) Hydrilla and Ceratophyllum, (4) Nitella gelatinosa.
these jars were all situated within a few feet of one another, \ |
the extraordinary thing is that the first jar to be selected —
was a large earthenware vessel, containing about a cally
and a half of water, and a fine growth of Chara fragilis.
The Mosquito to select it was Aedes Argenteus of which the
first three pupz hatched within a period of ten days. Then

— ——

came a further surprise, Culex fatigans selected a glass jar
containing a smaller quantity of water but a more luxuriant —

— eee

growth of Chara fragilis than was contained in any of them

Preece PETS SETS amt pe Pee

Two egg rafts were laid on this water. Some hatched out
into adults quite normally, but the greater majority of larvae |
fell a prey to, first of all, the attacks of the species of Hydra |
present in considerable numbers ; the young larvae could be

seen quite distinctly inside the central cavity when viewed |
in certain lights : secondly, the remainder of the first egg
raft was attacked by a species of Saprolegnia which killed |
off the larvae so attacked. None of the other jars, not even |
the controls, were selected. It does seem strange to think
that these two jars should have been the only ones selected |
and in face of such facts how can I possibly accept Matheson |
& Hinman’s statement that ‘under every condition Chara 4
fragilis is larvicidal.’ I never make these observations |
without showing them to responsible people so that they

151

e able to judge for themselves. In this particular instance
my witness was Dr. Graham Drew, the Deputy Commissioner
of Public Health, Queensland.”

_ I may here note that Dr. Hamlyn-Harris has several
F articles on the subject in the Proceedings of the Royal Society

of Queensland, notably in Vol. XLI, No. 3, in which he
gives a long account of the various predatory insects which
prey on the Mosquito larvae.

» In a later letter to me Dr. Hamlyn-Harris said : ““ My
i latest researches into the efficiency or otherwise of the
j Charophyta as possessors of the larvicidal property only
eneirmed what I said all along. To my mind they are

yrs,

' ¢ utterly useless in Mosquito control. In the laboratory,
| conditions are so abnormal, that one finds that they breed
i “sometimes, and sometimes they do not, but I have proved
__ experimentally that by providing supplemental food, Culex
_jatigans can be induced to breed in overwhelming numbers.
i am further of opinion that Professor Matheson’s interpreta-
tions of his findings are inadequate because he has entirely
“ignored certain chemical phases of the question which may
/ be responsible for the conditions which he obtained, such
| as the decrease of COz, the increase of carbonate due to the
| temperature of the water, according to the time of day ;
| therefore I do not believe that the Characee have anything
to do with the conditions which he attributes to them. This
; briefly in a nutshell is, I fancy, all you need to know; if
| you require any further information please write and I will
communicate with you further on the subject.”

%

— re

I think from what I say in this paper about Chara fragilis

and with the corroborative evidence of Dr. Hamlyn-Harris

that it may safely be concluded that that species, in common
with Charophyta collectively, has no larvicidal qualities.

= 2)

THOMAS BATES BLOW.

ee rah hep ® Leas

152

EXHIBITING FERNS. tl

in exhibiting ferns for prizes at shows the first considera-

tion must be to comply with the terms of the schedule. —

Otherwise, however good the plants may be, the whole lot —
is liable to be disqualified. A particularly bad case of this

kind occurred only last year at.a local show which shall be
nameless. Suffice it to say that the writer only attended

the exhibition as an ordinary visitor and not in any official —

capacity, and, of course, not as an exhibitor. One of the
classes was for ‘
exhibited, but the plant which was awarded the first prize

was Asparagus plumosus—not a fern at all! On inquiring

cautiously why this plant had not been disqualified I learned —

?

that the plant was known as “ Asparagus fern’? and was

¢

therefore considered to be “ within the meaning of the act.”
Other less glaring examples of inaccuracy are the exhibition
of exotic ferns as British and of tender ferns in a class for
hardy ones, or again when, say, “6 British Ferns, distinct
species or varieties,’ are specified, and 6 ferns are shown
but two of them are of the same variety though possibly
bearing different labels. Of course the mistake may be made
quite innocently as the exhibitor may have received the plants
under different names and they may even look different
for a time if grown under differing conditions. Occasionally,
even, a group may not contain the proper number of plants,
seven being shown instead of six or eleven instead of twelve.
In either of these cases the judges are bound to disqualify

the exhibit however good the plants in it may be. Again, —

apart from the question of absolute disqualification, ferns
should be harmoniously arranged, so as to show their best
points, and the individuals should be proportionate to each
other, not a haphazard mixture of giants and dwarfs. The
individual plants should be shapely and not drawn out of
their proper habit. The essence of beauty in a fern 1s

symmetry though, of course, this is not the only quality

required. Health, general culture and freedom from pests,
are all important points; another is correctness of type

‘one pot of fern,’ and several ferns were

153

while, last but not least, may be mentioned the quality of
i varieties. Rarity is by no means an essential thing
although, when other things are equal, a group of rare or
1 fficult, or very choice varieties, will take precedence over
an exhibit of ordinary, though well grown and _ beautiful,
_ things. Variety is also a point to be considered in a mixed
3 o oup. For instance, suppose a prize is offered for twelve
_ British ferns : while one exhibitor may show not only distinct
yarieties but perhaps eight different species and four or six
q genera, another may put up twelve plants, of distinct varieties
indeed, but perhaps all Athyriwms or all Lastreas or mostly
t Scolopendriums. Other things being equal the group con-
| taining the greater number of genera and species would have
a distinct advantage both from the point of view of effective
display and that of a representative character.

Difficulties may sometimes arise over the exact interpreta-
3 ion of the Secale words, “hardy,” “ British,” “ green-
house,” and “ exotic,’ ’ as applied to ferns. Take for instance
Does this mean capable of being grown

39

the word * hardy.
: c ut of doors, or with simple protection in any part of this
country? If so there are several British ferns which are
not hardy, viz., Asplenium marinum, A. lanceolatum and
7 Adiantum capillus-Veneris. These ferns grow wild in
7 Britain and are therefore hardy somewhere in the country,
i . t it is only in a few localities and in very favoured circum-
ances that they can be grown without glass protection or
even without artificial heat. Genuinely British ferns are
7 Bie ally accepted as hardy although this is only true in a
_specialsense. Then what is the exact meaning of “ British ”’ ?
i.e. either

‘ec 99

It is usually interpreted as “of British origin,

7 found wild in Britain or raised under cultivation from plants
8 found. It is arguable however that varieties of a British
_ species should be considered as British even if found wild
fe P raised under cultivation in some other country. There
e beautiful varieties of Lastrea dilatata, Asplenium marinum
Be nad A. lanceolatum which have been found in the Azores
and forms of Aspleniwm trichomanes, A. viride and perhaps

154 7;

Scolopendriwm which have been found on the continent of

Europe. It seems hard that these should be excluded as

foreigners but exhibitors will be wise not to depend upon
their admission as British. Asplenium fontanum and

f

Cystopteris alpina are species which are generally accepted

as British, but it is very doubtful whether there are, in
cultivation, any plants of them which have not been either
imported or raised from spores of imported plants. In all
these cases, however, judges usually err, if they err at all, wpon

the side of leniency, but it is always possible that some purist —

may stand out strictly for his own interpretation of the law.
Lastly it is important that all plants exhibited should be, as
far as possible, correctly named, as it is not fair to the visiting
public to have false names foisted upon them at exhibitions.

F.WSS.

cr

A HARDY TYPE OF ASPLENIUM LANCEOLATUM FROM
FRANCE.

Our valued member, M. Paul Kestner of Lausanne, informs
us in a letter that there is a type of A. lanceolatum which is
perfectly hardy. It is found in the vicinity of Paris
(Fontainebleau) and in some parts of Central France and
extends as far East as the Vosges and Northern Alsace where
the climate is certainly much more severe than in London
or Lausanne. M. Kestner has recently sent us a frond or
two, with spores, of this form. The plants were collected in
the neighbourhood of Saverne, Alsace, the winter of which
is probably more severe than that of most parts of England.
The fronds do not seem to differ in appearance from the
ordinary form of the species. We have sown the spores and
hope in time to raise plants, some of which will be tried out
of doors where they will be exposed to the ordinary vicissitudes
of our insular climate. Plants of the British type from
Devon and Cornwall, whether collected or seedlings, have
always died, in our experience, out of doors as soon as an
ordinarily severe winter came along. Should the plan
succeed it will be an interesting example of acclimatization.

155

imilar experiments may be made with spores of A. marinum
sllected from the coldest places in which this fern can be
‘ou ad. It has been recorded from the counties of Aberdeen
d Fife, which may be reasonably expected to produce a
1a dier type than that found in Cornwall, the Channel Islands
or the West of Ireland.

MANURE FOR FERNS.

_ The subject named in the title has been suggested as one
likely to be of interest to cultivators. It may be broadly
stated that rank or fresh animal manure is injurious to most,
if not to all, ferns, but there are many species which are
benefited by a judicious top-dressing of. well-decayed cow or
horse manure especially on a poor or dry soil. The late Mr.
j : Bolton used decayed manure freely for Scolopendriums
with great success and our own experience indicates that
Athyriums, Scolopendriums and Lastrea filix-mas will stand
in d will flourish the better for a moderate application of this
stimulant and plant food. The late Mr. H. Stansfield used
ald cow manure freely for Scolopendriums and Polypodiums

when grown in beds. It should be expressly stipulated,

however, that manure is not to be given to ferns in pots as
it breeds too many worms which are anathema to pot plants
generally and especially to ferns. Should pot ferns require
help, as they may when pot bound, it should be given in the
fc m of clear, and not too strong, liquid manure and not as

solid application to the soil. Mr. Henwood grows
Polypodiums as well as any one but uses mostly a mixture of
turfy loam and leaf-mould with a light autumnal dressing of
bone meal. The light vegetable soil, though good for the
Polypodies, has the disadvantage of encouraging wood-lice,
which are a great pest to the ferns and require to be kept
down by systematic trapping and nocturnal hunting. We

should never apply animal manure to Aspleniums, Woodsias,
Blechnums or any such rock-loving and peat-loving species.

F.WS.

156
OLD AGE IN FERNS.

;
;
All living organisms, equally with the suns and planets,

are subject to the general law of growth, decay and final —

s
dealth, although there are wide differences in the time ©
required to bring about final extinction in different species —

and varieties, some lives being finished in a few days while

others endure for centuries or millenniums. In the case of ©

ferns the species which produce spores freely and develop —
rapidly to maturity generally tend to be short-lived as ©
individuals, while those kinds which breed with difficulty
by sexual processes are longer lived. Of British species the —

shortest lived is Anogramma leptophylla, a native of the
Channel Islands, which produces one crop of spores and

then dies, while one of the longest is Osmunda regalis which —

will probably live for a century or more. Athyrum filia-
femina and Dryopteris paleacea (Lastrea pseudo-mas) are also
capable of living to a ripe old age under favourable conditions.
Among varieties of a single species compare the cycle of
Asplenium trichomanes cristatum with that of A. t. incisum.
The former produces plenty of spores which give rise, under
favourable conditions, to abundant seedlings which rapidly
mature. The parent plant, however, after sporing freely for
one or perhaps two years, sinks into senility, continues a

lingering and miserable existence for a short time longer, and —
then dies. The barren incisums however grow into large —

clumps which can be divided again and again for many

years without suffering any appreciable loss of vital energy. ©

Nevertheless there is an eventual loss of vital force and it

becomes more and more difficult to keep the plants alive —
after division. Several of the older types of incisuwm such as —

laciniatum, triangulare and Claphamii are either extinct or on

the verge of extinction after a life of 50 years or so, while the ©

more recent Clementi, although it still grows vigorously, is
more apt to die after division than formerly and has become
very scarce. Asplenium lanceolatum microdon, found in 1855

and propagated only by division, seems to have disappeared
although at one time fairly widely distributed ; the present

157

ig
riter lost his plant during the severe frost of 1916-17 and
2s not been able to hear of it since in any other collection.
4. Adiantum-nigrum microdon is also extremely scarce although
f more recent origin, having been found in 1872. Athyrium
f. Victorie, found in 1861, is plentiful in collections, having
een propagated freely from spores, but the original is very
sarce indeed and many of the plants seem to be suffering
rom senile decay. They are much less vigorous than the
eec ings and are apt to die after division or during a bad
winter or spring. A. f.f. acrocladon, found in 1860, is also
setting scarce although seedlings were raised in 1878 and
nost of the plants in cultivation belong to that batch.
Polystichum angulare acrocladon was found in 1862 and there
s no record of any seedlings having been raised from it. It
s now very rare indeed and probably exists in only one
or two collections. P. a. plumosum, Elworthy, was found
in 1856 and has never so far as is known been propagated
xcept by division. It is described by Lowe as “‘a sterile
orm ~ and it is certainly very rarely fertile. Sori have,
10Wever, appeared on my own plant on several occasions,
hough only very sparingly and it is doubtful whether any
pores ever ripened and certainly none ever germinated.
Phe plant, however, still seems fairly vigorous, though less
o than formerly and produces a crop of fronds annually.
Another old fern which has become scarce is P. angulare
Pateyii (plumosum, Patey). It was found in 1866 and was
sent to the late Mr. Robert Sim of Foot’s Cray, who raised
4 considerable stock of young plants, presumably from the
pases of the fronds. These were distributed far and wide
j but now one rarely sees a plant of it. The late Mr. Thomas
30lton, Senior, of Warton, grew a very fine plant of it (as
ne did of most ferns he attempted) and this, upon one occasion,
__ produced a crop of spores but, so far as is known, no seedlings
of it were ever raised. It is possible that its fame was
z lipsed by the advent of the plumose divisilobes which were
easier to grow and propagate. It is a great pity that such
a beautiful thing as Pateyii should be lost sight of since it is

158

by far the finest of the wild-found plumosums in angulare.
Growers who still have it will be well advised to take every
care of it and to keep a sharp look-out for ‘spores which may

be again produced and would a give new lease of life to a

very valuable variety. I have recently referred to the

angulare pulcherrimums as short-lived plants (Vol. V, No. 10, |

?

p. 225) and am glad now to record that Mr. Cranfield still has

a plant of my own No. 1 pulcherromum and also of the |
aposporously raised type of pulcherromum variegatum, both |

of which I have myself lost. J have now only a single plant
of the original pulcherrimum variegatum, Moly, and, as it

has ceased to produce bulbils as formerly, its life is somewhat |

precarious.

Scores of plants of this fern have been distributed during
the last forty years but they seem to have been mostly lost

although two or three members have single plants like |

myself. Some treasures which have been lost are Asplenvwm
marinum plumosum, A. m. multipinnatum, A. fontanum

refractum, Adiantum Cap-Veneris Cornubiense, P. angulare
Baldwinti (the original), P. ang. Lyellii (probably), P. a. —
pulcherrimum, Wills, and Blechnum sp. paradoxum, of Whit- —
well, while others in danger of extinction are P. lonchitis

cristatum, several fine forms of Lastrea montana, Blechnum
sp. plumosum, Forster, Lastrea pseudo-mas apospora cristata,

Cropper, and Adiantum C. V. wmbricatum.
| F.W.S.

—— ——— ———————————

OLD THEORIES ON FERN REPRODUCTION.

Living as we do in an age when new discoveries and
inventions crowd in upon us in quick succession, we have
learnt readily to accept the discovery of a mere yesterday
as an old-established fact of to-day. We are, perhaps,
losing our sense of wonder, and forget too easily the long
period of darkness which has often preceded the light. We
do not always trouble to enquire how the facts came to be

5
tee wi 7
~~ Se

known, or how many puzzled hours the early investigators _

spent in unravelling problems which cause us no trouble
to-day.

159

Ir. Druery’s book how the earlier botanists were “ baffled
in their attempts to follow through the life history of the
rm until nearly the middle of the nineteenth century, that
‘is, until 1846, when Count Suminski discovered the final
link i in the chain by determining the nature of the archegonia,
or female organs of the Fern, Naegeli preceding him by
+ aa and describing the antheridia and the antherozoids,

| assuming the office they performed.”’

1846, and a momentous discovery in Cryptogamic Botany,
a discovery scarcely older than some of our living Pteri- .
dologists ! Let ussee what was known and thought about the
subject a short time before that date. On looking up some
f my old Fern books, I find a tendency to avoid technical
iscussions about Fern reproduction. The authors were,
erhaps, practical men rather than theorists, and felt that
‘the subject was a little beyond them. Mr. G. W. Francis,
... tackles it boldly and gives a detailed account of the
current opinions, including his own. The Preface to the first
edition of his book, ““ An Analysis of the British Ferns,’ is
bi 1837, and while a third edition was published in 1847,
the author admits that he had spent much time abroad and
had made no addition to his store of Fern knowledge since the
‘book was first published. His remarks are therefore those of
the earlier date, before Suminski’s illuminating discovery
had been published

‘The distinction between seeds and spores was already

understood, and Francis gives a good account of the differ-
ences. He describes the germination of spores, saying that
the first frond is not unlike a Lichen or a Marchantia, and

ifering much from the fronds of future growth. The term
ie

prothallus * is not used. The trouble began when the
| stbject of fertilisation came to be discussed. “* The reproduc-

| tion of Ferns,” he says, “is a subject involved -in much

obscurity. Hedwig, Bernhardi and others have proposed
‘theories to explain this intricate matter, but without success.
‘That the Ferns have no visible flowers is evident, but that

\
fi

160 Bi

they have some apparatus analogous to stamens is maintained |
by most of our first botanists. So keen has been the search|

for these in the present tribe, that every part of the plant |

|

the thece, their ring, and their cover, but the spiral vessels|

has been subjected to the minutest investigation : not only

of the rachis, the stomata upon their cuticle, and the glands}

|

remainder of the paragraph is not easy to follow, and we |

which are sometimes found attending upon them.” The

share the obscurity which affected the early investigators. |
They felt that there must be stamens, or something equivalent |
to them, to be found somewhere. “ Sprengel long ago stated |
that the young sori, or rather that the swelled extremity of ||
the veins of Polypodium vulgare, which sometimes remain i
abortive, and at others produce thece, were filled with oblong- :
shaped bodies of a greyish colour, which he considered to be.
stamens, and as yielding pollen as do the external stamens of |
flowering plants. These, being attended upon by young |
ovules, the latter became impregnated and grew to perfection, |
while the pollen masses were decayed or absorbed.” ]

Where the young ovules, which “attend ”’ upon the so- I
|
case, no one at that time seemed to worry about the under 1

called pollen grains, come from is not made clear In any

surface of the prothallus, search for the missing elements |

being wholly directed to the frond itself. Sprengel’s observa-

tions were apparently supported by some rather poor drawings,
which failed to carry conviction to other investigators, with |
the result that for a time his findings were disregarded.
Professor Link carried on the investigations and definitely |
described ‘long hollow filaments, separated by septa into —
articulations generally simple, rarely ramified; the last |
articulation is thicker and filled with a delicate granular |
mass. These parts are frequently longer than the capsules |
and are easily distinguished from the young capsules.’ |
Professor Don agreed with the view that these were the |
stamina of Ferns, adding that Link found them in most of the.
Ferns he had subjected to microscopical examination. Mr. |
Henderson is quoted as having denied that there was any |

|
;

161

impregnation in Ferns, Mosses, or Equiseta, but later changed
hi . mind and agreed with Link’s views. He added that
here were ‘“‘ two kinds of granules in the unripe thece of
Ferns, Lycopodium and Ophioglossum ; that the one kind is
mostly absorbed during the maturing of the other ; and by
bmitting each to the test of iodine, he proved the one to be
‘starchy—the other more of the nature of pollen.” Similar

be)

| “ pollen eranules ” were found in the thecz of most of the
other Cryptogams, which fact was taken to confirm the views
held regarding the ferns. “ Thus,” says Mr. G. W. Francis,
\ * the matter seems set at rest.”

_ All this was less than ninety years ago! Since then we
shave measured the universe and have split the atom.

a S. P. ROWLANDS.
§ Brine te ak).
,

PROMISING AVENUES (and things to be avoided) IN
'f " RAISING FERNS.

_In raising seedling ferns there are two main objects generally

view. First, the production of stocks of good things for
.. commercially or otherwise ; second, the pro-
(detion of new varieties. The first of these is entirely
legitimate : the second is only valuable when it is pursued
intelligently and with a distinct ideal of Se RRS The
‘man who sows wishes to produce ‘ ‘something new” with
which his name may be associated. This ambition is quite
ore so long as the thing to be produced is an
| im provement upon existing forms. There is a danger that
he craze for novelty at all costs may result in certain gardens
yeing crowded with ugly weaklings and deformities to the
‘neglect of older and much better things. It is comparatively
an easy matter to produce something different by crossing
‘two very dissimilar varieties. The result is, too often, the

| of a monster—an organism which is trying to do two or
more different things at the same time and succeeds only in
Sic them very badly. It is true that occasionally something
: a growing is produced, but the combination of two
.

. ®

|=

|

iz

162

one, if not both, of them in the offspring. Take for instance ;
the attempt to combine the plumose and the crested
characters in any species. When anything of this kind has
been attained it has generally been by accident and not as”
the result of cross-breeding. Mr. Druery’s A. f.f. plumosum
percristatum is perhaps the best known combination of the
two characters and, at its best, it can be a beautiful thing.
It is however rarely, if ever, so beautiful as the best uncrested —
plumosums such as those of Druery, Horsfall and Barnes. j
What then is to be sought in crossing varieties? The answer
is, the combination of characters which are in harmony with
each other—each of which enhances, rather than neutralizes |
the beauty of the other. Such combinations are divisilobum
with perserratum and perserratum with congestum in angi.
and sagittato-projectum with crispum or with crispum |
fumbriatum in Scolopendrium. Should a_ variety worth
growing be found wild it should, if fertile, be sown in the
hope of getting an improved type among the seedlings. Such i
hopes, though sometimes disappointed, are quite well founded ©
and are often abundantly rewarded as in the cases of the
plumose divisilobes in angulare by Col. Jones, the gracillimums ~
in aculeatum by Mr. Druery, and the improved bipinnate | |
Blechnums raised from the finds of Airey and C. Henwood. ~
The haphazard mixing of a number of varieties with the idea —
of getting something, you know not what, is out of date and ~
should be abandoned. We have already too many queer
things—we want beautiful things, and of them we shall noe |
have too many. |

F.W.S.

——

| : BRITISH PTERIDOLOGICAL SOCIETY

wa a oe

) SIETY originated, in September 13891, in the Lake District
dquarters at Kendal. Its members were, however, distributed

fe hor t Great Britain and Ireland, whilst some few reside in the
2 inions and U.S.A. Its declared objects were :—

a he e Study of Species and Varieties of British Ferns ;
ean of Information with regard to Ferns generally.

ritish Fern Gazette was established in September 1909,
_ being quarterly until the commencement of the war.
"war publication was restricted to two issues per annum
t of the increased cost of printing and the decrease in the

ers ‘are invited to communicate with the Hon. Secretary

te

cts of interest with regard to British Ferns.

| al tes are awarded to new ferns of distinction of which plants

cteristic fronds are shown at the Annual Meeting for adjudica-

he Annual Meeting is held usually in August or September,

m hunting can conveniently be arranged. These excursions
oo feature of the Society’s activity.

d s may be. sent to the Hon. Resrebary to be identified or named

any a
2 nly Se: ‘Sub- Committee « of the Society undertook the correct

ee the collection with zifte of plants from the. ferneries
a iat a members. .

Siehaay daa with and Berek
ae
Society is affiliated to the Royal Horticultural Society, which

also an pees subscriber to its funds.

he Committee is endeavouring to increase the membership of the
7 and, through this and by other means, to encourage the more
1 cultivation of the varieties of British ferns. Any lover of
ulture is eligible for membership and the subscription is 10s.
‘e mi am (due in advance at or immediately after the Annual Meeting),

ich a entitles members to copies of The Gazette.

the Eaton. ‘Treasurer or Hon. Secretary will be pleased to supply
he ers who may desire it with Bankers’ Orders for the convenient
; pe ont of subscriptions.

. art

F rther particulars. may be obtained from the Hon. Secretary,

F. W. “STANSFIELD, M.D., F.LS.,
dee.’ 120, Oxford Road,

hs Reading,
Boer . Berks.

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Our collection of Hardy Ferns is one of the most complete in existence. |

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CORONATION CUP.

Awarded by the Royal Horticultural Society for the most ¢
meritorious exhibit at their great Summer Show. My col- |
lection of Hardy Ferns on this occasion was considered one 4
of the finest groups ever staged at a Horticultural Exhibition. {

During the last 5 years we have ae

been awarded 50 Gold and Silver pe. 5
Medals, Diplomas, & Certificates a ]
for New and Rare Hardy Ferns. et

Headquarters for Alpines, Perennials, Liltums, ~ a ;
Water Lilies, Aquatics, New and Rare Shrubs. — }

Catalogues free— ca
PERRY’S HARDY PLANT FARM,|
ENFIELD, MIDDLESEX. Fr]

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December, 193
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EDITED BY

PUBLISHED BY

RITISH PTERIDOLOGICAL SOCIETY
y M fr. W. B. Cranfield, F.R.HS., F.LS., East Lodge, Enfield
. Chabey. Middlesta,
aa Hon. Secretary: Dr. F.W. Stansfield.

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Treasurer: Mr. J. J. Sheldon, F.L.S., ‘* Monkhams,’ Lower
fe >. Road, Great Bookham, Surrey.

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BPRITISH FERN GAZETTE.

NEW SERIES.

won. VI. _ DECEMBER, 1932. No. 7
CONTENTS.
EDITORIAL NOTES ag ine S, ee ae < 163
Our FRONTISPIECE cas nese ar ee Le us 164 —
OBITUARY : BOWMAN __..... ons tse aoe ie ex 165
Tae AnnuaL Mretine at SourHporr, 1932 es ae 166
Tax OFFICIAL Excursions (Wales) ... fe ie: me 170
THE ANNUAL MEETING IN 1933 as wa ae, sae 172
Ferns at SourHport SHow, FROM AN EXHIBITOR’S POINT OF
View (Mr. Joseph Lloyd) ... ae ate mee ee 172
New Forms or Cystopieris alpina, DESVAUX (F.W. g. WAT Se: 174
‘ SHINOBU-SHiINOBU ’”’: A JOURNEY IN Formosa (Mr.
fone. &. Blow, F.L.S.), . or eS a Va ic 175
Morr Ranpom REMARKS ON FERNS (Dr. S. P. ee tangs) 180
REMOVAL OF A COLLECTION OF FERNS (Revd. E. A. Elliot) 182
‘A Mopirtep MretHop oF Sowine Spores (Revd. E. A. Elliot) 184
SUCCESSES AND FaILuREs (Mr. T. B. Blow, F.L.S.) ... on 185
: Happy HuntTINnNG-GROUNDS (F.W.S8.) __... AG a) ae 187
' List or MEMBERS ip a ae nue se: no 189

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Mr. W. H. Stansfield, of Southport, informs us that
Adiantum capillus-Veneris has been found in Morecambe
Bay. Mr. Stansfield himself found a single plant there in
1878. He has revisited the locality this year and found that
his solitary plant had increased to some fifty or so, most of
them only an inch or two in height. This is believed to be
the most northerly station in Kurope for this fern and the
record is therefore of special botanical interest.

M. Kestner writes us that he has rediscovered A. capillus-
Veneris near the shore of Lake Neuchatel in Switzerland,
where it had been long known but had been thought to be
extinct for some years. We quote from his letter :—

DEC 2.7 1939

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164

‘The ferns are fully exposed ‘to the North-East wind, which
is about the coldest we have in Switzerland. It is true that
the wind has to travel across the lake before reaching this
station, but in the winter of 1928-29 the lake was frozen
deeply enough for cart traffic to be carried across. I am
confident that this fern will be able to grow without protection
in my garden.”’

M. Kestner has kindly sent us spores from this fern, which
will be duly sown. (Mr. T. B. Blow informs us that he found
capillus-Veneris in Japan in a station where it was liable

to be frozen hard every winter.)

M. Kestner has also recently visited a station for Gymno-
gramma leptophylla where the fern was discovered a few years
ago. ‘ This is the coldest station known for this fern which,
on the continent, is otherwise not known North of the Alps.
It should be another possible addition to the hardy fern
garden.” Of course, leptophylla is known as an inhabitant
of Jersey, but the winter climate of that island is undoubtedly

much warmer than that of Martigny.

Mr. Robert Pease, of Lostwithiel, has sent us a frond of a
‘ramo-cristate form of Blechnum spicant which has been found
in his neighbourhood. It is very similar to ramo-cristatum,
Maunder (1876), but has, if anything, somewhat larger
terminal crests. As both Maunder’s original ramo-cristatum
and his conglomeratum, which was raised from it, have now
disappeared we have suggested to Mr. Pease that the spores
of his new find, when produced, should be sown in the hope

of raising a new conglomeratum.

OUR FRONTISPIECE.

Polystichum angulare rotundatum, Phillips.

The illustration is from a photograph of a plant growing in
an open-air shelter in the Editor’s garden. It is a piece of the
original plant found by the late Mr. W. H. Phillips in N.
[reland in 1877. The variety is still rare and we are not aware

f

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165

that seedlings have been raised from it on any large scale

(we have a couple which came up casually), which fact
accounts for its scarcity. We consider it a more elegant
_ plant than the older rotundatum of Elworthy, which is well
known, though it also seems to have become rather un-

——_

- common of late years. Both forms of rotundatum are good

old classics and are much better worthy of cultivation than
. the many mongrel forms which are now so frequently seen
in collections to the exclusion of better things.

OBITUARY : BOWMAN.

:
: _ We regret to announce the loss of an esteemed friend and
| a faithful member of the Society, viz., Mr. J. H. Bowman,
| of Greenham Common, Newbury, Berks, who died on
September 5th last, aged 85. Mr. Bowman, formerly an
important official of the Bank of England, had been retired
. from active business for many years and had made a beautiful
| garden on land reclaimed from a common previously occupied
by gorse and heather. He was not a fern specialist, but was
a good general botanist, who took an interest in all the British

species of both flowering plants and ferns, with many others,

| and grew many of the rarer ones in his own garden. He

grew also an extensive collection of hardy trees, of which he
_had many beautiful and uncommon kinds. A most hospitable
and kindly man, he was always ready to welcome anyone
who took an interest in his favourite plants. He underwent

a somewhat formidable surgical operation about a year ago,
but recovered from it and we had the pleasure of going round
| his garden with him in the summer, when he was as genial

and chatty as ever though evidently not quite so vigorous.
| The world is poorer for his loss. _ He leaves a son, the respected
professor of mineralogy at the University of Oxford, to whom
, we tender our sincere sympathy.

166

THE ANNUAL MEETING, 1932.
The Thirty-seventh Annual Meeting of the Society was held
on Thursday, August 25th, at the Prince of Wales Hotel,

Southport. In the absence of the President, the Chair was

taken by Mr. T. B. Blow, F.L.S. (Vice-President).

The Chairman briefly welcomed the members to Southport
and regretted the absence, through illness, of the President. —

The Minutes of the last Meeting were read, confirmed, and —

signed by the Chairman.
The Hon. Secretary read his report as follows :—

‘“Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen,

While the past year has not been one of marked progress —
by the Society, it has been one of steady work and our strength '
has been practically maintained notwithstanding the lean —
times through which our country, in common with most
others, has been passing. The number of members now is_

119 ordinary and 9 honorary. Three valuable members —
have died, viz., Dr. G. C. Druce, F.R.S., a distinguished |
botanist of world-wide reputation, Mr. George Oliver, of —
Melrose, who was a skilful cultivator of ferns and an exhibitor —
at the Southport and other important shows, and Mr. J. K.
Woodmansey of Knaresborough. Seven members have |

resigned, none of whom has taken any active part in the work
of the Society. Eight new members have joined the Society
since the last annual meeting, viz. :—Mr. Albert Prince and Mr.
W. H. Prince, of Tarporley, Cheshire ; Mr. Ewart G. Smith,
of Christchurch, New Zealand ; Mr. Selwyn Duruz, of Walling-
ton, Assistant Secretary of the Alpine Garden Society :
Mr. W. T. Davies, of Port. Dinorwic, Caernarvonshire ; Mr.
B. H. Keall, of Chelmsford, Essex (who is the son of a famous
old fern hunter, the late Mr. W. J. Keall, of Wantage, Berks) ;
Mr. Alfred Kirby, of Roath, Cardiff, an old member who has
returned to the fold ; and Mr. Arthur Oliver, son and successor

of our late member, Mr. George Oliver, of Melrose. The times, —

I fear, have not been propitious for fern hunting as we have
all had to work hard to pay our taxes. Nevertheless, some

:

167

hunting has been done: after the last General Meeting a
-plumose form of Dryopteris montana was found in Yorkshire
and, though this may not be equal to some of the previous
“finds ”’ of plumosa, it is a handsome fern well worth growing
and may improve after further liberal culture. Mr. T. B.
Blow found, as recorded in the GazETTE for December, 1931,
near Lake Annecy in France, a decompound form of Aspleniwm
_Ruta-muraria, which is probably the most distinct variety
known of this species, but which requires to be tested under
cultivation for permanency. Mr. Alfred Hollings has found,
on Waddington Fell, near Clitheroe, a congested form of
_Dryopteris montana which may fairly claim to rank with the
‘forms of Greenwood and Barnes. The “find” of the year,
however, and the best fern found wild for many years, is
‘Mr. Greenfield’s incised form of Asplenium viride. This was
found in Switzerland shortly before the last Annual Meeting,
‘but we did not then know about it. It is a beautiful thing
and may fairly claim to rank with the best forms of A.
trichomanes incisum. Many so-called incisums have been
found before, but all that I have seen have been mere
\serratums, differing very little from the normal, and in quite
a different category from the barren zncisum forms of tricho-
manes. One, however, reported to have been found on
Whitbarrow in 1853 by Mr. James Huddart, is described
by Lowe as being “a copy of A. trichomanes incisum.”’
(Unfortunately, no specimen or drawing of it is known and
|\there is probably no one now living who ever saw it. If
correctly described it must have been something like Mr.
Greenfield’s “find.” The latter is now a healthy little plant

and in good character, though it has fronds only about an
‘inch long. It is a great responsibility to have such a treasure
in one’s charge. Reverting now to last year’s report of the
supposed Lastrea cemula grandiceps, this plant has now
attained to fair development, but has declared itself as being
) smd dilatata and not emula. It is very similar in
cresting to L. dilatata grandiceps, Barnes, but differs from that
\variety in having much paler, and in fact almost concolorous,

{

168

scales. There is therefore considerable excuse for its having
been taken for emula as it was a very tiny plant when found

and the earliest scales showed no sign of the characteristic |
dark stripe of dilatata and were practically undistinguishable |
from those of emula. It is quite a creditable “find,” all |
the more so for having shown so little character when first |

noticed.
F. W. STANSFIELD.”

The Hon. Treasurer, Mr. J. J. Sheldon, read his report as |

follows :—
BALANCE SHEET.

INCOME. EXPENDITURE.
aries. dd. Ls
Balance from last year 56 15 6 Affiliation Fee; R.H.8. 22
Subscriptions cen) ee eo ae) GAZETTE, Dec., 19351 15° 7%
Sale of GAZETTES ... 82.8) (6 4 June, 1932°.: Pave
Advertisement pees ee |) Printing ane ree
Plates for GAZETTE Cheque Book be. 2
(given by M. Paul Postages and Sundries 2 og
Kestner) Zo 9% Expenses at Annual
Meeting ... J. | a
Balance at Bank ... 69 41
fill 16. 0 £111 ‘Teag0
Audited and found correct, August 24th, 1932.
(Signed) PERCY GREENFIELD,
Auditor.

It was proposed, seconded and ed that the Secretary's |

and Treasurer’s reports be adopted.

A letter was read from the President, Mr. W. B. Cranfield,
regretting his inability to be present through illness, and

indicating his willingness to continue in the Presidency for |

another year, if desired, and his equal willingness to step
down should any other President be elected. A letter was
also read from Mr. G. E. Stephens resigning his Vice-Presi-
dency on account of his being unable to attend meetings held
in the North. The Secretary was directed to write to Mr,
Stephens requesting him to reconsider his resignation of the

Vice-Presidency. Subject to this contingency, it was resolved, .

on the motion of Mr. T. Bolton, seconded by Mr. J. Lovelady,
that the Officers and Committee be re-elected en bloc,

boo

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169

The Hon. Secretary proposed, and Mr. Sheldon seconded,
that the seven gentlemen previously reported as having
joined the Society since the last Annual Meeting, be now
formally elected members of the Society. The motion was
unanimously carried.

After some discussion it was agreed that the next Annual
| Meeting should be held in the South of England, and it was
_ proposed by Mr. Whiteside, seconded by Mr. Bolton, and

resolved that the place and date of meeting be left to the
Committee to decide. It was suggested that the meeting
should not be held at the time of the Southport Show, but,
perferably, later in September or, alternatively, earlier, in
| dune or July.

_ A large selection of cut fronds was sent by the President
\for inspection, including a number of forms of P. angulare
\divisilobum plumosum, P. ang. flabellipinnulum, Wills,

iP. ang. perserratum, Wollaston, two of the best forms of

L. montana plumosa, and a number of fine forms of Scolo-
pendrium v. crispum. Colonel Parker, of Browsholm Hall,
near Clitheroe, sent a couple of well-grown fronds of the new
‘crested form of filix-mas found last year upon his estate.
\Itis pure filix-mas and not paleacea, neatly crested and having
long slender upward curving pinnae. It was named Dry-
lopteris filix-mas cristata tenuis, and upon the motion of Mr.
Bolton, seconded by Mr. Whiteside, Colonel Parker was
awarded a certificate of merit for the variety. Mr. Alexander

ee

Cowan sent a frond of a fine polydactylous or crested form of
D. propinqua, which he had recently found wild in Ross-shire.
The members desired to have another opportunity of seeing
frond of this fern after a year’s cultivation.

a

| Mr. E. J. Stephens, of Welwyn, sent a fine frond of a crested
form of Dryopteris paleacea (Lastrea pseudo-mas) found by
Joi in Eskdale. The frond was much admired, but as it
vould not be distinguished from the old paleacea cristata of
Moore, it could not be given a certificate as a new variety.

170

The Rev. Canon Kingsmill Moore sent two fronds of a |
seedling Polystichum aculeatum, which had come up self-sown |
in his garden. It was obviously a pulcherrimum and had |
some resemblance to the late Mr. Joe Edwards’s pulcherrimum. |

foliosum, having the divided lower pinnules of a pulcherrumum,

but not the falcate character of the gracillimums. The |
members hoped to have another opportunity of seeing this |

fern when more fully developed.

The Hon. Secretary exhibited a frond of a variety of |
Athyrium f.-femina found by the Rev. C. H. Binstead, F.L.8., |
at Grasmere. It was finely dissected and very erect and rigid |
in growth, in which latter character Dr. Stansfield said it —

resembled a form found by Mr. Cranfield and himself in N.
Wales in 1920.

The Hon. Secretary proposed and Mr. Lovelady seconded, —

and it was resolved that the best thanks of the Society be

sent to the Southport Corporation for the use of the room —
for the meeting and for their general encouragement of the —

cult of British Ferns at successive Shows.

THE OFFICIAL EXCURSIONS, 1932.

Only a small number of members turned up at Wrexham
for the projected fern-hunting in North Wales after the Annual
Meeting at Southport. There were Messrs. T. B. Blow,
P. Greenfield and the Hon. Secretary with Mr. H. F. Greenfield

as a companion and possible future recruit. The immediate

neighbourhood of Wrexham did not seem promising as @
hunting ground, but with the help of the numerous motor
omnibuses we were enabled to reach ferny districts and
found a fair number of species, viz. :—Athyriwm filix-femina,
Blechnum spicant, Dryopteris dilatata, D. filix-mas and D.
paleacea, Polystichum aculeatum and angulare, both rare,

Scolopendrium vulgare and Polypodium vulgare, also rare,
Pteris aquilina (not by any means plentiful), Asplenvwm

Ruta-muraria abundant on walls, with occasionally A.
trichomanes, A. Adiantum-nigrum and Cystopteris fragilis, all

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171

uncommon and almost isolated plants. We saw no varieties.
Of flowering plants we saw a large patch of a white variety of
Campanula rotundifolia, and near Mold a considerable colony
of Hrinus alpinus apparently quite at home on limestone
rocks, but obviously an escape from cultivation or possibly

‘

deliberately sown by someone who wished to “ improve the

flora of the country.” Also Paris quadrifolia in one place

only. Aiter sampling the country around Wrexham for
several days, the party decided to move into a more ferny
_ district, so we shifted our quarters to Bettws-y-Coed. Here
we found ferns much more abundant, the new species noted
being Dryopteris montana, D. propinqua (rare), Allosorus
crispus, Ceterach officinarum and Polypodium phegopteris.
Most of the species previously seen were also in evidence
and much more generally distributed Near Lake Idwal we
found the fern allies, Lycopodium alpinum and L. selago and,
flowering in the lake itself, was Lobelia Dortmanna. The only
fern variety noticed was a crested form of filsx-mas, near
Capel Curig. Although this was quite different from any

— —— EE I OOOO, OEE

- previously known variety, because the character was somewhat.
irregular and unequal (some of the fronds being well crested
‘at the tips of the fronds and others only, or mainly, on the
pinnae) we did not remove it from its home, but contented
ourselves with taking spores in the hope that an improved
form might be raised from it. There was, however, about this

forms of this species. Not far from Bettws-y-Coed we found
a single patch of a dwarf EHpilobiwm, strongly resembling
Anagallis tenella in habit and foliage, and our first diagnosis.
was HL. alpinum, L. (anagallidifolium, Lamarck), a rare
| inhabitant of the Scottish mountains, but, on a specimen
being submitted to the experts of the British Museum of
| Natural History, it was declared to be EL. nummularicefolium,
a New Zealand species and therefore an alien intruder like

|
/
|
|
: plant, nothing of the depauperate character so often seen in
;

Erinus alpinus.

172
THE ANNUAL MEETING, 1933.

The Committee, having considered the question of the |
locality for the next Annual Meeting, have decided, by a large |
majority, that the neighbourhood of Helston, Cornwall, is |
likely to afford a suitable hunting ground. Also that the |
month of July will be the most generally convenient. Our |
member, the late Mr. H. Relton, stayed in the district for |

some weeks in 1921 and some of his experiences are recorded

in the GazeTTE, Vol. V, p. 55. Mr. Sheldon has also stayed |

there for a week or two and found good hunting, angulare

and Scolopendrium being plentiful along with the Aspleniwms, |

Adiantum-nigrum and trichomanes and Lastrea emula not

infrequent, as also other Lastreas, Polypodium vulgare |

Athyrium and Blechnum, while Asp. lanceolatum and marinum
were found on the coast, and Osmunda regalis inland. There
is, then, plenty of raw material for hunting and the daylight

is long in July. The weather at this time is cooler in Cornwall _
than further inland. The meeting will be held at 10 am. |
on Monday, July 4th, at the Angel Hotel, Helston, which |

will be the headquarters of the Society. Members are

advised to arrive at Helston on the Ist, or not later than the —
2nd of July, so as to have time for a preliminary survey of the ©

land. We believe the hotel will be found comfortable and |

the charges moderate. Visitors are requested to make
application, if possible, at least a fortnight before the time of
their arrival, letters being addressed to the proprietor, Mr.
R. H. Fisher.

FERNS AT SOUTHPORT SHOW
(From an exhibitor’s point of view).

If I were a reporter of some big horticultural paper or
even an ‘‘ Amateur Gardener.” I might be able to give my
impressions of the ferns more fully but I am only a dairy
farmer with four years’ experience of ferns and would much

ee —

, i
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be be

173

father use a spade than a pen. First of all | will commence

with Mr. John Lovelady’s group, the great centre-piece a

wild find [Athyrium f.f. plumosum divaricatum—Ep.]. I

think there was nothing in the show like it, with its great

wide fronds—it was a wonder and very beautiful to gaze

upon. Mr. Lovelady had a_fine lot of well-grown plants.
1 offered him a lump sum.for them but it was turned down
_ with a “No thank you.” _I think he would have drawn a
_ better card if he had given his plants a little more space—
| there is always plenty of room above. I come now to my
own group: the schedule is asking every year for effective
| arrangement and | tried to work this in. I think if I had
: filled in the two ends a little more I should have stood a
| better chance of getting a higher card. Now a word about
| the mighty group of Messrs. Bolton—first prize and silver
| challenge trophy. They were just a plain bank of well-
| grown British ferns—the great fine Scolopendriums were a
treat—with no effective arrangement except about three
_ clumps sitting up on poles. I have been all over the country
| hunting ferns but I never caught one trying to balance itself
on a stick! I think it looks most unnatural. I can see
Messrs. Bolton and Son carrying off the cup next year.
Who is going to provide the next? Digging up all your
| best ferns and carting them off to Southport, bringing them
| back and replanting them with a sprinkling of bone meal
and new earth, means a lot of hard work. I can see the
British Pteridological Society going “down the nick” if

there is not something more done. What are you doing ?
| The money locked up should be made use of.

Mr. Henwood—a fine gentleman for 85—writes with a
| firm hand and has sent me spores from some of his best
plants. He says you are his spiritual and medical adviser.
'I know you will treat him well as you have always treated

me well. Would you care for a few choice hardy heathers ?
/

174

I want to show some little appreciation for the kind manner
in which you have always answered my inquiries.

m, Sir,
Yours sincerely,
JOSEPH LLOYD.

[Our correspondent criticizes ghis competitors without malice and
certainly does not unduly laud his’own exhibit. The three leading
groups at Southport were very fiearly on a level—all had their strong
and their weak points—and a ve ce ittle modification in some of them
might have altered the order ort the Was

i

NEW FORMS OF CYSTOPTERIS ALPINA, DESVAUX.

I have now four quite distinct types of this species and, in
all probability, there are others to be found if sought for
where the species is abundant. Of the four types two, viz.,
obtusa and dissecta, have already been described (GAZETTE,
Vol. VI., p. 17). The third form is one collected by Mr.
Greenfield at 7,000 feet near Kandersteg in 1931. I take
this one as provisionally the type of the species because it is
the one around which the others range themselves and from
which they seem to radiate. It is tripinnate, the ultimate
segments being rounded and notched, with the venules |
terminating in the notches. It is less deeply divided than —
the forma dissecta but more so than obtusa and has all the
botanical characters of the species. The fourth form was a
plant sent by M. Kestner in 1931 and collected by him at
near 7,000 feet. It is generally similar to form 3 but differs
from it, as from all the others, in being decidedly crispate
and dense—a beautiful thing to which I have given the
name forma crispa. I propose to sow spores of forms 3 and 4
and am pretty confident that, like the other two, they will
come true to type under cultivation in the lowlands of
England. Forma obtusa is the nearest to C. fragilis and itis |
probably from this that the degenerate alpinas described by |
M. Kestner GAZE, Vol. VI., p. 35) have been derived.

F.W.S.

—

j 175
SHINOBU-SHINOBU.

For several years during my intermittent sojourns in Japan

IT had much desired to visit Formosa, mainly from a botanical
point of view. On my last short visit three years ago the
opportunity arose, for | found myself delayed in Japan for
over two weeks, owing to being unable till then to get berth
accommodation on the Siberian Railway through Russia,
So, though the time for this visit was far too short for such a
journey, yet as the chance was never likely to occur again,
and as iniluential Japanese friends kindly gave me intro-
ductions to important people in the Island, I decided to go,
so sailing from Kobe on the very fine ship “‘ Fuso Maru ”’
with very good accommodation and food, we passed through
the wonderful Inland Sea of Japan, and with a halt at Moji,
I reached Keelung, that most picturesque port at the extreme
North of Formosa. My Japanese friends in Kyoto had
apparently written to their relatives in Taihoku, the capital,

Tourist Bureau met me on the boat and said, “‘ Please hand
me your luggage and you will find it in Room No. 4 at the

|
_ to say when I would arrive, and an official of the Japanese
|
|
_ Buropean Style Railway Hotel opposite the Station.” So

tting on the train for the short journey of 12 miles and
iving at the hotel I found my baggage being taken up to
my room. The friend who had arranged all this was I found

towns all over the Island. In a few minutes he called me
on the one to say that a banquet, at which he must be
presen ented him from seeing me that evening, but he

would see me off by the train next morning and tell me all the

a prominent merchant in Taihoku with branches in various
ol
.

arrangements which he had made for me—he knew my
, Itinerary which had to be kept strictly to time to enable me
| to see and do what I wished. A well-equipped train keeping

e to the minute was to take me to the town nearly the
Bc oheris point to which I was going. This was a
rgish town called Tainan, distance 220 miles. On arrival
| found the hotel porter, who took me to the room that had
geen taken for me at the Azuma Kwan Hotel opposite the

\

176

station, and there I stayed in great comfort for four days. |
It was the finest Japanese style hotel I had ever been in and |
charges correspondingly high, but I was certainly most care-
fully looked after. I had two large rooms and two servants |
waiting on my every need. A very large bathroom was near |
by. The landlady was most kind and attentive and the food |
excellent—her good-looking daughter had learned English at |
the Mission School in the city. Now why is my article |
headed Shinobu-Shinobu ? At a station some 40 miles north |
of Tainan just as the train was moving out, I saw a man with
a basket shouting these words which I knew were the Japanese :
words for “ Fern, Fern”; I could not see what was in his |
basket, but at the next stop, Kagi, I saw there was a seller —
of the very young fronds of the Bracken, and later when I ©
stayed at Kagi I found these fronds were extensively used, as |
those being gathered from this mountainous district were |
specially liked for food in the Chinese eating-houses which |
abounded in and around the large market of Kagi—they were |
everywhere there and apparently were cooked with, I think, |
Soy (Shoyu, the universal sauce of Japan and the base of a
some of our older and well-known sauces). In Japan itself |
I have never seen these fronds actually used as a food di

but the very tender tips are often seen in soups. As I have
said I was very well looked after by everyone in Formosa
and the Mission people in Tainan were particularly kind in
entertaining me, and the Doctor there was Dr. Se son of our
well-known nurseryman. But time was always pressi

after a motor trip on a public carriage of 30 miles to. ti
southerly point I touched called Takao, I (though an old
motor driver) was quite frightened with this journey and
decided to come back by rail. There was a great deal of
water about in this district and I was searching for my
favourite plants, the Charophyta, so I walked for several —
miles to the next station north, and had a very fair collect gS
time. Near this station is a most interesting old Dutch town ~
and fort still in good preservation. I got back late, and as.
I had not told the hotel people of my movements, they were —

1 ree.

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A gigantic Formosan (

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ee
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quite alarmed for my safety. I left Taiman with regret, and
took the afternoon train to Kagi as I wished to go up to
Mount Ari by the wonderful railway. At Kagi, close to the
railway station, there is a large monument which tells you
that you have entered the Tropic of Cancer. Here I made
an error in my hotel : [ ought to have staved at the one near
the station, and thought that the man who seized my luggage
was from that hotel, but | was taken to another one a little
way off, but still it was a good one. I[ amused the Tainan
and Kagi hotel people by going to their kitchen to cook my
compressed Quaker oats ; they, as is common with all Japanese,
were seekers for knowledge, and the cooks took careful notes
of the way I prepared it. Also to tell how promptly the
Japanese work, I found I had left my tin of oats in the kitchen
of the hotel at Tainan. I at once got on the telephone, and,

though my Japanese is not classic, they at once understood
and the tin arrived by train inside of four hours, so that it was
in time for breakfast next morning. The reason I had to
stay at Kagi was to go up Mount Ari and to see its varying
flora during the rise from sea level to 7,500 feet. The railway
is 40 miles long, but of this about 20 miles are tunnels, many
of them in circles in the mass of the mountain emerging some
hundreds of feet higher. It starts through tropical cultivation
with pineapple and banana plantations, etc., then passes through
dense forests of camphor trees, for Formosa provides the bulk
of the world’s supply of camphor ; later tree and other immense
ferns, also some epiphytal Orchids, then a region of pines
and finally the forest of gigantic Chamaecyparis Formosensis
Yor the getting of the timber of which the railway was con-
structed. At Numanohira, where the passenger service stops,
one gets fair accommodation at either the Arisan Club or the
-Arisan Hotel. The timber is as immense as that of the
Yellowstone Park giants, and the trees are of an allied species.
So large are they that a mill, with immense band saws. cuts
the twelve-foot lengths longitudinally into four pieces and
_ then these pieces will just go on to the railway trucks, and they
are further cut up in the gigantic saw mills at Kagi. It is a

178

temperate climate up here, and the cherry trees were in full
bloom. I gathered fronds of several species of ferns, and next
day posted them to Mr. Perry to see what he could raise from
them. Mount Morrison can be climbed from this point :
it is 13,000 feet high and the highest mountain in the Empire
of Japan. Next day we left, but, by a slight derailment, were
delayed and arrived at Kagi just too late to see the saw mill ©
at work, but we were shown over it, and in the show room
saw the enormous planks which represent nearly all the —
wonderiul timbers which grow on these mountains, but )
again time pressed and | was forced to get on, so next day
I took train back to Teihoku, where my friend met me and
entertained me at a very elaborate Chinese dinner which I
wonder I survived. He told me that next day he would |
be at my service with his motor car, and after visiting the
botanical gardens and a number of interesting places around
this fine city, we finished with a call at the University and
Dr. Shidehara, the head of the University and brother of one
ot the Cabinet Ministers, Baron Shidehara, received me most

kindly and saying that he was no botanist at once sent for
the Professor of Botany who I found had studied for some
long period in London and knew all my botanical friends
there. He was very much interested in seeing the Charophyta
that I had collected, though I had not done very well in
this way owing to being a little early for the crop, but he said
that when he took his students out for field botany he would |
instruct them to collect, so I left the whole of my collecting

outfit with him.

Next day I was told at the hotel that I would find my
luggage in No. 10 cabin on the steamer at Keelung, so-

departed early for the port and had an interesting botanical
collecting time before the ship sailed—-again a very comiort- |
able boat in every way.

Altogether it was an eventful trip, and there must be many
new plants and ferns to be found in that gigantic mountain
range which runs from end to end of the Pacific side of the

Island, culminating about the middle in sheer cliffs of 7,000

|
|
|
|
|
|
;

t

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179

feet high. Hardly any English botanists have been there :
‘Mr. Elwes made a visit, but I think it was a very short one.

Japan acquired Formosa as a result of the Japan-China
war and it was a miserable country, the Chinese cultivators
being constantly raided by the tribes (of Malay origin) of the
mountains who were also head hunters. The Japanese
promptly put a stop to this, and these savages now are a
peaceful people. Its great plain from the mountain foot
hills to the opposite coast is covered with vast sugar cane
plantations with many up-to-date mills and refineries which
unfortunately foul the rivers with their effluents. All sorts
of tropical and sub-tropical fruits and vegetables are sent to
Japan. These were quite lacking in former times in Japan.
Minerals have not yet been much exploited. There is coal
but it is poor. The towns, then filthy and insanitary places,
have now very fine buildings, wide streets, electric light
everywhere and up-to-date sanitation. The railways are
quite up-to-date : the Government railways are over 600 miles
in length and beautifully equipped. There are 350 miles of
‘private lines and 700 miles of what are called light push car
lines. You have a tiny open carriage and it is pushed by
one or two men, so it is quite easy to get about, and added
to this there are very many motor conveyances running
frequently everywhere at most moderate prices. Private
cars are also to be hired.

Altogether the Japanese have made this Island to blossom
like the Rose and it still deserves its name Formosa, which

ns “The Beautiful.” I left it with regret, and after a
e. journey back to Kobe, returned to Kyoto, did my
final packing and left for London via Siberia, doing the whole
journey in fourteen days, seven being in a Russian railway
carriage, against fifteen days in a similar railway carriage
on the outward trip. This was owing to the Russian-Chinese
fighting on the direct line and the diversion of the traffic
to the old route via Habarosk (Khabarobsk).

THOMAS BATES BLOW. —

i

180

MORE RANDOM REMARKS ON FERNS.

When Mr. Elliot spoke of making ferns grow where they |
didn’t want to, he invented a happy and striking phrase.
But why make them grow where they don’t want to? Only |
a gardener can answer this question, and not always can
he give a satisfactory answer. The true gardener has an |
instinct for growing difficult things, a pride which a mere |
botanist can never feel. It is no bad thing, therefore, that
some of the finest and most interesting ferns are also those |
which need the most care and attention in their cultivation.

Difficulty in culture among our British ferns is seldom |
due to lack of hardiness. Some, owing to the fineness of sub- |
division of their fronds, may be unable to withstand the
injury inflicted by heavy rains, while others resent the cutting ~
winds and alternations of wet and dry, of heat and cold, to
which they would be exposed in an ordinary garden border. |
Difficulty, too, may be due to some inherent miffiness of |
constitution which occurs occasionally in some of the most |
desirable variations. The fact is, the cultivator must be —
prepared to go more than half way to meet the requirements

of his plants. Ferns cannot supply their own environments : ©
this must be given by the gardener. Fortunately, most of a —
fern’s requirements can be supplied with the exercise of a |
little ingenuity. Shade, and shelter, soil and _ situation,
present problems which may be difficult but are usually
capable of solution. The bother begins when a plant demands —

a pure mountain air, or a symbiotic fungus as a "tema |

before it will consent to thrive. Fortunately such dem |
are seldom made, and we are more inclined to feel thanktu |
for a plant’s adaptability to strange conditions, rather than
grumble at an occasional hard nut to crack in the way of
cultivation.

The above, of course, was suggested by Mr. Bigland’s
recent article. Most people, I think, find Asplenvum viride a
troublesome plant to keep happy, but I thought I was alone
in having some bother with Lastrea rigida. A variety of soils

j

and situations in two or three different gardens has failed

181

to produce a specimen one could proudly show to a friend,
and the reason for the failure has not been apparent. Why
a plant which has such a sweet tempered and indestructible
appearance should give any bother at all in any position
other than a bog, is a question our ecological experts have
not yet answered. Its very restricted range of distribution
in this country has given rise to a good deal of speculation
on my part. Does it really need a limestone pavement to
enable it to retain a place in our British Flora ? itting
its need of lime, cannot it obtain and retain a hold on any
calcareous rocks more than fifty miles from Ingleborough ?

This leads naturally to a further thought. Do ferns
always grow where they want to, in nature? One fears not.
Ferns in some places are probably only to be looked upon
as survivors of a byegone age, bravely struggling against
adverse “factors, being unable to alter their essential
characteristics sufficiently quickly to adapt themselves to
changed conditions. Cystopteris montana is a case in point.
This is one of our rarest British species, eking out a precarious
existence on wet exposed ledges on some of the highest
Scottish mountains, growing with its rhizomes creeping
through mats of moss, dwarfed and stunted, so that the
fronds barely rise above their mossy beds. And yet, a recent
writer tells us how it flourishes and attains a large stature
under woodland conditions in Switzerland! One cannot help
feeling that the Ben Lawers plants are only struggling on

i eir wet ledges because they have been hounded out of more
congenial places by a relentless competition. It would be an
interesting experiment to plant out a few specimens of this
Species in a quiet wood in North Wales or the Lakeland, in
_leaf-mould beds with the Oak Fern, and in the damper
places affected by the Beech Fern. It might, quité con-
: ceivably, oust its neighbours, or at any rate settle down
comfortably among them. I have seen it happily established
on a shady rockery in the grounds of a lowland Yorkshire

eee

182

Abbey, thus at least proving that a pure mountain air is not
an absolute necessity for its health.

A further thought suggests itself. Does Nature always

know best, and do best for her children? One is sometimes |

advised to sow fern spores as soon as ripe, in imitation of
Nature’s method. But it might well be argued that spores
are shed in late summer or early autumn because Nature

does not know what else to do with them. The fronds are —
mostly,,due to die down soon after, and the spores must be ©

scattered in good time. But what a waste! Millions of
spores are doomed to be.smothered under a layer of fallen

leaves, and so never to see the light of day again. Could ©
the spores have been scattered in late spring on top of the —
decaying leaves, one would imagine a larger percentage of ©

survivals. But perhaps Nature does not mean us to revert

to the conditions of the Coal Age, when ferns and their allies —
monopolised the landscape. However this may be, the —
gardener can still sow his spores when he likes, so long as he ©
is prepared to look after them, and the incredible infant |
mortality of the wild can be obviated by the forethought —
of the human being, who spends half his time fighting Nature —

and not always working with her.

Ss. P. ROWLANDS.

——

REMOVAL OF A COLLECTION OF FERNS.
During the spring of 1932, in view of a removal at a date
then uncertain, it seemed advisable to get the ferns uprooted
and replanted in advance ; and a start was made late in
February and continued by hamperfuls until every root that

could be found had been dealt with; finishing some time ©

during March, by which time or very soon after a few early
fronds on one or two of the first removals were thinking of
starting into growth : though nothing serious happened at
such an early date.

From the very first it was obvious that the new garden
had no natural fern corner and did not offer facilities for the

183

: construction of one, the only course open being to dump the
plants in the most suitable border amongst herbaceous
flowers, hoping that no bulbs would occur ; this was done
in some anxiety, as a rabbit warren in a wood next to the
garden threatened to be a nuisance—and was. A nesting
‘rabbit soon after persisted in burrowing amongst my best
Polystichums and a valued Lastrea or two and though
ultimately prevented it was some time before the complete
burial of a fine P. aculeatum pulcherromum was discovered
and the victim put in a hospital to be attended to later on ; and
another rabbit made a determined effort to drive a tunnel
under wire netting and my Beech Fern and Cystopieris fragilis,
loosening the soil and (after being ejected) leaving the ground
‘in a condition too tempting for a mole to resist.

At last, however, order was restored, and then the herba-
ceous inhabitants began to grow and give trouble, mainly by
‘pushing stems amongst incipient fronds and distorting their
‘symmetry or by keeping rain off or by causing too much
shade, all this being inevitable from the involuntary position
| chosen : though the collapse of a large rambler rose bough
on to some delicate Athyriums was perhaps hardly playing
the game, and the cat’s choice of the Lasirea thelypteris nook

as a way into the wood had to be forcibly prevented.

In spite of all, the ferns have done wonderfully well, none of
them having had any help except a good bedding in each
ease of leaf-mould, the soil being a very light clay with a
great deal of large pebbly gravel which keeps the drainage
excellent and allows a free access of water to the roots.
Polystichums, Athyriums, Lastreas, C. fragilis, one or two
Aspleniums, Scolopendriums, Osmunda and a Struthiopteris
have all grown healthily in it and in some cases have attained

_ considerable size ; even a small Blechnum or two more than
doubling dimensions in the season.
. The best Blechnum however was put on removal in a
border which had been specially made for roses and contained
a quantity of stiff clay imported on purpose ; the fern was
| given an extra amount of leaf-mould in a deep hole and

|

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ly

184

though exposed to full sun has sent out fine barren fronds
and eight fertile, thus succeeding far better than any blechnum
I have yet had. The only comparative failures have been
the Polypodiums, which were set in a grassy bed (with leaf-
mould) on a huge tree-stump on which L. filix-mas and
dilatata already grew to a good size ; the plants are alive but
have produced very few and poor fronds: and of course
small Asplenia could not be tried in any of these situations

and in fact are not represented in the collection at all.

A. viride and A. marinum are in a Wardian case but cannot
be called show specimens. A few roots failed to show any
signs of frond product and were removed to hospital, being
potted in loam obtained from a heap that had been weathering
down for many years, and sunk in shady ground in the
open; a corymbose Athryxum has completely recovered, a
crested Polystichum almost so, and the rest are coming
round except the rabbit-buried P. aculeatum. ‘This has a
number of living fronds that seem unable to unfurl. Fimally,
three seedling Lastrea cristata were planted in a small
“ rockery ”’ formed in a big stone trough and are doing well ;
a peculiarity has been noticed in the way their fronds begin
uncurling, the tip instead of being upright like most Lastreas
projects sideways in a sort of flat attitude so that it looks
as if a small green caterpillar lay at the base of a frond
previously fully developed, the upright position not being
taken even when the uncurling has begun. And the fronds
when perfect seem to have a great desire to adopt an arched
or recumbent attitude as if top heavy. This would not
matter if they grew amongst or on tufts of grass but rather
spoils them when they le on or near bare earth.

E. A. ELLIOT.

A MODIFIED METHOD OF SOWING FERN SPORES.
In the GazeTTE for December, 1928, a description of the
method invented by M. Paul Kestner was given, in which
fine sand and a little leaf-mould would play a large part.
A variation in the vessels employed has proved so successful

|
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p
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185

than an account may be of interest, otherwise the system is
almost identical.

Dr. Stansfield some years ago recommended glass butter-
dishes, and having several of these at hand I did not get
glass tubes as in M. Kestner’s method, but decided to use
his sand and leaf-mould; a little of the latter, about a
teacupful, rubbed through a fine sieve, was well mixed with
about four times as much white Calais sand obtained from
a chemist, and the mixture was then well boiled. On cooling,
it was found to be rather dry, so a very small amount of cold
‘boiled water was added, and a day later the spores were
sown, those from a frond of ZL. pseudo-mas incisa collected
at Whitewell with Dr. Stansfield in 1931 being selected.
Germination took place in nine days, in early June, and was
unusually thick ; as M. Kestner says ‘‘ every spore germinated’”’
and produced a felt-like mass of prothalli, the sowing having
been rather too close. Later on other spores toward the
edge germinated too. Growth has been slow, partly through
“overcrowding and also through a delay in pricking out, but
it has been healthy and a few signs of mould vanished
spontaneously and in a day or so after appearance.

The “soil” has a tendency to dry out quickly but this is
easily remedied, and the plan seems well worth trying on a

larger scale.
B.A ELLIOT:

SUCCESSES AND FAILURES.

The last issue of the GAZETTE contains some very interesting
details of the successes and failures of our fern growers.
Fern spores of the past season, 1931, sown on Agar Agar,
in my own case have failed. I had four Petri dishes and I
simply sowed these to check the results of six dishes that I had
given to a friend with the spores for him to make a first
trial. Five out of the six were failures, so it seems that
failures must have been frequent of late.

Allosorus crispus, I think, has always been difficult. It
usually fades gradually away in two or three years. Mr.

186

Drury’s method seems radical, and I cannot think that this
plant would like the topping of gravel. After several years of
attempts and failures | have now some promising-looking
plants which so far have increased in size a little each year.
A hole is dug, lime free compost put in, the plant is then put in
and a little compost sprinkled over the roots. A heavy flat
stone is then laid on with the fronds coming outside the
edges and so left. This so far is my nearest approach to
success, but we will still “ wait and see.”’

Asplenium Viride, both the ordinary and the forked forms
from Ingleborough, flourishes exceedingly on my outdoor
rock fernery—no trouble at all.

Lastrea rigida from the same place, though so averse from
descending below a certain level, grows luxuriantly in any
part of my fern garden, and I have one quite large plant.
During the Kendal meeting we did a big climb up to the
limestone to see this growing in great profusion ; its quantity
and size was a quite remarkable sight.

Old age in ferns : I have some immense Polystichums that
I know to be between 60 and 70 years of age. They came
from the very fine fernery made by Mr. Anthony Parsons at
Danesbury, near Welwyn, for Mr. Blake. I was quite a boy,
and well remember its building, and when it was finished
Mr. Parsons asked me to go and catch some fish to put into
the small pond into which a tiny waterfall trickled. I caught
the fish, and he gave me some ferns—I have grown ferns ever
since. Seven or eight years ago this fernery was abandoned,
and I bought a lorry load of these enormous old ferns, which
were planted in an addition [ was making to my fernery,
and there they are still bravely carrying on. In those
youthful days I had the advantage of knowing two local
ereat fern men, Mr. Parsons and Mr. Fitt, the latter a most
kind-hearted man, who greatly encouraged me in fern growing.

His son still cherishes his father’s very old ferns which are yet

growing in the garden at the Frythe, near Welwyn.
THOMAS BATES BLOW,

“* Swe Se -..

187
HAPPY HUNTING-GROUNDS.

It is probable that ferns of some kind or other are to be
found in almost very county of Great Britain and Ireland,
but some of them are much happier places for the hunter
than others. If lines be drawn from North to South through
the maps of Scotland and England corresponding to 4° W
longitude for Scotland and 2° W for England, it will be

noticed that by far the greatest number of interesting finds

have been made on the western side of these lines. Also that

on the eastern side of them the best hunting is to be found
near the sea and among the mountains. The proximity of

sea, rivers, lakes or mountains is almost an essential for a

good hunting ground. Another desirable feature is a com-
paratively thinly populated country since ferns are shy

creatures and do not flaunt themselves on football fields

U

nor in crowded streets. Trees are also a necessary part of
the landscape in order to provide shade and shelter for the
ferns. In short wherever shade, shelter, moisture, fresh air,

peace and security are to be met with, there do ferns most

abound. The geological formation and the nature of the

soil are other important considerations. Ferns are to be

found on every kind of soil and rock—slate, grit, granite,
chalk or limestone—but the practised hunter knows that,
other things being equal, more variation is usually met with
on a limestone or chalky formation than in the non-
calcareous regions. Nevertheless the latter are well worth

hunting as it is there we find the beautiful montanas, the
Blechnums and Athyriums, Lastrea dilatata, Allosorus crispus,

the Oak and Beech Ferns, etc. The occasional hunter,
however, who has little time to spare will probably be happier
in a limestone or chalk country, or, perhaps better still, in a
region where limestone and grit rock meet each other.
Pembrokeshire is an example of a county divided into two
parts, one of which is limestone and the other coal measures.
Here the ferns on both sides of the dividing line stray, more
or less, into a country which is foreign to them and so are
stimulated to make experiments in variation which, possibly,

188

they would not trouble to undertake if they were on their
own soil. The visit which the members made to Pembroke-
shire a few years ago was one of the happiest excursions,
generally speaking, which the Society has undertaken.
Almost everyone found something and several very interesting
varieties were found, most of them in angulare, such as two
or three tripinnatums, one very good brachiatum, one neat
acutilobum and a crispatum. Some finds were also made in
Scolopendrium and in Polypodium vulgare. The Society has
only had one official excursion in Cornwall and that was ©
“off the lime,” and although many beautiful ferns were
seen, very little was found in the way of varieties. The
Lizard region is, at all events partly, calcareous and we may
contidently look forward to an interesting time during our
stay at Helston next July. We hope at least some of the
northern as well as many of the southern members will be
able to take part in the hunting.

The late Mr. Druery and the late Mr. W. Forster both
successful hunters, thought that the hunting was better when
the ferns were found in scattered patches rather than in great
masses. It is probable that this idea may be founded on
fact since the scattered groups indicate more varied conditions,
while it is undoubtedly easier to examine the individual
ferns when they are not too crowded.

We have, so far, barely mentioned Ireland but it is
probable that the “ distressful ’ country may offer the best
hunting ground of all for ferns. As is the case in England
and Scotland the West of Ireland is the most fertile in
varieties, although almost any part of the country is, no
doubt, worth a visit. It is many years since the Society
paid an official visit to the Emerald Isle and, although we
believe that no important find was then made, it is certain
that many first-rate things have been found there, including
A. ff. kalothrix, several beautiful trichomanes incisums, all
the best varieties of capillus-Veneris (except Cornubiense),
Polypodium v. omnilacerum and P. v. grandiceps of Clewarth
and Forster, crested forms of Ceterach and the Roundstone
Scol. v. crispum (one of the most distinct), to mention only a |
few of the many choice things which might be named. It |
is time that Ireland had more attention from fern hunters.

F.W.S.

189

LIST OF MEMBERS OF THE
BRITISH PTERIDOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

HONORARY MEMBERS.

Baker, W. G., Botanic Gardens, Oxford.

Bower, Professor F. O., M.A., D.Sc., F.R.S., ete., 2, The Crescent,
Ripon.

CurRTIS, CHARLES H., F.L.S., Editor, The Gardeners’ Chronicle, 5,
Tavistock Street, London, W.C.2.

Hay, T., V.M.H., Superintendent, Hyde Park, London, W.2.

Moors, Sir FREDERICK W., Kt., F.L.S., Wellbrook House, Rathtfarn-
ham, Co. Dublin, Ireland.

Preston, F. G., Botanic Gardens, Cambridge.

Witson, WixziaM, |, Sleddalls Almshouses, Aynam Road, Kendal.

WRIGHT, CHARLES Henry, A.L.S., Kew Cottage, Townsend Road,
Seaton, S. Devon.

SUBSCRIBING MEMBERS.

Apxin, F. N., River Knowle, Northam, N. Devon.
AsKkEw, W. F., Fern Nursery, Grange, Keswick.
ATxKinson, F., Lake Side Cottage, Keswick, Cumberland.
ANDERSON-KotT16, Miss Inma, John Innes Horticultural Institute,
Mostyn Road, Merton Park, London, S.W.19.
Atston, A. H. G., B.A., F.L.S., Dept. Botany, British Museum
(Nat. Hist.), Cromwell Road, ‘London, S.W.7.
BickHam, SPENCER H., J.P., F.L.S., Underdown, Ledbury, Hereford-
shire.
Bicianp, J. W. S., 20, Parkfield Road, Bebington, near Birkenhead.
-~Biow, THomas BATES, F.L.S., The Chalet, Welwyn, Herts.
OWLES, E. A., M.A., F.L.S., F.Z.S., V.M.H., Myddelton House,
: Waltham roan.
: Brown, TuHomas, J.P., 102, Donegall Street, Belfast.
Burton, FranK, The Barley House, Hildenborough, Kent.
"Bury, Livpsay, J.P., Stanford Wood, Bradfield, Berks.
Bo.tton, RoBERT, F.R.H.S., Birdbrook, Halstead, Essex.
Botton, THomsas Henry, F.R.H.S., Birdbrook, Haistead, Essex.
| BovuskEtt, FRANK, Sedgemere, Mount Bosworth, Leicestershire.
| BuTLER, FRANK, 2, Lorne Street, Reading.
CorpDREY, C., 151, Bedfont Lane, Feltham, Middlesex.
Cowan, ALEX., Valleyfield House, Penicuik, Midlothian.
'Cranrretp, W. B., F.R.HS., F.L.S., East Lodge, Enfield Chase,
Middlesex.
CovERDALE, W. H., West Lodge, Ripon, Yorks.
CHURCHER, Major G., F.R.H.S., Beckworth, Lindfield, Sussex.
CocHran, Joun, 54, Nursery Street, Kilmarnock, Scotland.
Dempster, R., Carresden, Dumfries, Scotland.
Dawkins, ALFRED, 16, Fordhook Avenue, Ealing Common, London, W.
Daruincton, H. R., M.A., LL.M., F.L.S., Park House, Potters Bar,
Middlesex.
Doopy, Denis J., The Gardens, Muckross Abbey, Killarney.
Dyson, R. J., Overcourt, Bisley, Stroud, Glos.
| Drxon, J. Darcur, Lyndhurst, Rctchell Park, Dumfries.
| Durtz, Setwyn, 11, Montague Gardens, Wallington, Surrey.
Davies, W. T., ‘‘ Gwyndre,”’ Port Dinorwic, Caernarvonshire.
, Exton, C., 3, Stirling Road, Enfield, Middlesex.
/ ELLIOT, Revd. E. A., M.A., Cubley Rectory, near Derby.
| Fenwicx, Mark, J. P., Abbotswood, Stow-on-the-Wold.
FLETCHER, ee J. -, The Yews, East Hagbourne, Didcot, Berks.

190 }

Gorpon, W., Lauriston Villa, Victoria Road, Maxwelltown, Dumfries.
GREENFIELD, Percy, Beech Bank, Stuart Road, Warlingham, Whyte-
leafe, Surrey.
Grant, Joun, 7, Market Street, Turriff, Aberdeenshire.
HAWKINS, Revd. Canon E. H., M.A., Trinity Lodge, Bisley, near Stroud. |
HARVARD UNIVERSITY (Gray Herbarium), Cambridge, Mass., U.S.A. |
HorricutruraL Society, THE Royat, Vincent Square, Westminster, |
London, 8.W. ; |
HANBURY, FREDERICK J., F.L.S., Brockhurst, Hast Grinstead, Sussex. |
HAWKINGS, GEORGE, Cressy House, Goldhawk Road, London, W.12. |
Hatt, Atva J., Victoria Nursery, Victoria Road, Harrogate, Yorks. }
HELLYER, ALFRED, Assistant Editor, Amateur Gardening, 148-149, |
Aldersgate Street, London, E.C. S|
Houtines, Freperick, 37, Garbett Street, Accrington, Lancs.
KENTUCKY UnIverRsITy, Department of Botany, Lexington, Kentucky,
U.S.A.
Kestner, Pauw, F.L.S., Chailly Village, Lausanne, Switzerland.
KAYE, REGINALD, Waithman Hardy Plant Nursery, Silverdale, Lanes.
KEALL, B. H., 32, Rainsford Avenue, Chelmsford, Essex.
Ktrpy, ALFRED, 7, Gordon Road, Roath, Cardiff.
LauRIE, G. F., Laurel Villa, Kenmure Avenue, Bishopbriggs, Scotland.
Lawson, G. el Mayfield House, near Ashbourne, Derbyshire.
LAWRENCE, Sir WixLLiAM, Bart., Burford Lodge, near Dorking. q
LopER, GERALD W. E., M.A., F.L.S., Wakehurst Park, Ardingley, |
’ Sussex. | , \
Leak, G. W., 1, Clarkson Avenue, Wisbech, Cambs.
Luoyp, JosePH, 4, Richmond Road, Birkdale, Southport.
LoveLapy, JoHn, 129, Manchester Road, Haslingden, Lanes.
MarsuH, Miss 8S. A., Glenlyon, Holywood, Co. Down, N. Ireland. |
Moore, Revd. Canon Kinesmitt, D.D., Cedar Mount, Dundrum, Co. |
Dublin, Ireland. |
Map, JoseeH, Old Connaught, Bray, Co. Wicklow, Ireland.
Mount, Henry, 5, Summer Hill, Harbledown, Canterbury.
MacSetr, A. J., 114, Hamilton Road, Reading. i!
Monro, GEORGE, C.B.E., The Red House, Hendon Lane, Church End, |
Finchley, London, N. |
McLerop, J. F., Winton House, Ware, Hants.
MuseGrRavez, C. T., F.R.H.S., V.M.H., Hascombe Place, Godalming, |
Surrey.
MAITLAND, JOHN, J.P., Blythewood, Bycullah Park, Enfield, Middlesex.
MARDELL, ALFRED, East Lodge Gardens, Enfield Chase, Middlesex.
Naytor, E., Corner Garth, Leadhall Lane, Leeds Road, Harrogate,
Yorks.
OrMEROD, G. F., Stratford Park, Stroud, Glos.
OsBORNE, ARTHUR, 83, Abbey Street, Faversham, Kent.
OLIVER, ARTHUR, Tower Road, Darnick, Melrose, Scotland.
PatnE, Frampron, Chase Ridings, Enfield Chase, Middlesex.
Perry, A., The Nurseries, Enfield, Middlesex.
Pickarp, A., 2, Snow Hill View, Wakefield, Yorks.
PRAEGER, R. Liuoyp, D.Sc., 19, Fitzwilliam Street, Dublin.
PARKINSON, J. J., The Lodge, East Lodge Gardens, Enfield Chase,
Middlesex.
Puarren, E. W., Needham Market Horticultural Society, High Street,
Needham Market, Suffolk.
Prince, ALBERT, 1, Burton Road, Tarporley, Cheshire.
Princr, W. H., 21, Forest Road, Tarporley, Cheshire. |
Ruae, H. G., Dartmouth College Library, Hanover, New Hampshire, |
U.S.A. |
IMUSSELL, ARCHIBALD, 4, Crossgate, Cupar, Fife, Scotland.
ROowLANpDs, Dr. S. P.., Abbeville. 42a, Beckett Street, Doncaster, Yorks.

191

' RUSSELL, L. A., Richmond, Surrey.

REEVES, Huau, Honingham Hall, Norfolk.

Ross, W. W., M.B., J.P., C.C., The Limes, Irthlingborough, Northants.
RANsoM, FRANCIS, F.C. S., Newlands, Hitchin, Herts.

Ransom, R. Jf Wymondley Bury, Stevenage, Herts.

SAORSTAT ErRann, The Controller, Stationery Office, Publication
Branch, Dublin.
Scott, W. D.S., The Gardens, cr a House, Bulawayo, S. ‘Africa.
Scott, F. W.., Tullibole Castle, Fossway, Kinross-shire.
SHELDON, J. r .. F.L.S., Monkhams, Lower Road, Gt. Bookham, Surrey.
STANSFIELD, F. W., M.D., D.P.H., F.L.S., 120, Oxford Road, Reading.
STANSFIELD, Tom, M.B., B.S., 120, Oxford Road, Reading.
SHERRIN, W. R., A.L.S., South London Botanical Institute, 323,
Norwood Road, London, 8.E.24.
Stevens, G. E., 36, Bedford Road, Horsham, Sussex.
SINCLAIR, JAMES A., 57, Stradella Road, Herne Hill, S.E.24.
SmirHers, Major A., Morleys, Great Hallingbury, Essex.
_ STEPHENS, MiIcHAEL, Coverwood, Ewhurst, Surrey.
_ Sutctirre, Rosert, 21, Market Street, Burnley, ‘Lanes.
Stincucomss#, H., 92, Dunbar Avenue, Foleshill, Coventry.
STANSFIELD, Miss JESSIE, Broad Road, Sale, near Manchester.
| SUDELL, RicHarp, F.1I.L.A., A.R.H.S., 4, Bedford Square, London,
| W.C.
SrerHens, Epwarp J., Rose Lawn, Digswell, Welwyn, Herts.
Smiru, Ewart G., 147, High Street, Christchurch, New Zealand.
| Tayior, Mrs. James, Colomendy, Mold, N. Wales.
THATCHER, Mrs. E. J., The Manor House, Chew Magna, Somerset.
THoRRINGTON, F. W., Sunnymead, Little Baddow, near Chelmsford.
| Trotter, P. D., Leith Vale, Ockley, Surrey.
| Waker, W. B., Cook’s Hollow, Enfield, Middlesex.
| WARREN, JAMES, Flat 2, 13, Bruton Street, London, W.1.
Warernousr, ALFRED, East View, Warton, near Carnforth.
| Weiss, Professor F. E., Easedale, Woodway, Merrow, Guildford.
| WESTLEY, Epwin, 2865, Nina Street, Lamanda Park, Pasadena,
California, U. S. A.
| WHITESIDE, ROBERT, 51, Borrowdale Road, Lancaster.
| Wittmort, Miss E. A., Vv .M.H., F.L.8., Warley Place, Great Warley,
Essex.

Ele) hUv A 3 ao

Witiiams, J. C. (Life Member), Caerhays Castle, St. Austell, Cornwall.

Wirrer, ERNEST, 7203, Yates Street, Victoria, B.C., Canada.

Woop & Son, F.R.H.S., The Nurseries, Taplow, Bucks.

Woopcock (His Honour, Judge) H. Dryspatz, K.C., Lypiatt Park,
Stroud, Glos.

Wyncu, Mrs. VioteT A., F.R.H.S. (Life), Pine Hill, Camberley,
Surrey. |

192

OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE OF THE >
SOCIETY.

President :

Mr. W. B. CRANFLIELD.

Vice-Presidenis :

Mr A. VE BLOW. > Revd. Canon Hawkins
Mr. ALEX. Cowan Revd. Canon Kinesmi~tL Moore
Mr. T. E. Henwoop Mr. G. FE. SrepHEns |

Hon. T'veasurer :

Mr. J. J. SurLpon.

Hon. Sec. and Kditor of the ** Gazette” :

Dr. F. W. STANSFIELD.

Hon. Auditor :

Mr. P. GREENFIELD.

Committee :
Mr. RoBERT BOLTON Dr. S. P. RowLAnpDs
Mr. THomMAS BROWN Dr. T. STANSFIELD
Mr. P. GREENFIELD Mr. A. J. SINCLAIR
Mr. A. J. MacSEe.r Mr. F. W. THORRINGTON

Revd. E. A. ELLior Mr. R. WHITESIDE

2 BRITISH PTERIDOLOGICAL SOCIETY
a ae

» a rt

HE E SOCIETY originated, in September 13891, in the Lake District
th headquarters at Kendal. Its members were, however, distributed
nroug hout Great Britain and Ireland, whilst some few reside in the
omini ons and U.S.A. Its declared objects were :——

4 otk ) The Study of Species and Varieties of British Ferns ;
a ii) ) The Recording of Information with regard to Ferns generally.

he British Fern Gazette was established in September 1909,
ication being quarterly until the commencement of the war.
_ the war publication was restricted to two issues per annum
account of the increased cost of printing and the decrease in the
umb er of members. It is hoped shortly to resume quarterly
t bli eation.

Me : mbers are invited to communicate with the Hon. Secretary
Sale of interest with regard to British Ferns.

Th
Hh)
1D

fte

Au

af rtificates are awarded to new ferns of distinction of which plants
rel characteristic fronds are shown at the Annual Meeting for adjudica-
The Annual Meeting is held usually in August or September,
os 0 ome ‘place where ferns are abundant and from which excursions
r fern hunting can conveniently be arranged. These excursions
2 important feature of the Society’s activity.

Fr bnae may be sent to the Hon, Secretary to be identified or named
ta 3 time.

-Recen only a Sub-Committee of the Society undertook the correct
g of the National Collection at Kew and, in conference with
ector and staff, planned and arranged the present fernery,
menting the collection with gifts of plants from the ferneries
e of the members.

, eollection in the Royal Horticultural Society’s Carden at
isle ; le y was similarly dealt with and augmented.

. a :

_ The Society is affiliated to the Royal Horticultural Society, which
s als so an individual subscriber to its funds.

cal ~

Se. -*

= Committee is endeavouring to increase the membership of the
sty and, through this and by other means, to encourage the more
aera ‘cultivation of the varieties of British ferns. Any lover of
<4 ticulture is eligible for membership and the subscription is 10s.

or 2 num (due in advance at or ‘immediately after the Annual Meeting),
hit a entitles members to copies of The Gazette.

a

Hon. Treasurer or Hon, Secretary will be pleased to supply
58 mers who may desire it with Bankers’ Orders for the convenient
) eepent of subscriptions.

3 further particulars may be obtained from the Hon. Secretary,

ae F. W. STANSFIELD, M.D., F.LS.,

- ee 120, Oxford Road,
. Reading,
j a are “|

JS Aa Berks.
|

tk a bad

oY
-~ Pe) SE 2

CORONATION: CUP.

Awarded by the Royal Horticultural Society for the most
meritorious exhibit at their great Summer Show. My col-

lection of Hardy Ferns on this occasion was considered one

of the finest groups ever staged at a Horticultural Exhibition,

During the last 5 years we have
been awarded 50 Gold and Silver
Medals, Diplomas, & Certificates
for New and Rare Hardy Ferns.

‘ee

Our collection of Hardy Ferns is one of the most complete in existence.

Headquarters for Alpines, Perennials, Liliums, ~
Water Lilies, Aquatics, New and Rare Shrubs. ~7
RE

Catalogues free— ‘3 eile

PERRY’S HARDY’ PLANT FARM, |
ENFIELD, MIDDLESEX. 4

OL. VI. No. 8.

:
ie

British Fern

44

ns INSTITy

os
ey; . - +
“a? $F ‘i ; ; a.

Sy, «7 - -

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Be une, 1933
re ty," Deis 5 1 , “
Mary +e ’

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EDITED BY

Ww STANSFIELD, MD., F.LS.

(120, OXFORD ROAD, READING.)

+ oe

¥ r
fr:

PUBLISHED BY

HE BRITISH PTERIDOLOGICAL SOCIETY
ent : Mr. W. B. Cranfield, F.RAS., F.LS., East Lodge, Enfield

“ Chase, Middlesex.

Hon. Secretary : Dry F. W. Stansfield.

a. Rn Dic dnmsrsy’. Mr. J. J. Sheldon, F.LS., ‘“ Monkhams,” Lower

oe Road, Great Bookham, Surrey.
r+ a)

BRAOLEY & SON, LTO., THE CROWN PRESSE, CAXTON STREET, READING.

¥2-y e

eT

poet Pe
ay

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ae

BA are

nell

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Sy

od

THE

melt ish FERN “GAZETTE.

NEW SERIES.

Vou. VI. JUNE, 1933. No. 8

CONTENTS.
Epiroriat NorTss ... an Sh ha ra a: sai 193
Our FRONTISPIECE : Cystopteris alpina crispa, KESTNER ... 195
_Oxsrruary : BickHAM ; HENWoOoD spe ve et oe 195
THE ANNUAL MEETING IN 1933... a Ki ate Ae 196

OBSERVATIONS ON THE INHERITANCE OF APOSPORY AND
ALTERNATION OF GENERATIONS (from ‘“‘Svensk Botanisk

Tidskrift’’) (Miss Irma Andersson-Kott6)... . ... ni 196
_ Spores : Ture Distances THEY TRAVEL (Rev. Canon Kingsmill

Moore, D.D., F.L.S.)... end oe ae Ge das 206
Polystichum angulare pulcherrimum variegatum, Morty: (Mr.

W. B. Cranfield, President of the Society) mye is 208
NotTE on Asplenium Germanicum (Rev. E. A. Elliot, M.A.) ... 210
WoopLicE amone FERNS (F.W.S.) 8 son 48 ia 211
A FERN CENSUS ... vie re bas 1h, He can 213

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Our talented and energetic member, Miss Irma Andersson-
Kott6, of the John Innes Horticultural Institution, who has
previously done much good work on the genetics of ferns,
has sent us a further paper, which has been published in
“ Svensk Botanisk Tidskrift,’’ on the ‘‘ Inheritance of Apos-
pory and Alternation of Generations,’ and which we reproduce
with the author’s permission. So far as fern-growers generally
are concerned, the main subject is a set of individuals which

_ have been raised from the spores of a Scolopendrium (Phyllitis)
which, she says, came to her as var. crispum muricatum.

These seedlings Miss Andersson-Kott6 has, for convenience,
called “ peculiars.”” This peculiar type attains only a height
of 8 centimetres (about 3 inches) and requires to be cultivated
under a bell-jar. The fronds are approximately of the normal
outline, but never develop sori or sporangia and their texture
and structure,is. like. thatuef the*prothallie vetiération. The
frond thus consists only of prothallial tissue with the Scolo-
pendrium venation. Gradually the whole edge, or part of it,

JUL 2 1933 7

194

grows out into prothallia with normal sexual organs. The
latter give rise to similar individuals, the process being
repeated in the following generations. The characters of
these ‘* peculiars ’’ would seem to be closely comparable to
those of P. angulare prothalliferum superbum, H. Stansfield,
and of P.a. plumosissimum, Birkenhead. These latter,
however, eventually grow out of the prothalloid state and

b]

become ordinary sporophytes if gradually inured to a drier

atmosphere. Indeed, plumosissimum has now done this :
completely and, so far as we know, only exists as a plumose |

divisilobe, while the other seems to be approaching the same

condition. We have raised several Polystichums of this type ©
which seemed to consist entirely of prothallic tissue (except ©

for the skeletal framework), but these, with one exception,
have died under the test of being inured to open air conditions.
Miss Andersson-Kotté has also tried to acclimatize her
‘“ peculiar ’’ Scolopendriums to a drier atmosphere, but has,
so far, not succeeded in this endeavour. We have visited
the John Innes Institution and examined the “ peculiars,”’
which seem to be clearly analogous in structure and behaviour
to the Polystichums above mentioned. Miss Andersson-
Kott6 is now experimenting with prothalliferum superbum,
which seems to be flourishing under the same conditions as
the “‘ peculiar ’’ Scolopendriums. We have appended to the
paper, as published, a short glossary of some of the technical
terms which we trust may make it more intelligible to some
of our Greek-less readers.

The Southport Flower (and Fern) Show will be held as usual _
about the last week in August and will be well worth a visit —
from all who are interested in horticulture. The Editor —
expects to be there and hopes to have the pleasure of meeting |

some of the members who may not have been able to attend
the annual gathering of the Society in the previous month.
There will be more time than usual for friendly conversation
as members will not be under the necessity of hurrying off
to meetings and excursions. The Show will be, in fact, @
meeting in itself. |

nil

195

OUR FRONTISPIECE.

Cystopteris alpina crispa, Kestner.

The illustration is from a plant collected by M. Kestner
in Switzerland at 6,900 feet and sent by him, in 1930, to the
Editor, in whose garden it has developed into a good clump
and still shows all the original characters both specific and
varietal. It is, however, slightly less compact than when
first received owing to cultivation under glass. Mr. Green-
field’s plant found in 1931 at Kandersteg at about the same
altitude is very similar and the two plants are now scarcely
distinguishable. The forma dissecta, collected by Mr.
Waltham above Geneva in 1926, remains perfectly distinct
as when first received and the character is as well preserved
in the seedlings as in the original plant, both under glass
and in the open.

OBITUARY.

BICKHAM.

We regret to announce the death of Mr. Spencer H.
Bickham, J.P., F.L.8., of Underdown, Ledbury, an eminent
field botanist who, although not a fern specialist, has long
been a member of our Society. He did not attend the
meetings, but read the GAZETTE and occasionally corresponded
with the Editor on botanical subjects. He was a friend to
many botanists.

HENWOOD.

We have also to announce the death, after a formidable
operation for chest disease, of Mr. Charles Henwood, who
at one time acted as Hon. Secretary of the Society. He was
never married and our sympathies are with his father, our
venerable Vice-President, Mr. T. E. Henwood who, happily,
is still with us.

ia a--6—™—ClClCir

-—

196

THE ANNUAL MEETING.

The Annual Meeting will, this year, be held at the Angel
Hotel, Helston, Cornwall, at 10 a.m., on Monday, July 8rd
(not July 4th as was erroneously announced in the December
GAZETTE). Members are advised to arrive at: Helston not
later than July Ist (or even June 30th should this be con-
venient) so as to have time for a preliminary consultation
and look round. Visitors are requested to make application
if possible at least a fortnight before the time of their arrival,
letters being addressed to the proprietor, Mr. R. H. Fisher.
The locality chosen is doubtless rather remote for many
members, but we trust this drawback will be compensated |
by the change in the scenery and vegetation and the greater
probability of fresh “finds” than in the more frequented —
localities which have been previously explored. We hope to —
have a fair attendance of members both from the South and —
North. Our member, Mr. J. C. Williams, Lord Lieutenant —
of Cornwall, has kindly invited us to see his woods and |
gardens at Caerhays Castle if a visit can be arranged while ©
we are in the “ Duchy.”

ee

OBSERVATIONS ON THE INHERITANCE OF APOSPORY
AND ALTERNATION OF GENERATIONS.
By IRMA ANDERSSON-KOTTO.

The work on apomixis and apospory is very extensive. |
Morphological and taxonomic studies on the one hand and ~
eyto-embryological studies, particularly of the school of |
Rosenberg, on the other have brought to light various |
importants facts which have not only made possible extensive |
conclusions but have given rise to speculations in various
directions. Among the more general questions which have
arisen and which are here of special interest are those relating
to:

(1) the cause of apomixis and apospory ;

—

—_

197

(2) the relation of polymorphism of plant genera to
apomixis and apospory, or generally the role played by
axomixis in evolution and species-formation ;

(3) the relation of apomixis to polyploidy ;

(4) the alternation of generations.

It is impossible here to go into the extensive literature on
the subject and it is only necessary to refer to the recent
handbook by Rosenberg (1930). It may be mentioned that,
in addition to speculations on hybridism in itself as the
cause of apomixis, whether on cytological (Winge 1917) or
comparative (Ernst 1918) grounds, more definite views
have been expressed on this subject by Rosenberg (1917),
Winkler (1920), and more especially by Holmgren (1919)
and Rosenberg in his later work (1930) ; these authors have
been conscious of the possibility of a genetic factor for the
tendency to apomixis, and have expressed themselves to this
effect.

In the ferns, in all cases previously investigated, obligatory
apospory has been associated with apogamy or with partheno-
genesis.1 That the processes need not occur together, how-
ever, appears from cases of induced (non-inherited) apospory,
e.g. in Polypodium aureum (Heilbronn 1927). In the Angio-
sperms likewise the rule has so far obtained that obligatory
somatic apospory is followed by apogamy or parthenogenesis.
The material has thus not been suitable for a genetical
investigation, even in the partly apomictic Hzeraciwm species
which were tried by Ostenfeld (1910).

Genetical and cytological facts bearing on these and related
problems have been furnished by Beadle and McClintock for
Zea Mays in a preliminary note (1928) and a further report
(1930). These authors found a mendelian recessive gene for
failure of synapsis of the meiotic chromosomes. The asynaptic

1 This rule is not contradicted by a case like that of Nephrodium

j pseudo-mas var. polydactylum where the sporophyte arises from fusion

of somatic nuclei in the gametophyte, and reduction occurs at spore-

| formation.

198

plants were apparently completely pollen-sterile and the |
female sterility was variable. Gowen (1928) has also given |
facts which indicate that there is a recessive gene in Drosophila
which causes aberrant meiotic chromosome behaviour, and |
further Blakeslee (1928) mentions a recessive gene in Datura |
for failure of synapsis at meiosis.

In my material of Scolopendriwm obligatory somatic |
apospory occurs without apogamy, i.e. apospory together |
with normal sexual reproduction, and since in a fern the |
stages at which the respective processes occur are widely |
separated in the development of the plants, the material can |
easily be investigated.

Since the aposporous Scolopendrium sporophytes under |
consideration are of very striking appearance, they are for |
convenience called ‘“‘ peculiars.”” The peculiar type of |
sporophyte attains only a height of 8 cm. and may bear as |
many as 25 small fronds at one time. It is very tender and
thrives only under glass bell-jars. Though possessing most.
of the organs of a Scolopendrium sporophyte it differs from —
the normal type and from all known varieties of this species —
in several respects. The fronds never develop sori or |
sporangia, and there is, except for the vascular system, no
differentiation of tissue in the leaf-blade, all cells being
straight-walled and similar to those of the gametophyte.
Occasional stomata are found. Fully-grown fronds are |
several cell-layers thick except at the edge. The leaf-blade
thus consists of only prothallial tissue beside the Scolopendrium |
venation. |

Gradually the whole edge, or parts of it, grows out into a |
prothallium with normal sexual organs. The latter upon |
fertilization give rise to similar sporophytes, the process being |
repeated in the following generations. Though the nuclear
size increases in successive sporophyte generations of the

>

‘‘ peculiars,”’ neither chloroplast size nor cell size does so. |
The prothallium-like cells of the leaf-blade, especially those

situated towards the basal part of the leaf-blade, are larger :

t

&
b

199

than those of the prothallium. The cell-size is, however,
gradually adjusted to the normal as the frond grows out
into the prothallium. This applies to all generations investi-
gated, G, F,,G,—F,,G,. More easily comparable organs
in the various generations, such as archegonia and antheridia,
also show no differences in size, nor does the size-of the whole
-sporophyte or of its organs increase, either in the normals
or in the *
:

‘ peculiars.”’

li we consider apospory in the wider sense we have thus

in ferns cases where, through apospory, the gametophyte
; generation arises at various stages of the sporophyte : from

unreduced spore mother cells, from cells of young sporangia
or the receptacle, from isolated cells of the apex, margin or
surface of the frond and finally here from the entire lamina,
the time at which the gametophytic generation originates
; in our case being intimately connected with the early
: differentiation of the entire lamina.

| The “ peculiars ” arose from the spores of a normal sporo-

) phyte of the var. crispum muricatum. This normal crispum
q

muricatum sporophyte was homozygous except for the
peculiar character, in which respect it was a simple hetero-
: zygote. The sporophyte in question was obtained from a
private collection, its origin being unknown.

This crispum muricatum parent sporophyte gave rise to

>

90 “normals” and 29 “ peculiars,” a ratio indicating that
the peculiar character is determined by a single mendelian
gene, normal being dominant over peculiar. These “ pecu-
liars’ gave again “peculiars”’ as described above. The
normal were, as expected, either homozygous or they
‘Segregated like the parent, two plants of the latter category
giving respectively 147 “‘normal:” 50 “ peculiar,” and 139

“normal: 41 ‘ peculiar,” which is a close approximation

to the expected 3:1 ratio. Further support for the single
factorial difference between these two types has been obtained
from crosses between this original crispwm muricatum plant
and other normal Scolopendrium varieties, e.g. one hybrid,

|

a

200

A, thus derived gave an F, family of 181 “normals,” 64
“peculiars,’ and later another family was raised with 88
“normals”? to 30 “‘ peculiars.”” Again, some of these
‘normals ’’ were homozygotes, others segregated and gave
respectively 107:43, 151:44, 103:30, 117:34, 102:30 and 99:39
“normals”? to “‘ peculiars.”’ Moreover, the gametophytic
ratio of 1:1 was proved: by selt-fertilization of single gameto-
phytes (G,) from the F, sporophyte in this family. Of the
59 G, gametophytes which were isolated for this purpose,
23 gave “normals” and 27 gave ‘
or were discarded. Fourteen of these G, gametophytes were
derived from one sporangium. Five of them gave normal

‘ peculiars.’’ Nine died —

sporophytes and 9 gave “ peculiars,’’ which shows that a single —

sporangium gives rise to both types, as would be expected.

From another hybrid, B, between the same crispwm

muricatum and another variety no ratio was obtained in F,, —

but again one F, sporophyte was homozygous, while another |
was heterozygous and gave a small F, family consisting of ©
13 “normals” to 6 ‘“ peculiars.” The F, here raised from ©
was normal. From 3 other F, “ normals ~

99

2 F, “ normals

the F, consisted of 79:23, 117:45 and 118:41 “normal” to |

peculiar ’’ respectively.

The third hybrid, C, obtained in the same way gave the
less satisfactory F, ratio of 32 “normals” to 5 “ peculiars.”

Some other hybrids between this crispum muricatum and |

other varieties gave no segregation for “ peculiar,” since

crispum muricatum is heterozygous for the character in —

question.

The peculiarity is inherited both on the 2 and the ¢@ side. —

I think it amply proved that the ‘“ peculiar’? and the —
“normal” differ in a factor which segregates in the typical —

* . . . 9)
mendelian way, ‘normal ”’ being dominant over “ peculiar.

As mentioned above, the “ peculiars,’’ selfed or crossed |

(a4 ¢

. . . . . . . ”?
with “‘ peculiars,”’ give in successive generations “ peculiars

again. Since apospory here is not correlated with apogamy, |

. 201

the chromosome number of the

es

peculiars ’’ rises in each
successive sporophytic generation. The higher polyploid

99

“peculiars’’’ are also recessive to “ normals,’ as is shown
by the normal appearance of sporophytes from crosses between
higher polyploid ‘“ peculiars”’ and “normals.” The higher
polyploid normal sporophytes, i.e. those with more than one
complement of ‘‘ peculiar,’ obtained by crossing “ peculiars ”’

of F,, and later generations with ‘“ normals,’ only develop

sporangia up to a certain stage.

Neither the plant of the variety crispum muricatum from

which I obtained the factor, and which was heterozygous for

it, nor the F, normal plants from the crosses have, as far as
investigation has shown, any gross disturbance at reduction,
nor have the normal F, sporophytes any such disturbance.
| The gametophytes of the F, “ peculiars”’ (which is as far
as I have got) are functioning in respect of sexuality as well
| as did the gametophytes of the parents and F,, and crosses
! with normal Scolopendrium varieties succeed as easily as in

any of the generations.
\ * * * *
_ The new data offered in this paper have a bearing specially
on the points 1-4 previously mentioned, these points to be
discussed more fully elsewhere. We may conclude from these
experiments that apospory is, like other characters genetically
' investigated, determined by a gene. Apospory is recessive

{to normal development with spore formation and reduction

|

in the sporangium. Since no normal sporophytes with
apospory have been found in these experiments, apospory

ce

is here intimately connected with the ‘“ peculiar’ type and
the entire development of its fronds. It is of interest then,
especially from the evolutionary point of view, that a single
gene mutation may thus be sufficient for the loss or gain of
the normal high development of the frond, sorus, sporangium
formation and meiosis at the spore-formation.

The relationship of polymorphism to apospory is elucidated
by the fact that the gene for apospory recombines with other

genes, such as those for different normal types of shape of

202

frond, venation, type of sorus, etc. (to be discussed more :
fully elsewhere). Furthermore, apospory, being determined |
by a single gene, may have arisen early in the formation of |
genera or repeatedly at a later stage. |

By analogy with other genes the gene for apospory, which is |
recessive in our case, may be dominant in other plant genera, |
and we may also expect, for instance, complementary factors |
to occur. |

Finally, it may be mentioned that a more or less regularly |
increasing polyploid series like that obtained in successive |
generations of “‘ peculiars ’’ may be of evolutionary importance |
since the differences in the numbers of chromosomes may |
provide greater chances for successful interspecific and |
intergeneric hybridization.

The series Algac-Mosses-Ferns-Angiosperms shows the well- |
known increase in organization of the sporophyte generation |
and a corresponding diminution of the gametophyte generation. |
A type like the “ peculiar’ fern here discussed is therefore |
of interest, since it constitutes a compromise between a |
sporophyte and a gametophyte, the demarcation between
sporophyte and gametophyte being pushed backwards in the |
life-cycle until the gametophyte appears as an organ of the }
sporophyte. |

The usual sporophyte may be held to be more suited to the —

¢

ordinary life on land than is the “ peculiar ”’ type, since the |
former has a more robust habit, differentiated tissue and |
abundance of spores which require dry air for their dispersal. 1
The latter, with its prothalloid fronds, is of a semi-aquatic |
type. Jf we must consider the origin or increased develop- |
ment of the sporophytic generation in ferns in relation to |
early terrestrial life or a transmigration to land, the |
‘“ peculiar ’’ type strikes one as eminently suited to life in |
shallow water. It is permissible to contemplate the early |
ferns, or some of them, as of a similar type, at least at one i

time or another. Possibly, then, the acquisition of the —

203

higher organization of the sporophyte and more especially
the acquisition of the habit of spore-formation and meiosis
_ at spore-formation were subsequent mutations.

The origin and evolution of the fern sporophyte and of such
comprehensive groups as the ferns is probably more com-
' plicated than has been generally admitted, and the point

ee

| above has only been mentioned since the “ peculiar’”’ type

_ shows one of the possibilities of an earlier type of fern sporo-
_ phyte as much as the frequently advocated reverse one,

|

| sporophyte through sterilization of pre-existing sporogenous

_ tissue (e.g. Bower 1890, 1923-28, 1929).

ie. the elaboration of a more and more highly developed

The discoveries in Algae and the comparative studies,
| especially by Svedelius (1921, 1927, 1931) have shown that
_ the increase of the sporophytic generation and the simul-
taneous decrease of the gametophyte in the land plants is
probably not entirely due to the migration of plants to land.
Svedelius emphasizes the evolutionary importance of a delay
_ of the reduction division in the life-cycle. Meiosis at a later
stage of the sporophyte generation, i.e. at spore-formation,
is contrasted with meiosis soon after fertilization in the zygote,
the former held to be of greater advantage, since numerous
! reduction divisions compensate for one fecundation. The
latter process (meiosis early in the zygote) is of less advantage
'since here one fecundation is followed by only one reduction
-division. The higher survival value of the former type, as
was first pointed out by Svedelius (1921) would be due to the
numerous possibilities of chromosomal recombinations which
‘jare realized at meiosis.

In the ferns here under consideration we cannot contrast

{
reduction at spore-formation with reduction early in the
| Zygote, i.e. the important shift so frequently occurring in the

|

algae. On the other hand, we can contrast reduction at

Spore-formation with a process, which probably is a reduction,
7 at gamete-formation, since some of the “‘ peculiars ”’ show that

\
‘a reduction of some sort occurs in the antheridium. Though
|

|

204

the ecologically important character of spore-formation is
lost, the “‘ peculiars ” would thus still have one fertilization
to several reductions.

The full data bearing on this point will appear elsewhere.

In this place it will only be mentioned that, if this process |

proves to be a reduction of some sort, the place where it takes
place, viz., the antheridium, is entirely new for ferns. Hence
we should have the same type of alternation of nuclear
generations as occurs in Fucus and which is characteristic of
Angiosperms, i.e. reduction immediately followed by fertiliza-
tion, in contrast to the ferns in general, with their separate
many-celled stage, the haploid gametophyte generation,
between the two processes. The case would also be the
reverse of that occurring in those algae which have fertilization
immediately followed by reduction. Though having a
morphological alternation of generations which might possibly
be considered as more primitive than that in the present-day
ferns, the nuclear alternation (on the ¢ side) and the duration
of the two nuclear phases respectively would correspond with
that in the highly organized Angiosperms, the morphological
and the nuclear phases here only partly coinciding.

I-am indebted to Miss A. E. Gairdner for the cytological
work, which will be described in detail later.

John Innes Horticultural Institution,
Merton, London.
25th November, 1931.

LITERATURE CITED.

BEADLE, G. W., 1930. Genetical and cytological studies of Mendelian
asynapsis in Zea mays.—Memoir 129, Cornell University Agric.
Exp. Sta., Ithaca.

BEADLE, G. W., and McCurntock, B., 1928. <A genic disturbance of
meiosis in Zea mays.—Science 68: 433.

BLAKESLEE, A. F., 1928, in Carnegie Inst. Yearb. 27: 42.
Bower, F. O., 1923-28. The Ferns. 3 vols.—Cambridge.

, 1929. The Origin of a Land Flora.—Huxley Memorial Lecture.
London.

Ernst, A., 1918. Bastardierung als Ursache der Apogamie 1m
Pflanzenreich.—Jena.

205

GoweEn, J. W., 1928. Mutation, chromosome non-disjunction and
the gene.—Science 68: 211.

Hersronn. A., 1927. Uber experimentell erzeugte Tetraploidie bei

Farnen.—Verh. V. Int. Kong. Vererb. (Suppt. Zeitschr. Indukt.
Abstamm. Vererb.) 2: 830.

HoumeGren, I., 1919. Zytologische Studien uber die Fortpflanzung
bei den Gattungen Hrigeron und HEupatorium.—Sv. Vet. Akad.
Handl. 59 (7).

OsTENFELD, C. H., 1910. Further Studies on the Apogamy and
Hybridization of the Hvieracia.—Zeitschr. Indukt. Abstamm.
Vererb. 3: 241.

RosENBERG, O., 1917. Die Reduktionsteilung und ihre Degeneration
in Hieracium. ee ee

—, 1930. Apogamie und Parthenogenesis bei Pflanzen.—Handbuch
der Vererbungswissenschaft 2. Berlin.

-SvEepDEttIus, N., 1921. Einige Bemerkungen uber Generationswechsel

und Reduktionsteilung.—Ber. Deutsch. Bot. Ges. 39: 179.

, 1926. An evaluation of the structural evidences for genetic

relationships in plants : Algae.—Proec. Int. Cong. Plant Sciences,

Ithaca, N.Y., 1: 457.

——, 1927. Alternation of Generations in relation to Reduction
Division.—Bot. Gaz. 83: 362.

——, 1931. Nuclear Phases and Alternation in the Rhodophyceae.—
Beih. zum Bot. Zbl. 48 (1): 38.

Wince, O., 1917. The Chromosomes.—C. R. Lab. Carlsb. 13: 131.

Winker, H., 1920. Verbreitung und Ursache der Parthenogenesis
im Pflanzen- und Tierreich.—Jena.

GLOSSARY (APPENDED TO Miss ANDERSSON-KoTTé’s PAPER).

APoGamy : a sexual propagation from the gametophyte or reproduction
of the sporophyte from the prothallus by budding without
fertilization.

APoOMIXIS : propagation without fertilization as in parthenogenesis.

APposPory : production of a prothallus directly from the sporophyte
without intervening spore formation.

AXOMIXIS : union of non-sexual cells by fusion of nuclei as in “‘ bud-
sport ’’ formation.

CHROMOSOMES : the chains of microscopic bodies in the nucleus of a
cell which govern the character of the cell and of other cells
produced from it.

GENE : the fraction of a chromosome which carries one hereditary
character.

GAMETOPHYTE : the sexual phase in the alternation of generations ;
in ferns the prothallus.

HapLoip : having the normal number of chromosomes as opposed to
polyploid.

MEIosis : splitting of chromosomes which occurs every time a cell
divides.

PARTHENOGENESIS : production of young by a female without fertiliza-
tion, as e.g. the laying of drone eggs by the unfertilized queen bee.

PoLYPLOID: having an extra number of chromosomes owing to
successive fusions of cells without reduction.

SPOROPHYTE : the asexual phase in the alternation of generations ;
in ferns the fern proper as distinct from the prothallus.

SyNnaPsIs : union of cells by junction of their protoplasmic processes.
ZYGOTE : an individual produced by the union of two germ-cells.

206
SPORES : THE DISTANCES THEY TRAVEL.

Though I have read, and possess, all the volumes of our

GazeETTE I do not recall anything about the distances spores
travel in search, so to speak, of a site where they can ger-
minate. I suppose there are myriads of spores everywhere
and only a few happen to come to rest in suitable places.
This article will not concern itself with fernlets which come
up freely in the neighbourhood of their relatives. With one
exception, worth noting for another reason, I shall confine
myself to species which have travelled. The seedlings are,
to me, the more interesting on account of the rather curious
home which three species have chosen. My greenhouse, a
lean-to, faces south-east ; its back wall consequently looks
north-west. It is of concrete, ten feet high, and a dense hedge
two feet away,rises to nearly the same height. In this
concrete wall many small cracks, making tiny fissures, have
come. Most of them will not admit the small blade of a
pen-knife—none will admit, easily, a large blade. They
seem quite shallow ; nevertheless these cracks, strange as it
may appear, have furnished pleasant homes for spores.
One of the ferns now growing in this seemingly inhospitable
position is Italian Maidenhair. As I was being shown over
the remains of the palaces of the Caesars in A.D. 1900 my guide
gathered a few specimens; they have flourished inside the
greenhouse and, somehow, spores have escaped and ger-
minated on the back wall. I mention them because it is
very unusual for any Adiantums to thrive in the open. This
winter it is the more remarkable because we have had a long
succession of frosts. But there are two other species, very
much at home on the wall, whose presence can only be
explained by long travel. Aspleniwm Ruta-muraria has never
been grown in Cedar Mount. In a neighbouring place, some
220 yards away, I have seen a few small plants ; further off,
440 yards, it grows freely. Doubtless my now flourishing
colony came by spores from these sources. The journey was
perilous and troublesome ; thick hedges, dense conifers, forest
trees, high walls all had to be conquered before the spores
found rest in my hedge—sheltered concrete fissures. Even
more puzzling is a group of Harts-tongues. Many “ Scols.”
grow in my ferneries and they spore freely. But this wall
group differs from anything in the place. It may be termed

= — ae _ . e —

207

subcrispum. The only explanation which occurs to me is

that the unaccustomed situation and rigorously confined

root-run caused ordinary spores to develop into a variety
[?—Hd.] Another case of spore travel is the way Cystopteris

fragilis has invaded the greenhouse. Over thirty years ago

I collected specimens near Grindelwald and planted them
in an outside fernery, where they died out in a year or two.
Cystopteris can be grown here without glass, but it demands
earefully planned shelter. But, though the original plants
died, their spores survived, found their way to the greenhouse,
where they germinated and have been exceedingly happy.
The distance travelled is not, in this case, great—about

110 yards ; but the obstacles are serious—thick shrubberies,

high hedges, herbaceous borders, and many fruit trees had to
be safely passed before the open door, or open lights, of the

greenhouse could be entered.
H. KINGSMILL MOORE.

February, 1933.

[Canon Moore’s experiences are by no means unprecedented as
regards the distances travelled by spores by natural means. <Asplenium
Ad. nigrum, A. Ruta-muraria and occasionally A. trichomanes have
been found on walls in Reading in situations miles away from the
nearest habitats of the species. Pteris aquilina comes from even
greater distances, but the plants cannot reach maturity in these
situations and the small seedlings are generally not noticed or not
Tecognised unless by an expert. We once found, in a narrow alley
in the heart of the town of Faversham, three species growing on the
same wall, viz., A. Ruta-muraria, Lastrea filix-mas and Pteris aquilina.
The Asplenium seemed fairly happy, the male fern was very much
stunted, and the bracken consisted of small seedlings which could
obviously not survive an ordinary summer season in that situation.
Quite recently we observed, in the busiest street in Reading, a consider-
able colony of small ferns mainly, if not entirely, consisting of filix-mas
and Scolopendrium. A narrow recess had been left in the brick wall
in order to accommodate the pipe which conducted the water from the
roof to the underground drains, and, in the narrow chinks on each
side of the pipe the ferns were growing on the damp surface of the
brickwork. They will probably not survive the next long spell of
summer drought, but fresh spores will arrive in the autumn and
recolonize the situation. It is by no means inconceivable that the
plants of Cystopteris alpina found by the late Mr. James Backhouse
in Teesdale may have sprung from spores brought by high winds from
Norway, nor that the plants of Adiantum capillus-Veneris found in
Morecambe Bay by Mr. W. H. Stansfield as recorded in our last issue,
have originated from spores carried by winds from, say, the Isle of
Man where the species is known to occur. Phyllitis Scolopendriwm,
when growing on walls with scanty nourishment, is often seen to put
on a sub-crispate or undulate character in the young state, but the
ferns, when removed to a more sheltered position with abundant

' Nourishment, generally revert immediately to the normal flat type.—

Ed.

2.2! .”.l.”l —

208

POLYSTICHUM ANGULARE PULCHERRIMUM
VARIEGATUM, MOLY.

This remarkably beautiful fern, which was found in Dorset
by the late James Moly, is now very uncommon—it is doubtful
whether half-a-dozen examples could be found among all the
extant collections. When first found it was fairly vigorous,
producing numbers of bulbils (one or two on a frond) from
which young plants were raised characterized by a peculiar

squareness of the pinnulets which gave them a most distinct

appearance. They only developed fully the beautiful orange

and dark green variegation and lax pulcherrimum character

as the plant reached maturity. The original plant was |

marred by occasional depauperation in some of the fronds.

Several plants have been raised from the original by apospory |

and from spores, all, so far as is known with one exception,

proving inierior to the parent. Dr. Stansfield was successful —

in raising the one perfect form. It is free from depauperation

and produces spores, but the variegation is not quite so bright

and definite as in the original plant. The original, however,
was in good form in Dr. Stansfield’s collection in 1932 when
it bore 10 or 12 fronds, several of which were 3 feet in length,
all perfect in outline with the rich golden and dark green

variegation wonderfully developed. Some years ago, my

division of the original plant having produced a wealth of
spores, I made several sowings and raised a large number of
plants, many of which were distributed. From the first
sowing came two plants of extraordinary vigour resembling
Moly’s plumosum but showing, so far, no sign of variegation.
From the second sowing I retained a dozen to ascertain whether
they would develop variegation. Most of them soon assumed
the parental depauperation and pulcherrimum character,
which latter feature is not entirely constant, but varies in
degree from year to year. Three, however, are quite free
from depauperation, but in none did any sign of variegation

appear until three years ago, when faint traces of variegation _

were visible on a few fronds. The variegation was much

209

more pronounced last year and I am looking forward and

hoping for the time when they may become as fully variegated
as the parent. I would suggest that others possessing plants
of this unique fern should try raising plants from spores in
the hope of obtaining a vigorous and richly variegated form—
a prize worthy of the effort.

W. B. CRANFIELD.

[Mr. Cranfield’s admiration for the original variegatum of Moly
is fully justified. It is indeed one of the most beautiful and distinct
of British ferns, but, alas! also one of the most difficult. During the
forty-odd years I have grown it I have distributed scores of plants
raised from the bulbils which were formerly fairly freely produced
(though never in large numbers), but, so far as can be ascertained,
most of these have died. I have myself rarely had more than two
plants at a time and have now only one, which, however, as indicated
by our President, was last year in better character and apparently
more vigorous than it has ever been before. For the last half-dozen
years, however, it has quite ceased to produce bulbils and has so put
a stop, for the present, to the prospect of any further distribution of
the original. The seedling, however, to which Mr. Cranfield has
referred, has produced spores from which a fair number of promising
seedlings have been raised and some of these have already been
distributed, though none of them is as yet mature. The great point
about this plant is that it seems to have completely abandoned the
bad habit of producing depauperate fronds and this reformed character
is transmitted to its offspring. This is, in itself, a great gain. The
seedlings inherit the pulcherromum character in varying degrees,
though they all seem to show it more or less. They also mostly shew
traces of variegation, but I have not yet seen one equal to the original
wild ‘“‘ find” in this respect. It remains to be seen what they will
be when fully mature. Unfortunately, the original “‘ improved ”’
seedling almost committed suicide in 1931 by trying to start growth
in October and this “‘ spent its strength for naught.’’ It is still alive
but looks feeble and will require much nursing before resuming its
former vigour if ever it can be persuaded to do so. The children,
however (grand-children of the wild “‘ find ’’) remain, and it is hoped
that these may again produce offspring and so in time reproduce the
glories of the original “ find.’ ‘‘ Instead of thy fathers thou shalt
have children whom thou mayst make princes in all lands.’—Ed.]

210
NOTE ON ASPLENIUM GERMANICUM.

Towards the end of February this year it was noticed that
two plants of this fern, which had recently been bought and
potted up, were in a constantly drooping condition ; at first
it was thought that a dose of water would improve matters,
but in spite of a slight attempt to revive their condition
remained clearly very poor, and immediate change of treat-
ment seemed very necessary: so their potting was next
reconsidered, but nothing in theory seemed wrong with that,
as it had been done on the most approved conventional lines
in pots specially made for ferns, some three inches or so
across and rather less in depth ; a few drainage crocks going
in first, then a thin layer of fibrous peat, and on top of this
a number of small sandstone lumps varying from the size
of a pea to that of a chestnut.

A little soil, mainly leaf-mould and sand, was next added,
and the fern’s roots laid on this sideways ; the width of the
pot was sufficient to allow this position of the roots to be
away from the side of the pot and yet to bring the fern crown
in the pot’s centre : and a sprinkling of the same compost
on the roots, with more sandstone lumps wedged gently but
firmly down, completed the planting.

So, as this was still thought to be satisfactory, the only
other reasons for the trouble were taken to be, either wood-
lice or some such pest or unsuitable surroundings ; and as a
thick layer of grease had been put on the saucers (not on the
pots), the pest danger appeared unlikely and the second
alternative more probable. The ferns were in an attic, not
too well lighted, and often at a temperature very close to
freezing point: they were taken out and put in a sunny
garden frame, in a corner least exposed to direct sunshine ;
the frame was being slightly heated, probably never going
above 50 degrees or far below 40, and the heating apparatus
being home-made and providing a distinctly moist warmth.
The result was surprising ; the ferns revived in a few hours,
began to send up new fronds in a few days, and during a

211

month’s trial of this plan have only flagged twice, a state

remedied at once by a good drink, care being specially taken
to keep the crowns dry. The second of these occasions
occurred in late March, on a hot day, and is taken as showing
that the frame is getting too warm and that removal, at least ;
by day, to a cold frame is advisable.

This all leads one to think that A. Germanicum is one of
those real Alpines which need, either a deep coating of snow
in cold weather, or a milder climate than ours ; its European
distribution rather bears this out.

It is remarkable that a plant of A. septentrionale has
remained in the attic, potted in the same way, quite unmoved
_ by the cold and only asking for an occasional drink : its new
_ fronds are almost as far advanced as those of its more
| particular cousins.
EK. A. ELLIOT.

| [Alpine ferns, and alpine plants generally, are protected by snow
| in winter, not only from frost, but also from evaporation, consequently
they suffer neither from cold nor from drought, but have complete
_ rest and are ready to start into vigorous growth as soon as the snow
' melts. A covering bell-glass would probably have prevented our
| eorrespondent’s Aspleniwms from drooping during the winter in the
_ dry air of the attic where they were stored.— ld.]

WOODLICE AMONG FERNS.

These vermin are not usually regarded as very terrible
| enemies by fern growers and it is true that they are less

deadly than the Otiorrhrynchus, less spectacular in their
| devastations than the various species of slug and snail, but
_ nevertheless in situations where the soil is light and gravelly
they often become a serious nuisance. To such ferns as
require a dryish or stony soil they can be very destructive.
They will eat away the rhizomes of Polypodies, especially
under glass during the winter, and will gnaw off the young
, and tender fronds in the spring and summer. To Asplenivwms

of the alpine and subalpine section they are exceedingly
dangerous as they will not only eat the young fronds but
_ will completely destroy the crowns and even the roots where

fruit trees which usually cover them. Woodlice as well as

212

these are accessible. Such species as A. septentrionale and
Germanicum and even trichomanes can be easily killed by
them during the resting season when the ferns are supposed
to need less care than in the growing period. Choice kinds of
Cystopteris and all the Woodsias are liable to their depredations
and the varieties of Scolopendrium are devoured at all seasons
of the year, but particularly when the young and tender
fronds are developing. The only defence is constant vigilance
and trapping, and the latter process is most easily achieved
by hemispheres of orange peel placed concave side downwards
among the plants. Under these domes the woodlice find
both food and shelter, and I have frequently found the interior
of the hemisphere completely lined by them in the morning.
During the day the “lice” usually retire to deeper lairs
where they are out of sight and out of reach. Great numbers
can be destroyed by going round before breakfast and picking
up the pieces of peel; a smart tap on hard ground dislodges |
the vermin and scores at a time can be crushed under the boot. |
It will also be found that the soil which has been covered

is needed to secure them before they disappear. Slugs are |

often found among the woodlice and in damp weather are |
usually the prevailing “ bag” instead of woodlice. I have |
also not infrequently found one or two specimens of Otvo- |
rrhrynchus under the hemispheres, but one needs to hunt early |
in the morning for these as they are much more cunning and |
suspicious than either woodlice or slugs. Frogs and toads, |
where these can be procured and retained, are a great help |
in the fight against vermin of which they will eat large : |
numbers, especially of the smaller specimens. Hedgehogs
also eat woodlice, but they are not easy to keep in captivity |
as they can scale walls by means of the climbing plants and

|

slugs can be poisoned by a thin surfacing of bran mixed with |

i
; Kg
/
i

Ii
es
.
me \"

4,

| |
_“ London purple ” or “ Paris green ” (both arsenical prepara-

213

_ tions), but I am reluctant to use these wholesale methods
_as they destroy not only our enemies but also our friends the
carnivorous slugs (T'estacella) and beetles which normally
act as a check, not only upon young slugs and woodlice, but
“also upon the much more deadly Otiorrhrynchus, whose larvae
‘live entirely underground and so escape scot-free from the
“arsenical poisons. It is also possible that frogs and toads
Sa be killed by eating the woodlice and slugs, which have
, partaken of the poison. Cabbage and cauliflower leaves are
: _also effective as traps for slugs, but are less so for woodlice
‘- they do not give such complete concealment as the orange
peel.
F.W.S.

A FERN CENSUS.

It has been suggested to us that, in view of the absence

‘of any national collection of British ferns (pace Kew and
‘Wisley) and the disappearance or shrinkage of some of our
‘trade collections, we should from time to time make a record
‘of such collections as still remain, especially of those forms
which are in danger of disappearance, in order that we may
at least know where these are to be seen, if not where they
may be procured. Unless some such record can be made
there is a real danger that choice varieties may become
‘extinct as some of them have probably done already. A
‘thriving fern nursery is a valuable reservoir from which
raid collections can be restored and lost treasures replaced
but we have now not many of these left and there are not

jeven so many large private collections as formerly, so that it
is in every way desirable that the whereabouts of choice and
jrare ferns should be generally known. If members will be

214

time for the general benefit. The Editor has plants of the

following ferns, most of whch are believed to be rare or at

least uncommon in cultivation :—

Adiantum Cap- Veneris imbricatum..
Asplenium Adiantum-nigrum grandiceps.

99

py}

" » mocrodon.

trichomanes bipinnatum, Roberts.

confluens, (2 forms).

99

‘. INCISUM.
# ,, Clementir.

cristatum, Rowlands. |
serrato-constrictum, Smithies.

be)

viride plumosum, Greenfield.

Athyrium alpestre cristatum, Cowan.
f.f. acrocladon, original.

99

Blechnum sp.

7
“e

99

99

caput-Meduse, Mapplebeck.
Clarissima, Moule (original).
congestum minus cristatum.

,, fumbriato-cristatum, Garnett.

i)

Kalothrix cristatum, H.S.
a lineare, H.S.

plumosum, Horsfall (original).

Mrs. Hodgson.

Druery.

9)

99

setigerum percristatum, Sheldon.
unco-glomeratum (original).
velutinum.
Victorié (original).
concinnum, Druery.
cristatum, Rowlands (Llanberis).
wmbricatum, F.W.S. (Brotherswater).
percristatum, Rowlands (Pembrokeshire).
plumosum, Forster.
serratum, Airey (Smithies’s type).
Henwood (original).

As a (Sheldon’s seedling).
trinervium coronans, Barnes.

99

215
Cystopteris alpina (3 or 4 types).

2 fragilis cristata.

Dryopteris dilatata cristata-gracilis, Roberts.
" » grandiceps, Kirby.
. alpina fastigiata, Cowan.

‘ filix-mas lux-lune polydactyla, Phillips.
+ pseudo-mas apospora cristata, Cropper.
| un = ,, fimbriata-cristata angustata.

i e ., ramo-cristata, F itt.

‘5 Jj ,, ramosissima, Wright.
i propinqua linearis.

r montana angustata, Barnes.

js ,, eristata-gracilis, Druery.

ie ,, corymbifera, Garnett.

i : ,, congesta, Whitwell.
| es ,, frlifera, Wiper.
|" $ ;, grandiceps, Barnes.
9 - is Smithies.
93 ,, plumosa, Barnes.
99 5 af as We dae
ae ,, plumosa cristata, Whitwell.

Polypodium vulgare acuto-serratum, O’ Kelly.
‘s ,, aurito-dentatum pulchrum, O'Kelly.

ya » Cambricum Barrowit.

3 . i Hadwinit.

99 i Pa Prestonii.

>» i Re Whilharris.

: ,, Cornubiense (trichomanoides).

Sy ,, grandiceps, Forster.

99 be ‘a Parker.

a , semilacerum, “ Jubilee,’ Lowe.
9 és i undulatum.

oe 2° SETTA, John Wilson.

216

Polystichum aculeatum pulcherrimum, Bevis (original).

r +4 2 Druery.

> , 23 iy Cranfield. _

9 4 ‘ plumosum, Green.
a » gracillimum, Druery (2 forms).

. y F.W.S. (2 forms).

99 » plumosum, Edwards.

" angulare acutilobum percristatum, Cranfield.
" si divisilobum grande, Jones.

r sf ‘i plumosum (several
forms),
3 » plumosum, Patey.

,, plumoso-decompositum, H.S.

3 At plumosissimum, Birkenhead.
" » perserratum, Patey (original).
iM 5 pulcherromum, Moly (Green).

+3 9 uh variegatum, Moly.
Phyllitis scolopendrium crispum fimbriatum.
3 Hs ie i muricatum.
9 " ,, Roundstone var.
» 39 , splendens, Moly.
+5 ty sagittato-crispum, Wollaston.

THE SOCIETY originated, in September 1391, in the Lake District
with headquarters at Kendal. Its members were, however, distributed
th nroughout Great Britain and Ireland, whilst some few reside in the
D ominions and U.S.A. Its declared objects were :—

(i) The Study of Species and Varieties of British Ferns ;
Gi) The Recording of Information with regard to Ferns generally.

The British Fern Gazette was established in September 1909,

ublication being quarterly until the commencement of the war.

er the war publication was restricted to two issues per annum

on account of the increased cost of printing and the decrease in the
; amber of members. It is hoped shortly to resume quarterly
pu ublication.

e
hi

Biches: are invited to communicate with the Hon. Secretary
on subjects of interest with regard to British Ferns.

_ Certificates are awarded to new ferns of distinction of which plants
0 characteristic fronds are shown at the Annual Meeting for adjudica-
tion. The Annual Meeting is held usually in August or September,
£ at some place where ferns are abundant and from which excursions
fe or fern hunting can conveniently be arranged. These excursions
re an important feature of the Society’s activity.

_ Fronds may be sent to the Hon. Secretary to be identified or named
at any time.

Recently a Sub-Committee of the Society undertook the correct
, ming of the National Collection at Kew and, in conference with
Director and staff, planned and arranged the present fernery,
Ssopleanenting the collection with gifts of plants from the ferneries
° some of the members.

_ The collection in the Royal Horticultural Society’s Garden at
Wisley was similarly dealt with and augmented.

| 4 The Society is affiliated to the Royal Horticultural Society, which
is also an individual subscriber to its funds. ~

_ The Committee is endeavouring to increase the membership of the
society and, through this and by other means, to encourage the more
p general cultivation of the varieties of British ferns. Any lover of
horticulture is eligible for membership and the subscription is 1Us.
ber annum (due in advance at or immediately after the Annual Meeting),
which entitles members to copies of The Gazette.

. The Hon. Treasurer or Hon. Secretary will be pleased to supply
members who may desire it with Bankers’ Orders for the convenient
Jayment of subscriptions.

4 "Further particulars may be obtained from the Hon. Secretary,

B Fr. W. STANSFIELD, M.D., F.LS.,
ey 120, Oxford Road,
- Reading,
7; . Berks.

. bl
.

HARDY EXOTIC AND BRITISH F ERNS,

CORONATION CUP. a

Awarded by the Royal Horticultural Society for the most
meritorious exhibit at their great Summer Show. My col-

lection of Hardy Ferns on this occasion was considered oné

of the finest groups ever staged at a Horticultural Exhibition,

During the last 5 years we have
been awarded 50 Gold and Silver
Medals, Diplomas, & Certificates
for New and Rare Hardy Ferns.

Qur collection of Hardy Ferns is one of the most compete in existence

ae

Headquarters for Alpines, Perennials, Liter

Water Lilies, Aquatics, New and Rare Shrubs. —

Catalogues free—

PERRY’S HARDY PLANT. FARM,

ENFIELD, MIDDLESEX. 4 Bs

ESOT TELAT ING NS PLR AREA: ir DE EN My NER AE

SS

oe, Y cease <8 tia
ey tas aN
—

Bek ae

be
i
Q
Zs
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: Sted aes
, 4? sv

* a o>
wa *
~ < ; nd
“~ . oo Pn a AGS =)

Poy a 4 i a > a ~ | * i eel

‘ i sf . ee ass Vi fl . a 4
a ; ESS cee : ay at ; a ae

J A -

EDITED BY

Rw ‘STANSFIELD, MLD., F.LS.

~ (120, OXFORD ROAD, READING.)

ey-5

PUBLISHED BY
: BRITISH PTERIDOLOGICAL SOCIETY
Bi sm ne Me W. B. Cranfield, F.RH.S., F.L.S., Bast Lodge, Enfield
x Chase, Middlesex.
fe ee Secretary : Dr.*F. W. Stansfield.

Tv. i. : Mr. -J. J. Sheldon, F.L.S., ‘“ Monkhams,” Lower
Road, Great Bookham, Surrey.

No. 9.
Ya age er, ~,
7 Py aie ~
. ja
=f .
$4 4 nt |
ark ;
¢ # :

BRADLEY & SON, LTD., THE CROWN PRESS, CAXTON STREET, READING.

‘plarjuaa . sounyd apiala

| THE

Sel. lISH PERN GAZETTE.

NEW SERIES.

Vou. VI. DECEMBER, 1933. No. 9

CONTENTS.
Epiroriat Notes ... nay nie re ie i eres |
Our FRONTISPIECE : Aspleniwm viride plumosum, GREENFIELD 218
Asplenium Ruta-muraria decompositum, BLow, with illustration

(Mr. T. B. Blow, F.L.S.) Mog eect ah ike Po eS
THE ANNUAL MEETING AND Excursions, 1933 mi oat 220
Harpy Ferns at SoutHport SHow (F.W:S.) ... a <4.) ea
FERNS AT SoOUTHPORT SHOW FROM THE VIEWPOINT OF A
Visiror (Rev. E. A. Elliot, M.A.) . eat a eae |

INFLUENCE OF ENVIRONMENT ON SS errar, CHARACTER (F. WS.) 229
How LonG Do FERNS LIVE? (Revd. Canon Kingsmill Moore,

Pees 12.5.) :.. ne vs $e an oe hb | Se

_A SrmpcLe METHOD OF RAISING FERNS FROM SPORES (Rev. Canon
Kingsmill Moore, D.D., F.L.S.) oe ota es (ts ee

ANOTHER FERN Pest, Heptamelus ochroleucus, HALLIDAY
(F.W.S.) ... sinik et ee ee oy ce say 2) ae
THE DISTRIBUTION OF SPorES (Mr. W. H. Stansfield) och, by Sen
A Cuass FoR NoRMAL SPECIES OF FERNS AT SHOwS (F.W.S.) 239
Some Dirricutt BririsH Species (F.W.S.) “te Js) Bae
7HE ANNUAL MEETING IN 1934 ... aay Re te ... 244
List or MEMBERS ... “ee Bes on as i ... 245
OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE OF THE SOCIETY ... ats oe): ee

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Mr. Robert Pease, of Lostwithiel, has sent us a photograph
| of his ramo-cristate Blechnum found in Cornwall in 1932 and
previously noted on p. 164, Vol. VI of THe Gazetre. It
has developed into a fine specimen and is a well-marked and
distinct variety, though resembling, in its general characters,
the variety ramo-cristatum of Maunder, found in Wales many
| years ago. The crests of the new find are somewhat more
) lax in build than those of the older form and the lamina of
) the fronds folds back curiously at the points of the bifurcations.

Mr. B. H. Keall, of Chelmsford, sends us a photograph of a

* has continued to grow and branch until it covers an area of

218

six square inches without having produced any fronds. The
explanation of this is probably the absence of either the male
or female organs, although normal prothallia usually produce
both. It may be, however, that the antheridia are unable
to reach the archegonia. Ferns, like other organisms, breed |
much better in company with others of their kind than as
isolated individuals. This prothallium is possibly a male or §
female anchorite.

Our Treasurer, Mr. Sheldon, has sent us a part of a frond —
from an Athyriwm which his son, Dr. Colin Sheldon, has y
found this autumn in South Cornwall. It seems to be a
promising form, having finely dissected fronds, and bearing —
rather large terminal crests, the ultimate divisions of which |
are also finely divided. We hope to see the plant next —
summer and to be able to report more fully upon its —
capabilities.

OUR FRONTISPIECE.
Asplenium viride plumosum, Greenfield.

As this fern was described, and its history given, at p. 129 ©
in the present volume of THE GazETTE, it is unnecessary to —
go over the ground again. The photograph speaks for itself. —
The plant is now well established, though still rather a small |
scrap ; the photograph has been enlarged to double size so |
as to show the character better. The plant, however, must —
be seen alive to be properly appreciated.

ASPLENIUM RUTA-MURARIA DECOMPOSITUM, Butow.
(Fern as shown in photograph.) |

In the autumn of 1931 a fellow member, Mr. James A.
Sinclair, and I were on a mainly photographic journey
through the centre of France and on to the South to see the
Route des Alpes—Nice to Geneva—one of the most beautiful
pieces of scenery throughout the whole of its length. Of ©
course, ferns were looked for. At Annecy, where a long halt —

eS aa oh ee « L -s eae we Ee. ee el ————— i eee

Asplenium Ruta-muraria decompositum, Blow.

&

peeve
a

219
was made and the lake explored by boat, at one of its old-
| } world villages, Taillores, the ruined walls were covered with
| Aspleniums, especially Aspleniwm Ruta-muraria. Inter-
_ spersed with the plant in its usual form were many noteworthy
_ patches of a specially large form, as shown in the illustration,
and about which the Editor would doubtless give us his
opinion. The photograph is from a plant brought home and
‘grown for a year.
_ The stay in Annecy was a particularly memorable one,
for about a week previously England had gone off the gold
‘ ‘standard. At Nice we were surprised to have some little
difficulty in getting exchange at Messrs. Barclays branch,
ce imagined that all would be well in a few days. However,
in view of the reports in the papers, Mr. Sinclair decided to
| return to London. We went to the station and booked a
| ‘Seat for the next day’s train. The very polite lady booking
' clerk said she ought not to book the seat without our taking
a ticket also, but we said we had not enough money in our
; “pockets to pay for the ticket at once, but would call the next
, Morning after we had visited the bank. We little knew
what awaited us. The next morning we produced our

letters of credit and the banks would not advance money on
4 these. Then we produced £5 notes, £1 notes and eventually
gold, but all were refused. We counted our available cash
‘and managed to pay our hotel bill by the landlord accepting
a £1 note in addition to most of our French money. This
left us with sufficieat to get a light lunch ; to send a telegram
to a friend in Geneva asking him to meet a train at the station
with 500 French francs in order to get Mr. Sinclair to London ;
and then with the balance to purchase two 3rd class tickets

\to Geneva, where we arrived with the equivalent of 10d.
between us—a very narrow shave.

Our good friend duly met us, and took us at once to the
P.L.M. railway office and bought Mr. Sinclaiz’s ticket. This
was at 5 p.m. and the train not going until 10 p.m. we weat
‘home to dinner with our friend, who has one of Voltaire’s

|

i's

—S

220

old chateaux—that of Tournay—and after Mr. Sinclair had
been seen off by train, I stayed on at Tournay for a further
week. This ended a rather remarkable episode which
affected many others who had no friends to help them and
were completely stranded.

THOMAS BATES BLOW.

[The photograph as sent by Mr. Blow, although admirably clear,
does not show adequately the character of the variety on account
of most of the fronds being seen edge-ways instead of full face. We
have therefore substituted another photograph which, although
only a single frond printed life size, shows the:decompound character —
much more fully and almost suggests another species. It is, however,
undoubtedly Ruta-muraria as proved by the fact that a plant, sent
to the Editor in a dried up condition, at first produced only normal
fronds, but afterwards, upon becoming established, developed the
divided fronds as shown in the photograph. It is certainly the most
distinct form yet found of this species.—Ed.] |

THE ANNUAL MEETING, 1933.

The Thirty-eighth Annual Meeting of the Society was held
on Monday, July 3rd, 1933, at the Angel Hotel, Helston,
Cornwall, the President, Mr. W. B. Cranfield, F.L.S., F.R.H.S., —
occupying the Chair. Other members present were :— —
Mr. T. E. Henwood and Mr. T. B. Blow, F.L.S. (Vice-Presi- |
dents), Mr. Jas. A. Sinclair, Mr. F. W. Thorrington, Mr. Percy
Greenfield and Dr. F. W. Stansfield (Hon. Secretary).

The Minutes of last year’s Annual Meeting were read,

confirmed, and signed by the President.

The President welcomed the members and gave a brief |
resumé of the affairs of the Society, showing that the British |

Pteridological Society was in a better position, both in finance |

and in membership, than many other societies, both having |

1
i

been practically maintained during the year.

Letters regretting inability to be present were read from |
Mr. Alex. Cowan and Mr. G. E. Stephens (Vice-Presidents), |
and from Mr. J. J. Sheldon (Treasurer), who was unfortunately
prevented, by an attack of rheumatism, from travelling. |
Also a letter from Mr. J. C. Williams, Lord Lieutenant of |
Cornwall, inviting the members to lunch at Caerhays Castle

and to see his gardens and woods.

|

}

.

221
Mr. Cowan reported that his crested Lastrea propinqua,
found last year, had only as yet imperfectly recovered from
the injuries it received when collected. Also that his
Scolopendriums all seemed to be dying from an attack of
a fungus which was known to prey upon this species.

The President read a letter which he had received from
the Rev. Canon H. Kingsmill Moore, Vice-President, regretting
his inability to be present and submitting a suggested resolu-
tion to the effect that an honorarium should be awarded to the
Editor of THE GAZETTE each year when the funds of the
Society would permit, the amount to be governed by the

state of the Society’s funds each year. The President

proposed and Mr. Thorrington seconded that the President,
Mr. Blow, Mr. Henwood, Mr. Greenfield and Mr. Sinclair
should be a Sub-Committee to consider and report upon what
steps should be taken to recognise the services of the Editor
and Secretary.

Dr. Stansfield disclaimed any desire for an honorarium, but
said that as a member of the Society he thought the time had

_ come for the Society to seek a younger and more energetic
_ Editor. He was himself conscious that he was now mentally
| less alert than formerly.

The resolution was carried.

The Hon. Secretary read his report as follows :—

“Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Again I have to report that there has been no increase in
the membership of the Society during the year. Four
valuable members have died, including Mr. J. H. Bowman,

| of Newbury, whose death was recorded in the GAZETTE of

December, 1932. Other recent losses are Mr. Thomas Brown,

J.P., of Belfast, and Mr. Robert Sutcliffe, of Burnley, Lancs.
| Both were real fern-lovers. Mr. Brown attended our meetings
| as often as convenience permitted and took a strong interest
yin ferns and in the Gazerrz. Mr. Sutcliffe frequently
\ corresponded with the Secretary on fern subjects and was a

222

cultivator of ferns as well as a regular reader of the GAZETTE.
Mr. Spencer H. Bickham, J.P., F.L.S., whose obituary notice
was published in the GazETTE recently issued, though not a
fern specialist, was an enthusiastic general botanist and a
friend of all good plant-lovers. Five members have resigned —
during the year, including Dr. R. Ll. Praeger, of Dublin, and
Mr. W. Gordon, of Dumfries. Both are old members and have
done good work in their time and we regret their loss as well
as that of the three other members who have withdrawn from —
our small band. Two members have been lost sight of
through change of address. The number of subscribing
members is now 113 and there are eight honorary members.
No new member has joined the Society since the last Annual —
Meeting. A number of complimentary and exchange copies
of the GAZETTE are regularly issued, including those sent to :— ©

The British Museum,

The Linnean Society,

The American Fern Journal,

The Smithsonian Institution (U.S.A.),
The Royal Botanic Society of Belgium,
Biological Abstracts (U.S.A.),

and others.

. ; |
Copies are also sent from time to time to persons who are ©

indicated as possible recruits.

So far as is known but little fern-hunting has been done |
during the year and that little was recorded in the December |
GazETTE. The crested form of D. filiz-mas found in N. |
Wales after the last Annual Meeting was not removed, but |
spores were gathered and were sown in December last. Young |
plants are now appearing from this sowing, which suggests —
that this fern may be apogamous like paleacea cristata and
paleacea polydactyla. Young plants of the sporophyte |
generation are also appearing in a sowing of M. Kestner’s |
hardy type of Aspleniwm lanceolatum made in April, 1932: —
Should these prove to be really hardy in our climate this —
will be a distinct gain as the British type of the species 1s |

223

difficult to keep through the winter in most parts of England
and Scotland without artificial heat. The spores sent by
M. Kestner of a possibly hardy form of Adiantum capillus-
Veneris and sown in December last, have failed to germinate.
A batch of seedlings raised from the setoso-decompositum
form of P. angulare, found near Sherborne in 1928, turned
out a very promising lot and seem at present to be an advance
upon the character of the parent. Many of them look more
like perserratums than anything else and nearly all seem to
be more setose than the parent.”’

The Treasurer’s report, in the absence of Mr. Sheldon, was
read by the Hon. Secretary as follows :—

BALANCE SHEET.

INCOME. EXPENDITURE.

. Sin isa ak, & aed
Balance from last year 69 4 11 Affiliation Fee, R.H.S. 2 2 0
Subscriptions paid ... 34 3 6 Gagerrn, Dec., 1932 I9 19° J
Sale of GAZETTES ... Li he dues. 19S3:.. 213 ~.8..2
Advertisement Ng te Pere Be! Postages and Sundries 2 16 7
Balanee at Bank ... 68 0 7

£106 6 5 S106" 6°65

Audited and found correct, June 28th, 1933.
(Signed) PERcy GREENFIELD,
Auditor.

It was proposed by Mr. Henwood, seconded by Mr. Thorring-
ton, and resolved :—“ That the Hon. Secretary’s and Hon.

_ Treasurer’s reports be approved and adopted.”’

ELECTION OF OFFICERS.

Dr. F. W. Stansfield proposed and Mr. Henwood seconded :—
“That Mr. W. B. Cranfield, F.L.S., be re-elected President
for the coming year.” Carried unanimously.

A letter having been read from Mr. G. E. Stephens again
expressing his desire to retire from the Vice-Presidency,

| Dr. Stansfield proposed and Mr. Sinclair seconded :—‘‘ That
| the remaining Vice-Presidents be re-elected.”’

224

- The President proposed and Mr. T. B. Blow seconded :—
‘“That Professor F. E. Weiss, F.R.S., P.L.S., and Mr. F. J.
Hanbury, F.L.S., be elected Vice-Presidents if, after con-
sultation, they should be willing to accept the nominations.”

Both resolutions were carried nem. con.

Mr. Blow proposed and Mr. Sinclair seconded :—‘‘ That the ~

nas officers be re-elected en bloc.”’ Carried unanimously.

. Stansfield proposed and Mr. Henwood seconded :—

7 aa the old Committee be re-elected, with the exception —

of Mr. Thomas Brown, deceased, and that Mr. G. E. Stephens
be elected to fill the vacancy caused by his death.” Carried
unanimously.
EXHIBITION OF FRONDS, Erc.
Mr. Greenfield exhibited, on behalf of Mr. Sheldon, a frond
of a very fine Polystichum which Mr. Sheldon had found a

year or two ago in this district (near St. Anthony). It was ©
on the border-line between aculeatum and angulare, and was |

named P. aculeatum folioso-incisum, Sheldon. Mr. Sheldon

was awarded the Society’s Certificate of Merit for this variety —

on the proposition of Mr. Blow, seconded by Mr. Henwood.

The Rev. Canon Kingsmill Moore, D.D., sent a fine series ©
of fronds of Polystichums, all very well grown and in fine |
condition, including a P. ang. tripinnatum of his own (tri- —
pinnatum grande, K.M.). Also P. ang. plumosum, Elworthy,

P. a. plumosum grande, Moly, and others.

PLACE OF MEETING FOR 1934.

The President proposed and Mr. Blow seconded :—** That |
the place and time of meeting should be left for decision |
to the General Committee, a preference being expressed |
for the S.W. of England or some part of Wales.” Carried

nem. con.

Most of the party remained in the neighbourhood for a |
week or so during which many of the most promising places |
in S. Cornwall were visited and explored, including Porthleven, )
Lizard Point, Kynance Cove, Manaccan, St. Anthony, St. |

225

Keverne, Mawgan and Gweek. Ferns were exceedingly
abundant in suitable localities and were very finely developed.
7 The species seen were Asplenium marinum, rather sparingly
on rocks near the sea, A. lanceolatum (only one plant), A.
- Adiantum-nigrum, plentiful, Athyrium filix-femina, Blechnum
_spicant, often two fect in height, Lastrea emula, very beautiful
f d finely developed, some plants having fronds over two
i eet in length, Lastrea dilatata, L. filix-mas and L. paleacea,
L. spinulosa, Osmunda regalis, Polystichum angulare, Poly-

wulgare and Scolopendrium) being mixed with Blechnum,
, . dilatata, etc. The real lime-lovers were, however, evidently

, ‘s ch as a crested Scolopendrium, an acutilobe, a foliosum
(and an alatum in angulare, a caudate Blechnum and an
interrupted Osmunda. None of these, however, could be

_ was left practically intact. Some interesting flowering plants

were seen, including Erica vagans and its white variety,
} E erniaria ciliaris, Scilla verna (out of flower), Fumaria
occidentalis (doubtful), Szlene maritima and Plantago maritima.
8

' Lastrea emula, as seen growing here, was a revelation to
“many of us. When growing at home, as it was here, it is
? One of our most beautiful native species, rivalling the plumose
dthyriums in grace of habit and cutting and with a striking deep
-green colour. It was found growing at its best in deep
of leaf-mould, thus affording a useful hint for its
tivation. No doubt it could be raised from spores as
ily as other species though probably it has not often been
| propagated in this way under cultivation. We mention this
1 to indicate that it would not be necessary to spoil the country-

226
HARDY FERNS AT SOUTHPORT SHOW.
Ferns were exhibited in fine form at Southport this summer |
although the effects of the hot and dry summer were apparent
in many of the exhibits. Messrs. Bolton & Son, although
living in one of the driest counties in England, were able to |
put up an exhibit, in the class of “ groups arranged for
effect,” which obtained a well-deserved first prize and the
silver challenge cup. In 1932, Messrs. Bolton won, by a
short head, mainly on the quality of their ferns, but this —
year they were well ahead on all three points of quality, —
condition and arrangement, their ferns being all good things,
in faultless condition, and admirably arranged for effect.
The three remaining groups were more nearly on a level, but |
were all remarkably creditable in view of the trying character —
of the season. Mr. Lloyd, of Southport, who set the pace
last year in the matter of arrangement, was this year not
quite so effective and, although he had an admirable group of
ferns, came second. Mr. Albert Prince, of Tarporley, was
third and Mr. Lovelady, whose ferns (although good and well —
grown) showed the effect of the torrid summer, was fourth. |
In the class for twelve hardy British ferns, Messrs. Bolton —
again led, Mr. Askew being second and Mr. Lovelady third. |
In the class for six British ferns Messrs. Bolton also obtained ©
first place, Mr. Lloyd being second and Mr. Lovelady third. —
For three Polypodiums the winners were : Ist, Mr. Askew;
2nd, Mr. Lovelady ; and 3rd, Mr. Lloyd. The best szngle |
plant in this series was, we think, Mr. Lovelady’s plant otf
Polypodium v. Cornubiense, in perfect character and condition
—such a plant as is rarely seen of this lovely but slightly |
erratic variety. Mr. Lovelady was first with three Poly- |
stichums, Mr. Lloyd being second and Messrs. Bolton third, |
while Mr. Lloyd took first place with three Athyriums,
followed by Mr. Askew and Mr. Lovelady. In Class 17 |
(six British ferns in not fewer than three distinct varieties)
Mr. Luckin, of East Grinstead, was the winner, Mr. Lloyd |
being second and Mr. H. 8. Baucher third. In Class 18°
(three British ferns dissimilar) Mr. Lloyd was first, Mr. Ernest |

|
|
|

227
White being second and Mr. R. H. Monkhouse third. In
Class 16 (one British fern of a variety raised in the garden
or on the premises of the exhibitor) Mr. Lovelady took first
prize with a beautiful plant of an improved type of P.
aculeatum pulcherrimum. We understand this plant was
raised by apospory from the projecting tips of the parent
fern, the late Mr. Smithies, we believe, being the only other
person who has raised plants from the aposporous tips of this
variety. On the whole the honours were fairly well dis-

tributed among the exhibitors, though it must be confessed
that Messrs. Bolton took the lion’s share.

The labelling of the exhibits left much to be desired, many
of the ferns bearing no names at all, while some were wrongly
named and, in one case, a fine plant of the culinary asparagus
was shown as a fern though, needless to say, it did not obtain
a prize. In the case of groups arranged for effect there is,
no doubt, some excuse for the absence of labels as these may
be considered to detract from the natural appearance of the
group, but in the more formal classes of twelve, six and three,
there is really no excuse for the omission and it certainly
detracts seriously from the value of the exhibition so far as the
visiting public is concerned. Even in the groups for effect
we think the more important plants should have labels,
though these need not be obtrusive or over-conspicuous.

F.W5S.

FERNS AT SOUTHPORT SHOW
(from the point of view of a visitor).

‘

A critic has been defined as “a man who has failed,” and
in that case there are many of us lesser fern-growers who are
qualified to comment on the fern exhibits at Southport,
since we have never produced anything to equal what was
shown : and so here are a few notes from one who has failed,
but, even when most critical, is not indulging in a feeling of

“cc

sour grapes,’ the more so as he was not an exhibitor.

|

| To start with comparatively lesser matters, a rule should
_ be made that all ferns shown, except in the big group class,
|
|
4

Qua ea ie Be S.-i. ~ =. LE ae eee. —

2.

iar a |}. eC

228
must be named ; this was referred to in the 1932 (June)
notes and perhaps is better attended to than it was, but the
penalty of disqualification would not be too severe in cases
of neglect : then there would not be mistakes such as one
enthusiastic lady was heard to make as she saw an un-named
potted corymbose congested Athyrium, “look, here’s a
parsley fern’ : this is what it resembled—parsley—but she
will not recognize the real thing when she sees it growing wild ;
and it might also be made more clear to visitors that most
plants on view are varieties, not species : and, although it
did not occur in the hardy fern section, something drastic
should be done to an exhibitor who puts in a clump of garden
asparagus, with berries on it, a performance remarked on
in the 1932 GazxeTrnr, though this time it did not secure a
prize but only the too kindly comment, “ This is not a fern.”

Other uncertain points, also previously referred to and
therefore better not repeated here, were noticed. So, to turn
to the exhibits themselves, one criticism which will be
challenged may be put first : that is, the undue proportion
of Athyrium and Scolopendrium varieties ; there were separate
classes for both these, but in four other classes, even in that
for one hardy British fern only, as well as in the big staged
collections, varieties of these two ferns were far too freely
used, especially as the dry season had proved almost too much
for many Athyriums : and further, these latter (not Scolo-
pendrium, which as a species runs to the gigantic) were much
too big and lanky—all honour to the owners for the care
bestowed upon such favourite plants and for the skill shown
in packing and bringing them, nevertheless.

It would be merely wearisome to everyone to go through
every class even without detail, but one may be allowed
remarks on some sections. Beginning with that for three
Polypodies, in which there were (in our opinion) the best
plants and some of the most attractive in the Show, and it
is an opinion that was apparently shared by one of the —
judges, our Secretary. And then turning to the class for |
six in three varieties, in which too few specres were repre-

wi vi Pr

229
sented by varietal forms, this also applies to the previous
class, ferns raised by the exhibitor, in which there were two

_ Scolopendriums and a Polystichum winning the three prizes.

Only in the case of the Athyriwms, already referred to,
does one wish to comment adversely on the condition of the
actual plants, nearly all of which were very fine and, it is to
be hoped, impressive to those who saw for the first (and even
second or third) time what a variety can be in the hands of
painstaking owners. The climax once again was reached on
arriving at the stages, which left the failure speechless for a
time.

If he may now venture on one, his last, remark, on this

_ section, it is simply to say that even in the midst of all that

magnificence wonderfully arranged, the finest thing was a
bit—apparently—of tucked-in padding in the, shape of
A. f.f. unco-glomeratum. The glowing freshness of this
beautiful thirg was astonishing and remains the most distinct
memory of our visit.

Is this too carping? We hope not. It is not a description
of the ferns, with which the entire GAZETTE could easily be
filled, but which should never be attempted ; for only personal

inspection of the still flourishing cult can ever give real

> a ee
-

satisfaction.
Be A. ELLIO€.

INFLUENCE OF ENVIRONMENT ON VARIETAL
CHARACTER IN FERNS.
The influence of environment on variation has often been
discussed and it has been thought, at times, that changed

surroundings might cause actual change of character in ferns

and in other living organisms in the same way that the moral

and mental character of a child is modified by its education.
The two cases are, however, not quite parallel, though they
are perhaps nearer akin than some may imagine. In the

first place, the mental character of a human being or a dog
or a horse is not a fixed thing from birth, but something
which is continually developing, in one way or another, from

— ——e

ES

oe | —)~—C ht‘ ft a ee ff = aA @- eee

~_— —aS As

230

birth until death. Each individual is born with a number of
tendencies, inherited from a long line of ancestors, of very
varied and often conflicting character. Some of these are
developed and others discouraged by education and by the
example of those around it. A child, which is early taught
to lie and to steal and to look after No. 1 generally with a
disregard for the feelings and right of others, is pretty certain
to develop into a bad character since any innate moral
tendencies are stifled and atrophied by the evil surroundings,
while the same child, if educated on good and favourable
lines, may be enabled to choke off the selfish and dishonest
impulses and to develop into a valuable citizen. Since the
innate good and bad impulses are very unequally distributed
there is no reason why children, brought up under apparently
identical conditions, should all turn out alike. What is good
for one may be bad for another and so, to paraphrase slightly
the words of the poet, while “some are born good, some
achieve goodness and some have goodness thrust upon
them.”’

What has all this to do with ferns? Can we “ bring up ”
ferns to be plumose or crested or divisilobe or otherwise
virtuous? No! All these things are inherent in, or absent
from, them from the first fertilized germ cell. Some of the
characters, however, are more stable than others and can be
encouraged or discouraged by treatment. Quite a number of
pulcherrimums in Polystichum angulare have been found
wild but most of them have now disappeared as pulcherrimums
though the individuals, in some cases, remain as normals.
Moly’s green pulcherrimum still remains but with conflicting
tendencies and most of the plants produce only a proportion
of characteristic fronds while the rest are normal. This
unstable character was present from the first, but at one time
I was able to select a crown which produced all “ true ”
fronds and this was known as “the corrected plant.”’ The
unstable form was discarded and the corrected plant was
supposed to be permanently a true pulcherrimum. It con-
tinued true to type for a good many years, but seemed to

231

have slightly less vigour than the dimorphic plant, and,
being left alone for a few years, it probably exhausted the
soil around it to some extent: then came a wet winter
followed by a dry and cold spring, and the new fronds came
up feebly and many of them failed altogether ; presently
came a number of normal fronds and the plant regained
vigour, but, with it, its original dimorphic character. I hope,
in time, to be able to re-select another corrected plant, but
“ time is the stuff that life is made of ” and there may not be
enough of it available for me. However, I trust that, in
that, or indeed in any, case, others will carry on the good
work. The corrected plant was a “bud sport.’ A not
quite similar case is that of P. angulare flabellipinnulum,
a beautiful thing found by the late Dr. J. S. Wills in 1878.
lt has been in cultivation ever since, but a proportion of the
plants have, all along, shown a tendency to degenerate into
a rather poor type of acutilobum. These have mostly been
discarded as they appeared (all of them by me) and the true
type has been preserved. I have now one plant which has
‘remained perfectly true to type for the forty years I have
had it, and it seems to be quite stable in character as do the
plants raised from its bulbils. This variety was not originally
dimorphic, but individual plants from time to time would
send up a degenerate frond and this aberration of character
was invariably, in my experience, the prelude to the whole
plant going to the bad or “ going native’ as Mr. McIntosh
would say. I should like to raise seedlings from this virtuous
plant, but this year, for some reason, it has not produced a
single sorus or sporangium although the plant is in robust
health. It is hoped that it may, in future years, again produce
spores as it has done in the past and give rise to a generation

c

impervious to the temptation to “go wrong.’’ Another case
of a more or less reformed character is Polypodium v. Cornu-
Biense which, when first found, produced a large majority of
finely dissected fronds with a few of a normal, or partly normal,
character. In course of time the dissected fronds began to

be, in many cases, less finely cut and the plant became more

|
ig

——_——— | he

, ee Mit i ~_ ey Meets

bei Same An eee —h—0lCUmcfklUClUcl (‘a a MCC OT)[hl( fe Le eee. COR

'—_- —————e————s 4 +

232

vigorous, but lost much of its beautiful parsley-like character.
Messrs. Backhouse, however, by persistent selection, found a
rhizome which continued to produce the finely dissected
fronds and this became known as the variety trichomanovdes,
which is still in cultivation and remains true to the original
character, though it has never ceased to produce a few normal
fronds. Again there are, or have been, a score or more of
different forms of the crispum type of Scolopendrium, all
distinct and recognizable by an expert when grown under
favourable conditions. When grown under merely average
or inferior conditions, however, they tend to become very
much alike and are difficult to distinguish one from another. —
They still remain crispums, but tend to lose the finer characters

which distinguish the subvarieties. This is why a neglected
collection of ferns, or one grown under somewhat unfavourable —
conditions, fails to impress the onlooker. Here comes in the

value of the specialist and the exhibitor who “ does his things —
well” and shows what they can do under fair and generous —
treatment. In 1914 I found, in Eskdale, Cumberland, a>
Lastrea montana growing in Sphagnum and of a pure golden |
colour like the “‘ Golden Feather” Pyrethrum. It was |
taken home, on the offchance of its being permanent, and
planted in soil suitable for montanas. Next year it came up

perfectly normal. This was, of course, a case of anzemia or |
disease induced by lack of suitable nourishment. In 1931, |
while hunting near Whitewell, Yorks, along with the Rev.
KE. A. Elliot, [ found another montana growing in a Sphagnum
swamp and under even wetter conditions than the Eskdale
one. This was of the normal colour, but was plumose or |
sub-plumose in character and was collected as a possible |
prize, but not without some doubts. In 1932 it was very |
foliose and fairly vigorous, but less deeply incised than when }
found. This year, with a very dry growing season, only a |
few fronds are moderately incised, the rest being merely |
slightly serrate or approaching the normal. This seems to be | ,
a case of a real variation, though a comparatively slight one, |
which was apparently enhanced, for the time being, by the

|

‘
¥

:
f
? A
:

ee

233
wet conditions and by the fact that, when found, the plant,
though of full normal size, was quite barren of sori. Last
year it produced spores, some of which were sown, and young
plants have now been pricked off. It remains to be seen
whether there will be any variation among them. Iam hope-
ful that there may be and that one, or more, may go a step
beyond the parent. If that should be so it will be a case of
an incipient variation which would not have been noticed

but for its temporary enhancement by the abnormal conditions

in which it grew. Another case is that of Lastrea filix-mas
cristata, Burton. When first found this was somewhat on
the lines of Martindale’s cristata, having the same upward
curving prinne and slender habit, the crests, however, being
more finely divided and refined looking. There was, however,

‘ bd

an ominous touch of the “ roguishness ” which is so often
found in varieties of this species, but it was hoped that this
might disappear with liberal cultivation and, actually, at
first it produced, under cultivation, a large proportion of
beautiful and perfect fronds with a suggestion of percristatum
about the pinnules. In my hands, however, it gradually
produced more and more fronds of the depauperate and

irregular character and was eventually looked upon as an

“incorrigible rogue.’ Last year, however, a_ self-sown
seedling from it appeared and this has this year sent up a
large proportion of fronds of perfect and unspoilt type ; and,
although a few fronds show traces of “ original sin,”’ hope is
entertained that, even if the original should prove
incorrigible, it may produce offspring of untainted and

_ permanently regular character. The moral of this article is :
_ if you have good or promising ferns, treat them well and they ©

will be less likely to disappoint you than if they are neglected

or maltreated.
——_____ F.W:S.
HOW LONG DO FERNS LIVE ?

It is certain that many of our species are long-lived—a
comforting thought for those who value their collections ;

- but from the nature of the case not much evidence is available
as to the life tenure of individual specimens.

-
}
it

Bitte ee ee ee ae

234

This short note is written as a limited contribution to the
subject, in the hope of eliciting further information from the
lore of our Editor and the experiences of others.

About 1880 the Rev. H. Davy found, in the Dargle, Co.

Wicklow, a Polystichum which was then full grown. In

October, 1900, I noticed the fern in Mr. Davy’s collectioa
and expressed the belief that it was new. It seemed to stand,
as it were, between P. aculeatum and P. angulare. But what
chiefly attracted me was the sinuous stem. Mr. Davy gave

me the plant. I submitted a frond to Mr. Druery, who agreed —

that it was new and accepted my suggested name, P. ang.
simuosum. Since 1900 the plant has flourished with singular
constancy in the same place. It has remained almost identical]
in size, sending up eight or nine fronds each year. No
tendency to a division has appeared ; but always there is an
abundant crop of spores. How old the fern was when found

it is impossible to say, but it can be estimated at sixty years

now, and it may be much older.

As my own collection began in the ’Nineties, I have
specimens of Athyriums, Lastreas, Polystichums and WScolo-
pendriums which are certainly forty years old. I have also
Polypodium vulgare whose stock is from the same date.
Owing however, to the different habit of growth, I am not
sure that my present Polypodiums come from the original
rhizomes. Our Editor can help us as to this doubt.

From these few facts it would seem that if nothing un-
foreseen, such as disease or accident, occurs, the ordinary
life of our native ferns and their varieties is over fifty years.

H. KINGSMILL MOORE.

[We have a plant of the original Athyrium f.f. plumosum,
Horsfall, found in 1860 which continues to flourish with apparently
undiminished vigour, while the original A. f.f. Victorie found in 1861,
though still fairly healthy, is decidedly less vigorous than plants of the
same variety which have been raised, more recently, from spores.
Another case of long life is the original P. ang-plumosum, Elworthy,
found in 1856. Canon Moore sent a frond of this to the annual
meeting this year, which was, we think, finer than we have ever seen
this variety before.—EHd.]

ee ee

a eS ee a OB
SSE EEEEeE-=:>

s
7,

235
A SIMPLE METHOD OF RAISING FERNS FROM SPORES.
The method to be described here falls short in scientific

_ exactitude of the method used by our President and Hon.

Secretary. Their more perfect processes have been described
in the GAZETTE ; the only reason for publishing my plan is
that it has met with success ; and its simplicity may enlist
new recruits in the fascinating hobby of raising rare specimens,
and seeing new forms develop.

iP)

The necessary “ plant ”’ is in everybody’s reach :—

(1) A well-made wooden box, whose joints fit closely, and

whose timber inside and outside is smooth as a table-top.

Such a box excludes such vermin as woodlice and makes it
difficult for foreign spores to intrude. The boxes I use are
what are known here as “ butter boxes.’”’ They are 12 inches
deep inside, and 10? inches square at bottom. The sides
slope outwards, making the opening at the top 11? inches

| square. The slope is convenient, but not essential for spore-

“the
4

growing. Holes for drainage must be bored in the bottom.

(2) A sheet of glass of size sufficient to cover closely the
top of the box.

(3) Well washed and scalded 3-inch pots, with one scalded
erock at the bottom of each. Nine fit into the bottom of a
** butter-box.”’

) Cocoanut fibre, or any similar substance, into which
the te when ready, are plunged up to the brim.

i Small pieces of glass to cover closely the pots.

6) Compost. I have tried various composts with equally
results. Sandy loam, or fine leaf-mould, seem best ;
but if the compost is passed through a very fine sieve, and
so reduced to powder, its constituent parts will be un-

) important.

When about .to sow I[ bring my “plant” close to the

\ kitchen door and arrange for a plentiful supply of boiling

kettles. The cocoa fibre is spread on an old tray and

| thoroughly scalded ; the boxes scalded inside and outside ;

236

the fibre is quickly spread over the bottom of the box ; the
glass for the top is wiped, on both sides, with the hottest
cloth it is likely to bear without cracking ; the box is covered
with the glass. |

Next the pots are scalded ; then the compost is filled in
and gently pressed, till the surface is within three-quarters of
an inch of the top. Then comes the scalding of the compost,
a most important part of the work. The boiling water must
go well through the pot ; it is advisable to go over all the pots
a second, or even a third, time, in order to destroy any germs
the compost holds.

The sterilising completed, thrust the pots into the fibre at
the bottom of the box, and cover each with its piece of glass,
remembering to wipe each glass with a boiling cloth. If you
have plenty of the small glass covers, and can afford the
breakage of a few, a better plan will be to pour boiling water
over them. After the first pour turn the glass, that each
side may be scalded.

In placing the box in the shadiest position in your green-
house put something (tiles or sticks) to raise it enough from
the stage to ensure drainage and prevent rotting.

When the compost, and the fibre, in which the pots are
plunged is quite cool, all is ready for the sowing. To induce
the spore-bearing fronds to deposit their dust-like spores my
former plan was to lay the fronds on clean sheets of glass along
with wooden labels. Now I place them in envelopes in a
sunny window. They seem to deposit more readily in the |
envelopes, the labels lie inside, and it is much easier to scatter |
the spores evenly from an envelope.

The actual sowing may be done in all the pots at the same |
time or at intervals, according as the spores are ready. [I litt :
the pots in turn, remove the glass cover, scatter the spores |
thinly, and replace, taking care to leave the pot without its |
glass as short a time as possible. The label is then pushed |
down beside the pot, and neither glass nor pot should be. |
stirred until a green sheet, or green specks are seen through the |

rr

|
:
‘
;

237

glass. Watering is done down the sides of the box, and over
the glasses. The glasses must be so arranged that the water
can flow from them into every part of the fibre. There must

be no watering of the compost, but the fibre must be always
moist.

In most cases it is six months before any signs of growth

| appear. Not till after a year, or a year and a half, will the

fernlets be ready for pricking out. So soon as tiny plants

_ appear the glasses may be removed. Later the sheet covering

Aa

the top of the box may be gradually shoved aside.

The essentials for success are thorough sterilisation, close
covering, and continuous moisture.

Of 18 sowings made in 1931 and 1932, as described above,
16 have done well.

H. KINGSMILL MOORE.

[We would suggest that, in sterilizing the cover-glasses for the
pots, instead of pouring boiling water over them one at a time, the
lot should be placed in a saucepan of cold water and this gradually
brought to the boil and kept boiling for five or ten minutes. The
water can then be allowed to cool and the glasses removed seriatim |

_ as required. Thorough sterilization is ensured and there is a great
_ saving of time and trouble.—d.]

ANOTHER FERN PEST.

For several years traces have been found of a kind of
vermin which attacks the fronds of Athyrium filix-foemina.
The first thing noticed is that some of the young and rising
fronds wilt, suddenly and mysteriously, and eventually wither,

while the rest remain fresh and green. On cutting off the
| damaged fronds there is found, in the central part of the
rachis, a minute grub, semi-translucent and of a whitish or

pale violet colour (the latter usually in the red-stemmed
form of the fern), which gradually bores its way through the

_ core of the stem and eventually emerges near the base, having
- completely destroyed the frond. This year some of the fronds,
_ containing the grubs, were submitted to the laboratory of

plant pathology attached to the Ministry of Agriculture.
The grub was promptly recognized as the larva of a saw-fly,

238
but the species could not be identified until the insect had
been allowed to complete the cycle of existence and to produce
the perfect fly. This was then identified as Heptamelus
ochroleucus, Halliday, which, it is said, has not often been
recorded in Britain. It was known that the larve burrow
in the leaf-stalks of Athyrium filiz-foemina, but it had not —
been known to attack any other species. In our garden this
year we found a blechnum of robust habit which had been
attacked by this or some similar insect, but apparently the
plant had been found distasteful for the grub had either
perished or migrated after boring an inch or two into a large
frond. Our neighbour, Mr. A. J. MacSelf, found traces of
the same kind of thing in the upper part of the fronds of some
of his plants of Polypodium vulgare, but the attack had been
even less successful than in the blechnum, although quite a
number of fronds had been entered. It seems, therefore,
that the insect looks upon the lady fern as its normal food.
It is not known whether this saw-fly has more than one
generation a year, but it seems likely that there is only one—
in the spring when the fronds are first rising. The larve
seem to leave the leaf-stalks before pupating and probably
either burrow in the ground or take shelter in the interstices
of the crown of the fern. This year the pest seems to have
been more than usually prevalent as several of our large
specimen Athyriums have been attacked, the greatest damage
being done to a large plant of A. f.f. Clarissima, whose
symmetry and beauty were completely spoilt for the season.
All the affected fronds were cut off and destroyed as soon as
the damage was noticed, and a sharp look-out will be kept,
in future seasons, for the first indication of wilting in fronds of

Athyrium.
F.W.S.

THE DISTRIBUTION OF SPORES.

I was much interested in the observations, on the distribution
of spores, which appeared in the last issue of the BRITISH |
FERN GAzeTte. Fern spores are so small as to be almost — |
invisible to the naked eye, and are easily carried long distances _

239

by high winds—even from over the sea as you observe in
regard to the habitat of Adiantum capillus-Veneris in
Morecambe Bay, which is the most northerly station in Europe
for this interesting fern. Some time after my discovery of
this plant in its present position I happened to be spending a
short time in the district when I noticed, growing out of the
roof of an old greenhouse in a broken-down condition, a fine
plant of A. capillus-Veneris which had established itself
under the water spout of the greenhouse. This was interesting
to me: the old greenhouse is situated some two miles from
the habitat of the little colony of Maidenhair fern. The
Adiantum family is a very extensive one, but chiefly confined,
in its geographical distribution, to tropical countries. In the
hand list of ferns and fern allies cultivated in the Royal
Botanical Gardens at Kew, it is interesting to find such a large
number of names ; over 150 species and varieties are enumer-
ated. At the same time it is interesting to find, out of this
extensive genus, that only one species is found in the whole
of Europe. Its habitats are chiefly confined to the seashore
or places near the sea, and with a preference for the limestone
formation—very few inland stations are on record. Your
correspondent, M. Kestner, has found it in one of the old
inland stations on Lake Neuchatel. During a_ botanical
excursion in Switzerland, in 1926, I found the Adiantum
srowing at another inland station, viz., at Aqua Rossa in
Italian Switzerland. E. J. Lowe (‘‘ Native British Ferns ’’)
mentions a station at Las Caldas in Spain some 60 miles
inland. I have met with capillus-Veneris in County Kerry
and County Clare, in many places on the Riviera, Nice, Pont
St. Louis, Gemalda, St. Sebastian, in the Colosseum in Rome
and in the ruins of Pompeii, and at Biarritz.
W. H. STANSFIELD (Southport).

A CLASS FOR NORMAL SPECIES OF FERNS AT SHOWS.

It would, we think, be a good thing if we could have a
class for normal species of ferns at some of our Shows. This
would be of distinct educational value since many of them are
unknown to the majority of visitors. The ferns exhibited in

240

the British classes are, as a rule, varieties only as these are
supposed to be of greater value than the normals. It is true
that, in many cases, this is so, but the study of ferns should
begin with the species. Most, if not indeed all, of them are
beautiful objects when seen as well-grown and perfect speci-

mens and are well worthy of cultivation. Apart from this ©

the most beautiful varieties would be better appreciated if it
could be seen, by comparison, how far they differ from the
normals and in what respects they are superior to the wild
ferns. ‘There are some varieties which, in the writer’s opinion,
are inferior to the original species. They are “ queer things ”’
—mere curiosities and, in a few cases, they can only be called
deformities. Most of the depauperations are of this class
(fortunately not many of them are now cultivated) and the
irregular ramosums and furcatums and some of the more
complicated mongrels. Take the lady fern, for instance—
the exquisite grace of the species is only surpassed by the
plumose and super-plumose forms. The tasselled varieties
are also beautiful so long as the cresting is symmetrical, but
the cruciate forms, though not devoid of interest, and a certain
beauty of habit, are, in most cases, less handsome objects
than the normal species. The congested forms, again, are
useful in their way, mainly as contrasts with the lighter
varieties, and have a certain opulent charm of their own,
but they cannot compete, in grace and delicacy, with plumo-
sum and kalothrix and Clarissima, nor even with the normal
species when seen in good condition. Lastrea emula, as some
of us saw it this year in Cornwall, where it is really at home,
is one of the most beautiful objects in the vegetable kingdom,
not surpassed by any other British species and by very few
varieties. The one known variety of this fern, L. aemvula
cristata, although it may be worth growing as a “ curio,”
is not nearly so beautiful as the parent species. Again, who
wants a crested variety of the Parsley fern or of Polypodsum

dryopteris ?

241

Although we are pressing the claims of the species we are
far from wishing to decry the varieties, many of which far
surpass the species in interest and charm, but we suggest to
_ fern-raisers and fern-hunters that they should produce more
beautiful forms and not something which is merely a curiosity.
The whole history of fern-growing as applied to the British
species has been a search for improved varieties, and this
is all to the good, but the quest for mere novelty has been
sometimes carried too far and has resulted in the production
of too many “ queer things.”’

. We append a list of British species suitable for cultivation
_ and for exhibition. Filmy ferns, though very beautiful, are
not suitable for exhibition as a rule as they can only be shown

in glass cases and are consequently difficult of transport
and not seen to advantage. The following species are all

_ capable of being grown into handsome specimens and are
suitable for the show table :—

Adiantum capillus- Veneris.
Alloscrus crispus.
Asplenium Adiantum-nigrum.
i lanceolatum.
2 marinum.
_ trichomanes.
i viride.
Athyrium filix-foemina.
Blechnum spicant.

Cystopteris fragilis.
. alpina.
5 montana.
Dryopteris (Lastrea) eemula.
5 cristata.
a dilatata.
be alpina.
mf paleacea (pseudo-mas).
zs montana
- rigida.

nt thelypteris.

242

Osmunda regalis.
Polypodium calcareum.

- dryopteris.

hiteg vulgare.

Polystichum aculeatum.

sh angulare.

ks lonchitis.
‘Scolopendrium vulgare.

SOME DIFFICULT BRITISH SPECIES.

The difficulty in growing a few of our native species of ferns

arises largely from ignorance of their requirements, not only
as to soil but to other conditions equally essential. There
are a few which are really tender and can only be cultivated
as a rule with the help of artificial heat. These species are
Adiantum capillus-Veneris, Asplenium marinum, A. lanceo-
latum and Anogramma leptophylla. The Adiantum will
thrive, as a rule, in a warm greenhouse if given a suitable
soil, but it has established itself at Sale, near Manchester,
on walls in a cold house and has persisted for many years
and through a few very severe winters under these conditions.
If grown in pots it should be given good drainage and a fibrous
peaty soil with plenty of lime in it and it should not be
watered overhead. The avoidance of wetting its fronds and
rhizomes has more to do with its cultivation than is often
realized, and it often perishes, even in a warm house, if
persistently watered overhead. For Asplenium marinum the
chief thing is warmth, but it also likes a well-drained soil,
a little lime in some form, and perhaps a trace of salt—indeed:
it is sometimes found growing in places where it is washed
by the waves of the sea at high tide. A.lanceolatum grows not
quite so close to the sea, but generally not very far away. :
It seems to dislike lime rather than otherwise, but the chief |
enemy is undoubtedly frost. Anogramma leptophylla must
have immunity from frost and a moist atmosphere, and it
should be remembered that it is an annual plant and always _
dies after producing a crop of spores. It should, therefore, |

‘
2
;
b

243

be grown where the spores can sow themselves naturally and
where the prothallia will be kept moist and warm during the
winter and spring months; also where they cannot be
smothered by coarser vegetation such as liver-wort and other
weeds. The best way to accomplish this is probably to grow
the fern in a 9- or 12-inch pan, to cover this with a bell-glass
as soon as the ferns begin to drop their spores, and to keep
on the covering until the young ferns are appearing in the
following year. Stray spores of all kinds are thus excluded

to the greatest possible extent. No doubt spores of other

ferns will find an entry and will germinate, but these intruders
can be dealt with as they appear and either planted elsewhere
or destroyed as may be desired. With regard to the alpine
Aspleniums—Germanicum, septentrionale, fontanum and viride
—it must be remembered that they are all rock plants and
require a stony, well-drained soil, moist in summer and rather
dry, but not dust dry, in winter when they are normally
buried under snow. A. viride is a true limestone plant, but
the other three do quite as well, and probably better, without
lime. <A. Ruta-muraria and Ceterach officinarum are not
alpines, but require special treatment in the matter of
drainage. They are both lime-lovers and will grow in almost
pure lime-rubbish or old mortar. They should be kept
fairly dry, especially during the resting season, but do not
mind an occasional drenching during the growing period.
They must, however, never be kept wet for any long time.
The three species of Cystopteris are all deciduous and all
lime-lovers, but this is especially true of C. alpina. They
will take care of themselves during the winter if not dried
up, but must not be kept saturated. They like plenty of
moisture, with free drainage, during the growing season.
The two Woodsias, alpina and Ilvensis, are also alpines and
rock lovers. They prefer sand-stone or grit rock to lime and
their treatment is simplified by the fact that they are deciduous
like the Cystopteris and so do not need light during the winter,
but can be stored anywhere so long as they are neither dried

' up nor swamped and are not exposed to severe frost. As

244

soon as they begin to grow in the spring they require daylight
with plenty of percolating moisture and fresh air. Another
fern requiring treatment similar to the Woodsias is Allosorus
crispus, but this is definitely a lime-hater and will not endure
any appreciable quantity of this element in the soil. It is —
thoroughly hardy, but likes to have its crowns partially
buried in slate-rock or flinty gravel and to send up its fronds
through the interstices. It is not sufficient to supply a patch
of lime-iree soil in a garden which is naturally calcareous $
perhaps it may do fairly well for a season or so, but in time
worms bring up the subsoil and contaminate the patch of soil ;
the plant then dwindles and will soon die unless removed to
permanently lime-free soil. If this be done it will revive
and flourish unless very badly poisoned.
F.W.S.

At the time of going to press the locality for this is still
under discussion, but it will probably be in the South-West
of England and early in July as in this year. The majority
of votes, so far, favour Sidmouth, $8. Devon, but Kingsbridge
and Cheddar (Somerset) are alternative suggestions. All
these places are on limestone or chalk formations. As soon
as the matter is definitely settled members will be notified
by circular so that arrangements for accommodation can be
made in good time.

;

245

LIST OF MEMBERS OF THE

BRITISH PTERIDOLOGICAL SOCIETY.
HONORARY MEMBERS.

Baker, W. G., Botanic Gardens, Oxford.

BowEkR, Professor F. O., M.A., D.Sce., F.R.S., etc., 2, The Crescent,
Ripon.

ng CHARLES H., F.L.S., Editor, The Gardeners’ Chronicle, 5,
Tavistock Street, London, W.C.2.

Hay, THomas, V.M.H., Superintendent, Hyde Park, London, W.2.

Moore, Sir FREDERICK W., Kt., F.L.S., Wellbrook House, Rath-
farnham, Co. Dublin, Ireland.

Preston, F. G., Botanic Gardens, Cambridge.

Wison, Wii1iAM, 1, Sleddall’s Almshouses, Aynam Road, Kendal.

Wricut, CHARLES Henry, A.L.S., Kew Cottage, Townsend Road,
Seaton, S. Devon.

SUBSCRIBING MEMBERS.

ApkIn, F. N., River Knowle, Northam, N. Devon.

Atston, A. H. G., B.A., F.L.S., Dept. Botany, British Museum (Nat.
Hist.), Cromwell Road, London, 8.W.7.

ANDERSSON-KortTé6, Miss Irma, John Innes Horticultural Institute,
Mostyn Road, Merton Park, London, 8.W.19.

ASKEW, W. F., Fern Nursery, Grange, Keswick.

ATKINSON, F., Lake Side Cottage, Keswick, Cumberland.

BIGLAnD, J. W. S., 20, Parkfield Road, Bebington, near Birkenhead.

Bitow, THOMAS BatTEs, F.L.S., The Chalet, Welwyn, Herts.

Botton, Rospert, F.R.H.S., Birdbrook, Halstead, Essex.

Botton, THomAs Henry, F.R.H.S., Birdbrook, Halstead, Essex.

Bowtes, E. A., M.A., F.L.S., F.Z.S., V.M.H., Myddleton House,
Waltham Cross.

BousKELL, FRANK, Sedgemere, Market Bosworth, Leicestershire.

Bury, Linpsay, J.P., Stanford Wood, Bradfield, Berks.

BuTLER, FRANK, 2, Lorne Street, Reading, Berks.

Burton, FRANK, The Barley House, Hildenborough, Kent.

CHURCHER, Major G., F.R.H.S., Beckworth, Lindfield, Sussex.

CocHRAN, JoHN, 5}, Nursery Street, Kilmarnock, Scotland.

CorDREY, C., 151, Bedfont Lane, Feltham, Middlesex.

CovERDALE, W. H., West Lodge, Ripon, Yorks.

Cowan, ALEX., Valleyfield House, Penicuik, Midlothian.

CRANFIELD, W. B., F.R.H.S., F.L.S., East Lodge, Enfield Chase,
Middlesex.

DARLINGTON, H. R., M.A., LL.M., F.L.S., Park House, Potters Bar,
Middlesex.

Davies, W. T., Gwyndre, Port Dinorwic, Carnarvonshire.

Dawkins, ALFRED, 16, Fordhook Avenue, Ealing Common, London, W.

Dixon, J. Dareur, Lyndhurst, Rotchell Park, Dumfries, Scotland.

DEMPSTER, R., Carresden, Dumfries, Scotland.

Doopy, Denis J., The Gardens, Muckross Abbey, Killarney, Ireland.

Durvuz, SELwyn, 11, Montague Gardens, Wallington, Surrey.

Dyson, R. J., Overcourt, Bisley, Stroud, Glos.

EvxiotT, Rev. E. A., M.A., The Rectory, Cubley, near Derby.

Exton, C., 3, Stirling Road, Enfield, Middlesex.

FLETCHER, B., J.P., The Yews, East Hagbourne, Didcot, Berks.

GRANT, JOHN, 7, Market Street, Turriff, Aberdeenshire.

GREENFIELD, Prrcy, Beech Bank, Stuart Road, Warlingham,
Whyteleafe, Surrey.

Hatz, Atva J., Victoria Nursery, Victoria Road, Harrogate, Yorks.

Hanpoury, FREDERICK J., F.L.S., Brockhurst, East Grinstead, Sussex.

HawkxInes, GEORGE, Cressy House, Goldhawk Road, London, W.12.

246

Hawkins, Rev. Canon E. H., M.A., Trinity Lodge, Bisley, Stroud,
Glos.

HELLYER, ALFRED, Assistant Editor, Amateur Gardening, 148-9,
Aldersgate Street, London, E.C.1.

Henwoop, Tuomas E., 16, Hamilton Road, Reading.

HoLiines, FREDERICK, 37, Garbett Street, Accrington, Lancs.

‘HORTICULTURAL Society, THE Roya, Vincent Square, Westminster,
London, 8.W.

Kaye, REGINALD, Waithman Hardy Plant Nursery, Silverdale, Lanes.

KEALL, B. H., 32, Rainsford Avenue, Chelmsford, Essex.

Kentucky UNIversity (Dept. of Botany), Lexington, Kentucky,
U.S.A.

KESTNER, Pau, F.L.S., Chailly Village, Lausanne, Switzerland.

Kirsy, ALFRED, 7, Gordon Road, Roath, Cardiff.

LauRIE, G. F., Laurel Villa, Kenmure Avenue, Bishopbriggs, Scotland.

LAWRENCE, Sir WILLIAM, Bart., Burford Lodge, near Dorking.

Lawson, G. C., Mayfield House, near Ashbourne, Rene

LEAK, G. W., ia Clarkson Avenue, Wisbech, Cambs.

Luoyp, J OSEPH, 4, Richmond Road, Birkdale, Soubheeas

Lopes. GERALD W. E., M.A., F.L.S., Wakehurst Place, Ardingley,
Sussex.

LOVELADY, JOHN, 129, Manchester Road, Haslingden, Lanes.

Lyte, Net C., The Gardens, Dombristle Park, Inverkeithing, Fife.

Marcu, Miss 8. A., Glenlyon, Holywood, Co. Down, Ireland.

MacSetr, A. J., Editor, Amateur Gardening, 114, Hamilton Road,
Reading.

McLzop, J. F., Leben House, Milnaphort, Kinross-shire, Scotland.

MAITLAND, JOHN, J.P., Blythwood, Beech Hill, Hadley Wood, Mdlsex.

MARDELL, ALFRED, East Lodge Gardens, Enfield Chase, Middlesex.

MrapeE, JosePpH, Old Connaught, Bray, Co. Wicklow, Ireland.

Monro, GEORGE, C.B.E., The Red House, Hendon Lane, Church
End, Finchley, London, N.

Moore, Rev. Canon H. Kinesmintt, D.D., F.L.S., Cedar Mount,
Dundrum, Co. Dublin, Ireland.

Mount, Henry, 5, Summer Hill, Harbledown, Canterbury.

MuscGrave, C. T., F.R.H.S., V.M.H., Hascombe Place, Godalming,
Surrey.

Naytor, E., Corner Garth, Leadhall Lane, Leeds Road, Harrogate.

OLiver, ARTHUR, Tower Road, Darnick, Melrose, Scotland.

ORMEROD, G. F., Stratford Park, Stroud, Glos.

OSBORNE, ARTHUR, 83, Abbey Street, Faversham, Kent.

Pain, Frampton, Chase Ridings, Enfield Chase, Middlesex.

PARKINSON, J. J., The Lodge, East Lodge Gardens, Enfield Chase,
Middlesex.

Perry, A., F.R.H.S., Hardy Plant Farm, Enfield, Middlesex.

PickaRD, A., 2, Snow Hill View, Wakefield, Yorks.

PiLaTren, E. W., Needham Market Horticultural Society, Needham
Market, Suffolk.

PRINCE, ALBERT, 1, Burton St., Tarporley, Cheshire.

Prince, W. H., 21, Forest Road, Tarporley, Cheshire.

Ransom, FrRAncis, F.C.S., Newlands, Hitchin, Herts.

Ransom, R. F., Wymondley Bury, Hitchin, Herts.

REEVES, Hucu, Honingham Hall, Norwich.

RevutHE, G., F.R.H.S., Foxhill Nursery, Keston, Kent.

RowLANDS, 8S. P., M.B., B.S., Abbeville, 42a, Becket Street, Doncaster,
Yorks. |

Rue, H. G., Dartmouth College Library, Hanover, New Hampshire,

U.S.A.

RuSssELL, ARCHIBALD, 4, Crossgate, Cupar, Fife, Scotland.

Russet, L. A., F.R.H.S.,. Richmond, Surrey.

SAORSTATT EIRANN, Stationery Office, Publications Branch, Dublin.

4 247

Scott, I’. W., Tullibole Castle, Fossway, Kinross-shire, Scotland.

Scott, W. D.8., The Gardens, Government House, Bulawayo, S. Africa.

SHELDON, J. J., F.L.S., Monkhams, Lower Road, Great Bookham,
Surrey.

SHERRIN, W. R., A.L.S., South London Botanical Institute, 323,
Norwood Road, London, 8.E.24.

SINCLAIR, JAMES A., 57, Stradella Road, Herne Hill, London, 8.E.24.

SmiTH, Ewart G., 147-151, High Street, Christchurch, New Zealand.

SmiITHERS, Major A., Morleys, Great Hallingbury, Essex.

STANSFIELD, F. W., M.D., F.L.S., 120, Oxford Road, Reading, Berks.

STANSFIELD, Tom, M.B., B.S., 120, Oxford Road, Reading.

STEPHENS, G. E., 36, Bedford Road, Horsham, Sussex.

STEPHENS, Epwarp J., Rose Lawn, Digswell, Welwyn, Herts.

STEPHENS, MIcHAEL, Coverwood, Ewhurst, Surrey.

STINCHCOMBE, H., 92, Dunbar Avenue, Foleshill, Coventry.

SUDELL, Ricuarp, F.I.L.A., A.R.H.S., 4, Bedford Square, London,
W.C.1.

Taytor, Mrs. JAMES, Colomendy, Mold, N. Wales.

THATCHER, Mrs. E. J., The Manor House, Chew Magna, Somerset.

THORRINGTON, F. W., Sunnymead, Little Baddow, near Chelmsford,
Essex.

TroTTER, P. D., Leith Vale, Ockley, Surrey.

WALKER, W. B., Cooks Hollow, Enfield, Middlesex.

WARREN, JAMES, Flat 2, 13, Bruton Street, London, W.1.

WATERHOUSE, ALFRED, East View, Warton, Carnforth, Lanes.

Wetss, Professor F. E., F.R.S., F.L.S., Easedale, Woodway, Merrow,
near Guildford.

WESTLEY, Epwiy, 2865, Nina Street, Lamanda Park, Pasadena,
California, U.S.A.

WHITESIDE, R., 51, Borrowdale Road, Lancaster.

Witttams, J. C. (Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall), Caerhays Castle,
Gorran R.S.O., Cornwall.

Wiimott, Miss Erten A., V.M.H., F.L.S., Warley Place, Great
Warley, Essex.

Wrrerr, ERNEST, 7263, Yates Street, Victoria, B.C., Canada.

Woop & Son, F.R.H.S., Nurseries, Taplow, Bucks.

Woopcock (His Honour Judge) H. Dryspatz, K.C., Lypiatt Park,
Stroud, Glos.

Wyrncu, Mrs. VIOLET A., F.R.H.S., Pine Hill, Camberley, Surrey.

248

OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE OF THE
SOCIETY.

President :

Mr. W. B. CRANFIELD, F.L.S., F.R.H.S.

Vice-Presidents :

Mr. T. B. Biow, F.L.S. Mr. T. E. Henwoop.
Mr. ALEXANDER COWAN. Rev. Canon KInNGSMILL Moors,
Rev. Canon E. H. HAwkKINs, DED. WoL:

M.A. Professor F. E. Weiss, D.Sc.,
Mr. F. J. Hanspury, F.L.S. LE.D., FEF. RS. ees

Hon. Treasurer :

Mr. J. J. SHeupon, F.L.S.

Hon. Secretary and Editor of the “ Gazette ’’ :

Dr. F. W. STANSFIELD.

Hon. Auditor : |

Mr. P. GREENFIELD.

Committee :

Mr. RoBERT Botton, F.R.H.S. Mr. J. A. SINCLAIR.

Rev. E. A. Extiot, M.A. Dr. T. STANSFIELD.
Dr. 8S. P. Rownanps. _ Mr. F. W. THORRINGTON.

Mr. A. J. MacSenr. Mr. G. E. STEPHENS.
Mr. R. WHITESIDE. |

2 i
= ny
ee ne aes

wa
wag

THE BRITISH PTERIDOLOGICAL SOCIETY

es.

AF a _—____

PHE SOCIETY originated, in September 1391, in the Lake District
ith headquarters at Kendal. Its members were, however, distributed
roughout Great Britain and Ireland, whilst some few reside in the
Jominions and U.S.A. Its declared objects were :—

a i) The Study of Species and Varieties of British Ferns :
(ii) The Recording of Information with regard to Ferns generally.
ma th »

The British Fern Gazette was established in September 1909,
bublication being quarterly until the commencement of the war.
iter the war publication was restricted to two issues per annum
yon account of the increased cost of printing and the decrease in the

umber of members. It is hoped shortly to resume quarterly
publication.

3 Vlembers are invited to communicate with the Hon. Secretary
nm subjects of interest with regard to British Ferns.

Certificates are awarded to new ferns of distinction of which plants
t characteristic fronds are shown at the Annual Meeting for adjudica-
ion - The Annual Meeting is held usually in August or September,
t some place where ferns are abundant and from which excursions
or fern hunting can conveniently be arranged. These exeursions
are an important feature of the Society’s activity.

‘Fronds may be sent to the Hon. Secretary to be identified or named
any time. .
ay.

Re ently a Sub-Committee of the Society undertook the correct

aming of the National Collection at Kew and, in conference with
ae Director and staff, planned and arranged the present fernery,
ipplementing the collection with gifts of plants from the ferneries
f some of the members. <3

is “ehlioction in tho Royal Horticultural Society’s Garden at

1
+

yisley was similarly dealt with and augmented.

The Society is affiliated to the Royal Horticultural Society, which
also an individual subscriber to its funds.

‘The Committee is endeavouring to increase the membership of the
ociety and, through this and by other means, to encourage the more
sneral cultivation of the varieties of British ferns. Any lover of
orticulture is eligible for membership and the subscription is 1Us.
er annum (due in advance at or immediately after the Annual Meeting),
hich entitles members to copies of The Gazette.
‘The Hon. Treasurer or Hon. Secretary will be pleased to supply
embers who may desire it with Bankers’ Orders for the convenient
yment of subscriptions.

‘urther particulars may be obtained from the Hon. Secretary,
a

a. F. W. STANSFIELD, M.D., F.LS.,
ae 120, Oxford Road,
Reading,
Berks.

= 3 rt > oe
ae a

HARDY EXOTIC AND BRITISH FERNS

e

ate 24 A “a
SRC De PS Le

CORONATION CUP.

Awarded by the Royal Horticultural Society for the most
meritorious exhibit at their great Summer Show. My cok
lection of Hardy Ferns on this occasion was considered one
of the finest groups ever staged at a Horticultural Exhibition.

During the last 5 years we have

been awarded 50 Gold and Silver
Medals, Diplomas, & Certificates
for New and Rare Hardy Ferns.

Our collection of Hardy Ferns is one of the most complete in existence. ©

Headquarters for Alpines, Perennials, Liliums,

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} THE
BRITISH FERN GAZETTE.

NEW SERIES.

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Vou. VI. JUNE, 1934. No. 10

CONTENTS.
FRONTISPIECE : Commemoration Card
Eprroriat Notes .... Sa ea Ea es “8 ons 3248
PRESENTATION TO Dr. F. W. STANSFIELD ea Bae aaa 250
| OsiruaRy : LAWRENCE ; Mount; THATCHER; STANSFIELD ... 251
; Tae Dry SumMER oF 1933 (Rev. E. A. Elliot, M.A.) ... sie ee

Polystichum angulare pulcherrimum, H.8., No. 5: Photograph 255

| Scolopendrium hybridum, MinpE (F.W.S.) 7 268
Asplenium fontanum refractum, Moorz, New Lieut on (F.W. g. ) -258
An Oxtp FERN COLLECTION (Dr. S. P. Rowlands) 260

| Fern Gossir (F.W.S.) oe 262
Polypodium v. serra, J. A. WILSON (F. W. S.) jee.” 6G
THe ANNUAL MEETING, 1934 ne ee ba at jog eT

‘Tue SoutrHrort SHow, 1934 eee aes oo ae wee. ae

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Our member, the Rev. E. A. Elliot, has been elected
President of the North Staffordshire Field Club for the
current year, an honour upon which we congratulate him.
Mr. Elliot is anxious to get fronds, or parts, bearing ripe
Spores, of Asplenium Adiantum-nigrum, A. lanceolatum,
\A. marinum, A. trichomanes, A. viride, Cystopteris fragilis,
C. montana, Lastrea montana, L. emula, L. pseudo-mas,
. thelypteris, Polypodium calcareum, P. phegopteris, Poly-
\stichum angulare, and Scolopendrium vulgare, and will be glad
jto refund postage to friends who can send him any of them.
e hope to be able to send him some, but not all, of them—
Vhelypteris, marinum and lanceolatum will probably be the most
is ifficult. Mr. Elliot has suggested that, as it will be 25 years
next September since the first number of THE GAZETTE was
‘published, a special number should then be issued. The
‘question will be considered at the General Meeting in July.

250

We regret to learn that Dr. S. P. Rowlands has had a disaster
to his collection of ferns. During his annual holiday last
summer a friend who had undertaken to attend to his ferns
during his absence was taken ill, so that the ferns had no
water during the whole of a hot fortnight! The result may

be imagined. Dr. Rowlands has gathered up the fragments —

that remain and is courageously “ beginning again.” We

hope to be able to send him a few contributions to the new —

collection.

PRESENTATION TO DR. F. W. STANSFIELD.

On Thursday, January 4th, a small but very pleasant :
luncheon party was held at the New Criterion Restaurant, —

London, when a gold watch and chain was presented to

Dr. Stansfield by the President, Mr. W. B. Cranfield, on —

behalf of a considerable number of subscribing members.

The germ of the idea was a letter to the President from
the Rev. Canon Kingsmill Moore, D.D., which was read at —

the last Annual Meeting, in which he suggested that an

honorarium should be awarded to the Editor each year when |
the funds of the Society would permit. As a result a Sub- —
Committee was formed to consider what steps should be —

taken to recognize the services of the Editor and Secretary.

This consisted of the President, Mr. T. B. Blow, Mr. Henwood —
and Mr. Sinclair, Mr. Sheldon being afterwards co-opted as a
member. These gentlemen decided not to trench upon the |

funds of the Society, but to appeal directly to the members
for voluntary subscriptions. The appeal produced a liberal
response, but this naturally took some time and, as some
members of the Committee were aware that Dr. Stansfield
had been robbed, earlier in the year, of a watch and cham
which he greatly valued, it was thought that the most suitable

gift would be the replacement of this loss. Eventually a —

very handsome hunter-cased gold watch of high-class manu-
facture, with chain to match, was selected and purchased.

251

In making the presentation, Mr. Cranfield referred, in
generous terms, to the work which Dr. Stansfield had done
for the Society from the time of its formation. He had
been the first President and had, at one time or another,
occupied almost every office in the Society and had been
the friend of all the members, past and present. The gift
included also an illuminated commemoration card, containing
the names of the subscribers, and an insurance policy on the
watch and chain to the value of fifty pounds. The President
suggested that the commemoration card (made by Messrs.
Waterlow & Sons) should be photographed and should form
the subject of the frontispiece of the next number of THE
British FERN GAZETTE.

Dr. Stansfield replied in a brief speech of thanks, the gist
of which has already been circulated to all the members.

There were present at the luncheon the members of -the
Sub-Committee, above enumerated, with the addition of
Dr. Stansfield and Dr. T. Stansfield as guests. Professor
F. E. Weiss, President of the Linnean Society, and Mr. A. J.
MacSelf had also been invited, but were unfortunately unable
to be present on account of important engagements
elsewhere.

OBITUARY.
LAWRENCE.
Few were better known in the Horticultural World of
more highly esteemed than the late Sir William Lawrence,
Bart., Ph.D., V.M.H.

His father, Sir Trevor Lawrence, Bart., was President of
the Horticultural Society from 1885 to 1913. Inheriting a
love of flowers from generations of forbears, Horticulture and
St. Bartholomew’s Hospital were two interests which
dominated his life.

Widely read and travelled, the deceased gentleman possessed
an extraordinary knowledge of plants, whilst his enthusiasm
for “ out of the way’ plants and the “ Little People of the

252

Hills’? was unbounded. The gardens and greenhouses at
Burford Lodge contained wonderful collections and were the
Mecca of most horticulturists. Those to whom he was known
by his writings in the horticultural press will miss spirited

and witty writings, whilst others who enjoyed his personal

acquaintance will mourn the loss of a great-hearted and
generous friend.

Sir William was Treasurer of the Royal Horticultural
Society from 1924 to 1928. The most coveted horticultural
distinction, that of V.M.H., was bestowed upon him in 1909.
He was one of the Founders and First President of the Iris
Society and the Alpine Garden Society. At the time of his
decease he was Senior Almoner of St. Bartholomew’s Hospital
and his fatal seizure occurred whilst in its service.

He was laid to rest in Mickleham Church in the presence of
a great gathering of friends, whilst simultaneously to a crowded
congregation a memorial service was held at the Church of
St. Bartholomew the Great.

Thus passes from our midst a most lovable character, the
fragrance of whose memory will linger until we pass to “ the
undiscovered country from whose bourne no traveller returns.”

W.B.C.

MOUNT.

All friends will learn with regret of the passing of our
venerable member, Mr. Henry Mount, of Canterbury. Mr.
T. B. Blow, who had known him for many years, writes us
that he had a very short and painless illness and passed away
peacefully on February 2nd, at the age of 87. He had
attended meetings of the Society and did some judicious
hunting on several of the excursions both in the South and
in the North of England. He was buried at Oxford, where
he formerly lived and was for many years in charge of the
University Park. He had his training under the late Anthony
Parsons at Danesbury House, Welwyn, when the very large
outdoor fernery was established by William John Blake about
65 to 70 years ago. On leaving Danesbury House he went to

253

Penzance and enjoyed the friendship of Dr. Ralfs and Mr.
Curnow, who were well-known naturalists in Cornwall at that
time. I had a most interesting letter from him in July, 1933,
making inquiries about the name and habits of the stem-
boring Sawfly, Heptamelus ochroleucus, which had attacked
his Athyriwms at that time. His housekeeper and friend,
Miss Dyason, writes of his enthusiasm for ferns up to the
time of his death and of his success in growing them.—

Requiescat in pace.
F.WSS.

THATCHER.

We regret also to announce the death of our member,
Mrs. E. J. Thatcher, of the Manor House, Chew Magna,
Somerset, who died on October 21st, in her 81st year. The
deceased lady had been a cultivator and had taken an interest
in ferns for many years, having been a friend of the late
Mr. E. F. Fox (who collaborated with Colonel Jones in raising
so many good varieties). She has been a friendly and
interesting occasional correspondent during the period of her
membership though we have never had the pleasure of making
her personal acquaintance, which is a matter of additional

regret.
PW.S.

STANSFIELD.

Another old friend who, though not a member of the Society
and not a fern specialist, was a good botanist and a great
gardener, was William Henry Stansfield, F.R.H.S., born at
Todmorden in 1850, died at Tangier, N. Africa, on March 7th,
1934, and was laid to rest in the churchyard of St. Andrew’s
(the English Church at Tangier). He had hunted for plants
all over the British Isles and also in the Pyrenees, the Alps
and in N. Africa. He established a nursery for alpine and
other hardy plants at Southport and was instrumental in
introducing many “ good things,” not the least of which is
Campanula Stansfieldii, a natural hybrid which Farrer
describes as ‘“‘a gift of Heaven” and “a treasure of the

2504

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highest claims.’’ Mr. Stansfield was a respected citizen of

Southport and contributed and furnished a considerable

public rock garden, which remains as one of the attractions
of the town. We shall miss his cheery face at the Southport
Show this year.

F.WSS.

THE DRY SUMMER OF 19833.

The dry weather of last summer will no doubt have been

the cause of many hardships to ferns, but in two cases that
seem worth recording there was ample compensation made
later on, when the rain did arrive for a short while in
September. Both instances occurred amongst my own
ferns and both concerned varietal forms of Cystopteris, one
being Dickieana and the other a crested variety, which
looked by-the end of August as if they could never hope to
recover : this was in spite of carefully applied large doses of
water, reserved for the most obviously needy specimens, and
further attention to Dickieana in the shape of a loose covering
of dry leaves; but ail in vain, one frond after another
collapsed and died, and as a last hope, Dickieana was
thoroughly soaked and a few hours later removed to a more
sheltered spot and replanted under a piece of sandstone ;
and that night the rain came.

Almost at once, or so it seemed, at any rate only some
ten days later, tiny fronds appeared on Dickieana, and the
surviving fronds of cristata took new life and others appeared ;
the latter specimen had not been moved, as it was so well
established that it seemed dangerous to touch it. Since
then the compensation has come ; there was very little rain
all the autumn, but the heat had gone and, in fact, there
were sharp frosts on several nights before Christmas, some
lasting a day or two and making the soil brick-hard ; but the
two ferns went on flourishing, cristata developing new fronds
all the while, though these will probably not mature, and the
other showing the effects of frost by drooping its fronds

|

4

fa

Polystichum angulare pulcherrimum, H.S.,

255

until rather milder times came and then raising itself up as
vigorously as ever: and this has continued into the New
Year, when a night of cold rain followed by frost and then a
cold wind has ended cristata’s performance; and a slug,
caught and destroyed on January 6th, has spoilt Dickieana’s
looks by biting off two of the four still green fronds, but
leaving nevertheless two which seem to intend to carry on till
the normal growing season comes.

It may be worth mentioning that the cristata is planted
alongside the species C. fragilis, which had a quite ordinary
season, though dying down rather sooner than usual.

EK. A. ELLIOT.

POLYSTICHUM ANGULARE PULCHERRIMOUM, H.S., No. 5.

This beautiful fern is referred to in “ Fern Gossip” on
another page. The photograph was taken before the fronds
were quite fully expanded and, as the plant is growing in the
open ground and the open air in somewhat close quarters,
it was not an easy matter to arrange the camera so as to
obtain a good general view of the plant and, at the same time,
sufficient detail to show the character satisfactorily. The
operator has been fairly successful, however, so far as the
actual photograph is concerned, but the reproduction still
remains to be seen and it is not to be expected that it can be
quite equal in sharpness of detail to the original picture.
The plant is a symmetrical shuttlecock of fronds 2 feet in
length and every frond is in perfect character throughout.
The very dry conditions of the soil and atmosphere during
the period of spring growth have militated strongly against
the full development of ferns both in the matter of size and
character, but this one has stood the test better than most.

F.WS.

256
SCOLOPENDRIUM HYBRIDUM, MILDE.

. This curious and rare fern is figured in Britten’s “‘ European
Ferns ”’ and described as follows :—‘‘ Milde describes, under
the name of Scolopendrium hybridum, a very interesting
plant which he considers a hybrid between S. Hemionitis (or
8. vulgare) and Ceterach officinarum. Only one example of
this seems to have been found, and that was on an old wall
of, a. vineyard near Porto Zigale in the island of Lossin ;

Milde figures this specimen and our woodcut is based upon

his representation. This author says that, at first sight, this
plant would be taken for a monstrous form of Ceterach, but
it is very different from this ; the fronds are almost entirely
naked below and are thus very unlike the densely scaly fronds
of the Ceterach; they are heart-shaped at the base and
elongated at the apex as is the case with the common Hart’s-
tongue.” :

It seems, however, that Milde’s plant was not unique, as
other plants have since been found in the same Adriatic
island. Our friend and member, M. Paul Kestner, has sent
us a frond from a later found plant. M. Kestner says that
“the fern is certainly not a hybrid. There is no other
Scolopendrium near it where it grows in these Adriatic isles,
though there is Ceterach in plenty. The spores are normal
and germinate as well as those of any other Scolopendrium.
The illustration in Britten’s ‘ European Ferns ’ is drawn after
Milde’s figure. It is strange that it should be so much like
Lowe’s hybrid and it will be very interesting to compare

them. If it is the same fern there may have been a confusion
in Lowe’s mind as it is quite possible that he may have
raised the fern from (spores sent by) some correspondent.
The Adriatic fern was known before Lowe’s death. There
is, of course, no impossibility in the crossing of Ceterach with
a Scolopendrium. The genera are very near (each other) and
we have the example of the N. American fern, Aspleniwm

ebeneum, crossing with Camptosorus rhizophyllus. In one ot

its localities in Alabama the hybrid is even fertile and I have

| ill _— —* _— J —— ——. — s., Eee

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—_——_
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257

raised it from spores with success—my only success with a
hybrid fern so far. I do not possess Milde’s works, but
Luersen gives a reproduction of Milde’s woodcut and says
Milde’s conclusion was that it was a hybrid between Ceterach
and Scolopendrium. Luersen doubted this bastard nature
and so do the present continental botanists who place 9.
hybridum near S. hemionitis as a local variety.”

We quote now from Druery’s book on “ British Ferns and
their Varieties,” p. 37 :—“‘ Among hybrids between species
we must not omit to mention Mr. Lowe’s indubitable cross
between Scolopendrium vulgare and Ceterach officinarum.
On examination of the fronds it is seen that they are of
Ceterach pinnation, though confluent at the top, and quite
scaleless, while the fructification can be detected on the
basal pinnae as in faced pairs, i.e. Scolopendriwm fashion,
and further up in single lines, i.e. in the character of the
spleenworts. We do not know whether this plant is still
alive, but the fronds per se establish its hybrid character
and determine both parents with certainty. Fortunately,
whether it is alive or dead, fronds are in the writer’s possession
as confirmation of its occurrence and of the description here
given.”

The present writer (f.W.S.) well remembers seeing a frond
in Mr. Druery’s collection pressed between two sheets of glass
so that both sides of the frond could be examined. I also
paid a visit to Mr. Lowe in the early ’Nineties of last century
and saw the corpse of the actual plant which had recently
died, but the fronds still retained their form and traces of
colour. So far as one can remember, the fronds, both at
Mr. Lowe’s place and at Mr. Druery’s, were less than two
inches long and corresponded with Druery’s description.
It is unfortunate that no reference to this fern can be found
in any of Lowe’s books although his last work on ferns was

‘published in 1895—not very long after the episode of the

supposed hybrid. It is equally unfortunate that Druery’s
specimen seems to have been lost after his death and cannot

258

now be traced. «My recollection of both is that the plant was
very similar to Milde’s cut of the Adriatic fern, but that the
frond, though similar, was more distinctly pinnate and had
more of the outline of Ceterach. I had no doubt, at the time,
that it was a hybrid any more than had Lowe or Druery.

_M. Kestner has kindly sent me a frond of the Adriatic
plant which had plenty of perfectly formed sporangia though
most of the spores seemed to have been shed. I have sown
the sporangia in the hope that there may be a few spores
remaining and shall look forward with interest to the result —
of the sowing ; only one speck of green which may possibly
be a prothallas can be detected three months after sowing.
M. Kestner’s experience is interesting though rather tragic.
In a letter of December 19th, 1933, he says: “‘ One of the
two seedlings of WScolopendrium hybridum which I have
succeeded in keeping alive out of a large batch sown in 1932
has produced two bulbils and each started to grow two
frondlets. The fern unfortunately died three weeks ago;
one of the fronds has remained green so far and its bulbil
is progressing, but has not yet sent out any root. I send
you the frond from which I made my sowing : I got it from
the professor of botany in Trieste. The plant is from the
Isle of Lussin piccato in the Adriatic. It is found in several

isles off the Dalmatian coast.’’
F.WSS.

NEW LIGHT ON ASPLENIUM FONTANUM REFRACTUM.

In THE GazettE, Vol. V, p. 99, there is a brief history of .
this mysterious fern so far as it was then known. New light
is cast upon the possible origin of this perplexing, and now
lost, plant by a letter from our friend and member, M. Paul
Kestner, to whom we are indebted for much valuable
information and many interesting suggestions. We quote
from the letter : “‘ There is a fern described in Moore and
Lowe and also mentioned by Druery : Asplenium fontanum
refractum of which one specimen only seems to have been

259

known (as a wild plant). This seems identical with a hybrid
Foresiacum x trichomanes (Foresiacum is the calciphobe
form of fontanum and exactly intermediate between fontanum
and lanceolatum). This hybrid has been found at Brissago,
Lago Maggiore, and it seems very fertile having covered
several vineyard walls. Unfortunately it was collected in
such quantities by two local men, to be distributed among
botanists, that it looks as if it were extinct. I have seen
several specimens of this hybrid in the herbarium of my
friend, Dr. de Tavel, in Berne. Since Dr. Christ’s death in
December in his hundredth year (by accident) Dr. de Tavel
is the foremost pteridologist in Switzerland, but, like so many
others, he has never grown a fern nor tried to raise one from
spores. It is unfortunate as he has very interesting European
hybrids in his herbarium.”’

The description of Foresiacum seems to suggest that that
fern may be itself a hybrid between fontanwm and lanceolatum,
and if that should turn out to be the case it may be that
“ refractum ”’ had three species in its pedigree instead of only
two as has been previously surmised. Fern growers can
assist in clearing up this tangle by sowing together fontanum
and lanceolatum to see whether they can raise Foresiacum
and, in case of success, a further attempt can be made to
reproduce ‘“‘refractum’’ by hybridizing Foresiacum and
trichomanes! This is an extensive programme of synthesis,
but we give the idea for what it is worth and we propose
to begin this year by sowing together fontanum and lanceola-
tum. Others may do the same and, in case of failure by one,
two or three, the fourth may make a success. In the mean-
time, M. Kestner proposes to try to find the original hybrid
at Brissago which is not very far removed from Locarno
(of which we have all heard or read a good deal). We
sincerely wish him success whatever may be the result of our

own experiments.
F.W\S.

260
AN OLD FERN COLLECTION.

Some time ago a friend of mine, strolling through the local
market, saw an old man selling some miscellaneous articles
out of an old tin box, doubtless acquired at some sale. Among
an odd assortment of junk, my friend saw two large books of
pressed flowers and ferns, and noting their excellent condition,
purchased them for a small sum. Knowing my interest in -
botany, he brought the books for my inspection. I must
confess that I have never seen any botanical specimens so
beautifully pressed and preserved as these were. About one
half were of various flowers culled from her own garden or
elsewhere. The remainder consisted of species of British
ferns. One marvelled at the time and patience which had
evidently been expended on this small collection. On the
fly-leaf of one volume, written in the fine, spidery writing
of a past generation, was the following dedication :

“To Miss Walker, Masborough House, with Mrs.
Margaret Stovin’s kind regards, Newbold, 5th Feb., 1833.”

Mrs. Stovin, evidently a cultured lady and an able botanist,
was unable to resist adding two quotations which seemed
to her particularly apposite. They will bear repeating :

‘From the first bud, whose venturous head
The Winter’s ling’ring tempest braves,
To those which ’mid the foliage dead
Shrink latest to their annual graves ;
All are for use, for health, for pleasure given,
All speak in various ways the hand of Heaven.”

The second is in prose :

“It is happy when among bright days and the sportive
Zephyrs of Youth, we have made a provision of such
pleasures as will enliven and warm the heart, and prevent
the sinking under the cloudy sky, the chilling blast, and
the faded landscape of declining age.”

A long and interesting letter was enclosed, dated February
4th, 1833. Mrs. Stovin mentions “cholera” being rife

7 oe

261

almost everywhere except at Chesterfield (near her own
home). After some details chiefly of domestic interest, she
continues :

‘“‘ The preserving of plants is an interesting employment,
but the getting of subjects to preserve is quite another
thing. However, if I live and find favour in the season,
I will change some of your specimens for better. As I know
you are an admirer of the (to me) most interesting Fern
tribe, I have added some duplicates I had of British Ferns ;
they are correct, and may at least be of use to your
ascertaining any you yourself may find.”

Referring to damage done to her outdoor plants by a storm,
she remarks that good pressing specimens of hardy ferns are
often more difficult to obtain than those of the sheltered
exotics. ‘“‘ ] am thankful to say that they are not demolished,
for some I can never expect to replace, and some will not
grow but where they please. The Adiantum capillus- Veneris
is only found in Ireland. You shall have a specimen of the
Regal Royal Fern (I hope) next season.”’

In spite of all difficulties, Mrs. Stovin was able to send her
friend excellent specimens of some twenty-two species, in
fact about one half of those on the British list. Many were
cultivated in her own garden, others collected in Derbyshire
or elsewhere. All the commoner species were, of course,
represented, and interesting bits of information concerning
the source or habitat was added. The Black Spleenwort
came from the famous Haddon Hall, and Aspleniwm marinum
from Whitburn, Durham. A nice specimen of the Holly
Fern, described as the Rough Alpine Shield Fern, was
obtained from Westmorland and _ cultivated—apparently
very successfully. Wales supplied several species. The
Ceterach came from Talgarth, where it was said to be abundant;
the Royal Fern from a bog near Bangor. Adiantum capillus-
Veneris was labelled ‘“ Rare, Ire landand Glamorganshire
only.” The last specimen was a beautifully mounted one

262

of the Lady Fern, and the donor was unable to resist the
temptation of quoting to her friend the well-known lines :
“* Where the copse wood is the greenest,
Where the fountain glitters sheenest,
Where the morning dew lies longest,
There the Lady Fern grows strongest.”’

No specimens of fern variation are included or mentioned,
and one gathers that these were either practically unknown to,
or ignored by, the author. In any case, the collection was
made rather before the time when fern varieties were much
sought after. —

Apart from the excellent preservation and presentation of
the specimens, there was, of course, nothing really remarkable
about the collection. But in these days of hurry and bustle,
it is very pleasant sometimes to slip back in imagination to
the quieter days of a century ago, when leisure was more
abundant and when nature study was considered a suitable
occupation for cultured and gentle ladies.

This old collection brought with it that atmosphere of by-
gone days which most of us can only obtain at second hand.
One cannot help wondering how many able botanists have
sunk into undeserved obscurity with the passage of time,
how many keen fern-lovers and cultivators of the past are
now quite forgotten, and how many fine and possibly unique
specimens have disappeared with their proud owners. One
cannot answer these questions, but one is at least glad that.
a happy chance prevented the final disappearance of this small
collection, made with care and patience by one who loved
ferns.

S. P. ROWLANDS.

a

FERN GOSSIP.

As indicated in the Rev. E. A. Elliot’s contribution on
another page the season of 1933 was a very trying one for
ferns and it seems as though 1934 is likely to be equally if not-
more so. Our soil in Reading is a dry and calcareous one
and a dry season generally punishes the ferns seriously

263

however much they may be watered artificially. Basal rot
has been very prevalent among the Polystichums and
several large plants of the choicest varieties have either died
or been reduced to mere fragments; this has been most
noticeable among the plumosum rarefactum seedlings and the
original rarefactum seems to be moribund although not yet
quite dead. Oddly enough, however, the best of all the
seedlings, pluma-Paradisegz, seems to have taken a new lease
of life and is better than I have ever had it since its portrait
was published in 1923 (GazETTE, Vol. V, p. 9). It has even
gone to the length of producing a couple of bulbils, both of which
seem to be doing well. Another fern which has done exceedingly
well is the original P. ang. pulcherrimum variegatum of Moly,
which promises to surpass even its performance in 1932 when
its praises were so eloquently sung by Mr. Cranfield (GAZETTE,
Vol. VI, p. 208). Not only are the fronds, so far as developed,
quite perfect in character, but they are larger and more
vigorous than they have ever been since I[ have had the plant—
over forty years—and, like pluma- Paradise, it has produced
bulbils (three instead of two), a habit which it had apparently
abandoned for the past eight or nine years. Both these
ferns have been grown in the very limited accommodation
of my small fern house and are effective testimony to the
value of perfect shelter for ferns in a trying climate like that
of Reading. All the rarefactum seedlings, other than Para-
dise@, had been planted out in the lattice-work shelters and
have done well there until last year, but now they are all
either dead or moribund though I potted them up in the
autumn and put them also in the house. Another very
beautiful fern which, however, has not had the benefit of
glass protection, is P. angulare pulcherrimum, H.S8., No. 5,
which came from Sale in 1926. It is the most perfect
pulcherrimum in angulare | have ever seen and seems to have
a better constitution than any other of the seedling pul-
cherrimums of which I have seven or eight, all of exquisite
beauty but all, apparently, rather poor growers. P. ang.
flabellipinnulum—outside and unprotected except by the

264

lattice shelter—looks exceedingly vigorous and healthy and
is in perfect character throughout. Blechnums and Lastrea
montana varieties—outside and necessarily in pots—mostly
look well with the exception of Blechnum sp. plumosum,
Forster, which looks old and tired. I hope someone will
raise a new generation of this from spores. I made a sowing
of it in 1932, but the spores germinated very sparsely, only
about a dozen prothallia being produced and, although these
still look healthy and vigorous, not a single frond has yet.
appeared among them. Athyriwms outside, although ob-
viously punished by the drought, look fairly well on the
whole. I took up a plant of A. f.f. fombriato-cristatum (the
crested Clarissima) in March, intending to divide the clump
as it had several crowns, but found these so closely connected
and interwoven that it was impossible to separate them
without causing serious injury to most, if not all, of them; ~
I therefore gave up the attempt and put the plant back in the
same place after thoroughly digging the soil and working in
some steamed bone flour. It is now a picture of health and
the most forward and vigorous of all the lady ferns. On the
other hand, Clarissima, a mych larger plant, was not disturbed
and did not commence to grow until a month later. A. f.f-
Kalothriz, of course under glass, is very forward and a model
of health and beauty.

To come now to the dark side of the picture, I regret to say
that I was caught napping with Aspleniwm viride plumosum
which was sending up a luxuriant circlet of fronds and looked
very promising when we had two very hot and drying days
early in May. It was watered and placed on a shelf in a
shady place under glass to be out of the wind, but next day,
to my horror and dismay, I found that half the fronds had
shrivelled and the soil was dried up. It had been potted im
a moraine mixture of limestone chips and fibrous loam, and
as soon as it began to move in the spring it was set over a
dish of water so that the bottom of the pot just touched the
surface of the water. The heat and drought of the day—
a very busy one for me—evidently dried up the water too

265

quickly, with the result I have indicated. This is a
catastrophe and almost a tragedy but, as there are still some
green fronds left, I hope the plant will revive and begin to
grow again after a period of rest during which it will need
to be nursed, if possible more assiduously than it had been
before. It is no exaggeration to say that I would prefer
to lose any plant in the entire collection rather than this little
fern, not only on account of its beauty and unique character,
but because it was entrusted to me to save its life. It is
almost as if a patient, upon whom one had been exercising
all one’s skill and attention for several years, were to relapse
and perhaps die just when victory seemed to be in one’s
grasp! There is a little comfort and a suggestion of hope
in the fact that a plant of the British type of Asplenium
Germanicum (a present from a dear friend, the late Mr. W. B.
Boyd) went through a somewhat similar experience last
autumn. It also was accidentally dried up during the hot
weather and most of the fronds perished. It was soaked
and cared for and, though it remained frondless through the
winter and started to grow rather late in the spring, it is
now as healthy and vigorous as two plants of the same species
sent to me from Switzerland by M. Kestner, which did not
experience the drying up process. “‘ What man among you,
having a hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, will not
straightway leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness and
go after that which is lost until he find it?”

Another plant which came near to being a total loss this
year is Aspleniwm trichomanes confluens, Stabler, the original
“find” of this curious variety and still perhaps the most
distinct. I had a single plant of it, with one crown, in the
autumn when it looked fairly healthy. It was not neglected
in any way, but in April it began to look tired and the
incipient fronds ceased to develop. On being turned out all
the roots were found to be dead and most of the caudex had
apparently died from basal rot. There was no sign of weevils
or other vermin. There was just enough caudex left to hold
the fronds together so it was potted in fresh soil and placed

266

under a bell glass where it remains for the present. The
old flabby fronds have freshened up and new ones are
beginning to show, so I hope and believe that its life is saved.
A. trichomanes confluens, Smithies, an Irish “find” by an
old friend, which looked well last season and began to throw
up new fronds in spring, was found on examination to have
had the whole caudex destroyed by a couple of fat Otiorr-
hynchus grubs so that is a total loss. Fortunately I had
divided the plant a year ago and given half of it to my friend,
Mr. Henwood, who is a champion grower. On going to see
his collection his plant was found to be looking very ill—
as bad as, if not worse than, my plant of Stabler’s “ find.”
All the fronds had lost their gloss and many were shrivelled.
Mr. Henwood insisted upon my taking it for hospital treat-
ment, so it was subjected to the same regime as confluens,
Stabler, and put under the same bell glass. It is now beginning
to sit up and take nourishment (from the air only as yet),
so I hope it will also soon become a convalescent. I hope
the variety may exist in other hands but, at present, I do not
know anyone else who has it. Confluens, Mason, has not
passed through any crisis and is in quite good condition.
The three forms are very similar in character, but are each
distinguishable by the expert eye, though it is not easy to
describe in words of what the difference consists. Stabler’s
is perhaps the most robust of the three and has a stouter

stipes than the others.
F.WSS.

P.S. (on going to press): Yes, thank you—the distinguished
invalid is progressing favourably so far.

POLYPODIUM VULGARE SERRA, J. A. WILSON.

This variety, although found in 1865, never seems to have
got into general cultivation—in fact we believe that when the
finder died (about 1912) he had in his possession the whole
stock of the plant, and that was not very much. Three
members purchased the stock and only had a small plant each.

,:
2
3
&

a thew ia i

a ners

267

Since then it does not seem to have increased much and,
indeed, the present writer is not sure that there is in existence
another plant besides his own which is not much more than
a scrap. It seems to differ in constitution and in habit from
the other varieties of the species. It grows very slowly ;
the rhizome is more slender and less scaly than that of the
normal species or of any other variety, and it has a singular
habit of growing out of the soil and rising on its tail like the
caterpillar in ‘“ Alice in Wonderland.” It produces sori
sparingly, but we have never been able to collect any perfect
spores from it. When in good health it is a beautiful and
distinct variety though not to be compared, in the former
respect, with the best of the plumose varieties such as those of
Hadwin, Barrow and Whilharris. The late Mr. Wollaston,
who is responsible for the name, described it as “ the best
biserrate variety,” although Colonel Jones’s nature-print, the
only known figure of it, hardly shows any biserration. This
portrait has been reproduced, though not very successfully,
in Druery’s “ British Ferns and their varieties’? (Appendix
plate XLIX, p. 361). The figure does not exhibit the peculiar
habit of growth of the plant as only two isolated fronds are
shown. The extremely small punctiform sori can be recog-

nized and are in strong contrast with the large well-developed

sori of the normal species. The difficult and trying years
of the war and the busy and anxious succeeding period have
been responsible for the loss of a number of choice and rare
ferns and this one has narrowly escaped with its life. We
must now make an effort to multiply and distribute it. If
plants could be raised from its spores the seedlings would
probably have more vigour than the original.

THE ANNUAL MEETING, 1934.

As already announced by circular the Annual Meeting of
the Society will be held on July 3rd, at 10 a.m., at the Bedford
Hotel, Sidmouth, S. Devon. Some members have arranged
to travel on the previous Saturday so as to look around the

268

district before the meeting, but as this will be held on the
Tuesday it will be practicable for those who do not wish to
be away from home over the week-end to travel on the Monday
and still be in time for the meeting. Some of us hope to
remain in the district for a full week should the hunting turn

out as good as is anticipated.

THE SOUTHPORT SHOW, 1934.

We have received a copy of the schedule of prizes at the
Southport Show which is announced, no doubt with justice,
as ‘the world’s largest summer horticultural exhibition.”
The Show opens on August 22nd and continues until the
evening of the third day. As usual, there are liberal prizes
for collections of British ferns in no fewer than twelve classes,
so that both large and small growers will be able to compete.
We miss the offer of the Silver Challenge Cup by Messrs.
Abol Ltd. for a group arranged for effect, but our Society
has undertaken, for this year, to offer a new trophy of a piece
of silver plate, value ten guineas, to be won outright by the
successful competitor. In addition to the classes provided
in previous years, there is, this year, a new class for six
normal species of British ferns which is, we think, an important
and valuable precedent as few people have any idea of what
our normal species can do in the way of decoration when
given fair treatment. Since not all our members can arrange
to attend the formal annual meeting of the Society, wherever
it may be held, the Southport Show acts as a subsidiary
meeting place where acquaintances may be made and renewed
and views exchanged. The Editor expects to be there and
hopes to meet as large a number of members as possible
whether they have been able to be present at the General
Meeting or not.

‘se
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| THE BRITISH PTERIDOLOGICAL SOCIETY

. THE SOCIETY originated, in September 1891, in the Lake District
_ with headquarters at Kendal. Its members were, however, distributed-
_ throughout Great Britain and Ireland, whilst some few reside in the
» Dominions and U.S.A. Its declared objects were :—

‘ (i) The Study of Species and Varieties of British Ferns ;
= (ii) The Recording of Information with regard to Ferns generally.

The British Fern Gazette was established in September 1909,
_ publication being quarterly until the commencement of the war.
_ After the war publication was restricted to two issues per annum
on account of the increased cost of printing and the decrease in the
number of members. It is hoped shortly to resume quarterly
‘ publication.

te Members are invited to communicate with the Hon. Secretary
on subjects of interest with regard to British Ferns.
a

_ Certificates are awarded to new ferns of distinction of which plants
_or characteristic fronds are shown at the Annual Meeting for adjudica-
tion. The Annual Meeting is held usually in August or September,
. at some place where ferns are abundant and from which excursions
_for fern hunting can conveniently be arranged. These exeursions
are an important feature of the Society’s activity.

& Fronds may be sent to the Hon. Secretary to be identified or named
at any time. |

. _ Recently a Sub-Committee of the Society undertook the correct
-numing of the National Collection at Kew and, in conference with
_the Director and staff, planned and arranged the present fernery,
‘supplementing the collection with gifts of plants from the ferneries
' of some of the members.

. q s The collection in the Royal Horticultural Society’s Garden at
_ Wisley was similarly dealt with and augmented.

__ The Society is affiliated to the Royal Horticultural Society, which
is also an individual subscriber to its funds.

Pic! :
_ The Committee is endeavouring to increase the membership of the
Society and, through this and by other means, to encourage the more
general cultivation of the varieties of British ferns. Any lover of
horticulture is eligible for membership and the subscription is ](s.
per annum (due in advance at or immediately after the Annual Meetin 2),
_ which entitles members to copies of The Gazette.

_. The Hon. Treasurer or Hon. Secretary will be pleased to supply
members who may desire it with Bankers’ Orders for the convenient
payment of subscriptions.

Farther particulars may be obtained from the Hon. Secretary,

i : F. W. STANSFIELD, M.D., F.LS.,
“= 120, Oxford Road,
Reading,
Berks.

CORONATION CUP, |
ae

Awarded by the Royal Horticultural Society fos the most

meritorious exhibit at their great Summer Show. My col-

lection of Hardy Ferns on this occasion was considered ie

During ei last 5 years we have

been awarded 50 Goldand Silver
Medals, Diplomas, & Certificates —
for New and Rare Hardy Ferns.

Headquarters for Alpines, Perennials, Liliums, a

Water Lilies, Aquatics, New and Rare salibite 2"

Catalogues free— | aa ie |
PERRY’S HARDY PLANT FARI 2M, |
ENFIELD, MIDDLESEX. ae

December, 1934.

EDITED BY

i) W. STANSFIELD, MD., F.LS.

(120, OXFORD ROAD, READING.)

PUBLISHED BY

IE BRITISH PTERIDOLOGICAL SOCIETY

dnt: : Mr. W. B. Cranfield, F.R.H.S., F.L.S., East Lodge, Enfield
Chase, Middlesex.

Hon. Secretary : Dr. F. W. Stansfield.

m. Treasurer: Mr. J. J. Sheldon, F.L.S., “ Monkhams,” Lower
ot Road, Great Bookham, Surrey.

BRADLEY & SON. LTO... THE CROWN PRESS, CAXTON STREET, READING.

-

5 7
he 4 i

nf

‘

Asplenium Foreziacum, Le Grande.

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THE
BRITISH FERN GAZETTE.

NEW SERIES.

Vou. VI. DECEMBER, 1934. No. 1l
CONTENTS.
THE SILVER JUBILEE OF “ THE GaAZETTE’”’: FOREWORD BY

THE PRESIDENT a a koe ee - saad ae
EpIToRIAL NOTES... pan ee =i ies fats abel Sean
Our FRONTISPIECE: Asplenium Foreziacum, LE GRAND sane bo ae
OsitTuaRyY : Miss E. A. W ILLMOTT, F.LS. = W. B. Cranfield,

President) sa See . ie iit a! oe Na le of
THE ANNUAL MEETING AND ee ae 1934 iis ms 274
FERNS AT SouTHPORT SHOW Gi is eles ae a eo. eee
** Lastrea dilatata Bor et AND Ne hoe um Mie ca dssiesd

(F.W.S.) “a
FERN Gossip (Revd. Geninis Kingsmill ees D. D., F. L. Se 283
FERN EXPERIENCES (Revd. E. A. Elliot, M.A.) ts je aa
ANOTHER OLD FERN Book (Revd. Canon Kingsmill Moore) 288
Adiantum capillus-Veneris IN GLAMORGANSHIRE (Dr. S. P.

Rowlands) oe a. si se ie «ae
FERN HUNTING IN THE VOSGES eee (Letter from M.

Paul Kestner, F.L.S.) ... oe “ae des ee Bat eee
Mr. CRANFIELD’S EXHIBIT OF FERNS AT THE R.H.S. ret a
THE ANNUAL MEETING IN 1935 AND ITS LOCALITY ... eee | |
List oF MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY = pe rs geome 1°.

FOREWORD BY THE PRESIDENT.

The occasion of the Silver Jubilee of the Foundation of
THE GAZETTE presents a fitting opportunity for a few words
of greeting to the members of our Society who have done
me the honour of electing me their President for the fifteenth
year in succession, a compliment of which I am deeply sensible.

In spite of the ravages of time our membership is fairly
maintained and some of our new members are as enthusiastic
as were those of bygone times. Of late years only a few fine
things have been found (though many have been raised), but
when the standard of excellence is so high, this is not a matter
for surprise.

270

Some of the most important finds during the lifetime of
THE GAZETTE have been :-—
Asplenium trichomanes incisum, Clementii.
2 Nee cristatum, Mrs. Rowlands.
, € foliosum, Cowan (Italian).
Ceterach officnarum ramo-cristatum, Kirby.
Dryopteris montana plumosa, F.W.S. (Wales).
Phegopteris dryopteris plumosa, Christopherson. |
Polypodium vulgare omnilaceum (Cornish var.).
ve ,, semtlacerum falcatum, O’Kelly.
Blechnum sp. serratum, C. Henwood.
Asplenvum viride plumosum, Greenfield.
Polystichum angulare cristatum, Hawkins.

5 3 foliosum, Walton.

‘3 S acutilobum macrodon, T.S.

af “ lineare caudatum, T.S.

acuttlobum faleatum, 'Thorrington
(1934).

while a few of the best things raised during the same period
have been :—

Athyrium f.f. kalothrix lineare, HS.
= ,, kalothria cristatum, H.S.
Dryopteris montana congesta cristata, Cowan.
ie paleacea apospora cristata, Cropper.
Polystichum aculeatum gracillimum (numerous forms).
3 plumosum, Green.
re af pulcherruomum, improved forms,
Cranfield and Druery.
ih angulare pulcherrimum, numerous forms by
H.S., F.W.S., Cranfield, Shel-
don, Bolton, etc.
ie ,, plumosum rarefactum, H.8., and its
offspring.
A? , plumosissimum vwellucidum, HL.S.
(several forms).
iy , prothalliferum superbum, HS.
Polypodium v. Cornubiense grandiceps, Cowan.
Phyllitis Scolopendrium plumosum, HS.
‘ “a RS Perry.

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271
It is regrettable that many of the varieties which were
plentiful in the past appear to be lost to cultivation. The
numerous varieties of Asplenitwm marinum may be instanced,
lack of hardiness being the probable reason. The same
applies to forms of Adiantum capillus- Veneris.

There is one golden rule which all fern growers should
observe, viz., to share with others any choice varieties they
may possess to ensure as far as possible that should their own
plants succumb they may be safe in other hands.

I should like to emphasize the ever-increasing debt of
gratitude the members owe to our Secretary and Editor of
THE GAZETTE, whose enthusiasm is unbounded and whose
erudition is unrivalled. Of Dr. Stansfield one might almost
paraphrase the words of Shakespeare : ““ Age cannot wither
nor custom stale his infinite variety.”

May I urge every member in the coming year to do his
best to advocate the cultivation of a few hardy ferns upon
all his friends and to endeavour to introduce new members

to augment our numbers.

W.B.C.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Since our last list of members was published Mr. G. W. E.
Loder, M.A., F.L.S.. has become the Right Honourable Baron
Wakehurst of Ardingly, an honour upon which we offer him
our somewhat tardy congratulations. Weare glad to welcome
as a new member Dr. F. de Tavel, of Bern, the eminent Swiss
pteridologist, who has joined the Society on the introduction
of M. Paul Kestner ; also Mr. Arthur Pyke, of Westwoods,
Windlesham, Surrey, introduced by Mr. Cranfield. We regret
the loss by death of Miss Ellen A. Willmott, of Great Warley,
the eminent horticulturist and writer. Our President, who
knew her well, contributes a kindly obituary notice on another
page.

Our friend, Dr. S. P. Rowlands, has sent us, to be nursed,
a very promising fern which he found while on his annual
holiday in South Wales in August of this year. It is a tiny

272

plant of Adiantum c. Veneris, having only a couple of fronds
of about an inch in length, but having, relatively, very large
pinnules, deeply incised after the manner of the barren ones
of A.c.V. imbricatum. Should it prove fertile it seems likely
to simulate that variety, but if not it may resemble the,
now probably lost, Cornubiense or the equally beautiful
“ Sibyl ” raised by the late E. J. Lowe and figured on p. 78
in his last book, Fern Growing,’ 1895, In any case, Dr.
Rowlands’s find is a very interesting thing and it is a great
responsibility to have the charge of it. Aspleniwm viride
plumosum, which came near to being a casualty last May,
though still small, is now well established and seems likely
to make a substantial plant next season.

We have received, from M. Kestner, spores of Asplenivum
Foreziacum or Foreziense, a new European fern which is
intermediate in character between A. fontanum and A.
lanceolatum, so we shall be spared the trouble, and probable
disappointment, of trying to raise this species by hybridizing
fontanum and lanceolatum. M. Kestner thinks the new fern
is not a hybrid because, although almost exactly half way
between the other two, it reproduces itself, in Nature, freely
from spores. The fronds sent are loaded with ripe spores
which look perfectly normal and very different from those
of most known hybrid ferns. We have every hope of being
able to raise, from them, a good crop of seedlings which we
propose to distribute in due time.

OUR FRONTISPIECE.
Asplenium Foreziacum or Foreziense.

We present a photograph of the fronds kindly sent by
M. Kestner of this very rare European fern, the name of which
seems not yet to have been finally settled, but which was
comparatively recently discovered by M. Le Grand in the
mountains of Forez in Central France and which has been
also collected by M. Kestner near Brissago on Lago Maggiore.
It will be noticed that the lower pinne are deflected after the
manner of the long-lost A. refractum, which character has
probably given rise to the idea that it was one of the parents

=r ee

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273
of that mysterious fern, A. trichomanes being the other
Some colour is given to this theory by the fact that a fern,
said to resemble refractum, has recently been found, in some
quantity growing intermixed with Foreziacum and trichomanes,
in the neighbourhood of Brissago, but has apparently been
practically exterminated by local collectors. M. Kestner
has, however, found and rescued one plant which is thought
to be this hybrid. Our friend has generously sent us a frond
from it but, in the opinion of the present writer (one of the
few survivors of those who saw the original refractum alive)
it is not refractum, but rather resembles an incised and fertile
form of trichomanes. We trust the plant will become
established and flourish under cultivation, in which case its
identity, or otherwise, with refractum can be definitely

settled. F.W\S.

OBITUARY.
Miss ELLEN A. WILLMOTT, F.LS.

On September 27th there passed away with tragic sudden-
ness a lady who was probably better known in the world of
horticulture than any of her sex, for it may be said that
Ellen Willmott possessed a knowledge of horticultural
subjects seldom exceeded.

Her beautiful home at Great Warley contained collections
gathered from all parts of the world, the result of plant
hunting and exploring expeditions to which she was a generous
supporter. She had done much to encourage the development
of the daffodil and in days gone by showed some wonderful
exhibits. Her monumental work on the genus, Rosa, ranks
as a classic.

The deceased lady was an accomplished linguist, whilst
music and other arts claimed an important share in her broad
sympathies. In former years she cultivated Alpine and other
flowers at Aix-les-Bains and on the Riviera. Her horticultural
sympathies were encouraged and developed by William
Robinson, Henri Correvon, who are happily still with us, ‘the
late Mr. Bennett Poé and many others whose friendship she
enjoyed. Hels

274

The deceased lady had served upon the Daffodil and
Fioral Committees of the Royal Horticultural Society for many
years, where her extensive knowledge of uncommon plants,
shrubs and trees was of great benefit, and in 1897 the honour
of the Victorian Meda! of Horticulture was conferred upon her.
In 1904 she was elected to the Fellowship of the Linnean
Society, being among the first women to receive the
distinction. .

As a member of our Society her interest in ferns lay more>
in the direction of uncommon species than abnormal varieties,
but she possessed the majority of the finer forms. Many
species and varieties in the floral world bear her name as a
lasting tribute to her enthusiasm.

A Memorial Service was held at the Roman Catholic Church
in Farn Street, attended by representatives of the various
Societies in which the deceased lady was interested.

She was laid to rest in the Roman Catholic Cemetery at
Brentwood in the presence of relatives, intimate friends and
employees.

Thus passed from our midst one of the best known
individuals in the horticultural world, whose generosity and
broad sympathies endeared her to a wide circle of friends.

W.B.C.

THE ANNUAL MEETING, 1934.
The Thirty-ninth Annual Meeting of the Society was held
at the Bedford Hotel, Sidmouth, 8. Devon, on July 3rd, 1934.
There were present :—

Mr. W. B. Cranfield, F.L.S., F.R.H.S. (President), Enfield
Chase.

Mr. Robert Bolton, F.R.H.S., Birdbrook, Essex.

Mr. T. B. Blow, F.L.S. (Vice-President), Welwyn, Herts.
Mr. T. E. Henwood (Vice-President), Reading.

Mr. J. J. Sheldon, F.L.S. (Treasurer), Great Bookham.

Mr. Jas. A. Sinclair, London.

Mr. F. W. Thorrington, Little Baddow, Essex.

Dr. F. W. Stansfield (Hon. Secretary), Reading.

4

275

The Minutes of the last meeting were read, confirmed, and
signed by the President.

The President welcomed the members, congratulating them
on the promising character of the region as a hunting ground
for varieties and as giving a display of a large number of
species of ferns.

Letters were read from Canon Kingsmill Moore, Mr.
Alexander Cowan and Mr. G. E. Stephens regretting their
inability to be present at the meeting. Mr. P. Greenfield
had also intended to be present, but had been prevented by
the sudden death of his father, Mr. J. H. Greenfield. A
letter was also read from Mr. O. C. Keall, of Chelmsford,
announcing the sudden death of his father, Mr. B. H. Keall.

The Hon. Secretary read his report as follows :—

‘Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen,

The Society has been grimly holding on during the past
year. The ferns in our collections have also been grimly
holding on against adverse conditions and some of them,
like some of our members, have succumbed. We have lost
four members by death, including Sir William Lawrence,
Bart., Mr. Henry Mount and Mrs. E. J. Thatcher, whose
deaths were announced in THE GAZETTE recently issued.
Since then I have learned of the death of Mr. B. H. Keall,
who joined the Society in 1932 and who was a valuable link
with the past as the son of the late Mr. W. J. Keall, of Wantage,
the finder, long ago, of P. angulare brachiato-cristatum, Keall,
Scolopendrium v. crispum, Keall, and other good things.
Mr. B. H. Keall, during his two years of membership, has taken
an increasing interest in ferns, has corresponded with myself
(as probably with other members) and has maintained a
collection of British ferns, partly, no doubt, the remains of
his father’s collection. One or two members have resigned
and two have been lost sight of, letters to them having been
returned marked ‘ Not known’ or ‘Gone away.’ The nett
result is 106 Subscribing Members remain and eight Honorary

276

Members. A considerable number of copies of THE GAZETTE
have been sent away to institutions and to persons known
to be interested in ferns with a view to the possible acquire-
ment of recruits. The old members are mostly holding on
but, although we have still quite a number of elderly members,
we do not obtain a sufficient influx of new blood, and
especially of young recruits. The Southport Corporation
continues to encourage the cultivation and exhibition of ferns
by liberal prizes at their great summer show, and our Society
has, this year, decided to offer a special trophy for the best
eroup of British ferns arranged for effect since it is at
Southport, more than anywhere else, that the beauty and
interest of our native ferns is conspicuously brought into
public notice.

Our Society was invited, last year, by our Vice-President,
Mr. F. J. Hanbury, to visit his interesting garden at Hast ~
Grinstead, and the pilgrimage of some dozen or more members
and friends was made to Brockhurst a week or two ago,
when a most enjoyable time was spent in examining the
famous rock-garden and other grounds which contain, among
many other interesting plants, a fair collection of British
ferns. Not the least interesting thing seen was a living
plant of the Cystopterrs alpina, found in Teesdale many
years ago by the late James Backhouse, of York. It appeared
to be practically identical with the forma dzssecta, which
has been introduced from Switzerland, and was undoubtedly
the true alpina of Desvaux, which is more than can be said
of the Low Leyton fern which has been described and figured
under this name and was the original and principal record of
the occurrence of this species in the British Isles. Mr.
Hanbury also had plants of this latter wnich appeared to be
a dwarf and blunt form of C. fragilis. It has long ago
disappeared from the Essex habitat, but specimens are
preserved in the Edinburgh Museum and, with them, Mr.
Hanbury’s plants appeared to be identical.”

F. W. STANSFIELD.

277

The Hon. Treasurer, Mr. J. J. Sheldon, read his annual
Report as follows :—

BALANCE SHEET.

INCOME. EXPENDITURE.

= oO | > Se

Balance from last year 68 0 7 | Expenses at Annual
Subscriptions received 41] 14 0 Meeting... ores Rt Se
Sale of GAZETTES ae Affiliation Fee, R.H.S. 2 2 0
Advertisement mae i AY GAZETTE, Dec., 1933 18 10 O
. “gf June, 1934 13 6 4
Cheque Book big 2 0
Printing Sundries ... 1 7 0O
Postages a on ee ea as

Contribution to Dr.
Stansfield’s Testimonial8 9 11
Balance in hand ... 60 2 8
Sfit- 18" 7 Erie 16°79

|
Audited and found correct, June 28th, 1934.
(Signed) PrRcyY GREENFIELD,
Hon. Auditor.

It was proposed by Mr. Sinclair, seconded by Mr. Bolton,
and carried nem. con. : ““ That the Secretary’s and Treasurer’s
Reports be received and adopted.”’

It was proposed by Dr. Ff’. W. Stansfield and seconded by
Mr. Henwood : “ That Mr. W. B. Cranfield, F.L.S., F.R.HS.,
be re-elected President.’ Carried unanimously.

Proposed by the President and seconded by Mr. Sheldon :
“ That the old Vice-Presidents be re-elected en bloc.”’ Carried
nem. con.

Proposed by Mr. Henwood and seconded by Mr. Bolton :
“That Mr. Sheldon be re-elected Treasurer.” Carried nem.
con.

Proposed by Mr. Blow and seconded by Mr. Sinclair :

“That Dr. F. W. Stansfield be re-elected Hon. Secretary
and Editor of THe GazeTTE.” Carried nem. con.

Proposed by Mr. Sheldon and seconded by Mr. Thorrington :
‘That Mr. P. Greenfield be re-elected Hon. Auditor.’ Carried
nem. con.

278

Proposed by Mr. Blow and seconded by Dr. Stansfield :
“That the old Committee be re-elected en bloc.” Carried
nem. Con.

Proposed by Mr. Whiteside (by letter) and seconded by
Dr. Stansfield : “‘ That Mr. C. W. Grubb, Brookfield Nursery,
Bolton-le-Sands, be elected a member of the Society.”
Carried nem. con.

The Revd. Canon Kingsmill Moore sent a considerable
bundle of fronds for examination, including P. angulare
plumosum, Elworthy, P.a. divisilobum venustum, P.a.
divisilobum plumosum laxum and P. aculeatum pulcherrimum,
K. Moore, the last a seedling which had come up, self-sown,
out of doors in the Canon’s garden. This last was distinct
from the numerous other seedlings which have been raised
from this source being in the way of Mr. Edwards’s seedling
and Dr. Stansfield’s, but was more divided than either,
approximating somewhat to the character of Green’s
plumosum. For this fern Canon Moore was awarded the
Society’s certificate.

Mr. Sheldon also exhibited a considerable collection of
fronds, mostly finds or seedlings of his own, but including
a neat crested form of Athyrium f.f. cristatum, found last
year in Cornwall by his son, Dr. Colin Sheldon.

Mr. Sheldon was awarded certificates for :—

(i) P. angulare inciso-setosum, a very handsome feathery
and setose but fertile form, raised from spores.
(ii) P. angulare multilobum, Sheldon, a wild find by
himself.
(ii) P. angulare acutilobum laxum, Sheldon, also his own
wild find.

A letter was read from Mr. Reginald L. Hine, F.S.A.,
F.R.Hist.Soec., Willian Bury, Letchworth, Herts, appealing
for a donation towards the cost of publication of the Natural
History of the Hitchin and District Regional Survey Associa-
tion. The appeal was supported by Mr. Blow as a deserving
object. Although most of the members present were quite

279

in sympathy with the object of the Hitchin Association, it
was considered by the majority to be outside the scope of
our Society’s special work for which the funds are already
inadequate. No proposition was carried and consequently
no grant made.

PLACE OF MEETING NEXT YEAR.

It was resolved, on the motion of Mr. Bolton, seconded
by Mr. Thorrington : “ That the place of meeting for 1935
should be left for the Committee to decide as last year.”

The party generally remained for about a week at Sidmouth,
where the Bedford Hotel afforded comfortable accommodation,
and most of the lanes within easy reach of the town were
visited and examined for ferns of which a great wealth of
species was found, P. angulare being perhaps the most
abundant, but P. aculeatum, Scolopendrium vulgare, Poly-
podium vulgare, Asplenium Adiantum-nigrum and A. tricho-
manes, Lastrea filix-mas and L. paleacea were also fairly
plentiful. ZL. dilatata, Athyrium f.f. and Blechnum spicant
were seen sporadically where there was little or no lime in the
soil, as was the case about Otterington. Salcombe Hill
proved to be good ground and the regions about Sidbury,
Branscombe and Colyford were visited. Mr. Sheldon found
a promising angulare perserratum, and Mr. Bolton a couple of
very foliose incised aculeatums and a large Athyrium with
sharply reflexed pinnules ; Dr. Stansfield came across a decent
crested angulare, but one of the best finds and certainly the
most striking was an angulare acutilobum with narrow falcate
pinnules somewhat on the lines of Moly’s divisilobum folcatum
but not having the sweeping curved pinne of that beautiful
fern. This was a single crowned plant with erect 3 feet or
longer fronds growing on the sunny side of the road and a
most conspicuous object to all who had eyes to see. Mr.
Thorrington was the first to see it and consequently it was
his prize, but everyone who wished for them had spores from
it as these were plentiful and just ripe, so we may reasonably
hope for several crops of seedlings from this source. On the

280

whole, the excursion was considered to be one of the most
successful in the matter of finds which the Society has ever
made. It was certainly a most enjoyable one from every
point of view. May there be many more of the same kind.

BRITISH FERNS AT THE SOUTHPORT SHOW, 1934.

Again the Southport Summer Show, speaking generally,
was a magnificent success and again Hardy Ferns, and
especially British Ferns, were shown more effectively than
at any other exhibition in Britain or, perhaps, in the world.
They occupied the greater part of one large tent. Again
the groups, “ arranged for effect,’’ were the cynosure of every
eye although, as in 1933, the season had not been a kindly
one for ferns. In this class Messrs. Bolton took first prize
with an admirably arranged group, which contained a large
number of rare and beautiful things, including A. ff.
clarissima, P. angulare perserratum, Patey, A. f.f. wneo-
glomeratum, Adiantum cap.-Veneris imbricatum, etc. Mr.
Lloyd was second with an equally well-arranged group which,
however, did not contain quite so many choice things and
well-grown specimens. Mr. C. W. Grubb, a new competitor,
was third with a beautifully fresh and clean group which,
however, showed a certain monotony from the great pre-
dominance of dwarf crested Scolopendriums. Mr. Lovelady
was fourth with a group which might well have come in third
if they had suffered less from the effects of the dry summer.
In the classes for twelve and six British ferns there was good
competition, all the exhibits being wel! up to show standard.
In the twelves the prizewinners were Messrs. Bolton, Grubb,
and Lloyd in this order, and in the sixes Messrs. Bolton,
Grubb and Lovelady.

The new class for six normal species of British ferns was a
disappointment as there was hardly an exhibit of first-class
quality. Possibly this was owing to the fact that the
competitors had not adequate time to prepare their exhibits
for the event, most of them showing evidence of somewhat

a ie ee Eee —-«

281

hasty improvisation. We hope that, in another year, better
preparation will be made for this class so as to show something
of what our normal ferns are really capable with fair treatment.

In the remaining classes the prizes were fairly evenly
distributed among the usual competitors, Messrs. Bolton,
Askew, Lovelady and Lloyd ; Messrs. Grubb, Luckin, Bauchin
and Monkhouse and Mrs. Law, as comparatively new com-
petitors, also came in for a share of the honours.

* LASTREA DILATATA BOYDII” (F.W.S.) AND
NEPHRODIUM SUBALPINUM BORBASIO.

This interesting fern (Boydii) was found by our late member,
Mr. W. B. Boyd, of Faldonside, Melrose, about the time
when the present century was young, but we have been
unable to ascertain the exact date as Mr. Boyd left few
records of his finds and none of this particular one. He
sent a frond to the present writer about 1908 with the inquiry
whether the fern was Lastrea remota. I replied that it was
certainly not remota, but I thought it might be a hybrid
between filix-mas and dilatata as it had a good deal of the
general habit of remota, but had also something of the median
dark line in the scales which is characteristic of dilatata but
of no other British species. When I met Mr. Boyd afterwards
he told me that when he found the plant he, at first, regarded
it as “‘a golden form of filiz-mas ”’ ; i.e. it was the yellowish
colour which first attracted his attention. “‘ Boydii”’ has
the general habit of dilatata, i.e. deltoid fronds with a much
longer foot-stalk than filiz-mas. The texture of the fronds
is thicker than that of dilatata and the pinne are less divided
than in that species. The outline is a more elongated deltoid
than in dilatata and occasionally a frond of sublanceolate
outline, approximating to that of filix-mas,. it produced.
The stem-scales nearly all have some trace of the dark median
stripe of dilatata though this does not extend to the tip but
generally breaks off abruptly about half-way up the scale.
Occasionally a frond is produced in which the scales are
concolorous like those of filiz-mas. It produces, apparently,

282

plenty of spores and these, unlike those of remota, are fertile.
I made a sowing of them, in 1916, which germinated freely
and produced plants but, owing to the distractions and
preoccupations of the war, I lost the batch before the ferns
came to maturity. I was, however, satisfied that the plant
was fertile and consequently abandoned, for the time, the
idea that it was a hybrid. It appears now, however, from
recent correspondence with M. Kestner, that a fern has been
found in the Vosges mountains which is regarded as a hybrid
between filix-mas and dilatata and which reproduces itseif
freely in a wild state and takes on the habits of a species
having colonized considerable tracts. It has been named
Nephrodium subalpinum, Borbasio, and the Latin description
corresponds closely with that of “ Boydi.” I have sent a
frond of the latter to M. Kestner with a request that it may
be compared with “ subalpinum.” There is also reported to
be found m Switzerland a hybrid paleacea x dilatata, but I
have not yet seen a description of this. The yellowish colour
and somewhat coriaceous texture of Boydii suggest that it
may be this hybrid rather than subalpinum, but, on the other
hand, the sori of Boydii have deciduous indusia much more
like those of frlix-mas than those of paleacea. The matter
can, however, be definitely settled when the three forms
come to be compared with each other. I have not seen
fronds of either of the continental hybrids so must withhold
judgment for the present. I append a free translation of
the published French description of subalpinum of M. Emile
Walter :—

‘“ Nephrodium subalpinum, Borbasio (dilatatum x filix-mas) :
Plant very near to N. remotum (spinulosa x filix-mas) with
which it is often confused and from which it is mainly
distinguished by the following :—Fronds more or less clothed
with short glandular, yellowish scales; leafy part deltoid,
sub-pinnatifid, the pinne scarcely decreasing (towards the
base); pinne long drawn out (the upper pinnatified, the
lower bipinnatifid) touching each other or slightly separated ;
stipes usually half the length of the lamina ; scales generally

283
two-coloured, russet on the edges, blackish in the middle ;
indusia more or less glandular. Discovered by the paleon-
tologist, Hauchecorne, of Berlin, in the Vosges, where it is
scattered, often in small colonies, sometimes isolated, in the
region of the pines and beeches at an elevation of between
700 and 900 metres (say about 3,000 feet). It requires as
conditions a granite soil with a minimum of lime and an
abundant rainfall. It is inclined, in the Hohwald, to replace
its parents and to take on the appearance of a species.”’
F.W.S.

FERN GOSSIP.

Our Editor’s valuable article, “‘ Fern Gossip,’’ coupled with
his invitation, encourages me to offer something on parailel,
rather than similar, lines. None of us can equal Dr.
Stansfield’s broad knowledge. He seems to know when all
ferns were born, and to suffer disappointment if he cannot
attend their obsequies.

But, on a level lower than his, growers might heip one
another by setting down their experience. Both failures and
successes are instructive.

It has given me pleasure each year to submit some of my
best fronds to our Annual Meeting. They represent my
successes ; but I have also had failures.

One year I owned a specimen plant of Dr. Stansfield’s
P.a. rarefactum, so fine that I sent one of its fronds to the
Annual Meeting. Next year, without any cause that I can
even imagine, it was dead. Ferns, as recent articles have
shown, are often long-lived ; but, like men and women, their
tenure of life is uncertain. There have not been many deaths
in my ferneries. Some are explicable; that pestilential
Helxine destroyed P. vulgare trichomanoides, and lime-haters,
such as Blechnums and Lastrea montana, have always gradually

faded away. A few others, like the rarefactum, have perished

without any apparent cause.

Passing to my experience of the conditions in which ferns
iourish best I find shelter and aspect most important. A

284

splendid specimen of P.a. div. robustum became too big for
its situation. The measurement across was nearly 8 feet.
It was moved to a site where the aspect (N.E.) was correct,
but which was much exposed to our prevalent N.W. winds.
As the result it has shrunk (the year after moving) to half its
size. There is nothing unhealthy about the plant, but it
no longer flourishes. Another interesting illustration of the
results of giving or withholding shelter is furnished by my
experience with Druery’s beautiful A. f.f. plumosum crispatum
superbum. When first produced, Queen Victoria accepted
a plant and certainly it well deserves Royal honours. Till
this year I have not been able to put this plumosum on the
show tables in good condition. Recognizing its suscepti-
bilities I have always grown it in a sunk frame, where wind
does not touch it and sun seldom comes. Always it began
well, but in June and July the sun, at its highest, broke on
- the frame for a short time daily. In consequence the fresh
green of the fronds faded, and the plant went “ off colour.”
This year I planned a high wooden shelter, no sun touched
the fern, and it was one of the most lovely exhibits in the
R.H.S. Show.

The only fern which, to my knowledge, is more or less
proof against wind and sun is Polypodium vulgare. A group
of Cambricum flourishes for me on the top of a rough stone
tower ; it is wholly exposed to N.W. winds and in sun many
hours, at any season. In our humid climate the tops of
walls and the trunks of trees are often luxuriously clothed
with this fern. It is at its best when the hours of sun are
limited. To wind it seems quite indifferent.

Beside P. vulgare some might place Osmunda, and certain
Aspleniums, Pteris aquilina and Blechnum spicant. The
royal fern is to be found in bogs where winds abound, and
sun has free play ; but it is generally in some kind of shelter
and never on a bog does it reach heights such as those of the
Osmundas in Killarney, where you may walk in groves which
over-top your head.

285

The same is true of Aspleniwms. They do grow on the face
of sunny windswept walls, but they do not flourish.

Bracken, except in a few choice forms, few would dare to
admit to a limited fernery. Of Blechnums I have no right
to speak, having experience only of their deaths.

There are many of our Lastreas, Polystichums and even
Athyriums which will endure a good deal of exposure ; but
you have only to walk along a road running E. and W. and
compare the quality of such ferns as may face N. with those
on the opposite side which face S., to learn, once for all, the
damaging effect of too much sun.

Give shelter from wind and sun is a golden rule for fernists.

In 1920 I wrote for THE GazeTTe (Vol. IV, No. 6, p. 86)
an article, the latter part of which dealt with Division, and
the dangers of the knife. I had found that Athyriums
divided easily, Lastreas without serious risk, but that Poly-
stichums called for special care and skill.

Under Fern Gossip I may include one or two experiences
which confirm these conclusions.

Some years ago I found in Co. Donegal what seemed to me
a beautiful A. f.f. inaequale. This class of variety is now out
of favour, and rightly, for many of them might fairly be
termed monstrosities, their abnormalities being out of
proportion and consequently somewhat grotesque. Not so
mine, though the inequalities persist through every part,
even the pinnules differing slightly from one another; the
differences are of such a gentle nature that their general
effect, instead of being crude, gives an appearance of elegant
indentation.

Owing to its position the fern was not easily annexed, but
its grace and beauty made labour light.

In pot cultivation my inaequale has never rivalled its
original beauty, but it has grown well, and latterly it developed
into two equally well-formed divisions.

This made the knife necessary. But as each division
formed at the top of a root stock about an inch above the

286

surface the successful separation seemed doubtful. The task,
however, was undertaken ; the root stock was cut through,
the ball, lifted out of the pot, was separated into two sets of
roots, the roots were shortened by about one-third of their
length, and each division was carefully repotted. Both
began unfolding their fronds as if nothing had happened.

Lastreas have been equally kind to me when divided.
But with Polystichums it has been different.

I own a specimen of Elworthy’s plwmosum, whose fronds
have been praised at Annual Meetings. Four years ago it
offered two well-developed and promising divisions ; without
disturbing the parent plant I cut away the divisions. Both
failed.

With a fine specimen of P. aculeatum pulcherremum, Bevis,
I fared nearly as badly. It had some nine closely packed
crowns. Realising that nine new plants were unattainable
I aimed at six. Three of the six perished.

On the other hand, I have never failed in taking divisions
from pot-grown P. aculeatum gracilimum. I think the secret
is to separate them when young; a couple of sharp deep
cuts will give you the little crown with sufficient roots,
without disturbing the parent. The same holds true with the
Bevis’s pulcherrimum. Take your divisions when small ;
don’t disturb the main plant, whether in the open or in a pot.

H. KINGSMILL MOORE.

FERN EXPERIENCES.

A few numbers ago a short account was given in THE
GAZETTE of difficulties experienced with Aspleniwm Germani-
cum and A. septentrionale, and the Editor then advised a
moister atmosphere for them ; the room in which they were
was particularly dry, and the outdoor frame tried later
became overfull of other plants, so a shady and sheltered
corner of the open garden was tried, and both ferns have done
extremely well in pots standing sometimes in, and sometimes
on inverted saucers. Mr. Shirley Hibberd said in one of

287
his books that slugs and woodlice were bad pests of A.
septentrionale, but so far no trouble of this kind has happened,
although some fronds of other species near by have suffered
from insect attacks.

It has been noticeable again this year that my crested
form of Cystopteris fragilis is much stronger in constitution
than the normal species, and that its fronds persist later in
the season ; it has also been something of a surprise to see a
crop of Polypodium phegopteris fronds appearing in August,
in succession to those produced in early summer. One has
learnt, from remarks of the Editor, to expect this in the true
(and only real) Polypody, but not with the Beech Fern.
Perhaps it has been trying to live up to its old name and
reputed relationship ! Lastrea remota has been very unhappy
this year, short and deformed fronds were all that it could
produce and at one time a speedy end seemed likely, but a
nice crown has developed for next year, before which a rather
shadier situation seems advisable. This plant is extra
valuable as being, I believe, the last or nearly so of its kind
that came from Sale Nuisery.

One of the last seedlings raised by Mr. H. Stansfield has
now become a sturdy plumose Athyrium, less finely developed
in size than most because it has always been grown in the open
ground and not potted, but very prolific in fronds with nicely
imbricate pinne. Another plant whose pinne are of growing
interest is a sporeling of a Lastrea pseudo-mas found at
Whitewell by Dr. Stansfield, an incised form ; this youngster
has pinnules that look most hopefully irregular at the edges
but at present it is only some three inches high. For several
years I have been trying to grow Asplenium Adiantum-nigrum
with no sort of success, and should like to induce (by this note)
some successful grower to suggest how to manage this fern.
I know a garden where it grows happily in slightly heavy
soil, in a narrow border backed by a brick wall. Unfortunately,
my efforts to copy this have failed as badly as any others.
A good many years ago I tried crossing a ‘“ spiral’? form of
Scolopendrium with a crested, although the Editor (I think)

288

has issued warnings against too freakish experiments with
S. vulgare varieties. However, I cannot claim, or plead
guilty to having raised anything too distorted, the results are
curious, but by no means hideous, with the fronds in one
type split into several tongues at the end, in another the frond
forks into two or more parts at the junction of stem and
rachis, so that there appear to be two or more fronds on one
stem. All the plants are dwarf, but this may be due to their
having been raised in an air-tight jar and kept there rather
too long. Now, in open ground, they are getting bigger every
year.

One of the points that. seem, to me, worthy of fuller
consideration in fern varieties is the rather curious way in
which wild examples appear to be distributed. There are
records of some identical or almost identical instances of
certain varieties from many far apart localities, whilst other
varieties (such as A. f.f. Victoriae) have occurred only once
and as a single specimen ; some, of course, are barren, but
there are many fertile. Are the single instances of these
latter the first to show variety ? or are they the sole survivors
of a number of sporelings? or the only sporeling, in each

case, that has come to maturity ?
K. A. ELLIOT.

wr

ANOTHER OLD FERN BOOK: THEN AND NOW.

In THe GazeTrEe of December, 1920, Mr. S. P. Rowlands
has an article on Newman’s “‘ Fern Book,” Edition 4, 1874.
From the quotations Newman seems to have claimed to be
the sole repository of the fern lore of the time. He has, he
says, many “imitators,” but he dismisses their books scorn-

¢

fully by saying about their contents “ what is new is not
true and what is true is not new.’’ Newman knew nothing
of varieties, but he mentions some species under names which
puzzle Mr. Rowlands and give rise to an enquiry on his part
as to what ferns Newman intended to describe. ‘The answers
are supplied, in brackets, by our Editor. They redound to

his credit more than to Newman’s. Very different is the

Sone a a ee at a el li

289

tone of the old fern book now under notice. My copy is the
third edition, published in 1847. But the first edition was
published in 1837. Not only was it not an “ imitation” of
Newman’s, but it was written because, as the author, G. W.
Francis, F.L.S., tells us in his preface, “‘ the only book ever
published upon this subject (Bolton’s Filices Britannicae)
has been long out of print.’”’ Taking to himself the guiding
principle of Linnzus, “ I acknowledge no authority but that
of observation,’ the author works out, in the most systematic
and painstaking manner, such results as were available Then.
The book is enriched by a complete set of plates and woodcuts,
whose originals were drawn from specimens of the ferns
themselves. The plates show a clearness and delicacy very
seldom attained by the photographic processes of to-day.
They would be a sure guide, even now, in identifying the
plants represented. The woodcuts deal with what the
microscope showed in the reproductive organs. As far as
they go they seem to me to be of permanent value. But
it must be remembered that Then the way in which ferns
reproduced themselves remained an unsolved problem.
Francis gives an interesting account of the tracks pursued by
various botanists in their search for the explanation, and
he himself would seem to have been on the brink of the
discovery when, as the result of his own observation, he
wrote as follows about the growth process of spores : “‘ They
come up first with a small crown or bud from which soon
issues a peculiar shaped frond not unlike that of a lichen,
or rather like that of a Marchantia, and differing much from
the fronds of future growth. When this has expanded to a
certain size, according to the species, the centre of it, both
below and above, becomes thicker ; the lower part elongates
into a root while the upper part assumes a gyrate or circinate

form and gradually unfolds itself into an upright frond of

the same texture, though much less divided than, those
afterwards produced.’ This interesting set of observations
certainly appeared in Francis’s second edition, dated 1842,
and probably in his first, 1837. The actual discovery of the

290

reproductive action of the prothallus was made by Count
Suminski in 1846. What has been written and quoted will
probably be sufficient to show that Francis was a careful and
successful observer, and that his book marks a definite stage
in the study of our native ferns. But the members of our

Society are likely to be specially interested in the differences —

brought out between Then and Now as to nomenclature
and varieties. An exhaustive treatment of these differences
would require more space than is available, but notices of the
chief differences affecting our chief genera and species will
sufficiently illustrate the progress made. Following the
order observed by Francis, Polypodium vulgare claims first
notice. In the glossary given by our Editor in Vol. IV of
THE GAZETTE forty varieties are named. Francis mentions
only six ; he was familiar with Cambricum and bifidum and
three others in the glossary. His sixth would not now count.
Such beautiful and well-marked forms as Cornubiense,
trichomanoides, pulcherrimum, omnilacerum and semilacerum,
our special Irish form, were pleasures still in the future.
Aspidium is, with Francis, a very inclusive title. Under it
he groups the Lastreas and both Polystichums. Lastrea
filix-mas is accompanied by three varieties which Francis
thinks definite, and by two others of whose identity he is
doubtful. Among the 24 given in the glossary only one of
Francis’s varieties, recurva, appears. He is not aware of the
difference between L. filix-mas and L. pseudo-mas, which has
18 varieties in the glossary. Though the difference between
Then end Now is marked everywhere there is no species
where it is more noticeable than in what are now known as
the Polystichums. With us Francis gives them, in English,
the title ‘‘ Shield Ferns,’ but following the botanists of his
time, he divides our P. aculeatum into two species, Aspidium
lobatum and A. aculeatum, while he only mentions angulare
as a variety of aculeatum. It is generally agreed by modern
botanists that the Aspidiwm lobatum of Swartz, Gray and
Willdenow is merely a stunted or immature state of aculeatum

while angulare is usually recognized as a species although

291
there are undoubtedly connecting links which make it some-
times difficult to draw the line between the two. in
connection with our P. angulare he mentions two varieties
which he considers *“‘ well marked.” Neither occurs among
the 117 in the glossary. How his eyes would have sparkled
could he have entered one of our modern ferneries and
witnessed the bewildering richness and beauty that wise
selection and careful cultivation have given to the Poly-
stichums of to-day. We must notice the differences between
Then and Now in the section to-day termed Athyrium filix-
foemina. Francis puts our Lady Fern (he uses this title)
under Aspleniums as Asplenium filix-foemina. He mentions
three varieties. None of them appears in the glossary’s list
of 74; two of them would not be considered varieties Now.

Finally, we take Scolopendriuwm vulgare: Francis knew

crispum and lineare; he also gives multifidum, a title not

included in the _ glossary. Three varieties—Then. The
glossary names one hundred and twenty. Summing up the
advances from 1847 to our own time, as between Francis and
the glossary we find, in the classes examined, Francis has a
total of 20 varieties, the glossary has 410. This, however,
gives an inadequate idea of the advances for two reasons.
Every year the list of varieties grows as is shown by the
awards made at the Annual Meetings; and, what is more
to the point, the glossary is merely an explanation and
translation of Latin or other titles. It isin no sense a complete
list of varieties. Often under a single title would come a
formidable array of differing varieties. Take a single
illustration : Divisilobum counts as one in the list of Poly-
stichum angulare, but it is doubtful whether even our Editor
would venture to say how many Dvivisilobes are now known.
New forms are always coming, at least half a dozen have been
distinguished among my own seedlings. Dvzvisilobes alone
would score a century or more. The same is true of many
other forms, which in the glossary get only a single mark ;
so that while the enumeration of varieties needed only two
figures in Francis’s time, they would now certainly require
four. .

292

If we go on to make brief enquiry into this so great
difference between Then and Now, the explanation may,
I think, be mainly found in mistaken prejudice. The older

¢

botanists looked on varieties as mere freaks or “ sports,”
here to-day, gone to-morrow, of little permanence, and no
outlook. Francis, so meticulously careful in his examination
of genera and species, has remarks of quite a superficial
nature about the untrustworthiness of such variation as he

had seen in Scolopendriums.

Once, however, the secrets of the prothallus were fathomed,
rapid expansion ensued. Success in cultivating from spores
resulted in the long array of most lovely forms which now
adorn our ferneries.

This alone is enough to make varieties of permanent and
undying interest. But their study has revealed another
feature, one of special value for the botanist. At the very
core of botany lies the study of the life history of plants.
From varieties botanists have learned that, while the pro-
thallus is the normal medium for fern reproduction, there are

various other ways such as “ apospory,” discovered by our
late President, Chas. T. Druery, V.M.H., whereby new forms

have been raised.

The older botanists, such as Francis, by their minute studies
of genera and species, leading up to the discovery of the
functions of the prothallus, laid a sure foundation upon which
are built the glories of the present edifice.

H. KINGSMILL MOORE, D.D., F.LS.

ADIANTUM CAPILLUS-VENERIS L.
IN GLAMORGANSHIRE.

While spending a holiday this year in South Wales, I was
glad to have the opportunity once again of seeing our British
Maidenhair in its natural haunts. It was some thirty years
previously that this site had been visited, and it was good
to note that the plant had at least held its own during that
time.

293

I also had the pleasure of discussing this rare and interesting
species with Prof. A. H. Trow, D.Sc., to whose edition of the
Flora of Glamorgan I am indebted for much of the following
information.

One of the earliest references to this rare little fern is that
of Edward Llwyd, who, in 1689, speaks of it as ‘“‘ growing
plentifully out of a marly incrustation, both at Barry Island
and at Porth Kerig, and out of no other matter.”’ Edward
Newman (1844) quotes Dillwyn as stating that it was common
on the cliffs of lias at the Eastern end of the county, but that
he had not seen it on mountain limestone, or nearer to Swansea
than Dunraven. Newman himself had seen specimens from
Barry Island and states that “ this as well as Port Kerig have
been given in all our Floras as localities.”

The species originally ranged from Penarth on the East
to Dunraven on the West. It is, as Dr. Trow points out,
strictly confined to the coast, and almost, but not quite, to
the peculiar habitat noticed two hundred years previously
by Llwyd. It grows chiefly on the cliff face, on rocks that
always seem to be damp or even wet, and which are encrusted
by calcareous deposits. The plants naturally prefer chinks
or deep pockets that are sheltered from wind and sun. The
main masses of the fern grow high up, out of reach, on the
cliff and seem to be for ever safe from the over-enthusiastic
collector, but a search in suitable places along the base of the
cliffs will reveal plenty of sporelings and even older plants
of a fair size. Most of these small plants occupy chinks,
embedded in mats of a small growing moss—a species of
Weisia which favours damp calcareous places. A few plants
stray into clays and shales between limestones in the
immediate vicinity, but never far from the sea, and are then
always protected by grass or other vegetation. Owing to the
exposed situation, the plants never develop fronds which
compare in luxuriance with those seen in cultivated specimens,
but even after this dry summer, those plants which were
growing in a favourable situation were in excellent condition.

294

This fern no longer grows at Penarth, and on Barry Island
it is generally thought to be extinct, though it may linger in
some inaccessible spot. It may also, of course, be re-
introduced there at any time by wind-borne spores from a
neighbouring site. Dr. Trow visited Barry Island this year
and searched for the plant, but found that while the original
tufa was still in situ in places, all was quite dried up and no
trace of the fern was to be seen.

The main station at present seems to be immediately to the
West of Fontigary Bay. The plants extend, in considerable
numbers, along the las cliffs for half a mile Westwards.
The cliffs then become too dry for any moisture-loving plants,
and no further specimens are seen. The fern reappears,
however, in one or two places in the direction of Dunraven
where the essential factors of moisture and shelter are found.

While the Maidenhair has held its place for many years
as a native species, it is essentially a plant of warmer climates
than our.own. It cannot be looked upon as a hardy plant,
and for its survival in the open, it demands certain special
conditions. Dr. Trow’s comments on this point are of great
interest. He notes that while severe frosts are rare on the
South Glamorgan coast, the winter cold is sufficient regularly
to destroy the fronds. The rootstocks alone survive and
may be protected from excessive cold by the constant flow
of water from weak springs in the rocks. In exceptional
winters, the first formed covering of ice may even save the
rhizomes from the further effects of bad weather. It seemed
to me, too, that the moss in which so many plants were
embedded might have some slight protective function. The
constant supply of moisture oozing from the rocks is, of course,
of considerable importance to the plants during the period of
growth, but Dr. Trow is of the opinion that the temperature
is a more critical factor than the water supply in guaranteeing
the persistent survival of this delicate species on the Glamorgan
coast, and suggests that further experiments and observations
are needed. The high calcareous content of the cliff water
will doubtless affect its freezing point. In any case, the
Maidenhair supplies another interesting example of a fern
which in nature grows in a limy soil, but which under
cultivation grows well in soil of a peaty or acid nature.

ra 2 i ecmaid Sees BAe, Be,

a

A a SR IERIE ORAS Re NAN, Sharh

295

It would be of considerable interest if someone familiar
with this plant in other British localities would supply a few
ecological notes. Soil, aspect, water supply and winter
temperature are the important points, and a comparative
study might throw some valuable light on the factors essential
for the welfare of this pretty little species in our country.
Specimens have been found as far North as the Westmorland
coast, and plants from this locality might prove to have a
more hardy constitution than those from more favoured

habitats.
) S. P. ROWLANDS.

FERN-HUNTING ON THE VOSGES MOUNTAINS.

October 16th, 1934.
Dear Dr. Stansfield,

Seeing how generously you have mentioned my correspond-
ence in the last number of THE GAZETTE I feel encouraged
to write you about my fern experiences of this year.

I write you from Alsace, where I have an old family house

at the foot of the Jura Mountains.

The Alsatian Jura is very poor in ferns, being too dry.
But I have again been with my friend, Mr. Emile Walter,
from Saverne, in the beautiful South Alsatian forest in the
Vosges Mountains.

This year it was with the object of hunting for Hymeno-
phyllum Tunbridgense. In the Vosges, Hymenophylium has
so far only been found on a single boulder of red sandstone
in a valley in the region of the Donon. The discovery was
made during the war by Mr. W. G. Hanschke, chemist, at the
time serving as a German soldier. A good botanist he
certainly is, as the fern is particularly minute there and its
fronds are hidden by the mosses among which it grows and
against which it has to fight. Aithough the place is not a
‘“‘ paradise of ferns’’ as are many other valleys near, it is
certainly a great paradise of mosses, the finest I have seen.
After the war Mr. Walter was able, in 1923, to rediscover
the station. Nobody had been there in the meantime and
as the place had changed owing to road-cutting, we had to
search carefully many moss-covered boulders before Mr.

_ Walter hit on the true one, and when he suddenly handed me
a bit of moss it took me some time, with my old eyes, to

296

detect the moss-hidden Hymenophyllum. I certainly should
have passed that boulder a hundred times without noticing
the fern. Mr. Walter says the surface covered by it is greater
than at the time of his first visit eleven years ago. At present
it covers about six square feet. This is, so far, I believe, the
furthest inland station of Hymenophyllum on the continent
of Europe. The altitude is about 2,000 feet. Mr. Walter
says that in February, 1929, the temperature at this spot
can be estimated as having sunk as low as —29° or —138° C.
This is a further proof of the hardiness of Hymenophyllum.
The rainfall is great—estimated at about 60 inches a year.

The commonest fern there is Dryopteris dilatata growing,
not only on the soil, but also as very frequently in the Northern
Vosges, on vertical sandstone surfaces ; of course they are
stunted, and often in colonies. From a distance one would
take them to be colonies of Polypodium vulgare.

We did not see any Dryopteris spinulosa, which frequents
lesser altitudes.

Dryopteris montana was frequent.
Athyrium f.f. and Dryopteris filix-mas a little less so.

Dryopteris paleacea was present and Blechnum spicant
frequent quite near the Hymenophyllum station.

We found a good colony of Lycopodium annotinum, and
Lycopodium Selago was seen also.

Dryopteris paleacea is, there, a smalier fern than filix-mas.
I have seen no specimen much above 2 feet, whereas those
I saw in Northern Italy last year were about double the
height. This is really a southern fern which, however,
reaches as far north as the Vosges and the Black Forest, and
then, of course, England, like other Southerners. In Switzer-
land I have only seen ferns that are a distant approach to
paleacea (of course I except the Tessin, south of the Alps,
which, although belonging to Switzerland, has a North
Italian flora). But a kind correspondent from near Zurich
has promised to send me what he considers a real paleacea
from there and also a hybrid paleacea x dilatata, which I am

297

hoping to compare with the hybrid filix-mas x dilatata after
having planted them side by side.

In our trip we did not find this hybrid, filia-mas x dilatata,
which is so plentiful in the Vosgian forest near the Hohwald
where we collected it last year. Growing this fern in the
garden near the hybrid spinulosaxfilix-mas, it is quite
distinct, although when dried up in the herbarium the two
hybrids look very much alike and have so far been united
by botanists under the name of Dryopteris remota. The
dilatata hybrid is a larger fern and its fronds are elongated
deltoid, the first pinne from the bottom being generally the
longest. When young, and especially while growing, the
fronds are of a yellowish green, in contrast with the dull green
of the spinulosa hybrid. The dilatata hybrid is quite fertile
and reproduces itself freely from spores, differing in this
respect from the spinulosa hybrid. It has been named by
Borbasio Dryopteris subalpina. No doubt this hybrid exists

also in England, but is probably confused with the other

under the general name of Dryopteris remota.

Near Saverne we visited the botanic garden which Mr.
Walter has founded there under the patronage of the Vosgian
Club. Although only a few years old, it is marvellous how
Mr. Walter, aided by devoted local botanists, has created
wonders there in so short a time. The garden is on a slope
on the main route from Paris to Saverne, on the place called
Col de Saverne (Saverne Pass). It overlooks the town and
the Alsatian Plain.

The garden has a considerable area of outcropping boulders
and flat sandstone, so that rock garden sections were com-
paratively easy to create. It has full sunshine in places and
shade in others, provided by tall trees, and what is specially
valuable, and made Mr. Walter choose the spot, is that, whilst
most of its surface is absolutely lime-free, there is also a great
portion where lime is present.

Of course, a collection of ferns was soon started. The
common ferns already existed in the wooded portion and on

298

the rocks. The collection is already very interesting in the
matter of hybrids. Mr. Walter, this year, added both the
hybrids of Polystichum angulare and of Polystichum aculeatum
with P. Braunii, which he found in the Pyrenees near Luchon
where brauni has an abundant station intermingled with its
cousins.

Passing through Strasbourg I visited the University botanic
garden. I found that the labels of ferns are intermixed (and
confused) there and a pteridologist is badly wanted as in so
many other gardens. What struck me there is the abundant
growth of Adiantum cap.-Veneris outside the walls of the
central hot-house. Of course, this occasional occurrence of
the Maidenhair fern on the outer walls of greenhouses is well
known and occurs in England as recorded in THE GAZETTE,
but Strasbourg has a colder winter climate than any place in
Kngland. It proves that the hot-house in Strasbourg is
generously heated so that the walls radiate enough heat to
protect the rhizomes which stick closely to the bricks. In
the Strasbourg botanic garden I had the luck to be able to
collect spores from Dryopteris Africana (of the Phegopterrs
section, alias Polypodium) which is one of the latest additions
to the list of Kuropean ferns. Mr. Walter, during a recent
visit to Northern Spain, had collected this fern and had left
it in the care of the head gardener, there being no proof that
the species is hardy. D. Africana is the third addition to
the EKuropean fern flora found in Spain since the beginning
of the century and possibly not the last. I had been unable,
so far, to obtain spores of this fern. Now, if I should succeed
with my sowing, my collection of European ferns will be nearly
complete. Those still lacking are from the Caucasus, where
botanizing is probably not easy at present. |

At the end of this month I intend going to Brissago on Lago
Maggiore with the hope to find the hybrid (possibly Asplenrwm
refractum) mentioned in the last number of THE GAZETTE
and, if luck favour me, spores will be sent to anyone wishing
to try to raise the fern.

299

I have a valuable addition to my collection of polypodies,
a very beautiful plumose P. v. trichomanoides, which I have
obtained among seedlings of P. v. Cornubiense from a sowing
made five years ago. It is therefore an English fern. Last
year it was already very distinct, though small, but this
year it has developed its qualities. It is a very slender form
which probably never will grow to any great size, but it
develops fronds profusely. These, however, are not all
equally divided and equally plumose, but the fern will
probably further improve with age. It is, of course, entirely
barren. I shall try to obtain a good photograph for another
number of THE GAzeTTe. In the meanwhile, I thought it
as well to mention this success in the hope to induce others
to sow P. v. Cornubiense, which probably can “ sport’ also
in other directions. I shall be pleased to send spores of
Cornubiense, aS soon as ripe, to anyone interested. I have
not been able, so far, to obtain spores from the slender and
more divided form of Cornubiense, viz., P. v. trichomanoides,
which produces bulbils in the sori instead of sporangia (so
also does Cornubiense, but to a lesser extent). I try every
year to grow ferns from these bulbils, but, so far, without
success. This year I have two bulbils which have each given
one frondlet. Probably they will die during the winter as
has hitherto been my experience. I shall be glad to know if
anyone has had success in this direction.

Going back to your quotation from my letter in the last
issue of THE GAzETTE, I had forgotten to mention that I had
also two plants of Scolopendrium hybridum doing well in the
garden on a wall (protected in winter) where I had planted
them last year. The bulbils on the plant which died in the
greenhouse did not take root.

Asplenium Foreziacum may have originated by hybridiza-
tion of fontanum and lanceolatum, but it has not, to-day, the
character of a hybrid, being extremely fertile with none but
normal spores. Besides, most of its stations are in districts
where it grows far away from either fontanum or lanceolatum.

Anyhow, this year I shall send you Foreziacum from
Brissago and you will be able to try to hybridize it with

300

trichomanes, which will save you from the probable non-
success in the first step suggested by you, viz., hybridizing
fontanum and lanceolatum. ,

I find Foreziacum quite as hardy as fontanum, though one
of the most difficult ferns to grow ; the more so as it is one of
the ferns slugs and snails feast upon with voracity in preference
to anything elise. I can only grow it protected by wire gauze.

It is surprising Foreziacum has never been found in England.
It has now been found in many places on the Continent,
where it formerly was mistaken for fontanuwm which this very
polymorphic fern mostly resembles. If at any time a fern
looking like fontanum is found on granite or other rock free
of lime, closer inspection will show it to be Foreziacum.
It would be interesting to know on ‘what kind of rock fontanum
has been found in England, where I understand it is now
extinct and to examine the specimens in herbaria if there are

can A Yours sincerely,

PAUL KESTNER.

MR. CRANFIELD’S EXHIBIT OF FERNS AT THE R.HS.

At the Fortnightly Meeting and Show of the R.H.S. in the
New Hall at Vincent Square, on November 6th, 1934, Mr.
W. B. Cranfield put up a group of varieties of Phyllitis
Scolopendrium effectively arranged. The exhibit occupied a
prominent position and provided a restful patch of graceful
forms and fresh green colour in the hali, which was mostly
filled with brightly coloured flowers and rich autumnal foliage.
The group included many of the best forms of Scolopendrium
crispum, such as grande, Wills ; speciosum, Moly (this with a

29

number of variants the result of bud “sports” raised from
frond bases); splendens, Moly; nobile, Bolton; robustum,
Jones; crispum, Mrs. Stabler; fembriatum and fimbriato-
cristatum ; variegatum, Bolton ; Drummondiae ; majus, Moses ;
muricatum, Lowe ; sagittato-crispum, Wollaston. There were
also representatives of most of the other sections such as
peraferens, radiosorum and cornutum; sagittato-cristatum,

Druery ; projectum, Moly; and_ sagittato-projectum, Moly ;

301

supralineatum, marginatum, and many other forms. The
whole formed a striking, but to some visitors perhaps bewilder-
ing, demonstration of what a single plain-fronded species can
do in the way of variation and decoration Mr. Cranfield
was awarded the Society’s Banksian Medal for the group—
not too great a reward for an exhibit put up, not for any
pecuniary consideration but simply to demonstrate the
capabilities of one of our native species of ferns. Our
President also received the R.H.S. “‘ Award of Merit” for
P. Scolopendrium crispum splendens, Moly, which was in a
separate category. A Dinner of the Horticultural Club was
held in the evening, followed by a lecture from the Marquis
of Headfort on some of the discoveries of floral discoveries
of George Forrest in China and Thibet, over both of which
Mr. Cranfield presided.

THE ANNUAL MEETING AND ITS LOCALITY.

The settlement of this question annually is a matter which
presents some difficulty on account of the scattered character
of our membership. No doubt each and every member has
an equal right to have a voice in the matter but, as the
number attending each meeting is often a very small pro-
portion of the whole membership, it is impossible to please
everyone and for the last two or three years the Annual
Meeting has deputed the duty of fixing the place of the next
one to the General Committee. This is a fairer method than
the former one as the Committee is not only representative
but its members are fairly distributed over the British Isles.
The place, however, involves considerable correspondence as
it is impossible to get a full meeting even of the Committee.
The Hon. Secretary will be glad to receive suggestions from
any members of the Society and all these will be duly con-
sidered by the Committee, so that, as far as possible, the whole
of the members who wish it shall have a voice in the selection.
As soon as the place of meeting has been decided the whole
of themembers will be notified by circular so that arrangements
for attending may be made in good time.
F. W. STANSFIELD,

Hon. Secretary.

302

LIST OF MEMBERS OF THE
BRITISH PTERIDOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

HONORARY MEMBERS.

BAaKkeR, W. G., Botanic Gardens, Oxford.

Bower, Professor F. O., M.A., D.Se., F.R.S., ete., 2, The Crescent,
Ripon, Yorks.

CurTIS, CHARLES H., F.L.S., V.M.H., Editor, The Gardeners’ Chronicle,
5, Tavistock Street, Covent Garden, W.C.2.

Hay, THomas, V.M.H., Superintendent, Hyde Park, London, W.2.

Moore, Sir FREDERICK W., Kt., F.L.S., Wellbrook House, Rath-
farnham, Co. Dublin, Ireland.

Preston, F. G., Botanic Gardens, Cambridge.

Witson, WixLuiAm, 1, Sleddall’s Almshouses, Aynam Road, Kendal.

WRIGHT, CHARLES HENRY, A.L.S., Kew Cottage, Townsend Road,
Seaton, S. Devon.

SUBSCRIBING MEMBERS.

AvpKIN, F. N., River Knowle, Northam, N. Devon.

Auston, A. H. G., B.A., F.L.S., Dept. Botany, British Museum (Nat.
Hist.), Cromwell Road, London, 8.W.7.

ANDERSSON-KotTtTé, Miss IRMA, John Innes Horticultural Institute,
Mostyn Road, Merton Park, London, S.W.19.

ASKkEw, W. F., Fern Nursery, Grange, Keswick.

ATKINSON, F., Lake Side Cottage, Keswick, Cumberland.

BieLanp, J. W.S8., 20, Parkfield Road, Bebington, near Birkenhead.

Biow, THomas Bates, F.L.S., The Chalet, Welwyn, Herts.

Bouton, RosBert, F.R.H.S., Birdbrook, Halstead, Essex.

Boutron, THomas Hernry, F.R.H.S., Birdbrook, Halstead, Essex.

Bowes, E. A., M.A., F.L.S., F.Z.S., V.M.H., Myddleton House,
Waltham Cross.

BOUSKELL, FRANK, Sedgemere, Market Bosworth, Leicestershire.

BurRTON, FRANK, The Barley House, Hildenborough, Kent.

Bury, Linpsay, J.P., Stanford Wood, Bradfield, Berks.

BUTLER, FRANK, 2, Lorne Street, Reading, Berks.

CHuRCHER, Major G., F.R.H.S., Beckworth, Lindfield, Sussex.

CocHRAN, JoHN, 54, Nursery Street, Kilmarnock, Scotland.

CorRDREY, C., 151, Bedfont Lane, Feltham, Middlesex.

COoVERDALE, W. H., West Lodge, Ripon, Yorks.

Cowan, ALEXANDER, Valleyfield House, Penicuik, Midlothian.

CRANFIELD, W. B., F.R.H.S., F.L.S., East Lodge, Enfield Chase,
Middlesex.

DaRLINGTON, H. R., M.A., LL.M., F.L.S., Park House, Potters Bar,
Middlesex.

Daviss, W. T., Gwyndre, Port Dinorwic, Carnarvonshire.

Dawkins, ALFRED, 16, Fordhook Avenue, Ealing Common, London, W.

DE TAVEL, F., D.Sc., 22, Schosshaldenstrasse, Bern, Switzerland.

Dixon, J. Daraus, Lyndhurst, Rotchell Park, Dumfries, Scotland.”

DEMPSTER. R., Carresden, Dumfries, Scotland.

Doopy, Denis J., The Gardens, Muckross Abbey, Killarney, Ireland.

Durvuz, SELWyN, 11, Montague Gardens, Wallington, Surrey.

Dyson, R. J., Overcourt, Bisley, Stroud, Glos.

Exxtiot, Revd. E. A., M.A., The Rectory, Cubley, near Derby.

Exton, C., 3, Stirling Road, Enfield, Middlesex.
FLETCHER, B., J.P., The Yews, East Hagbourne, Didcot, Berks.
GRANT, JOHN, 7, Market Street, Turriff, Aberdeenshire.

303
GREENFIELD, PERCY, Beech Bank, Stuart Road, Warlingham,

Whyteleafe, Surrey.
GrRuBB, C. W., Brookfield Nursery, Bolton-le-Sands, Lancaster.

Hay, Atva J., Victoria Nursery, Victoria Road, Harrogate, Yorks.

HANBURY, FREDERICK J., F.L.S., Brockhurst, East Grinstead, Sussex.

HAWKINGS, GEORGE, Cressy House, Goldhawk Road, London, W.12.

Hawkins, Revd. Canon E. H., M.A., Trinity Lodge, Bisley, Stroud,
Glos.

HELLYER, ALFRED, Assistant Editor, Amateur Gardening, 148-149,
Aldersgate Street, London, E.C.1.

HENwWoop, THomas E., 16, Hamilton Road, Reading.

HOLLINGS, FREDERICK, 37, Garbett Street, Accrington, Lancs.

HORTICULTURAL Society, THE RoyaL, Vincent Square, Westminster,
London, 8.W.

KAYE, REGINALD, Waithman Hardy Plant Nursery, Silverdale, Lanes.

Kentucky University (Dept. of Botany), Lexington, Kentucky,
U.S.A.

KESTNER, Paut, F.L.S., Chailly Village, Lausanne, Switzerland.

Laurig, G. F., Laurel Villa, Kenmure Avenue, Bishopbriggs, Scotland.
Lawson, G. C., Mayfield House, near Ashbourne, Derbyshire.

LEAK, G. W., 1, Clarkson Avenue, Wisbech, Cambs.

Lioyp, JosmpH, 4, Richmond Road, Birkdale, Southport.
LOVELADY, JOHN, 129, Manchester Road, Haslingden, Lancs.

Lyte, NeEit C., The Gardens, Donibristle Park, Inverkeithing, Fife.

Mars, Miss 8. A., Glenlyon, Holywood, Co. Down, Ireland.

MacSetr, A. J., Editor, Amateur Gardening, 114, Hamilton Road,
Reading.

McLerop, J. F., Leben House, Milnaphort, Kinross-shire, Scotland.

MARDELL, ALFRED, East Lodge Gardens, Enfield Chase, Middlesex.

MEADE, JosEPH, Old Connaught, Bray, Co. Wicklow, Ireland.

Monro, GEORGE, C.B.E., The Red House, Hendon Lane, Church
End, Finchley, London, N.

Moorr, Revd. Canon H. Kinesmitzt, D.D., F.L.S., Cedar Mount,
Dundrum, Co. Dublin, Ireland.

MusGrRAvE, C. T., F.R.H.8., V.M.H., Hascombe Place, Godalming,
Surrey.

NaAytor, E., Corner Garth, Leadhall Lane, Leeds Road, Harrogate.

OLIVER, ARTHUR, Tower Road, Darnick, Melrose, Scotland.
ORMEROD, G. F., Stratford Park, Stroud, Glos.
OSBORNE, ARTHUR, 83, Abbey Street, Faversham, Kent.

Patn, FRAMPTON, Chase Ridings, Enfield Chase, Middlesex.

PARKINSON, J. J., The Lodge, East Lodge Gardens, Enfield Chase,
Middlesex.

Perry, Amos, F.R.H.S., Hardy Plant Farm, Enfieid, Middlesex.

PickaRD, A., 2, Snow Hill View, Wakefield, Yorks.

PLATTEN, E. W., Needham Market Horticultural Society, High Street,
Needham Market, Suffolk.

PRINCE, ALBERT, 1, Burton Street, Tarporley, Cheshire.

Prince, W. H., 21, Forest Road, Tarporley, Cheshire.

Pyxer, ArTHUR, 10, Hanover Terrace, London, N.W.1, and Westwoods,
Windlesham, Surrey.

Ransom, FRANcIS, F.C.S., Newlands, Hitchin, Herts.

Ransom, R. F., Wymondley Bury, Hitchin, Herts.

Reutue, G., F.R.H.S., Foxhill Nursery, Keston, Kent.

Row.Lanps, S. P., M.B., B.S., Abbeville, 42a, Becket Street, Doncaster,
Yorks.

304

Ruee, H. G., Dartmouth College Library, Hanover, New Hampshire,
U.S.A.
RussEwL, L. A., F.R.H.S., Riehmond, Surrey.

SAORSTATT EIRANN, Stationery Office, Publications Branch, Dublin.

Scott, F. W., Tullibole Castle, Fossway, Kinross-shire, Scotland.

Scott, W. D.8., The Gardens, Government House, Bulawayo, 8. Africa.

SHELDON, J. J., F.L.S., Monkhams, Lower Road, Great Bookham,
Surrey.

‘SHERRIN, W. R., A.L.S., South London Botanica! Institute, 323,
Norwocd Road, London, 8.:.24. ?

SINCLAIR, JAMES A., 57, Stradella Road, Herne Hill, London, 8.E.24.

SMITH, Ewart G., 147-151, High Street, Christchurch, New Zealand.

SMITHERS, Major A., Morleys, Great Hallingbury, Essex.

STANSFIELD, F. W., M.D., F.L.S., 120, Oxford Road, Reading, Berks.

STANSFIELD, Tom, M.B., B.S., 120, ae Road, Reading, Berks.

STEPHENS, G. E., 36, Badierd Road, Horsham, Sussex.

STEPHENS, EDWARD J., Rose Lawn, Digswell, Welwyn, Herts.

STEPHENS, MICHAEL, oe Ewhurst, Surrey.

STINCHCOMBE, H., 92, Dunbar Avenue, Foleshill, Coventry.

SUDELL, RicHarpD, ¥.I.L.A., A.R.H.S8., 4, Bedford Square, London,
W.C.1.

TAayYLor, Mrs. JAMES, Colomendy, Mold, N. Wales.

THORRINGTON, F. W., Sunnymead, Little Baddow, near Chelmsford,
Essex.

Trotter, P. D., Leith Vale, Ockley, Surrey.

WAKEHURST OF ARDINGLY, The Right Hon. G. W. E. Lopmr, Baron,
M.A., F.L.S., ete., Wakehurst Place, Ardingly, Sussex.

WALKER, W. B., Cook’s Hollow, Enfield, Middlesex.

WARREN, JAMES, Flat 2, 13, Bruton Street, London, W.1.

WATERHOUSE, ALFRED, East View, Warton, Carnforth, Lanes.

Weiss, Professor F. E., F.R.S., F.L.8., Easedale, Woodway, Merrow,
near Guildford. :

WESTLEY, Epwin, 2685, Nina Street, Lamanda Park, Pasadena,
California, U.S.A.

WHITESIDE, R., 51, Borrowdale Road, Lancaster.

Wiiiiams, J. C. (Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall), Caerhays eas
Tee. R.S8.O., Cornwall.

WIPER, ERNEST, 7264, Yates Street, Victoria, B.C., Canada.

Woop & Son, F.R.H.S., Nurseries, Taplow, Bucks.

Woopcock (His Honour Judge) H. Dryspatz, K.C., Lypiatt Park,
Stroud, Glos.

Wyrneu, Mrs. VioLteT A., F.R.H.S., Pine Hill, Camberley, Surrey.

x
- i
Ne

THE BRITISH PTERIDOLOGICAL SOCIETY

4 THE SOCIETY peiniigted. in September 1391, in the Lake District

with headquarters at Kendal. Its members were, however, distributed

S throughout Great Britain and Ireland, whilst some few reside in the
_ Dominions and U.S.A. Its declared objects were :—

(i) The Study of Species and Varieties of British Ferns ;
- (ii) The Recording of Information with regard to Ferns generally.

The British Fern Gazette was established in September 1909,
Puthioation being quarterly until the commencement of the war.
, _ After the war publication was restricted to two issues per annum

on account of the increased cost of printing and the decrease in the
- number of members. It is hoped shortly to resume quarterly
_ publication.

NE
Ped.
¥

Members are invited to communicate with the Hon. Secretary
on subjects of interest with regard to British Ferns.

i Certificates are awarded to new ferns of distinction of which plants
_ or characteristic fronds are shown at the Annual Meeting for adjudica-
oe tion. The Annual Meeting is held usually in August or September, |
_ at some place where ferns are abundant and from which excursions

_ for fern hunting can conveniently be arranged. These excursions
cS are an important feature of the Society’s activity.

pean

_ Fronds may be Bont s to the Hon. Secretary to be identified or named
at any time.

Recently a Sub- Blonaniitetas of the Society undertook the correct
~ waming of the National Collection at Kew and, in conference with
_ the Director and staff, planned and arranged the present fernery,

supplementing the collection with gifts of pers from the ferneries
of ‘some of the members.

The ‘collection in the Royal Horticultural Society’s Garden at
ee was similarly dealt with and augmented.

| The Society is affiliated to the Royal Horticultural Society, which
gy is also an individual subscriber to its funds.

The Committee is endeavouring to increase the membership of the
@ Society and, through this and by other means, to encourage the more
general cultivation of the varieties of British ferns. Any lover of
_ horticulture is eligible for membership and the subscription is 10s.
_ per annum (due in advance at or immediately after the Annual Meeting),
which entitles members to copies of The Gazette.

_» The Hon. Treasurer or Hon. Secretary will be pleased to supply
members who may desire it with Bankers’ Orders for the convenient
_. payment of subscriptions.

i ie Further particulars may be*obtained from the Hon. Secretary,

F. W. STANSFIELD, M.D., F.LS.,
120, Oxford Road,
Reading,
Berks.

CORONATION CUP.

Awarded by the Royal Horticultural Society for the most i H
meritorious exhibit at their great Summer Show. My col- |} |
lection of Hardy Ferns on this occasion was considered oe

of the finest groups ever staged at a Horticultural Exhibition.

During the last 5 years we have
been awarded 50 Gold and Silver
Medals, Diplomas, & Certificates
for New and Rare Hardy Ferns.

SD cg” Se So gle> eae eae ae
es Se a
SSS Set ae eee

aie
PEE E ITO

£ Re

Ce ah : é Peg Sy ao
SE ET Bo Sagas

Our collection of Hardy Ferns is one of the most complete in existence.

Headquarters for Alpines, Perennials, Liliums,

Water Lilies, Aquatics, New and Rare Shrubs.

Catalogues free—

PERRY’S HARDY PLANT FARM,

ENFIELD, MIDDLESEX.

SSA 9, (7 A i -

$8 Tepe, eas,
poe ern pare overeat

AT A No. 12.

\
a
a
a

\

ritish jfern
Gasette.

June, 1935.

ae 0

AIT

EDITED BY a, hy 3

F. W. STANSFIELD, MD NE ie

(120, OXFORD ROAD, READING.)

th.
i"

ae PUBLISHED BY

& THE BRITISH PTERIDOLOGICAL SOCIETY
| President : Mr. W. B. Cranfield, F.R.H.S., F.L.S., East Lodge, Enfield
a Chase, Middlesex.

% Hon. Secretary :“Dr. F. W. Stansfield.

|| Hon. Treasurer: Mr. J. J. Sheldon, F.L.S., “ Monkhams,” Lower
4 Road, Great Bookham, Surrey.

fi
Me
rf
‘

BRAOLEY & SON, LTO., THE CROWN PRESS, CAXTON STREET, READING.

§

305
THE

BRITISH FERN GAZETTE.

NEW SERIES

Vou. Vi. JUNE, 1935. No. 12
CONTENTS.

Our FRONTISPIECE : Polystichum angulare elegantissimum, F.W.S. 305
EpITORIAL NOTES ... “a an is ee she p> 306
OBITUARY : HANBURY te wae sel ai “ep ee 306
Asplenium Foresiense, LE GRAND, AND ITS HYBRID WITH

trichomanes, with Illustrations ve ae uae Pett 307
LETTER FROM DR. DE TAVEL re HyBrRiIp Lastreas a ae 308
RECORDS OF OTHER FINDS oF Asplenium viride plumosum,

M. KESTNER AND DR. DE TAVEL ... “oe wid ae 311
““NaTURAL HISTORY OF THE HITCHIN REGION’: REVIEW

ie. v.03.) s.. ware vik af ahs bya she he 313
Mr. E. K. Batts’ COLLECTION oF FERNS IN ASIA MINOR ... 315
CULTURE OF Asplenium Adiantum-nigrum AND OTHER FERNS

(Mr. T. B. Blow, F.L.S.) a a : yn or 316
CULTURE OF Adiantum capillus- Veneris F.WS.) ia TM
FERN Gossip (F.W:S.) re ie wen ve sbi RM
THE SouTHPorT SHow, 1935, AND A MEETING OF THE SOCIETY 323
Just THOUGHTS CONCERNING Harpy FERNS ... vie oa 324
INDEX TO VoL. VI ig ey in rea po eu 329

OUR FRONTISPIECE.

Polystichum angulare elegantissimum, F.W.S.

This is one of the best of the many pulcherrimum seedlings
which have been raised from P. ang. divisilobum plumosum
foliosum, H.S. It came in a batch sown in 1928 and has
not yet reached full maturity but it shows plenty of character
and seems to be of a particularly refined type although, so
far, it is a fairly good grower. The tips of the ultimate
segments all have the characteristic curly aposporous appear-
ance, but no attempt has yet been made to raise offspring

by this means. wor
q ~ 1945

306

EDITORIAL NOTES.

We have received from M. Kestner a living plant of
Lastrea subalpina, otherwise Nephrodium subalpinum,
Borbasio. It has a considerable resemblance to “ L. dilatata
Boydi,” though there are differences between the two which
we hope to study carefully when the two plants are more
fully developed. At present the only noticeable differences
are that Boydii has a more scaly stipes and rachis and is
slightly thicker in texture than the other. We shall not be
surprised if Boydz should turn out, as has been suggested,
to be dilatataxpaleacea instead of dilatata x filix-mas.
Professor Bower has suggested that a decisive test might be
found in a cytological examination and a comparison of the
number of chromosomes between the hybrid and the supposed
parent species. Unfortunately the cytological experts we
have consulted think that such a comparison would be
difficult, if not impossible, on account of the extremely
numerous chromosomes in these species and the consequent
technical obstacles in the way of such an examination. We
hope that the examination of the characters of the seedlings
now being raised from Boydii may throw some light on the
subject.

The Botanical Department of the University of Geneva
has applied to purchase copies of all the back numbers of
our GAZETTE. ‘These have been supplied as far as possible,
though unfortunately several numbers of the earlier volumes
were not available, beg out of print. We shall continue
to send THE GAZETTE to the Swiss University in future as
the numbers are issued.

OBITUARY.

HANBURY.
We read with regret of the death on March 20th of Reginald
Janson Hanbury, M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P., the second son of our
Vice-President, Mr. Frederick J. Hanbury. Mr. Hanbury

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INioz 1: No. 2.

Asplenium Foresiense X trichomanes.

No. 1. Frond from plant as found wild.

No. 2. Frond from same plant after cultivation.

ON eee

307

was a director in the firm of Allen & Hanbury’s, Limited,
since 1912. He was also a Governor of St. Bartholomew’s
Hospital and a member of the British Medical Association.
Our sympathies will go out to his father, our venerable
Vice-President, and also to the widow and children of the
deceased gentleman.

ASPLENIUM FORESIENSE, LE GRAND, AND ITS
HYBRID WITH TRICHOMANES.

We have received from Dr. Becherer, of Geneva, a short
account of the synonymy of A. Foresiense, from which it
appears that that fern was first described, as a species, in
“La Revue de Botanique”’ by Rupin in 1894. It had
previously been described as a variety, viz., as A. Haller
var. Foresiacum, Le Grand, in 1869, and as A. Hallerw var.
Foresiense, Le Grand, in 1873. According to the botanical
rules in force at the Cambridge and Vienna conferences,
therefore, Rupin’s name of Foresiense (species) is the only
valid one and must be accepted as correct. It is significant
also that Foresiense has also been referred to, in a catalogue
of plants in 1884, as “‘ A. refractum, Rupin (non Moore).” It
seems probable that this is what has led to the Foresrense
hybrid being confused with the refractum of Moore with
which it has really no connection.

Referring now to the hybrid of which (as briefly noted in
THE GaAzeETTE, Vol. VI, No. 11, p. 273), M. Kestner sent us
a frond from the neighbourhood of Brissago in 8. Switzerland,
we now print a reproduction of a photograph of this frond
which was collected by M. Kestner from a dry wall in a
hot situation. As will be seen it has a strong resemblance
to A. trichomanes and might well be taken for a form of that
species. M. Kestner, however, collected the plant alive for
cultivation and, under his care, it has since produced fronds
of a very different appearance, one of which we print and
which resembles a subconfluent form of A. Foresiense.

308

When it is realised that the two fronds are from the same
plant it will, we think, be admitted that they constitute
convincing testimony to the hybrid origin of the fern. It
is regrettable that the plant, which was formerly found in
some quantity, has been so nearly exterminated, since those
previously collected have been presumably dried as herbarium
specimens and, however interesting these may be as curiosities,
they contribute little or nothing to the life history of the
fern. M. Kestner’s plant, however, is in a different category.
As a living plant its behaviour can be examined, it is hoped,
over a long period ; spores can be sown and the resulting
seedlings, if any, can be compared with the parents and
with each other, as well as with any specimens or figures of
A. refractum, Moore, which this hybrid was reported to
resemble. The present writer is still of opinion that this
hybrid is not Moore’s refractum, which remains as great a
mystery as ever. We have sown scrapings from the frond
sent to us but, so far, no prothallia have resulted. This,
however, is not surprising, since the sporangia were,
apparently, all empty though the cases were well developed.
It is quite possible that future sowings from M. Kestner’s
cultivated plant may be more successful and, in any case,
the fern itself remains alive for biological study. Also it
may be possible to re-raise the hybrid by sowing together
the spores of the two parents.

* Since the above was written M. Kestner has sent us a
photograph of a seedling which has appeared among his own
sowings of Foresiense and trichomanes and which seems likely
to be similar to, if not identical with, the wild-found Brissago
hybrid.

F.W5S.

———

LETTER FROM DR. DE TAVEL RE HYBRID LASTREAS.

We have received a most interesting letter from our new
member, Dr. de Tavel, of Bern, and as the contents are of

309

botanical importance we venture to reproduce it almost at
length :—

“ Dear Dr. Stansfield,

I duly received your kind letter of December 17th, and
beg to apologise for not having answered earlier.

M. Kestner sent me the superb frond of Lastrea dilatata
Boydii he had received from you and we studied it together.
There can be no doubt that it is a hybrid between Lastrea
filiz-mas and L. dilatata.

There are four hybrids which are hardly distinguishable
when dried in the herbarium and deserve close study by
cultivation. They are :—

Lastrea filix-mas x spinulosa (remota).
5 filix-mas x dilatata (subalpina).
5, paleacea, Moore (Borrerz, Newman, pseudo-mas,
Woll) x spinulosa.
, paleacea x dilatata.

It is possible that two more may be found, namely, L.
propinqgua X spinulosa and L. propinqua x dilatata, which seem
not yet to have been observed.

By the way, the name of paleacea, Moore, is by recent
authors confined to some tropical ferns from Mexico, South
America and Hawaii. Our native form, which occurs in the
South of Europe, Madeira and the Canary Islands, is now
called Lastrea Borrert, Newman, this name being older than
the pseudo-mas of Wollaston.

As on the one hand it is not always easy to distinguish
L. filix-mas and L. Borreri, and on the other hand dilatata and
spinulosa, it is much more difficult to distinguish their
hybrids. By the crossing their characteristics are effaced,
and in dried specimens it is impossible to determine them
with any certainty. Perhaps reliable biological marks of
distinction may be found by cultivation. In a paper by Mr.

310

G. B. Wollaston about the division of Lastrea filix-mas into
three distinct species (THE British FERN Gazette, Vol. III,
No. 25, September, 1915), the author refers also to biological
characteristics. Such ones may also be helpful in the
distinction of the above-named hybrids.

A friend of mine, a clever observer and_ pteridologist,
believes he has found in Switzerland, in the neighbourhood
of the lake of Zurich, Lastrea Borreri x dilatata. By cultivation
he stated that this hybrid differs from Lastrea subalpina,
Borbasio, by

(1) a special lustre of the surface of the frond which is also
characteristic for Lastrea Borrerit and similar to that of
Polystichum aculeatum and lonchitis ;

(2) their shooting forth in spring a month later than the
fronds of filix-mas and dilatata, like those of Borrert.

(3) evergreen or sub-evergreen fronds which remain upright
in winter like those of Z. Borreri, if they are not squeezed
by too heavy a load of snow.

In certain cases it may be possible to determine hybrid
findlings by stating what ferns grow or do not grow in their
surroundings and come into consideration as possible parents.
It is in this way that Mr. Fornin was able to state the occur-
rence of L. Borreri x dilatata in certain stations of the Caucasus,
and my friend as mentioned above in certain woods on
the borders of the lake of Zurich. But conclusions must be
drawn very cautiously.

In the case of Lastrea Boydii M. Kestner and myself
are struck by its dense paleaceous attire. This seems to
reveal a descent from Lastrea Borrerz. As you are growing
the plant you will be able to decide yourself whether it agrees
with the above-named three characteristics of true L. Borreri X
dilatata. If it is so, it cannot be named L. subalpina, Borbasio.
In this case I should propose to call it L. elata Boydi, as

dll

‘ec

my friend and myself decided to give the name “ elata ”’
to our Swiss Borreri x dilatata, while we reserve the name
L. nitens for L. Borrert x spinulosa, if our supposition of the

occurrence of such a hybrid should be proved true.

I am, dear Sir,
Yours sincerely,
F. pE TAVEL.

RECORDS OF OTHER FINDS OF ASPLENIUM VIRIDE
PLUMOSUM.

We learn from M. Kestner that another plumose form
of Asplenium viride has been found in Switzerland by M.
Oberholzer of Samstagern, a good pteridologist, who has left
it undisturbed for the present. It is suggested that the fern
should be photographed and we hope some time to be able
at least to compare the photograph with that of Mr. Green-
field’s find. We understand that Dr. de Tavel has seen
the plant. *A later letter from Dr. de Tavel informs us
that at least four plumose forms of viride have been found
on the continent by French and Swiss botanists and we copy
the following details from his letter :—

“Yes, my friend M. Oberholzer found last year two plants
of this Asplenium on a piece of rock in the Sohlsprung, a
gorge of the Sohl river, not far from Zurich. By inattention
he uprooted one plant but planted it carefully in a pot, where
I saw it last autumn. He writes me that it is still alive but
rather poorly and produced this spring some small new fronds.
He hopes to get it through by keeping it under glass. He has
not yet been able to examine the other plant which last year
he left in its place, the vegetation being much retarded. In
our country the ferns suffered, this spring, much from frost.

Another A. viride plumosum was found in August, 1922,
by M. G. Beauverd and M. Ph. de Palézieux (both well-

312

known botanists of Geneva) in France, in the surroundings
of the lake of Annecy on the range of La Tournette, near the
hamlet Serraval, on a rock at an altitude of about 5,700 feet,
in company with typical A. viride and Cystopteris fragilis.
M. Beauverd published a description of it (Bulletin, Soc.
Botanique de Geneve, 2me serie, Vol. 14, 1923) under the
name Asplenium viride var. Serravalense. I saw twelve
dried fronds of it; it is the same fern as figured in THE
GAZETTE, but not quite so luxuriant, a little smaller, more
compact, yellow-green, but not less divided than your plant.

In October, 1924, M. D. Coguoz in Marécottes (Valais)
found another plant of A. viride plumosum at an altitude of
1,660 metres, on the debris of a moist slope near Salvan in
Valais (on the South side of the famous Dent du Midi). It
is exactly the same fern as that from La Tournette, yellow-
green, well developed and much divided. Two fronds of
still another somewhat different form were sent me in the
spring of 1922. It was also found in Switzerland on a piece
of “‘ Nagelfluh ” rock in a beech forest in the Canton of
Aargau. It differs from the other ‘“ plumosums” by its
pinne being more or less elongated and acuminate. In
form they are very similar (although even more elongated)
to Fig. 548 of A. trichomanes incisum by E. J. Lowe, Our
Natie Ferns, Vol. Il, p. 199.

All the fronds I have seen from these various places are
absolutely barren. It is a puzzle to me how the same variety
could repeatedly come into existence in such far distant.
places. In the Zurich station, however, there seem to be
intermediate forms between plumosum and A. viride incisum.
(or rather viride crenatum, Clapham).

M. Oberholzer is carefully observing the further develop-
ment of these ferns.

¢

With regard to the name “‘ plumosum,’’? I wonder whether

it is not the same fern mentioned in literature as var.

en

es
mt

313

bipinnatum, Clowes. The remark ‘pinne deeply incised
in the manner of A. trichomanes incisum’ makes me believe
that the plant of Clowes was identical with our A. wiride
plumosum. Is there nowhere a dried frond of it in a herbarium
which would enable us to make this clear ?

Believe me, dear Sir,
Yours sincerely,

F. ps TAVEL.”

(Cf. GazEeTTE, Vol. VI, No. 5, p. 129.—Ed.)

There is, of course, no reason why multiple plants of a
plumose form of viride should not occur in a region where
the species is abundant and widely spread just as numerous
finds have been made of A. trichomanes incisum in this
country, as also of Scolopendrium v. crispum and Polypodium
v. Cambricum, all of which are sterile plumose varieties. In
this country, so far as is known, only one plumose viride
has been found, viz., the so-called bipinnatum of Clowes,
found by J. Huddart on Whitbarrow in 1853, but it is possible
that some of the “incisums’’ which have been found may
have been of this character, though all I have seen have been
merely serrate and not plumose. The name bipinnatum as
applied to Huddart’s find appears to be a misnomer if the
description in Lowe’s book is correct. Unfortunately no
frond, figure or sketch of this fern is known to exist and there
is probably no one now living who ever saw it.

F.W.S.

“NATURAL HISTORY OF THE HITCHIN REGION.”

We have received a copy of the “Natural History of the
Hitchin Region,” referred to in THE GazeETTE, Vol. VI,
No. 11, p. 278. It represents the results of the efforts of a
considerable number of workers during many years, the

ol4

editor being Mr. Reginald L. Hine, F.S.A., and the principal
contributors being Mr. E. F. D. Bloom, M.A., B.Sc., Miss.
G. B. Howells, F.R.G.S., Mr. J. E. Little, M.A., Mr. Ray
Palmer, F.R.E.S., F.Z.8S., Mr. A. H. Foster, F.R.ES.,
M.B.0.U., Mr. F. W. Edwards, M.A., Sc.D., and Mr. W. H.
Lane. The names of many other workers are mentioned
in the body of the work, including our Vice-President, Mr.
T. B. Blow, F.L.S., and several members of the Ransom
family, two of whom are members of our Society.

Twenty-five pages are devoted to an historical introduction,
27 to Geology, 3 to Meteorology; 76 to Botany, 158 to Zoology
and 16 to Archeology, making a totality of 257 pages of
reading matter. Mr. Blow was one of the original members
of the Hitchin Natural History Club (formed in 1879) and
published, in the Hertfordshire Express of 1880, a series of
articles entitled ‘‘ Outlines of a Flora of the neighbourhood
of Hitchin,” and his records were incorporated in Pryor’s
Flora. He did valuable original work on the sedges and
on the Characeze and we learn from the editor that he
“contributed more than any one else to the success the
book has had.”

There is, of course, much more of Zoology than of Botany
in the book, and there is not much about ferns, Hertfordshire
not being a fern county. There is, however, an illustration
of Ophioglossum vulgatum and a note that “ several species
-of fern, once more widely distributed, have become rare
or extinct, owing partly to the improved drainage of the
land, partly to the disappearance of the woodland in which
they grew, and partly to the professional fern hunter. The
disappearance of Asplenium Adiantum-nigrum is, in one
case, known to be attributable to the latter cause.”

The book is on the whole a most interesting one to the
general naturalist and there is in it something on almost every
branch of natural science.

F.WS.

315

MR. E. K. BALLS’ COLLECTION OF FERNS IN ASIA
MINOR.

We have received through Mr. T. B. Blow a number of
specimens of ferns collected by Mr. Balls on his recent travels
in Asia Minor. The great majority, as might be expected,
are British species, but there is one exception to this rule,
viz., Cheilanthes Szovitzii, a distinctly rare fern of limited
distribution. In Europe (proper) we learn from Britten’s
“European Ferns” it has only been found in Italy and
Dalmatia ; but in the Near East and in Asia it appears to
be more frequent, as it has been found in Lycia, the Caucasus,
and Mount Taurus; also in Algeria. It has also been brought
from Beloochistan and Tibet, ascending in the last named
country to seven or eight thousand feet. It is a close relative
of that beautiful fern C. fragrans, which is one of the most
characteristic ferns of the Mediterranean region, but is
readily distinguished from it by the ferruginous wool which
covers the under surface of the fronds.

Other ferns sent by Mr. Balls are :—

Asplenium Adiantum-nigrum and its variety or relative

A. acutum.

A. Ruta-muraria.

A. trichomanes.

(All apparently identical with the British types.)

Athyrium filix-femina, found on stone walls; more
slender and with narrower ultimate segments than as
generally seen in this country ; no suggestion of the
lush foliose character about it.

Blechnum spicant.

Ceterach officinarum, normal.

Cystopteris fragilis, differing from the British type in the
same way as does Athyrium filix-faemina.

Dryopteris (Lastrea) montana, normal.

316

Dryopteris propinqua. This seems to have attracted
Mr. Balls’ attention by its conspicuously large sori.
Oddly enough there is neither typical filix-mas nor
paleacea.

Dryopteris (Polypodium) phegopteris.

Polypodium vulgare and its variety acutum.

Polystichum angulare.

Polystichum lonchitis.

Of course the mountainous part of Asia Minor is not a
fern region nor was Mr. Balls in primary quest of ferns, but
rather Alpine flowering plants. He, however, collected
specimens of such ferns as came in his way and the result is
interesting.

a

CULTURE OF ASPLENIUM ADIANTUM-NIGRUM AND
OTHER FERNS.

Mr. Elliot speaks of his success with Asplenium Germanicum
and septentrionale. With me, though on several occasions,
when I have been on the continent, I have brought back
both plants, yet I have always failed to keep them : in two
or three years they have disappeared. Now he appears to
have failed with A. Adiantum-nigrum, a fern of which I am
very fond, and whenever I see any wild specimens the least
out of the normal I bring them to the garden and, with me,
they flourish exceedingly. A deep sunken path with rough
broken brick walls runs due east and west for about 100 yards
in my garden and, on the top of the north side facing full
south, are small terraces about a foot wide backed with
bricks two or three courses high, and close up to the bricks
my Adiantum-nigrum is planted. When these terraces were
built, about 40 years ago, just ordinary garden earth was
used, but a top-dressing of leaf-mould and silver sand, with
a trifle of bone flour, has been put on year by year—so it is
much the same as the locality he describes where he has

4 en” ee

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)

>. — =
a ee DORE ES LTS

317

seen this plant flourishing but has failed when he attempted
to imitate it ; he does not mention the aspect however. Many
of my plants have fronds over 15 inches high. On the walls
of these same little terraces there is an abundance of Asplenium
Ruta-muraria, planted 30 years ago, and this has flourished
and increased—many plants, too, of A. trichomanes and
several fine specimens of various forms of Polypodium vulgare ;
also Ceterach officinarum—but this is not quite so happy
as its companions. There are other ferns too, and, altogether
these little terraces are quite interesting and require but
little attention.

In another very shady part of the garden I have many
large plants of A. viride from Ingleborough and there are
two or three small plants that I suspect are from self-sown
spores; also nearby is its companion from Ingleborough,
Lastrea rigida, which grows splendidly at this low elevation,
though in the North I think it will not descend below 800
feet—so far my successes.

A regrettable failure with me is a fern which is a great
favourite—Allosorus crispus, the Parsley Fern, which for
years and years I have tried to grow and once or twice thought
I had succeeded in making it permanent, but after a few
years it disappeared. I suppose it has in dry times received
hard water which is fatal to it. Whenever I see my friend
Mr. Henwood’s fine pot plant of it, always very flourishing,
I feel a little envious, but I know his plant has never touched
hard water. The past year, with its drought, has been very
trying to ferns and, with no water restriction here, I do not
think I have lost a fern, but evening and early morning was
completely devoted to watering. Here, in Hertfordshire,
wild ferns do not greatly flourish—the air is much too dry—
and though our Flora records a good number of species

(about eight) they are never in quantity nor in such luxuriant

318

condition as in the moister South-West. We would not
choose Hertfordshire for one of our annual outings !

T. B. BLOW.

CULTURE OF ADIANTUM-CAPILLUS-VENERIS.

Several correspondents seem to have had difficulty in
keeping this species and the communication from Dr. Rowlands
in THe GaAzeETTE for December, 1934, gives some significant
hints on the causes of these difficulties. The key to the
situation is contained in the sentence, “‘ While the Maidenhair
has held its place, as a British fern, for many years, it is
essentially a plant of warmer climates than our own.” The
first necessity then is some amount of artificial heat—
sufficient at least to keep the frost at bay. Warmth is
needed not only during the winter but through the greater
part of spring, and a little is useful during all but the hottest
weather in this country. Another important point is to keep
the surface of the fronds fairly dry. The name Adiantum
is derived from a Greek word meaning dry. It may be
noticed that, in most of the species of this genus, the fronds
have a velvety surface which throws off the water as do the
feathers on a duck’s back. ‘This peculiarity is, however, less
pronounced in capillus-Veneris than in many species, and
this explains why many people, who have no difficulty in
srowing A. cuneatum in a greenhouse, fail with capillus-
Veneris, which is at least as hardy if not hardier than cuneatum.
If c.V. be watered frequently overhead the fronds quickly
become spotty and gradually turn brown ; often a mould
develops on the surface and the fronds die long before they
have finished their work. As mentioned in our last issue
Dr. Rowlands sent me a small plant of a very interesting
form of c.-Venerits and, as the whole plant was very small,
it was potted, covered by a bell-glass, and placed in a fairly

319

warm room in the dwelling-house. The spottiness spread
until the whole of the fronds turned brown in spite of the
fact that they were dusted with flowers of sulphur and the
inside of the belli-glass was frequently wiped to prevent the
air from becoming saturated. New fronds, however, began
to come up early in March and have continued to develop
and remain green and healthy ; the bell-glass is no longer
kept close but is reasonably ventilated and the plant has
been removed to an unheated greenhouse which is warmed
by the sun although the Adiantum is shaded. The plumose
and foliose varieties are more liable to this damping off
than are the small pinnuled forms. ‘Two or three years ago
we made a sowing from A. c.-V. imbricatum and a score or
so of seedlings resulted. They were very unequal in character.
The most promising had deeply incised pinnules and was
very thin in texture, while the rest were mostly intermediate
between imbricatum and the species, though none seemed to
be quite normal. One, indeed, was more robust than either
the species or imbricatum and resembled Lowe’s optandum,
having sturdy erect foot-stalks and relatively small pinnules.
This is the only one which now survives, as the whole batch
were kept in a cold house, though protected by coverings in
frosty weather. The others all died, apparently from inanition
before reaching maturity. Many of the choicer varieties of
c.- Veneris were lost during the war, either from scarcity of
fuel or lack of attention, one of those most to be regretted
being Cornubiense. Imbricatum became very scarce and is
still in very few collections though, happily, it still survives
and may become more plentiful again after a while. The
culture of this species is not difficult given sufficient warmth.
It needs a fibrous soil of peat and turfy loam, mixed with
limestone chippings or broken oyster-shells, and free drainage
but percolating moisture.

F.W.S.

320
FERN GOSSIP.

‘““ One night there came in the gay spring time
A frost o’er the flow’rets bright, and the rime
Brought death and destruction .. .”’

The severe frosts of the night of May 16th caused wide-
spread havoc in the country, especially as coming after an
exceptionally mild winter which tempted vegetation to
develop prematurely. Much damage was caused among
ferns in the open, many of which had half-developed fronds
lush and juicy. Some of those in the shadow of walls and
fences, but open to the morning sun, were turned into bunches
of rottenness, especially Athyriums. Some, however, which
were wise enough to remain comparatively dormant, have
fared better and are now, a fortnight afterwards, beginning
to grow again. One of the most tragic cases was a fine
foliose acutilobe Polystichum intermediate between angulare
and aculeatum found, as a small plant in Cornwall in 1933.
This had been kept under cover all through the winter and
had half-grown fronds which showed character not dreamed
of when it was found and only obscurely hinted at in 1934.
It had only recently been placed outside for want of space
under glass and it now looks as it had been sprinkled heavily
with boiling water. It will presumably recover but will
only, at best, be able to do in 1936 what it had set out to—
do this year.

Mr. Thorrington’s acutilobe (found at Sidmouth last year
and dug out of the dry ground practically without roots) has
been out of doors all through the winter and spring in the
same lattice work shelter in which the Cornish fern was
more recently placed. Although it was equally forward it
has not been injured at all and now (end of May) has a
luxuriant crown of fronds as beautiful, though not quite so
large, as those grown in the Devonshire lane where it was
found wild.

321

Another fern, long established in the same shelter, is an
old plant of Phillips’s P. angulare rotundatum. It had only
just begun to grow when the frost came, and seemed to
receive rather a shock, but it has now started afresh as if
nothing had happened. The short young fronds, being
sheltered by the luxuriant scales, were protected from injury
and just “ bided their time.”’

A pan of seedlings of Aspleniwm lanceolatum, raised from
the Saverne form which is supposed to be hardier than the
British type, had been under glass through the winter and
had made a growth of spring fronds ; this fern had recently
been placed outside on the north side of a fence and open
to the east wind, with the result that the new fronds were
seared and practically destroyed while the older ones, grown
last year, were uninjured.

Lastrea montana varieties were outside and were uninjured by
the frost but the young fronds have been badly battered
by the cutting north and east winds. This is not surprising
and it says much for the hardiness of montana that they
were not cut, although beech and oak trees in the neighbour-
hood were singed, ash trees were blackened and even the
young shoots of ivy were destroyed.

It is curious that a plant of the original A. f. f. Victorie,
which has been grown in a pot and sheltered under glass
all the winter, has scarcely moved at all during April and
May, although the crown has plumped up slowly and
cautiously. Other Athyriums, both under glass and outside,
are well forward and some have fronds almost fully developed.
Asplenium viride plumosum has also been very slow in moving

and has only begun to show signs of growth within the last
ten days, although the old fronds kept green all through the

winter and are still fairly fresh. I regard A. viride as one
of the most difficult of British ferns to cultivate here in the

322

South and I have quite lost the normal species, probably
because it produced spores so freely. No doubt it is easy
enough to grow in Scotland and the hilly districts of Northern
England. Another thing I find difficult to keep is Asplenium
Adiantum-nigrum grandiceps, which produces spores very
freely, the sori almost covering the under surface of the
frond. It is easy enough to raise from spores, however, and
I have a fresh batch of sporelings coming on. A sowing of
L. dilatata Boyd made in December, 1934, is already throwing
up fronds abundantly, the only fern sown anything like so
recently to do so. I shall be curious to see what the seedlings.
are like when developed, as Lastrea ulrginosa, which is cristata x
spinulosa, is very difficult to raise at all from spores and the
seedlings are mostly malformed and feeble in constitution,

many of them dying in infancy.

Another hybrid fern, L. remota (spinulosa x filix-mas), has.
only once, over 60 years ago, been known to produce off-
spring from spores and these are not quite like the parent
although they bear more resemblance to it than to anything

else.

Polystichum angulare pulcherromum, H.S. No. 5, which was:
shown opposite to p. 255 in No. 10 of the present volume
of THE GAZETTE is, if possible, better than ever this year,
as the segments are longer and more slender, although some
of the fronds have been checked in their growth by the biting
winds and frost of May. Best of all, it is apparently abundantly
fertile though it remains to be seen whether the abundant
sori will ripen their spores properly. If a copious crop of
characteristic seedlings can be raised from this beautiful
fern they should produce a sensation among fern growers:

and admirers.

F.W.S.

Ol ee ee ee

323
THE SOUTHPORT SHOW AND MEETING, 1935.

We have received a copy of the schedule of prizes, for this
year, of the Southport Flower Show. As usual, there are
liberal prizes for British ferns in nearly a dozen classes, thus
giving opportunities for all classes of growers. We are glad
to note that a new trophy—a piece of silver plate, to be won
outright—has been presented this year by the proprietors
of that enterprising periodical Amateur Gardening, London.
This is offered to the successful competitor for a group of
hardy British ferns, to be arranged in a natural manner in
a space of 13 feet by 8 feet.

There is also, in addition to the plate, a first prize of
£17 10s. Od., with second, third and fourth prizes of £15,
£12 10s. Od. and £8 respectively. This class, No. 9 in the
schedule, has for several years been the great ambition of
hardy fern growers, but, as it involves very considerable
labour and expense in conveying and arranging the ferns,
as well as some risk of damage to them through being lifted
while in full growth, it is only a few who can afford to
compete. We hope, however, to see plenty of competition
in this, as well as in the smaller classes this year, as usual.

The class for six normal species of British ferns has been
retained, though the exhibitors scarcely did it justice in
1934. We trust better efforts will be made, this year, to
show what our normal species can do in the way of decoration.

The class for ornamental foliage plants, not in bloom,
including palms and ferns, not necessarily hardy, is also
retained. It made an effective and beautiful display last

year. We hope to see more competition in this class, than

formerly, though it is only the comparatively wealthy who
can afford to exhibit in it.

324

A General Meeting of the British Pteridological Society
will be held in the Council Chamber at the Town Hall, at
3 p.m. on the second day of the Show (August 29th), the
Corporation having kindly offered to lend the room for
the purpose. We hope to see a full meeting of members,
as it will afford an opportunity to those who were unable
to attend the Annual Meeting in June to exhibit and inspect
specimens, to compare notes and to express their views.
The meeting has been specially arranged for the afternoon
in order that members who come from a distance may be
able to look around the Show before proceeding to the
meeting.

JUST THOUGHTS CONCERNING HARDY FERNS.

In every collection of hardy ferns there are certain plants
for which their owner entertains a special affection, and
probably there are others which he does not wish to lose
because they are considered by all the experts to be of
exceptional merit although in his own thoughts he has never
got beyond the point of wondering wherein that special
quality hes.

Many are the thoughts that cross an enthusiast’s mind
whilst among his ferns or visiting the collections of friends,
and they will frequently revolve around this question : “ Why
is some particular fern placed upon a lofty pedestal of
honour ?”’ Probably every one of us grows something solely
because we are particularly fond of it, yet knowing that every
expert who visits us thinks that its presence in our collection
betrays a lamentable ignorance of what real quality means.
We may find consolation in the fact that we see plants else-
where which make us wonder why they are not discarded,
and probably the reason is the same in every case—there is
some sentimental reason which gives them a special place

325

in their owner’s affections. After all, we grow our ferns for
enjoyment, and the pleasure any plant affords us is of greater
importance than its conformity to any standard of perfection
that may be set up.

There are some ferns which are so outstandingly beautiful
that everyone unhesitatingly accepts them as worthy of their
place in the vanguard of “choicest” varieties. Esplan,
Bland, Baldwinii among the plumose Polystichums, Clarissima
unco-glomeratum and velutinum among Athyriums, Whilharris,
the Cromer form of Cambricum, and Cornubiense trichomanoides
in the Polypodiums, cristatum (The King) and _ Wills’s
Polydactyla in the Lastreas and such WScolopendriums as
speciosum and Robinson’s broad form of crispwm, are just
a few examples of these super excellent varieties which cannot
fail to command the warm admiration of the veriest novice.

On the other hand there are treasured varieties which no
beginner would choose if given a fork and trowel and told
: to lift the dozen he liked best from any rich collection.

Quite obviously the beginner cannot possess the judgment
which can come only of long experience and close study, but
one is inclined, sometimes, to think that a collection of the
very cream of congestums, fastigiatums, muricatums, ramo-

cristatums and other extremes in variation from their normal
types are worshipped for their freakish, almost immoral
behaviour rather than for real merit, which, surely, in a
fern should be elegance and beauty from first to last. It
has sometimes appeared to me that when one becomes too
expert in appraising the quality of a fern he may lose the
capacity for enjoying the pleasure of possessing a plant
which makes a fine specimen and attracts other people’s

coarseness in the serration of its pinnae, a trifle of irregularity
in its tasselled ends which, perhaps, are occasionally poly-

;
admiration simply because he constantly sees a vestige of
| | |
| dactylous instead of cristate.

|

326

Every enthusiastic pteridologist, I suppose, desires that
the cult of British ferns shall extend, that the number of
devotees shall increase lest, as the inevitable decrease among
the veterans and past-masters maintains its natural course,
there may be insufficient recruits and graduates to close in
the ranks. That matter has engaged my thoughts a good
deal, and my conclusions are that three factors have had a
retarding influence upon the progress of British fern culture.
The first, although it is mentioned because I am convinced
it is a factor, is not, to my mind, of really serious import.
T refer to the nomenclature of our finer varieties and distinctive
forms which, however readily we sophisticated old hands may
smile at the suggestion, does undoubtedly frighten many a
beginner from tackling ferns and induces them to go in for
dahlias or sweet peas. We can realise that first fright over
this matter soon disappears, but do we not sometimes miss
excellent opportunities for enlisting recruits through not
bothering to explain to an ignoramus something of the
meaning of the terms used? There is no better method of
mastering botanical nomenclature than that of learning the
meaning of the words which compose a properly descriptive
name, but a beginner will not realise this if nobody attempts
to explain the point to him.

The second factor that stands in the way of progress is
that plain, practical instruction in the cultivation of hardy
ferns is among the scarcities of printed matter. My mind
goes back to the days when I read lengthy articles about
choosing the site for an outdoor fernery, excavating the
natural soil, providing perfect drainage, filling in with
elaborately compounded compost, and then a lot of generalities
which touch upon but do not elucidate the cultural details
that are really important. Those articles were written long
ago, | have often thought that most of the writers since

327

have saved themselves trouble by merely repeating the story
told by the older writers, and that has not carried things
much further forward.

There is no need to go to the opposite extreme and say
that just any fern, coarse, irregular, grossly inconsistent,
should be cherished and retained in a collection that professes
to be choice, but the contention is rather that there are
among ferns which are held in great esteem some which are
really less beautiful than finds and seedlings which are elbowed
aside as being “‘ nothing much.”

Some who read this may form the conclusion that it is
tantamount to self-condemnation because the remedy lies
in my own hands. Without any desire to make a jarring
noise with my own trumpet I venture to say I have, so far
as I am able, endeavoured to provide some practical instruc-
tion for those who do not know but wish to learn how to
grow ferns. To be perfectly candid the amount of space I
am able to give to the subject in the publication under my
control is less than I would like it to be. There is a reason
for this which may not be apparent to every fern enthusiast.
When an article appears in Amateur Gardening urging the
claims to attention of any particular class of plants, it is
bound to follow that many readers seek information as to
where those plants are to be bought. They scan our
advertisement pages and apart from the regular paragraph
from our good friend and fellow member Askew they are
unlikely to find hardy ferns advertised. They may inquire
of the nurseryman with whom they are accustomed to do
business, but here again they are unlikely to find anything
much in the way of choice hardy ferns.

That leads me to the third of my trio of factors which
hamper the progress of the cult. It is difficult for a beginner
to purchase the nucleus of a collection worth establishing.

328

If I were asked the reason why this is so I should reply it is
because nurserymen who run their establishments for a
livelihood do not find hardy ferns profitable. If a reason
for that statement is required I say it is because every keen
enthusiast who has a good collection of choice ferns takes
a delight in giving to other enthusiasts every division, offset
or seedling of worth that he can spare. That generosity
is a very nice trait in the character of the pteridologist, but
it does not tend to encourage the nurseryman to cater for
fern growers. Furthermore, it keeps the pace at which good
things are increased at an extremely slow rate. Nurserymen
have the facilities as well as the skill for rapid propagation.
Give them, in the first place, the demand for plants and, in
the second, stock of the required plants from which to
propagate and they will soon effect widespread distribution.

To-day, there are some good collections of hardy ferns in
Britain. Their owners are happy in their possession. They
may shudder at the mere thought of associating commercialism
with their hobby, but will the shudder not be more violent
if they visualise a future when none will be there to carry
on the cult when they have finished? Good hardy ferns
have got to become an important item in the general nursery
trade or they will drop out of cultivation before many more
years have passed.

A. J. MACSELF.

329

INDEX TO VOLUME VI.

Adiantum capillus- Veneris and its varieties abs eat res 43
Pe ¥ vi in Glamorganshire (Dr. Rowlands)... 292
ds - 7 Culture of si dad se coe ee

Annual Meetings 3, 62, 82, 111, 132, 166, 172, 196, 220, 244, 267, 274,

301

Apologia (The President) ... ae sats ais af re
Apospory, Inheritance of, and Alternation of Generations (Miss

I. Anderssen-Kott6) ... Me aie gat 196
Artificiality in Fern Growing (Revd. E. re lliot) sa ocd | a
Asia Minor, Ferns Collected in, by Mr. E. K. Balls nae on
Asplenium Adiantum-nigrum, Culture of (Mr. T. B. Blow) ... 316

nis fontanum refractum, New Light on ... “as ‘oa;

aa Foresiense, Le Grand ... ae ai abt 272

he ef and its Hybrid with tr aE suc OE

We Germanicum (Revd. E. A. Elliot) ve oe eeu ne

vr lanceolatum, Hardy Type of, from France ... par 154

2» Ruta-muraria decompositum (Blow) ... ond id

Ss I EIN SS a Pe

% », plumosum, Greenfield ... bea sink Ne 218

an i ba Other Finds on the Continent (Dr.

de Tavel) ase tee Eat a eee ey Lea? eee
Athyrium f. f. setigerum percristatum, Sheldon ... hee ne 81
Blechnum, sp. bipinnatum, Sheldon (Frontispiece) duce at 81

- ,, plumosum, Forster (Frontispiece) ee Are 2
Bolton, Mr. H., a Veteran Fern Grower ... ea nS ote 145
Ceterach officinarum (Revd. E. A. Elliot) ie me) ats 73
Cystopteris alpina, Desvaux vei ap oa 15, 33, 71, 72, 86

ve »» New Forms of. ees wiki 174, 195

a fragilis Dickieana (Dr. g. hag Rivelacaa) thy. wi 18
Chara fragilis, Alleged Larvicidal Properties of (Mr. T. B. Blow) 149
Dryopteris (Lastrea) dilatata foliosa-cristata (Frontispiece)... 11]
Dry Summer of 1933 (Revd. E. A. Elliot) oes rs 254
Editorial Notes eee ©4529, BT, 108,139, 163, 193,:217, , 249, O71, 306
Environment, Influence of, on Varietal Character (F.W.S.) ... 229

Eugenics, Fern oa re pak as si sty 4]
Excursions, The Official (Wales) sibs we Pe bia ‘ugh | Oo
Exhibiting Ferns _... Ss ae ical a
Exhibit of Ferns, Mr. Cranfield’ s, at the R. H. 5. hie osit.\ |) ane
Fern Census, A okt ‘¥e & nas soe’) ae

Fern Experiences (Revd. B, A. Elliot) bes oes vee sel

330

Fern Gossip a Fu. .«. 202, Zoo, a0
Fern-growing, Difticultios ; in 1 (Mr. J. W. 8. Bigland ie ne
Fern Hunting in Derbyshire (Revd. E. A. Elliot) uae ari +7
> » in the Vosges Mountains (M. P. Kestner) ... 295
Fern Scales under the Microscope (Revd. E. A. Elliot) ... OF, 19
Fern Reproduction, Old Theories of (Dr. S. P. Rowlands) Pi 158
Ferns, The, Professor F. O. Bower, F.R.S. Review oe Mr.
F. W. Thorrington ve 158
vi Mr. Henwood’s Seas int BAe ak 67
», British, Abroad (Mr. P. Cae an wate Ne ae se ee
sb »» in London Town (Mr. F. W. Thorrington) ri 12
> », in Spring of 1932 (F.W.S.) sae eae a 4 146
a ie Some Difficult Species (F.W.S.) ... ele sik 242
> Old Age in, (EK AV.83) BS 2h ie anh eo
2 », at Southport Show 9, 59, 117, 172, 226, 227, 2380
»» Varietal Types of (The late Mr. C. T. Druery, F.L.8.) ... 48
Finds in General (Revd. E. A. Elliot, M.A.) see Be a.
Formosa, A Journey in (Mr. T. B. Blow, F.L.S8.) ahs ae), eae
Happy Hunting Grounds (F.W.S.) ae ae “ins ot 187
Hardy Ferns, Just Thoughts concerning ate ee Ae 324
Heptamelus ochroleucus, Halliday, Another Fern Pest ... vad) nen
Hitchin Region, Natural History of : Review ... sale 2 OS
Lastreas, Hybrid, on the Continent (Dr. F. de Tavel) ... on ae
Lastrea dilata Boydu (F.W.S.) is hie ya bie se. peal
Manure for Ferns (F.W.S.) ... sini ae es ai be 155
Members, List of Las a oh 26, 1385, 189, 245, 302
Nephrodium subalpinum, Borba (F. W:.S.) ae as oan) oe
Normal Species of Ferns, A Class for, at Shows ... : Sa, 1 meme
Obituary qi a 25, 32, 84, 141, 165, 195, "251, 273, 306
Officers and che of the Society ... ayes pais wee) 2S
Old Agein Ferns... a ee 156, 223
Old Fern Book, Another (Revd, Canon K. Mace) bese nas) ees
Old Fern Collection, An (Dr. 8. P. Rowlands) ... eee ee)
Polypodium v. Cambricum, Barrowii (Frontispiece) Ps ‘ior eee
a », serra, J. Wilson (F.W.S.) ... are fees ig 266
Polystichum angulare divisilobum, Bland (Frontispiece) ‘nd 58
a ‘3 elegantissumum (F.W.S.) (Frontispiece) ... 305
a ‘6 rotundatum, Phillips (Frontispiece) ‘ec 164
os We pulcherrimum, H.8. No. 5 (Frontispiece) 255
3 6 pulcherrimum, Moly (Mr. W. B. Cranfield) 208

Promising Avenues in Raising Ferns (F.W.S.) ... Ne wi 161

:
i
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331

Prothallia, Distinctive, of Ferns (F.W.S.) wt on
Random Remarks on Ferns (Dr. 8. P. Rowlands) mt 45,

Removal of a Collection of Ferns (Revd. E. A. Elliot) ...
Scolopendrium hybridum, Milde (F.W.S.) ons
Silver Jubilee of THE GAZETTE : Foreword by the President

Southport Show, Ferns at ... oo. 59, 117, 226, 268, 280, :

Sowing Spores, A Modified Method of (Revd. E. A. Elliot)

> »» ASimple Method of (Revd. Canon Kingsmill
Moore) my ?

Spores, Distances they Travel (Revd. Canon Kingsmill Moore)
», Distribution of (Mr. W. H. Stansfield)

Stansfield, Dr. F. W., Presentation to

Students, Isolated, Help for (Mr. F. W. eesti gtcns|

Successes and Failures (Mr. T. B. Blow) ...

Woodlice among Ferns (F.W.S.)

re at

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yh) ARR ti

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a

THE BRITISH PTERIDOLOGICAL SOCIETY

THE SOCIETY originated, in September 1891, in the Lake District
with headquarters at Kendal. Its members were, however, distribuved
throughout Great Britain and Ireland, whilst some few reside in the
Dominions and U.S.A. Its declared objects were :—

(i) The Study of Species and Varieties of British Ferns ;

(ii) The Recording of Information with regard to Ferns generally.

The British Fern Gazette was established in September 1909,
publication being quarterly until the commencement of the war.

_ After the war publication was restricted to two issues per annum

on account of the increased cost of printing and the decrease in the
number of members. It is hoped shortly to resume quarterly
publication.

Members are invited to communicate with the Hon. Secretary
on subjects of interest with regard to British Ferns.

Certificates are awarded to new ferns of distinction of which plants
or characteristic fronds are shown at the Annual Meeting for adjudica-
tion. The Annual Meeting is held usually in August or September,
at some place where ferns are ahundant and from which excursions
for fern hunting can conveniently be arranged. These exeursions
are an important feature of the Society’s activity.

Fronds may be sent to the Hon. Secretary to be identified or named
at any time. a

_ Recently a Sub-Committee of the Society undertook the correct
naming of the National Collection at Kew and, in conference with
the Director and staff, planned and arranged the present fernery,
supplementing the collection with gifts of plants from the ferneries
of some of the members.

The collection in the Royal Horticultural Society’s Garden at
Wisley was similarly dealt with and augmented.

The Society is affiliated to the Royal Horticultural Society, which

‘is also an individual subscriber to its funds.

The Committee is endeavouring to increase the membership of the

Society and, through this and by other means, to encourage the more
_ general cultivation of the varieties of British ferns. Any lover of

horticulture is eligible for membership and the subscription is 10s.
per annum (due in advance at or immediately after the Annual Meeting),
which entitles members to copies of The Gazette.

The Hon. Treasurer or Hon. Secretary will be pleased to supply

_ members who may desire it with Bankers’ Orders for the convenient

payment of subscriptions.
- Further particulars may be obtained from the Hon. Secretary,

F. W. STANSFIELD, M.D., F.LS.,
120, Oxford Road,
Reading,
Berks.

HARDY EXOTIC AND BRITISH FERNS.

CORONATION CUP.

Awarded by the Royal Horticultural Society for the most
meritorious exhibit at their great Summer Show. My col-
lection of Hardy Ferns on this occasion was considered one
of the finest groups ever staged at a Horticultural Exhibition.

During the last 5 years we have
been awarded 50 Gold and Silver
Medals, Diplomas, & Certificates
for New and Rare Hardy Ferns.

Our collection of Hardy Ferns is one of the most complete in existence.

Headquarters for Alpines, Perennials, Liliums, °

Water Lilies, Aquatics, New and Rare Shrubs.

Catalogues free—

PERRY’S HARDY PLANT FARM,
ENFIELD, MIDDLESEX. |

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