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EDITED BY 46

F. W. STANSFIELD, M.D.

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PUBLISHED BY

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THE

PeblisH FERN GAZETTE,

NEW SERIES.
VoL. 4. MARCH, 1919. No. 1.

CONTENTS. PAGH

EpitToriaAt Notes see wee = oes ae see ay 1
A Visit To PERRyY’s NuRSERY, ENFIELD... 4
BLECHNUM SpicanT SERRATUM, Henwood ss siss 6
OTIoRHYNCHUS DrvasratTor (Mr. H. Stansfield)... S8t 50 6
FERN CULTURE (Revd. Canon Kingsmill Moore, D.D.) g
WorK FOR THE SpRiING (F. W. 8S.) 506 “6 io = 12

EDITORIAL NOTES.

The war being now practically over, the GAZETTE awakes
from its temporary sleep, and, although it may be some-
what enfeebled by lack of sustenance, it is hoped that it
may soon regain its former vigour.

Since our last issue the Society has lost, by death, Mr. C. B.
Green, of Swanage, fermerly of Acton. Mr. Green was a
frequent contributor to the GAZETTE, a very good genera!
botanist, and an enthusiastic lover and cultivator of British
Ferns. He it was who made possible the raising of the
gracillimum strain of P. aculeatum by the production of
spores on the parent pulcherrimum. This was not the first
appearance of spores on this variety, but it was the first
time they had appeared in ‘‘ paying quantities.” Mr.
Green himself raised P. acul. pulcherromum plumosum,
Green, which we regard as the best thing raised from this
source, and certainly one of the finest of British Ferns.

Our Hon. Secretary has also suffered a heavy bereave-
ment in the loss of his wife in September last, after only
a few months of married life. Our warmest sympathies,
and those of our readers, will go to Mr. Cranfield in his sad
loss.

Notwithstanding the extreme importance of food pro-
duction from the land during the war, the British fern
cult has not been allowed to die out, and it is hoped that
those members who are in possession of rare and unique
varieties will continue to tend and preserve them until
they can be more widely distributed. The Editor has been
perferce compelled, by extreme pressure of work, to neglect
his garden to some extent, but, although some ferns have
suffered, nothing has been absolutely lost with the possible
exception of that extremely rare fern Asplenium lanceolatum
microdon, which was killed outright by the severe frost of
the winter of 1916-17. A frond, which apparently bore a
few spores, had, however, been preserved from 1916. These
spores were sown in the autumn of 1917, and a sparse crop
ot healthy prothalli resulted. A few of these have produced
fronds and, though there are many strays among them and
none are yet recognisable as lanceolatums, we are not with-
out hope that microdon may yet appear among them.
Should this prove to be the case the plants will not only be
valuable as preserving the race of a rare and almost extinct

fern, but will be strong, though perhaps not quite conclusive, ~

evidence against the theory of hybrid origin for this variety,
which view was strongly maintained by the late Mr. E. J.
Lowe, and believed by many other competent authorities.
On the other hand, should the seedlings prove to be variable
(apart from the question of strays) they may nct only
support the theory of hybridity, but may also throw light
on the quite distinct question as to what was the parent
other than lanceolatum. Should, however, the seedlings be
ali “strays” (i.e., include nothing which can be traced to
microdon) the sowing will have proved nothing—not even
the barrenness of microdon, although this has long been
taken for granted. The experiment may be repeated, not

only with Janceolatum microdon (should anyone be so fer-
tunate as to have spores), but also with A. ad. nigrum
microdon and A. trichomanes confluens, both of which have
also been held, upon somewhat insufficient grounds, to he
hybrids, the ‘“‘ Gay Lotharic ” in all three cases being sup-
posed to be A. marinum. It is desirable that this slur upon
the character of an apparently respectable fern should
either be substantiated in full court or else withdrawn for
lack of evidence. It is certainly ‘not proven.’ The
Editor will be obliged to any member or friend who can
send him spores of either A. lanceolatum micredon or A. Ad.
nigrum microdon for further experiments. Neither of these
ferns, as a rule, produces perfect spcres, but occasionally in
well-grown examples a very few isolated black sporangia
may be observed on the margins of the otherwise abortive
sori. Apropos of hybrid ferns, Mr. W. Wilson, of Kendal,
reports that he has found a plant intermediate in character
between Aspleniwm trichomanes and A. viride. The fern was
found in Levens Park, and was surrounded by many plants
of A. trichomanes and A. ruta-muraria, but A. viride was
not found near. The fronds had black stems for an inch
from the caudex and thence green to the tips, which latter
were not confluent. Unfortunately the plant died. Spores
were sown, but only a few prothalli developed, and these
were very feeble and miffy. Up to the present only one
plant has been produced, and this resembles trichomanes,
and may, of course, be a stray. It is to be hoped that
others will appear which may reproduce, more or less, the
character of the parent. A supposed irichomanes x viride
hybrid has been recorded on the Continent under the name
of A. adulterinum (Milde). ‘It resembles A. viride in the
- texture of the fronds, which is softer than in A. trichomanes,
and also in the absence of any wing to the rachis, while its

relationship to A. trichomanes is shown in the placing of the
sori (nearer to the margin than in viride), and also in the
colour of the greater portion of the rachis, which is dark
brown or black, although in the upper portion it becomes
green, showing that the mixture of the two species has been
very complete.” (Britten’s European Ferns.)

Mr. Relton, of Whitchurch, Herefordshire, records what
appears to be a new find of an old variety, viz. : Aspleniwm
trichomanes subcequale (Moore). This- was recorded by
Moore in his “‘ Nature-printed British Ferns,” published in
1855, as having been found by Mr. J. D. Enys in the valley
of the Wye. The name is founded on the fact that ‘the
pinne are attached to the rachis near their centre, and not
by the inferior angle.’’ Moore attached great importance
to this character, only casually alluding to the other fea’ ures
of dentate margin and imbrication of the lower pinne, which
appeal much more strongly to the fern-loving cultivator.
Were the fern a new find we should prefer the name sub-
embricatum, especially as the subequale character is neither
perfectly constant in this variety nor peculiar to it. The
plant is somewhat variable in all its characters, but is
decidedly striking when in good form, and well worth
growing, especially when one considers the smal] number
of varieties of this pretty species. Mr. Relton has found
it in two places in the Wye Valley, and it is probable that it
has persisted in that locality since the original finding of
more than sixty years ago.

A VISIT TO MESSRS. PERRY’S NURSERY,
ENFIELD.
A small party of members recently paid a visit to this
“plant farm.’”” Messrs. Perry are well-known and highly
successful growers of hardy flowering plants, but have only

comparatively recently taken up British Ferns seriously,
the aucleus of the stock being, we understand, the Buster
collection. It has, however, been largely reinforced from
other sources, and large numbers of ferns, of many varieties,
have been raised from spores. As usually happens in such
cases, many intermediate forms have appeared, but there
_are good stocks of choice varieties quite true to name and
in good health, notwithstanding the scarcity of labour
during the war, which has affected this nursery in common
with all others in the country. Among other good things
noticed were P. acul. pulcherrimum and P. a. gracillimum,
P. angulare stipulatum and other choice divisilobes, P. ang.
latifoluum, Moly, now rather scarce, P. grandiceps, Moly, with
Athyriums, Lastreas and Scolopendriums in great variety.
The gem of the place, so far as ferns are concerned, and the
chief object of our visit was, however, P. ang. divisilobum
plumosum superbum (Perry). It is a very dense variety
resembling Esplan’s form, but the upturned ultimate seg-
ments give it a more mossy look. The fronds and pinne
are also somewhat rounder and blunter than in ‘“‘ Esplan.”
Messrs. Perry have obtained spores from the plant, and
thousands of seedlings have been raised, which appear to
have come perfectly true to name, so that a large stock will
soon be available. Although we are not quite prepared to
admit the claim (implied in the name superbum) that this
form beats the record in this section, it is undoubtedly one
in the very first rank, and Messrs. Perry are to be congratu-
lated upon a notable hit in raising it, and, perhaps stil! more,
on its very successful propagation. Since the above was
written we have learned with regret that Messrs. Perry’s
nursery has been damaged by a destructive fire, but we
understand that the ferns have not been injured.

BLECHNUM SPICANT SERRATUM, HENWOOD.

As previously announced in the GAZETTE (September,
1917), this fern was found as a small plaat by Mr. Charles
Henwood on a wall in Bucks in 1916. It has now grown
into a strong specimen and proves to be one of the finest
Blechnums ever found wild. Although very near to the
best types of Airey’s PB. s. serratum No. 2 (which was, how-
ever, not found wild but raised), it differs from that variety
in the broader and rounder character cf the ultimate divi-
sions of the barren fronds ; these tend somewhat to overlap
each other and thus give the frond a very handsome foliose
appearance. Inthe fertile fronds the lobes are also rounder
than in Airey’s variety, and are, indeed, rather crenaticns
than serrations. The plant is a good grower, and one of the
most decorative forms of the species. Mr. Henwood is to be
heartily congratulated upon its discovery. We had hoped
to give a portrait of this fern as a frontispiece to the present
issue, but the necessity for economy forbids the continuance
of this feature for the present. It ishoped that it may soon
be possible to revive it, but this must depend upon the
relation between income and expenditure in the Society.
Members can help by the prompt payment of subscriptions,
which are due in advance, and should be sent to Mr. W. B.
Cranfield (Hon. Secretary), East Lodge, Enfield Ch ase,
Middlesex. Literary and other contributions to the GAZETTE

should be sent to Dr. Stansfield, 120 Oxford Road, Reading.

OTIORHYNCHUS DEVASTATOR (SULCATUS.)

From the very inception of the hardy fern cult, some
three-quarters of a century ago, Otiorhynchus devastator
(the fern beetle) has held premier position for ‘‘ sheer
cussedness ’’ among our fern enemies, with Aleyrodes vapor-

aria (the fern fly) as a good second. We have many other
fern enemies, notably Tortrix costana, but the fern beetle
has occasioned more heartaches among fern lovers than all
other pests combined. To such an extent did this beetle
formerly menace our ferns, that no plant was reasonably
safe unless it was isolated by being placed on an inverted
pot standing in a saucer of water. Like the witches of old,
these beetles are unable to cross water, and are the greatest
bunglers in the natatory art of any creatures living. They
drown in an incredibly short time, and, if once they get in
water, seldom succeed in regaining terra firma. Quite a
large slice of the writer’s moderately long life having been
spent in mortal combat with the fern beetle, he can say
with Macbeth :

** You both know Banquo was your enemy.

So is he mine; and in such bloody distance,
That every moment of his being, thrusts
Against my nearest life.”

** But I will put that business in your bosoms,
Whose execution takes your enemy off;
Grapples you to the heart and love of us,

Who wear our health but sickly in his life,
Which in his death were perfect.”

The fern beetle cannot be destroyed by fumigation either
when in the larval or the perfect insect stage, but if the ferns
are systematically sprayed once a week with ‘‘ Abol’’ at
about half the regulation or killing strength, the beetles will
evacuate the premises without further parley. There
appears to be some constituent of this insecticide which is
anathema to the fern beetle. The dread sentence of per-
petual banishment appears to be less objectionable than
the taste or smell of ‘* Abol’’-scented foliage to these
creatures. Osmundas, Adiantums, P. dryopteris, L. the-

lypteris, and a few other ferns with soft velvety foliage are
injured by ‘* Abol,” but 90 per cent. of our hardy ferns do
not object to dilute ‘* Abol.”’

This insecticide has also a deterrent effect on the fern fly,
which can be kept in check by bi-weekly sprayings.

Tortrix costana (an awful pest when in full possession)
can be exterminated by daily sprayings when the perfect
insect is on the wing. The smell is insufficient in this case
to banish the moths, but actual contact destroys them.

H. STANSFIELD.

The well-known ‘‘ Abol” is undoubtedly an excellent
insecticide, and almost indispensable to the fern grower,
especially out of doors, where fumigation is impracticable.
It immediately destroys any green-fly with which it comes
in contact, as well as the larve of that disfiguring pest, the
white ‘‘fern-fly.” This creature should be attacked as
soon as the larve are discovered, since as soon as these
reach the winged state they fly away on the application of
any insecticide and return as soon as its pungency has
subsided. The pungency of ‘‘ Abol”’ seems to be due to
acertain amount cf free ammonia, which, of course, quickly
evaporates. We have also had recommended as an excel-
lent plant wash a solution in water cf soft soap of the
strength of two ounces to the gallon, to which is added one
drachm (60 drops) of pure nicotine. We have not yet
made a pracvical trial of this solution, but should expect
it to act well as a cure and deterrent for the ‘‘ white-fly.”
The nicotine is not volatile like ammonia, and may be
expected to remain upon the foliage for some time. It is,
of course, very poisonous, and should not be ‘‘ left about ’
in solution.—EDITor. |

FERN CULTURE:—SOME FAILURES:
SOME SUCCESSES.

No member of our Society is likely to need hints upon
the cultivation of his ferns as does the amateur who pur-
chases a Gardening Paper to ascertain which end of a
cutting he should insert, or when he is to put in a bulb.
But Mr. Stansfield’s article in the March issue (1918), fol-
lowed by Mr. Green’s in the June issue, have been interesting
and valuable from the very divergence of their standpoints ;
and it seems likely that, if a representative number of our
members could be induced to set down their experience, we
should all learn much about the variety of conditions under
which ferns can be grown; some of us might find that we
could safely dispense with various detai!s of culture which
we had been taught to consider necessary ; many would be
encouraged to extend their hobby in directions hitherto
shunned, or unexplored.

The things which seem to me of importance are aspect,
shelter, drainage, and moisture. With the possible exception
of moisture, which involves more than watering, these
requisites can be provided by anyone, anywhere—herein
lies the encouragement of our cult.

The sovereign importance of aspect was burnt in upon
me by a signal failure. I wanted to have native ferns in
front of one of my greenhouses. The greenhouse faced
nearly South. This was a difficulty, but I expected to be
able to overcome it by raising the ground on the side furthest
from the house, and so causing it to slope Northwards.
I did more: I raised a rough wall some two and a half feet
at the outer edge of the bed, and with its help both exagger-
ated the slope and lessened the effect of the sun. The result
was failure complete and absolute. The ferns not only
would not flourish, they would not even exist. I suspect

10

that the refraction of the sun’s rays from the front of the
house must have contributed to the catastrophe: the ferns
would probably have lived if the house had been removed.
But the experience made it plain that for success aspect was
of high importance. In any ferneries made since, I have
chosen aspects which looked either to the North or the East.

That ferns must be sheltered from wind, and prefer being
sheltered from sun, comes home to everyone who notes the
natural sites in which they flourish most. There are some
apparent exceptions, such as Polypodum vulgare, which
contrives to live even on the wind-swept sun-scorched tops
of walls. Even the exception, however, is apparent rather
than real, for the Polypodium of the wall is as difterent from
hs cousin cf the dell, as is the half-starved pony of the
mountain from his sleek brother in the stall.

To quick drainage I attach very great importance. ~
Occasionally I have thought that a pot specimen did better
when the water percolated slowly. I should not, however,
like to press this opinion, and in all my out-door planting
special precautions are taken for good drainage. This was
impressed upon me by another failure. Wishing to deco-
rate a well-sheltered but flat opening in a shrubbery, I filled
it with Polystichums and Lastreas, healthy divisions of the
usual crested and fingered types. Some of them dwindled
away; none of them flourished. That ferns will grow well
when the ground is flat, is certain; but for success, either
special preparation, such as Mr. Stansfield’s article describes,
is necessary, or else the soil must be naturally well drained.
As mine is heavy, and drains very slowly, I have learned
to counteract its defects by throwing up mounds and plant-
ing on their side ; if for any reason, such as complete shelter,
or decorative effect, 1 want to have my specimen low, the
difficulty is surmounted by deep digging and a French drain.

tid

Moisture, as has been said, implies much more than
watering. Except when ferns are newly planted, the arti-
ficial watering pot is not used in my ferneries. This, no
doubt, is largely due to the comparative moisture of our
climate, but even in dry places a good deal can be done to
retard evaporation, and thus produce the moist atmosphere
in which ferns luxuriate. My plan is to intersect the
ferneries with hedges of ornamental shrubs, Veronicas,
Kucryphias, Spireas, &c. By their help the ferns are kept
from sun, and damp is encouraged both under and above
ground.

It will have been noticed that in enumerating the chief
requisites for the successful growth of ferns, nothing was
said about soil. This was deliberate, for my belief is that,
if all else is right, it matters little about the soil. My ex-
perience had long pointed in this direction; it was finally
confirmed by an experiment which I shall describe. For
some seasons we had been improving the kitchen garden
by digging up the yellow clay, where it came too near the
surface. The excavated clay was thrown in an unused
corner which faced North and Kast. After a while atmos-
pheric action told, and the clay began to grow rank weeds.
Then occurred the thought, why should it not grow ferns ?
As time permitted, the heap was shaped into miniature
ranges of hills and sheltered valleys; the valleys were
drained, and shrubs were put along the highest parts of the
ridges. Then the ferns were planted, somewhat nervously
at first, but afterwards with more confidence. In the case
of the more important specimens, holes the size of a large
flower pot were filled with a sandy maiden loam, perhaps
the best of all mediums, when selection is possible; the
only other assistance given was a top dressing of burnt
garden refuse. The result has been uniform and complete

12

success ; no difference is to be observed between the speci-
mens put in with maiden loam and those planted in what
had been yellow clay. The whole makes at once the most
interesting and most luxuriant of my half-dozen ferneries.
It is never wise to deduce rules from limited experiments,
and therefore [ must not be understood as recommending my
friends to plant in yellow clay, but I am quite prepared to
maintain that noone need deny himself afernery because
he cannot command the luxury of leaf mould or sandy
loam. As for the rest, [ accept the rules which prescribe
the lightest of composts for Polypodiums, and I comply with
the suggestion that both Scolopendriums and Polypodiums
like lime; I suspect, however, that neither of them require
it. The only other general! rule of which I am aware in
this connection is that Blechnums abhor lime. Whether it
is because I cannot eliminate the lime, or whatever be the
cause, the poor success I have had with this fern leads to

the conclusion that Blechnums abhor me.
H. Kinesmitt Moors, D.D.

WORK FOR THE SPRING.

The months of March and April are a busy time for the
gardener in general, and not less so for the fern grower than
for the cultivator of other specialities. It is also a most
interesting time, inasmuch as the period of greatest activity
is at hand. It is necessary to examine into the results o1
winter storms and frosts—some ferns may have been dis-
turbed or partially uprooted, and these should be made
firm aad replanted, or top-dressed with fresh material.
Bulbils should be pegged down in fresh fibrous soil in which
they will soon begin to make roots. A small bell-glass as
a covering is a great help to the bulbil just commencing an

13

independent life, and it is well worth while to give it inthe
case of rare and valuable varieties. It is well too to look
over the collection and see that the plants are not over-
crowded, since the new fronds will often be double the length
of thoseof the previous year, and, consequently, ferns which
had plenty of room last year may be crowded as soon as the
new fronds are developed. The wise grower will attend to
this before growth begins, and give more room where neces-
sary, since it is injudicious to disturb ferns when in full
growth. The early spring is probably the best time for
dividing and replanting deciduous ferns such as Athyriwms
and L. Montana, although for the evergreen species we
prefer the early autumn, when growth has nearly ceased.
Ferns which have become masses of small crowns may be
pulled to pieces, and will gain greatly by the process. The
small crowns, some of them perhaps with few or no roots,
will require a little extra protection and coddling until they
have become established. In the case of ferns under glass,
whether in pots or planted out, but especially the former, it
is necessary to see that they do not suffer from lack of
moisture. Since no fronds are being produced, one is apt
to imagine that the plants are at rest. This is, however,
far from being the case: the roots are actively at work
and, in the case of evergreen species, abundant evaporation
takes place from the old fronds. During March, ferns
which are apparently dormant will often be found to be
dry at the roots unless carefully watched. Drought at this
season is, of course, fatal to the beauty and vigour of the
new fronds, and may even result in the death of valuable
plants. As March is the time for thinning and getting rid
of surplus stock, it is also the best time for the acquisition
of new varieties, as the ferns can be immediately placed in
their permanent quarters and will make their new growth

14

without a check. Newly-planted ferns, however, require
to be carefully watched and protected from drying winds
until thoroughly established. Contrary to the experience
of the flower and vegetable grower, the spring is not the
time for sowing spores of ferns. These should be sown in
the early autumn or late summer, 7.e., as soon as possible
after they are ripe. A sharp look-out should now be kept
for the earliest appearance of the larvee of the green and
white fly, which can often be found on the old fronds before
the new ones appear. As soon as one of these creatures is
seen the house or frame should be fumigated, or, if the ferns
are in the open air, they should be thoroughly syringed
with some suitable insecticide. Much trouble and dis-
figurement of the ferns will thus be avoided by prompt
action. |

7 De...

British Fern
Gazette.

PUBLISHED QUARTERLY.

June, 1919. es Instityes \
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EDITED BY Eh aaa

F. W. STANSFIELD, M.D.

PUBLISHED BY

THE BRITISH PTERIDOLOGICAL SOCIETY

(Hon. Sec. and Hon. Treasurer, W. B. Cranfield, East Lodge, Enfield Chase,
Middlesex).

KENDAL, WESTMORLAND.

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THE SS V9 2 al Wus®
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BRITISH FERN GAZETTE.
NEW SERIES.
VO 4: JUNE, 1919. No. 2.
CONTENTS. mica
THr ABANDONMENT OF THE GENERAL MEETING cus tee 15
PoLysTICHUM ANGULARE FoLiosuM GRANDE (Walton) ... x 16
A New Strain oF P. ANGULARE PLuMosvmM (F. W.S.)... ose 16
tae RoucuT (H.W. 8.) ce aa an oe es 19
FERN VARIATION (Mr. H. Stansfield) a a aes oe 22
A CoLUMN FOR BEGINNERS ... bs eae ies Sate ae 27
AN EXCHANGE COLUMN FOR MEMBERS ... oe one Bes 30

THE ABANDONMENT OF THE GENERAL
MEETING.

The Members will regret that (as already intimated by a
circular) owing to the impossibility of obtaining accom-
modation and the restrictions on Railway travel, it has been
decided to postpone the Annual Meeting and Excursion to
Wales until next year. A proposal that the meeting should
be held at Kendal or Windermere was likewise found to be
impracticable.

The President, Officers and Committee have consented to
act for another year.

Two new features appear in the current number—a
Column for Beginners and a Column for Members desiring
to Exchange their varieties. It is hoped that Members will
take advantage of these facilities,

16

Members are reminded that the subscriptions are payable
in advance. The increased cost of the Gazette practically
absorbs the available funds. Members are therefore urged
to pay their arrears and the current year’s subscriptions at
their earliest convenience.

POLYSTICHUM ANGULARE FOLIOSUM
GRANDE.

This is an exceedingly fine thing. Unlike most foliose
ferns it is thick and solid in texture and the pinnules are
beset with sharp points so as to present quite a prickly
appearance. Itis, however,a true angulare and has nothing
of the glossy surface and hard texture of P. aculeatum.
It was raised by Mr. J. W. Walton, of Richmond, from
spores received from Mr. Wiper, of Kendal. From internal
evidence we think the parent was probably P. a. crispato-
foliosum (Parsons), the character of which it shows in an
enhanced degree. Its one fault (so far as the seedlings
are concerned at all events) is an apparently incurable
tendency to split up into a number of coalescing crowns,
so that it is difficult to obtain a symmetrical plant. A
good ‘“ shuttlecock ”’ would make a grand specimen either
for the garden or the exhibition table. There is no non-
sense about not finishing its fronds with this plant, and it
is quite capable of holding its own in the open air.

A NEW STRAIN OF P. ANGULARE PLUMOSUM.

About 1910 Mr. H. Stansfield sent me a very beautiful
seedling Polystichum angulare, which was believed to have
come from a foliose form of the Jones-Fox strain. There

17

was nothing of the acutilobum or divisilobum character
about it, but it was a pure plumosum with very slender
and finely cut segments, far surpassing in this respect any
other plumose form of the species. Unfortunately, the
plant was damaged in transit and it was not until the
following year that it recovered its health. It proved to
be a vigorous grower and grew to a larger size than any
other plumose form and very soon outgrew my scanty
glass accommodation. While under glass it was greatly
admired for its light and feathery grace. When first seen
by a good judge it was at first taken for a plumose form
of Athyrium, but it was soon seen to have a sharpness of
finish not to be found in any Athyriwm except, perhaps,
A. f.f. Kalothriz. On account of its lax expanded growth
it was named plumosum rarefactum, but upon being removed
to the open air it became less diffuse in habit while retain-
ing all its exquisite refinement of cutting. It appeared,
for some time, to be entirely barren, but in 1913 one pinna
produced a few sori, the spores from which were sown in
August of that year. A large crop of seedlings resulted
and among them a sprinkling of “ curly-wigs,” 7.e., young
fronds fringed with prothalli, or rather consisting of pro-
thallic tissue on short stalks. These were selected and
caretully pricked out in sterilized soil late in the autumn
of 1914. They proved, as these prothallic ferns generally
do, to be of very slow growth and, in the heart of the
winter, a crop of moulds appeared which threatened to
destroy the lot. They were watered with what was sup-
posed to be a solution of potassium permanganate, but
by an unfortunate error it was ‘“‘ XL all” solution, which
killed not only the mould but all the seedling ferns it
touched—about half the crop and possibly the better half.
The remainder, some dozen or twenty plants, survived

18

and grew up at a very slow rate and with an incredible
amount of care and coddling. Of course, a little artificial
heat would have saved years of waiting, but during the
war this was not available. The seedlings turned out to
be a very mixed lot—not a mixture of good and bad, how-
ever, for there was not a bad one among them—but of
exceedingly varied character consisting of pure plumosums,
plumosums of an exaggerated rarefactum type, plumose
divisilobes, and pulcherromums. The winter of 1916-17
killed two of them (and, of course, two of the best, both
exceedingly fine plumose divisilobes with prothallic tips)
although they were cared for like babies. The survivors
are now some twelve plants, no two of which are exactly
alike but comprising :—

(1) Five pulcherrimums of first-rate type, true all through
with exquisite cutting and falcate pinnules.

(2) Three exaggerated rarefactums, 1.e., plants with
pulcherrimum cutting but without the falcate
pinnules of true pulcherremums.

(at) Three plumose divisilobes, one of pellucidum type
and two which bid fair to surpass Baldwinit in
delicacy of finish.

(wv) One plant, still small, which seems to combine the
characters of plumoso-divisilobum and _ pulcher-
romum, This plant was the picture of health in the
autumn of 1918. It was potted and sheltered in a
cold house for safety during the winter. It remained
healthy and lovely through most of the winter, but
with the approach of spring and east winds, seemed
to shrink up and wither like a delicate child, and
was unable to complete a single frond. It was
planted out in a frame and covered with a bell-glass
and so its life was saved for the time being. It

19

is, I fear (like some of Moly’s pulcherrimums and
some of Mr. H. Stansfield’s pellucedums) a being
of almost too ethereal mould for this rough world.

We have here twelve plants of the highest excellence
all dissimilar and all new—a most remarkable result from a
single sowing.

The parent rarefactum is a robust plant of perfect sym-
metry and with still only a single crown. In view of the
results of the first sowing it is not too much to say that it
is the parent of a new race of angulares. The off-spring
will be distributed as soon as they can be propagated ; but
it may be,that in consequence of their extreme delicacy
of constitution, they may only be seen at their best in the
genial atmosphere of the south-west of England or in the
still more humid climate of the Emerald Isle. In the
meantime, another sowing has been made from rare-
factum.

THE DROUGHT.

The great majority of ferns require, not only a certain
amount of moisture in the soil, but also a moist atmosphere
for their continued existence and health. Even though
they survive for a time in a torrid atmosphere, it is fatal
to their beauty and the poor shrivelled things present
but a parody on their natural flourishing greenery. Although
a humid atmosphere is important at all times it is doubly
so when the ferns are, or should be, making their most
luxuriant growth—.e., during the spring months. In
this district of Reading the present spring has been one
of the most trying for ferns for the past twenty years, and
constant and unremitting attention has been necessary to
keep them alive. March and April were cold and ungenial

$p

and May was ushered in by a fairly heavy fall of snow.
Since then (May 4th) we have had no rain worth mentioning
and there has been a constant current of air passing over
from the north and east, sometimes cold, sometimes hot,
but always dry. Hoeing and scarifying the surface were
effective for some time in keeping the plants alive, but
by the third week in May it became evident that unless
the ferns in the open air were watered they would die. A
good soaking was given to the soil and the drooping tips
revived, but the ferns did not grow nor have they grown
since. They just live on, hoping for happier times but
looking more and more miserable and jaded as days and
weeks go by without the longed-for rain. It may be
interesting to compare the behaviour of the different species
under these extremely trying conditions. P. angulare
varieties have suffered most, especially, of course, the more
plumose and dissected forms. P. aculeatum does not like
the weather, but stands it better than its softer congener
angulare. The lady fern varieties have sufiered less than the
Polystichums and, when thoroughly established, look
fairly well although somewhat pinched. Lastrea montanas
also look better than might be expected, but they are all
in pots in sheltered corners and the pots have stood in
saucers of water all through the drought. Lastrea filix-
Mas, most enduring of British ferns, has stood it best of
all and most of the plants look fairly presentable. Scolo-
pendriums (under glass) have mostly finished their fronds,
but the growth is short and the fronds narrower than usual.
Polypodies, also under glass, have mostly not started at
all but have lost most of their old fronds which they usually
retain until the new ones are fairly well developed. They
will probably make fair growth in the late summer should
any moisture arrive in the meantime. Aspleniums

2 |

(under glass) look unhappy and the tips of the fronds show
a tendency to wither up before they have finished their
growth. blechnums, also under glass, have done quite well
though not exactly luxuriant. Under glass with canvas
shading and regular watering the forms of P. angulare have
suffered most, especially, of course, the more complex
varieties, e.g., pulcherromums, plumose divisilobes and
pellucidums. These started fairly vigorously in May but
the growth was soon checked, and after the lower halves
of the fronds were developed the upper halves remained
tied up in hard knots and refused to expand further. These
hard knots would have responded to genial atmospheric
conditions for some time but they have now mostly dried
up into dead terminal knobs andthe ferns will have to make
entirely new growth before they can display symmetrical
fronds. They are unable to get any further until there is
a change in the weather. Since the above was written a
little rain has fallen (on June 19th) but the air only remained
moist for one day and the ground was only moistened to
a depth of an inch orso. The ordinary garden plants have
all been punished. Fruit trees have dropped their crops
of apples, plums, peaches, &c. Roses, peonies and _ her-
baceous plants generally have had to be watered to keep
them alive and gooseberry bushes (unwatered) have withered
and died. The only plants which have enjoyed the weather
are the desert Irises and these it has suited to perfection.
Probably when the fruit crops have been entirely ruined
we shall have rain in abundance and to spare. This will
probably not be good for the ripening corn but it will save
the ferns,and we may get an autumn session of fern beauty
with a fresh growth of fronds. EWS:

22

FERN VARIATION.

Do changes in environment produce changes in struc-
ture? So far as the more elaborate varieties are con-
cerned, it is fairly evident that the answer must be in the
affirmative. We have all noticed how plants of Poly-
podium v. Cornubiense, when negligently grown, will
gradually become coarser and coarser until they are
absolutely normal P. vulgare. Now certain conditions
predispose the plants to this degenerating process, whilst
other conditions will retard it and tend towards rejuvena-
tion and possibly towards eventual redemption.

A. f.f. Kalothrix, if much punished and grown in the open
air, will cease to produce true Kalothrix fronds and will
become a sort of bastard sub-plumosum, from which con-
dition it appears to be impossible to extricate it.

The finest types of A. f.f. wnco-glomeratum are more or
less apt to fall from grace, and to develop into ordinary
acrocladon, especially if grown under hard or unkind con-
ditions.

This gradual deterioration in character always corresponds
to deteriorated conditions. The plants feel they are being
sweated or unfairly treated, and respond by restricting the
output as regards character.

No two districts are exactly alike as regards the con-
ditions of growth. These varying shades of difference
may be and are inapjpreciable to human beings, but make
all the difference in the world to such ultra sensitive
organisms as ferns.
_ Any type of fern grown for a long time under a certain

set of fairly constant conditions, will insensibly differ in
course of time from the same fern grown under quite
different, although not necessarily uncongenial, conditions.
It is pretty generally admitted that the progeny will

23

differ—in fact, they are almost bound to do so, but that
the plants themselves will alter is a matter which has been
for some time open to question.

The writer received a filmy fern from Costa Rica. The
fronds were pinnate, and resembled 7’. auriculatum, although
the habit was different. After growing the plant for many
years it was noticed that there was a tendency towards
bipinnation, which tendency became accentuated and
accelerated after a few more years’ growth. Eventually
the plant turned out to be 7. radicans, from which it is now
undistinguishable. The very dwarf 7’. Colensoi and
T. pyxidiferum grew to five times their original size, when
grown here under intensive culture, and are now appa-
rently identical, although differing widely when first
acquired.

After growing most of the broad and narrow forms of
Scolopendrium crispum under the same uniform conditions
for thirty years, the writer has come to the conclusion
that there is no permanent difference between many of the
forms. The broad forms became narrower and the narrow
ones broader, the result being a sort of compromise. Cer-
tain localities tend to produce the narrow and certain
others the broad types. These types will persist for quite
a number of years even if the plants or localities are trans-
posed, thus keeping alive the fiction as to the immuta-
bility of these sub-varieties.

Much evidence may be adduced as to the mutability of
varieties in general. Some have proved themselves :—

“Constant as the Northern star
Of whose true, fixed, and resting quality
There is no fellow in the firmament.”
The behaviour of such ferns as ZL. p.m. ramulosissima
(which, after many years of virtuous striving and conduct

24

the most exemplary and blameless, forsook the strict path
of varietal rectitude) bears out the words of the poet :—
“Thy honorable metal may be wrought

From that it is disposed, therefore ’tis meet

That noble minds keep ever with their likes,

For who so firm that cannot be seduced.”’
It is unnecessary to labor the point in order to prove the
sportive character of the varieties, which is obviously due
to the cumulative effects of environment. The Azorean
type of Lastrea dilatata differs from the British, both in
appearance and in hardiness. This is due to its long resi-
dence in a very mild and humid climate. The difference
between Lomaria Chilienses and L. Magellanica is due
solely to climate, the latter (coming from a higher latitude
where the mean temperature is much lower) has more
substantial and leathery foliage than its Chilian relative.
This difference disappears atter twenty-five years’ culture
under glass in England.

There is atype of Polystichum brought from Norway by
the Hon. F. G. Wynn which seems like a blend of P. lonchitis
with P. Acrostichoides. It has the outline of lonchitis, with
the coriaceous foliage of Acrostichoides.

«<The voice is Jacob’s voice, but the hands are the hands
of Esau.” This is not an impossible combination, the
writer having seen many very successful crosses between
P. angulare and P. Acrostichoides.

Our British Polystichums are all relatives, and not
improbably simple varieties of one original stock. P. lonchitis
appears to be as easily killed by heat as is Asp. marinum
by frost. P. aculeatum is not unlike P. lonchitis in certain
stages of its development, and there are intermediate types
which would be difficult to classify. There are also inter-
mediate types between P. aculeatum and P. angulare.

25

In certain localities aculeatum is the prevailing type and
in others angulare. Spores sown from either angulare or
aculeatum in an angulare district would produce a prepon-
derance of angulare and in an aculeatum district vice versa.
Plants of aculeatuwm which have been under careful observa-
tion here for several decades, appear now to be more
angulare than aculeatum, this being an angulare district.

If we had a Methuselah who might have had individual
plants under close observation for centuries, he would be

a decided acquisition to the fern cult. The variation in
extreme types being necessarily much slower than in
closely allied varieties, it will require a long series of careful
observations before we are able to dogmatise.

Eventually what now appear “ trifles light as air,” may
in the light of further knowledge become “ confirmation
strong as holy writ.” H. STANSFIELD.

[The question raised by our correspondent as to changes
produced by environment, and answered by him in the
affirmative,is one of the highest scientific importance, and
has long been the battle ground between opposing schools
of biologists, although it is the inheritance of acquired
characters, rather than their actual occurrence, which has
been debated. That changes can be brought about by
environment, both in plants and animals, is undoubted,
but the question is whether these changes are (i) tem-
porary or permanent, and (i) inherited or otherwise.
The examples adduced by our correspondent are not all
quite convincing, e.g., Polypodium v. Cornubiense is a
plant of notoriously unstable character; that is to say,
it will vary, not only when the conditions are changed,
but without any perceptible change of environment. The
same is true, to a less extent, of A. ff. Kalothrix and

26

Aff. unco-glomeratum. In 1917 a plant of Polypod. v.
Hutchisoni (the Welsh find of Cornubiense) of medium
type grown from a single rhizome became finer on one side
and coarser on the other, and was in 1918 divided into two
plants of quite distinct appearance, although still growing
side by side. A portion of a clump of hybrid yellow Iris
has changed to purple, although still continuous with the
yellow portion, and vice versa. ‘These are both sports due
to the unstable character of the protoplasm of the plants
in question. On the other hand in Mr. Henwood’s col-
lection of Scolopendrium crispums the sub-varieties main-
tain generally their individualities. It is true there are
temporary departures from character in individuals but
these generally come back to their true character sooner
or later. At the present time crispum grande Wills is as
broad as ever and crispum, Bowden as narrow as ever.
The Roundstone crispum has been out of form for a year
but has now returned to its flat, pleated, and pointed
character. The late Mr. E. J. Lowe stated that a large
collection of varieties of Scolopendrium had become normal
while growing under unfavourable conditions in his garden,
but had regained their varietal characters when more
kindly treated. Mr. Stansfield’s experience with T'richo-
manes Colensoi and T'. pyxidiferum would seem to suggest
that these two names cover only one species which puts
on different characters when grown under different con-
ditions. Botany has been, in the past, studied much too
exclusively from dried specimens. The study of living
plants under cultivation, and under varying conditions,
might throw quite a new light on many cases of supposed
specific difference.—ED. |

27

A COLUMN FOR BEGINNERS.

This column has been asked forand the Editor will be
glad to answer (or get others to do so) any specific question
which may be sent by beginners or those comparatively
inexperienced in fern culture. In the meantime a few
general hints are appended which may be of use to the
raw hand. In the first place, ferns are made of the same
stuff as other plants, and, with a very few modifications,
the same principles apply to their culture as are observed
in the cultivation of, e.g., flowers and vegetables. That is
to say, they must have sufficient room, air and light ; they
must have food and water of suitable kind and quantity,
and they must be protected from animal vermin and from
weed competitors. In the matter of space they should
be sufficiently separated to be able to make their season’s
growth without touching or overhanging each other, and
so that the soil between them can be got at to be cleaned,
dressed, and aerated. With regard to soil, provided that
other conditions are favourable, it is surprising what a
large number can be grown in any good garden soil in the
open air. The Lady Fern, the Male Fern in its three sub-
species, Polystichum angulare and aculeatum and Scolo-
pendrium vulgare, and most of their very numerous varieties
come under this head—quite enough to stock a very con-
siderable garden to begin with, and comprising the great
majority of ferns found in most collections. Of specialists
in soil among ferns we have chiefly the lime lovers and the
lime haters. The former are, however, less violent in their
love than are the latter in their hate. That is to say, the
lime lovers will often live and thrive fairly well for a con-
siderable time in soil which contains a very small propor-
tion of their special element; while the lime haters will
speedily dwindle and eventually die in soil which contains

28

any appreciable proportion of lime. The lime lovers are
Scolopendrium vulgare, Polypodium vulgare (not so particu-
lar), P. Robertianwm (calcareum), Cystopteris fragilis,
Asplenium trichomanes, A. viride, and A. Adiantum-nigrum,
while the lime haters are Lastrea montana, L. dilatata,
L. spinulosa, cristata, and uliginosa, Blechnum spicant,
Polypodium. dryopteris, P. phegopteris Allosorus crispus
and Osmunda regalis. The lime haters are mostly peat
lovers, the exception being Lastrea montana which loves a
yellow loam and is rarely found wild except in a soil of this
nature. We have, however, seen this species doing well in
peat, and quite recently it was.seen thriving in a soil con-
sisting almost entirely of decomposed cocoanut refuse.
L. dilatata will grow in any soil which is free, or almost
free, from lime but prefers a mixture of loam and peat or
loam and leaf-mould. The semi-bog ferns L. cristata,
uliginosa and spinulosa prefer a soil of a peaty nature and
require plenty of water. The same is true of L. thelypteris
and Osmunda regalis, which are bog ferns pure and simple.
All the foregoing remarks apply to ferns which are planted
out either in the open air or under glass. When they come
to be grown in pots the case is entirely altered and much
greater care must be taken as to the quality and texture of
the soil. Instead of garden soil, fibrous loam forms the basis
of most fern composts,an admixture of leaf mould being
also generally beneficial. A little sand is sometimes useful
when the soil is heavy and close but is not necessary when
the other ingredients are of good quality. A good fern
compost for potting should be fibrous and elastic having
something of the feel and texture of good strong tobacco.
An excellent lightening medium, when it can be obtained,
is cocoanut refuse, especially that containing plenty of
hard fibre, as this decays slowly and keeps the soil porous

29

and springy for a long time. A very important point in
the culture of ferns in pots is the exclusion of earth-worms.
Although these creatures are harmless or even beneficial
in the open ground, yet in the restricted space of a pot a
single worm will quickly destroy the texture of the soil,
converting it into mud or the semblance of mortar and
very soon blocking up the drainage. On the other hand,
worms have been known to cause the death of a fern by mak-
ing channels in the soil through which the water ran away
leaving the ball of soil practically dry. An easy method
of getting rid of worms in pots, in all cases except the lime-
haters, is the saturation of the soil with clear lime water.
The worms greatly dislike this and quickly come to the
surface when they can be picked off and got rid of. The
lime water must not of course be applied to the fronds.
The matter of shading is often overdone by beginners,
especially when the ferns are grown in glass structures.
The object of shading should be merely the exclusion of
direct sunshine from the ferns, especially during the heat
of the day. Provided this be accomplished the more light
the ferns have and the better in the great majority of
cases. Even a little sunshine towards evening is often
not harmful in the presence of sufficient moisture and
reasonable ventilation. In small structures, therefore,
moveable blinds are preferable to anything of the nature
of whitewash on the glass which may render the house
too dark in dull weather and is, moreover, in itself some-
what unsightly. In the case of pot ferns success may
depend, to a very large extent, upon regular and judicious
watering. A fern growing in rockwork or in the open
ground is able to live during a season of drought by sending
roots in search of moisture into a deeper stratum, but
when the roots are confined to a pot this is impossible, and
dryness means sudden death. It is in dull and wet

30

weather that ferns in pots under glass are, perhaps, most
liable to be neglected. Everything out of doors being
saturated, it is not realised that the ferns under glass require
water, and consequently they may be left unwatered until
the drooping fronds indicate distress, and it is then found
that the soil, although apparently moist upon the surface,
is dust dry beneath it. A thorough soaking in a bucket
of water may moisten the soil and revive the drooping
fronds, but it is not to be supposed, even in that case,
that no harm has been done. The system has received a
shock from which it may take years of careful living to
recover thoroughly. Ferns in pots must never be dry,
nor, on the other hand, must they be always wet or the soil
will become sodden and sour. There must be intervals
when it can become sufficiently dry for air to penetrate
into its interstices, but this must be moist air. No fern
can thrive in soil of a putty-like consistence.

AN EXCHANGE COLUMN FOR MEMBERS.

The following member would like to correspond with
others having plants for exchange :—

-The Rev. H. A. SoamEs,
** Hazelcroft,”’
Mason’s Hill,
Bromley,
Kent.

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British

PUBLISHED QUARTERLY.

f pe oa Aen Ie ing aS.
»*

£ i JAN 2 35 \
September, ae 4 1920 ey,

Seas) | bus oo f

EDITED BY

Fe We STANSFIELD; MD.

PUBLISHED BY

THE BRITISH PTERIDOLOGICAL SOCIETY

(Hon. Sec. and Hon. Treasurer, W. B. Cranfield, East Lodge, Enfield Chase,
Middlesex).

KENDAL, WESTMORLAND.

TEE

picitistl FERN GAZETTE.

Vou. 4. SEPTEMBER, 1919. NO: oe:
CONTENTS. PAGE

EDITORIAL NOTES . ... aie ee ae is Ax is 31

New Fern (Scol. vulgare acrocladon, Buchan-Hepburn) .... BE

FERNS AND SHOWS (Revd. Canon Kingsmill Moore, D.D.) ... 34

BrIoLOGICAL QUESTIONS re BritisH Ferns (F. W. Thorrington) 38
(Letter to the Editor)

Goinge Buinp (F.W.S.) ai sai at aos ae ae 42

THe DIsADVANTAGES OF FERN Hunvrine (Stay at Home) ... dt
(Letter to the Editor)

A GtossaRy OF NAMES OF VARIETIES OF BRITISH FERNS ... 44

EDITORIAL NOTES.

It was a matter of deep regret to the Fditor, in common
with the other officers of the Society, that the Annua!
Meeting and Excursion had to be abandoned, as he had
expected to have the opportunity cf again meeting old
friends, and making new ones among the members. It is
hoped that this pleasure may not be postponed more than
another year, and that a record meeting in August next
may make up for the delay and solve some of the difficulties
cf the Society. In spite of all obstacles, the Editor and Hon.
Secretary decided to sample Wales as a fern-hunting field.
Accommodation for two was obtained with some difficulty
in a remote part of Merionethshire (Dinas Mawddwy), and
a happy, though somewhat strenuous, period of ten days
during August was spent in assiduous hunting. The
district is naturally a beautiful one, but had_been«sadly

Fs

2,
“ \)

Nad) ve

32

marred, from the picturesque point of view. through the
almost entire denudation of the hills and valleys by the
cutting of the timber. Notwithstanding this skinning
process the district abounded in ferns, but did not come up
to our expectations in the matter of varieties. The geolog-
ical formation was entirely slate and the number of species
found was greatly limited by this monotony. The prevail-
ing species in the lanes were the lady fern and the male
fern, with a small proportion of L. dilatata and L. montana,
and a very sparse sprinkling of Blechnum spicant. The
hills were hummocks of slate with smooth and steep sides,
and were often unclimbable except by the gullies down
which water had rushed at some time or other. Most of
these gullies were now dry or contained only a trickle of
water. ‘The steep sides of the hills were clothed by bracken
interspersed with L. montana, the latter species sometimes
covering large tracts of ground. Great numbers of these
plants were examined, with some difficulty, and not
without danger to life and limb in places, but few variations
of importance were discovered. Probably the best thing
found was a neat congesta form of L. montana by Mr.
Cranfield. Other forms of this species were a subplumosa,
a foliosa, a narrow form resembling pseudo-mas Pinderii,
and a variegata, the last, however, being not thorough.
Two or three fronds were beautifully marbled, the rest
being green. It is hoped that something may be got from
it, by spores or otherwise. High up in the gullies the
Parsley and Beech Ferns were found sparingly, and of
the latter the curious laciniate and _ tripinnatifid form
fioured by Lowe and Druery under the inappropriate name
of multifidum. Although some of the fronds are very
beautiful and distinct (much better than the figure above

mentioned), as in previous finds of this singular form,
there was always a proportion of normal ones, and so the
variation could not be regarded as constant. Congested
aud foliose forms of L. filex-mas and Athyrium f.-femina
were noted, and of the latter species was seen a form with
very stiff and rigid footstalks and perfectly upright habit.
This latter was left behind, rather to our subsequent regret,
as we thought it might have been useful for crossing with
some of the more pendulous plumose varieties in order to
correct a weak habit. Of Pelystichums we saw none, and
Aspleniums (frichomanes, ad-nigrum, ruta-muraria and
Ceterach) were found only sparingly in the mortared walls
of the villages. Scolopendrium vulgare was scarcer still,
only very tiny scraps being seen in the walls.

We learnt afterwards that our friend, Mr. G. C. Druce
(a hunter, however, of species rather than of varieties)
had found in the Cader Idris district Aspleniwm german-
icum and A. septentrionale and Woodsia ilvensis. That rich
botanical region, although not many miles away, was
practically inaccessible to us as the only motor car in the
neighbourhood was away undergoing repairs and we were
restricted in our wanderings to the use of ‘* Shanks’s pony.”

We enjoyed a pleasant and health-giving holiday, but we
cannot recommend the clistrict as a rich one for the purposes
of our Society.

The Editor will be obliged to any member or reader
who can supply him with Aspleniwm Adiantum-nigrum
microdon or A. lanceolatuwm microdon, cither for cash or
exchange. The plants are required for a scientific purpose,
viz., experiments in raising them from spores in order to
determine, if possible, the parentage of these varieties or
liybrids.

34

Members who have not paid their subscriptions are
requested kindly to forward same to the Hon. Secretary,
Mr. W. B. Cranfield, East Lodge, Enfield Chase,
Middlesex, without further delay.

NEW FERN.
SCOLOPENDRIUM V. ACROCLADON. BucHAN-HEPBURN.

We have received, through our President, Mr. Alex
Cowan, a frond of a fine ramosissimum form of Scolopen.
drium vulgare, found some years ago by our member, Sir
Archibald Buchan-Hepburn, at Logan, Wigtonshire. It
branches and re-branches in rachis and lamina, thus
forming a fan-shaped frond which terminates in hundreds
of sharp, projecting points. Although forms resembling
this have doubtless been raised from spores, we are not
aware that anything quite like it has been previously
recorded as a wild find. It corresponds fairly well to the
variety acrocladon in Athyrium filix-feemina and P. angu-
lare,and may quite well bear the name at the head of this
paragraph.

FERNS AND SHOWS.

Ferns and Shows! ‘‘ What have they in commcn ? ”
is perhaps the first thought of the collector. This delightful
hobby of ours, which leads us far afield. into deep lanes and
mossy woods, and where cool streams refresh the mountain
side, why should we think of it in connection with the glare
and heat of the exhibition tent—why should we coax our
favourites from thir quiet nooks and constrain them to
stand on show ? Half our joy comes from the seclusion of

our treasures, shall we not rob them of their charm by
courting the public eye ?

There is undoubtedly much truth in all this; still, one of
the truest instincts of the collector is the wish to share his
pleasures. Who ever rode a hobby untouched by the desire
to demonstrate the beauty of its paces? Fern lovers who
believe in their cult will not shrink from the dissemination
of their secrets even if they have to face a Show.

Where native ferns are concerned there is at hand a
considerable bastion of prejudice. It is composed cf
various elements ; but the chief is sheer stark ignorance, and
our problem is :—How can it best be stormed? There
would be good hope could we bring it within reach of the
beauty of our fern paradises; but this being out of the
question, bastions are bastions, the most hopeful method
seems to be the marshalling of our ranks of loveliness,
and leading them bravely to the assault, until ignorance
melts into appreciation.

And native ferns can make conquests at shows. Readers
of the GAZETTE will remember a plate (Vol. 3,.p. 63) por-
traying a set of six which won at the Royal Horticultural
Society’s Show in Dublin. In the ferns themselves there
was nothing exceptional: doubtless many of our members
said, as they looked at this picture, *‘ Mine would beat
those”’; nevertheless, the Horticultural Society appre-
ciated them so thoroughly that it selected the exhibit for
illustration, and the plate which appeared in the GAzETTE
had been engraved for the Society’s Journal. The truth is
that there are few shows where good varieties are not a
revelation. “‘ Why,” you may hear the visitors exclaim,
‘they are equal to any in our greenhouses,” and there are
many who readily rank them with the best exhibits that
the show contains,

wu)
Oo

This being so, it becomes a duty to introduce our treasures
to the wider circle whose admiration awaits them, and it is
worth while to consider the circumstances which govern
success in preparing for shows. Everything may be said
to hinge upon ‘‘ condition.” Judges who credit what they
see are blind to what was seen the week before, and to
what may be seen the week after. Even when the judges
thoroughly understand their subject—and this is not often
the case with judges of native ferns—no matter how fine the
specimens, or how rare the varieties, they will have to
yield to others whose intrinsic merit is inferior, if they
either have not reached, or have outpassed their best on
the day of the show. Form and colour seem the most
important points. To secure first honours the specimens
must bear a sufficient number of fully expanded fronds to
exhibit all the typical characteristics of the variety, and
the colour must be such as would be seen in Nature’s
favourite haunts, a green whose fresh, rich beauty is
unmarred either by sun or time.

To ensure these conditions at a given date some care and
forethought are necessary. Many plants from which to
choose and a variety cf places for their growth are the
keys to success. It is well to make a rough selection
months before the show : do it in winter before the fronds
begin to move. If you are required to set up six aim at
having as many as eighteen from which to choose. Ferns
are less likely to disappoint than the majority of exhibition
plants, but it would be rash in the extreme to select only
the required number and expect them all to develop to
perfection. When the selection is made, the positions
chosen for growth will vary according as the show is early or
late. Adequate protection from frost must be at hand

for all; but, in addition, the hcuses chosen, and the positions
in the house, will vary as to aspect and heat according as
the grower desires to hasten or retard; and the same,
though in a more limited degree, applies with reference to
ferneries in the open air. Particularly valuable is a deeply
sunk frame or pit, out of reach of sun or wind, whose
“lights” can be easily removed or replaced as weather
may require. |

Should it be thought desirable, I shall be happy to devote
a future paper to an examination of the varieties which
prove most attractive at shows. I fancy, however, that
this is unnecessary in a journal devoted to experts, and I
shall content myself with saying that all is likely to go well
if your collection is sufficiently large, and you can command
a variety of sites for growing.

The time when the ferns should be placed in their exhibi-
tion pots will be governed by the rules of the show. Where
the size of the pots is not specified, plants may be lifted
from an out-of-doors fernery the day before they are
wanted. In my last winning stand of six, two came from
the open, and went back to it, little, if at all, the worse, the
day atter the show. More difficulty is experienced when
pots of a limited size, eight, or even seven inches at the rim,
are expected. In such pots, remarkably fine specimens
can be grown, but the potting ought to be done in the
winter, and great care as to drainage and watering is
essential.

In staging my ferns, when at last they reach the show,
what I aim at is symmetry and similarity of colour. Atten-
tion is given to these points throughout, but it is sometimes
astonishing how different plants look in the comforts of
their home from the appearance they present when mar-

38

shalled in the artificial atmosphere of the tent or public
hall. Some, whose colour you thought auite satisfactory,
refuse to look well in the new light, others seem unwilling.
to accommodate their shapes to their new surroundings.
An exhibitor who desires to appear at full strength will
guard against such disappointments by taking with him
a reserve supply of specimens. Only thus can due pre-
caution be taken against the difficulties of novel light and

unexpected situations.
H. Kinesmitt Moors.

Our contributor does well to point to the importance of
‘condition’ (7.e., healthy colour and symmetry of
erowth) as governing success on the exhibition table.
We have often noticed that a well-grown and well-coloured
specimen of a quite ordinary variety will elicit far more
admiration from the unlearned visiting friend than an
inferiorly developed plant of the rarest and most advanced
variety of the same, or another, species. This preference is
both natural and right, and ferns, like other plants, must
be judged by their immediate effect. The expert, of
course, looks beyond this, and sees in a fern, not only
what it is now, but also what it ought to be under proper
conditions. We must not, however, expect this prophetic
eye to be used at a show, since the display is to appeal
to all observers.—EDITor.

BIOLOGICAL QUESTIONS.

To the Editor of THE British FeRN GAZETTE.
Dear S1rx,—Last Spring I gave an address on “** British
Fern Varieties’ to the members of the Toynbee Natural
History Society, exhibiting a number of fronds, both fresh

and pressed, to illustrate the subject, in default of lantern
slides. This has been followed by a request from the
South London Natural History Society that I would fill a
gap in their lecture list by giving the same paper. I agreed,
and the address was given to them on the 12th inst.

Tt has occurred to me that the main lines of the paper,
with the questions and criticism evoked, might be of interest,
so I give a brief account.

As Natural History was the main concern of the two
societies, [ endeavoured, as far as possible, to dea! with the
purely scientific aspects of British Ferns and their culture,
and did not unduly emphasise the horticultural value of
the plants. Thus, I gave a short account of apospory and
apogamy, and pointed out how directly their discovery and
investigation had depended upon fern cultivation. In
connection with this, various other methods of propagation
were mentioned (as additional to the normal propagation
by spores), such as offsets and bulbils, and especially the
many examples of induced bulbils on frond bases. etc.

Particular stress was laid on the great number of wild
finds, and this led to mention of the many beautiful strains
directly originating from these wild variations.

The raising of undoubted hybrids was mentioned, and a
frond of Polypodium vulg. multifido-elegantissimum formed
a very apt illustration of this. The raising of P. Schneider-
zanum formed a fitting conclusion to this branch of the
subject.

Then a description of the various types, such as crested.
plumose, congestas, etc., was given, and it was note:L that
barren plumose forms gave a clue to an explanation as being
due to diverted spore-energy.

{ cannot at all complain of lack of interest on the part of

40

the audiences. On both occasions many questions were
asked at the conclusion of the addresses. At Toynbee
there seemed to be great surprise at the wonderful preserva-
tion of some of the evergreen fronds, such as P. v. Cambricwm
and nulcherrumum, and especially of Polystichum ang. div.
stipulatum (Carbonell) after such hard winter weather, the
fronds in question being from outdoor plants. The botan-
ical section brought up the usual remarks, very delicately,
it is true, as to ‘‘ mere monstrosities,’ but generally [ found
the extent of variation and the attempts to explain it were
siving the botanical minds ** furiously to think.”

At South London three main lines of questions were
raised :—(1) Whether the fact that spore-formation diverted
was the origin of much variation did not reduce the import-
ance of the instances, as they would be unable ta propagate
in nature ? This I countered by alluding to the multitude
of fertile varietal forms, especially in cristatas. (2) Why
varieties tend to “ go under’ in a wild state. “This Pex.
plained as well as [ could, and stated the ease of raisme
numbers of true instances under e¢lass, as proving the
arguments. (3) A number of requests as to any economic
value in ferns, which the back numbers of the GAZETTE
enabled me to answer.

The main drawback to my effort was the lack of fronds in
my possession, of undoubted wild finds. In anticipation of
any possible future ‘‘ Fern Talks,” it would be of great
assistance if any member of our Society cared to send me a
frond or two of such forms, for pressing, or, if preferred,
small offsets for growing in garden. The way in which
botanists in the past tended to rank the varieties as
‘“ species ’’ naturally gave great prominence to this matter
of wild origin. 'To guard against sending forms I already

4]

possess, I should prefer correspondence, or mention in

GazETTE if possible, as a preliminary, thus saving wasted

effort.

Francis W. THORRINGTON.
‘** Ferncote,’’ Emerson Park,
Hornchurch, Essex.

We are glad that our correspondent is interesting natural
history societies in the biclogical problems, of which
there are many, presented by our British ferns and their
varieties. Some of these have been discussed by the late
Mr. Druery and others in previous numkers of the GAZETTE.
The theory of diverted spore energy, as accounting for
luxuriant leafy development, for instance, is attractive,
and seems to apply in many cases, such as the barren
plumocse forms of Polypodium vulgare, Scol. vulgare,
Asplenium trichomanes, Lastrea montana, ete., but there
are some perplexing facts which do not quite ** fit in.”’
Many of the best plumose varieties of Athurium f.-f. for
instance, are abundantly fertile, e.g., all Mr. Druery’s
‘superbum ”’ series, the Horsfall variety, and Kalothrix.
In P angulare again, Wollaston’s plumosum is a free
spore bearer, and almost all the plimose forms will bear
spores occasionally, even the most highly developed of the
plumose-divisilobe strain ; in fact, we are only aware of
tro plumose angulares which have proved, so far, in-
variably barren. These are the old plumosum of Elworthy
and Moly’s plumosum grande. Again, the occasionally
fertile plumosums are not less luxuriant in development
when fertile than when they are sterile. Among Poly-
podiums also, the variety pulcherrimum and the Oxford
omnilacerun., both abundant spore-bearers, are as foliose
as any of the Cambricum section. We have sent Mr,
Thorrington a frond each of two exceedingly massive and

leafy Polystichums, viz., Mr. Cranfield’s aculeatum densum,
and a giant foliose angulare rotundatum, found by the
Editor, both of which produce spores in such abundance
as to actually weigh down the fronds when the spores
are fully developed. Although diverted spore energy is
probably a factor in the production of excessive leafiness,
it is obvious that there are other factors to be con-
sidered. —EpITor.

GOING BLIND.

This mysterious malady, as affecting ferns, is sometimes
extremely perplexing to the cultivator. It occurs generally
when the plant is in a depressed state of health, as after an
injudicious removal, or a dry time, or an attack of insect
pests. The fern suddenly ceases to produce fronds, the
crown becomes hard, and there are ‘* no eggs in the nest.”
Growth comes to a complete standstill, even though both
roots and fronds may be apparently healthy. The roots,
however, generally die before long and the fronds gradually
begin to look sickly. Sometimes the condition comes on
not as the result of any discernible check, but may occur
immediately after a period of exuberant growth, apparently
as a kind of vital or systemic exhaustion. The ferns most
liable to it are the Polystichums, especially the more highly
developed varieties of P. angulare, e.g., the forms of brachiato-
cristatum and pulcherrimum. It occurs also among
Scolopendriums, and has been seen in Lastrea montana, but
is very rare in Athyrium, Lastrea filix-mas and L. dilatata.
The only normal species in which we remember to have seen
it was Lastrea rigida, and this was a plant which had been
much neglected. If, in this blind condition, the plant be

ei

43

simply left to its own devices, it will probably die, but,
as a rule, its life can be saved by careful treatment and
sometimes, indeed, the trouble may become a blessing in
disguise by causing the crown to break up into a multitude
of buds and thus making stock of a rare variety. The
treatment consists in carefully conserving what life is left
in the plant, and waiting for Nature to make a fresh start.
Should the roots be dead or in unsuitable soil, it may be
wise to shake out the old soil and re-pot or re-plant in the
best stuff available. Should the roots appear healthy they
may be left alone, but the plant must not be overwatered,
nor must it be allowed to become dry. ‘The most important
thing, however is to preserve the existing fronds, as they may
have to serve the plant for two or three years. By means
of a bell glass or similar protection they can generally be
kept green for at least two seasons. No frond, however
shabby, should be removed until absolutely dead. Even-
tually a fresh start is made either by a bud appearing in the
centre of the blind crown, or by a number of little crowns
forming around the base of the old one, or the whole blind
crown may develop into a cauliflower-like mass and thus
give rise to a large number of fresh growing points. The
plant must be carefully nursed until these are large enough
to be separated, and then the whole mass may be split up
into its constituent parts, and these, in turn, must be
carefully tended until they become established as inde-
pendent individuals. The tiniest scraps, even if quite
devoid of roots, will generally grow if placed round the
edge of a small pot and covered by a bell glass. We
believe that most of the existing plants of P. aculeatum
pulcherrimum plumosum, Green: have arisen from a single
bulbil on Mr. Green’s original plant, which, in Mr. Druery’s

44

hands, developed into a ‘* cauliflower.’ Again, a bulbil of
P. angulare d. p. Baldwinti, given to the writer by Mr.
Henwood, went blind after a severe winter, and remained
apparently dead until the following autumn (1917) when a
very small green bud appeared in its centre. Next year it
became a bunch which was split up into thirteen fragments,
all of which grew into healthy plants, the largest having
now fronds ten inches long. Thus, as the result of this
apparent catastrophe, quite a number of friends have
obtained plants of a choice variety for which they might
otherwise have had to wait for many years.

fi Was:

A GLOSSARY.
NAMES OF VARIETIES OF BritTisH FERNS.

The inception of this.column is due to a suggestion from
the Rev. Canon Kingsnull Moore, who is collaborating
with the Editor in its compilation. The varieties will be
taken in approximately alphabetical order under their
respective species, also in alphabetical order. It is not
proposed to translate names which are closely allied to
English words, and the meaning of which is therefore self-
evident, such as acutum, obtusum, densum, laxum, ete.
Members are invited to ask for further elucidation of any
explanations which they may find unsatisfying or obscure.

(An instalment of the glossary will be published in our

next issue.)

THE DISADVANTAGES OF FERN HUNTING.
To the Editor of THe BririzH FERN GAZETTE.
Sir,—We have heen told, from time to time, a great deal
«bout the delights and advantages of fern hunting. I should

like, with your permission, to say a little on the other side.
The enthusiastic hunter goes out full of hope and looking
in every corner to find a great prize. Generally speaking,
he does not find it, but he finds many small departures from
the normal. At first he leaves these as not worth troubling
about, but at last, tired or ashamed of an empty bag, he
begins to pick up the inferior things and takes them home
in the hope that they may improve or that ** something
may be raised from them.” They do not improve, but he
has not the courage to throw them away, and so his garden
gradually becomes choked with poor things of his own
finding. He has little or no room for the many beautiful
things found (at rare times) or raised by others, and so his
garden is found a disappointment by his non-hunting
visitor, who picks up good things from every available
source and prides himself upon growing only the best. The
visitor goes away saying under his breath, ** What a pity he
does not clear out that rubbish and make room for some-
thing worth growing?” Another evil is that the hunter has
little or no time to make his garden beautiful, since he is
away hunting for the elusive phantom prize when be might
be cultivating his garden, and so doing justice to the many
beautiful ferns to be had for little or nothing. Whie
pursuing a shadow he is losing the substance. Of course,
it is every man to his taste, but give me the pleasures of a
garden full of the best ferns, of which there are enough for
me already.—I am, Sir,
Yours contentedly,
“* Stay-AT-HomeE.”
We have charitably allowed our correspondent to hide
his identity under a pseudonym. He takes an extreme
view, but there is a method in his madness, and we may

46

iearn something from his eccentricity. He, however,
admits that good things have been found at rare times
*‘ by others.” Jf by others why not by himself? Most
hunters will probably plead guilty to having, at times,
taken home third-rate things as finds, saying, or rather
feeling, with Touchstone, ‘* an ill-favoured thing, sir, but
mine own.’ If a man chooses even to fill his garden with
personai finds to the exclusion of possibly better things
it is his own affair. Jt is, however, a good thing some-
times to take stock of our finds and to discard those
which are manifestly inferior to others of similar char-
acter 7.¢., as our correspondent crudely puts it, ‘* to clear
out the rubbish.” —Eprror.

=o Ohe =...

British Fern
Gazctte.

PUBLISHED QUARTERLY.

iz 2 Or en
LE x taian Institations,
a .

MAK 22 1928 )

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December, 1919.

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EDITED BY

F. W. STANSFIELD, M.D.

PUBLISHED BY

THE BRITISH PTERIDOLOGICAL SOCIETY

(Hon. Sec. and Hon. Treasurer, W. B. Cranfield, East Lodge, Enfield Chase,
Middlesex).

KENDAL, WESTMORLAND.

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THE Pra a

BRITISH FERN GAZETTE.

NEW. SERIES.

VoL. 4. DECEMBER, 1919. No. 4.
CONTENTS. Si vesn
EpirorniaL Notes... 508 5B8 ae ane Soc pn 47
New Fern (Polystichum angulare divisilobum percristatum), 48
Stansfield.
Fern Cuat (Mr. H. Stansfieid) ... se a = eae 49
WINTER AND SPRING WoRK (F.W.S.) ... ae Ses Su: 52
FerRNS IN GeEoLoGicAL AGEs (H. Correvon, translated by 53
H. Stansfield)
A GuLossaRY OF FERN NAMES ss... Ae aoe ie one 57

EDITORIAL NOTES.

The Editor regrets that the GazETre has fallen behind
its proper date of appearance. This lack of punctuality
is due to a combination of causes of which the most im-
portant was the holding up of the June number by the
difficulty and delay in the arrangements for the Annual
Meeting. We hope to return by degrees to the normal
date of issue.

We have received from Mr. B. Wall, of 393, Heneage
Road, Grimsby, a letter and sketch describing a miniature
fern case, 3 feet by 2 feet, which he has arranged upon a
table outside a window in his backyard, and in which he
succeeds in growing quite a number of ferns, including
Blechnums, Scolopendriums, Cystopteris, Aspleniums, &c.
Mr. Wall manages to grow A. Ruta-muraria by picking
holes in a piece of tufa. The Aspleniwms are planted in
the holes and the tufa is suspended by wire from a rod near

48

the roof of the case. This is an ingenious plan which may
be tried by others who have more space at their disposal
than has our correspondent. Many people find difficulty
in keeping Ruta-muraria and Ceterach for any length of
time. Mr. Wall finds spent hops from a brewery to answer
instead of leaf-mould. We presume he keeps the hops
until well decayed before using them; otherwise moulds
-and other fungi would probably be found troublesome.

Members who have not paid their subscriptions will
oblige by sending a remittance at once to the Hon-Secretary.
Mr. W. B. Cranfield, East Lodge, Enfield Chase, Middlesex.
Literary contributions to the GazEeTtTEe should be sent to
Dr. Stansfield, 120, Oxford Road, Reading.

NEW FERN.

POLYSTICHUM ANGULARE DIVISILOBUM PERCRISTATUM.

We have received from Rev. E. H. Hawkins, of Stroud,
a plant of an interesting cross-bred Polystichum angulare,
in which are combined the characters of a divisilobum and
a percristatum. Mr. Hawkins received it, as a small plant,
from Mr. H. Stansfield, by whom it was raised. From its
appearance we imagine it to be a cross between divisilobum
proliferum, Bagge (otherwise Henleyw), and percristatum,
Moly. ‘The presumed parents are among the best forms
of the sections to which they belong, and the offspring is
likely to be more stable in character than, for instance,
numerous crosses between the polydactylous and divisilobe
sections. We have named the seedling, provisionally,
P. a, divisilobum percristatum, Stansfield. It promises to
be a neat thing.

49

FERN CHAT.

Perhaps the most constant variety of all our British
ferns, that is, the one repeating itself with the greatest
fidelity from spores, is Osmunda regalis cristata. One may
examine tens of thousands of these without encountering
the shghtest improvement upon or retrogression from the
parent plant. Another very fixed and constant fern is
L. p. m. crispa cristata. With the exception of Sang’s
angustate seedling, which is remarkably good, no other
break has yet been observed. Individual plants of Sang’s
variety vary much more among themselves than do L. p. m.
crispa cristata, and it is through the angustate types that
we must look for improvements in this section in the future.
L. p. m. crispa gracilis has for a long time sustained its
reputation as a constant and immutable variety, although
recent sowings show a distinct attempt at furcation or
subcristation of the tips of the fronds which was absent in
the seedlings of 50 years ago, and which is likely to become
accentuated in seedlings in the future.

It is a singular thing that it appears to be a difficult
matter for some ferns (Scolopendriums more particularly)
possessing two combined characters, of which cristation is
one, to transmit both characters unimpaired to posterity.
The cristate character is likely to improve, but the advance
in cristation is usually at the expense of the associated
character, which is often more or less obliterated. It will
be noticed that the undulation in S. v. crispum fimbriatum
grandiceps has given place to heavier cresting and a more
branching habit, and the fern is now scarcely recognisable
as a form of crispum. Scol v. spirale was originally a plant
whose fronds were entire. In course of time a slightly
multifid type was evolved, sowings from which in three or
four generations resulted in a race in which not only the

50

undulations but the whole body of the frond actually
disappeared, nothing remaining but a dense mass of
cristation, the plants on the whole becoming slightly
dwarfed in the transformation. The now well known
S. v. condensatum is the plant in question.

Why should one sowing of S. v. c. fimbriatum produce a
full crop of true seedlings and another sowing from the
same plant produce only a small proportion of true forms,
and the remainder almost normal S. vulgare? It has often
occurred to the writer that the earliest conditions of growth
from sowing until fronding may have some influence in
determining the future characters of some of the more
unstable varieties of hardy ferms. If the spores are of
high germinating power, and sown as soon as ripe, there
will be a greater proportion of true seedlings than would
have been the case had the conditions been less congenial.
If the seedlings come away quickly, and the period of
commencing growth happens to synchronise with good
atmospheric conditions (warm, moist and not too sunny
weather) then the highest type of character may be ex-
pected. Sowings of S. v. sagittato-projectum not unfre-
quently result in nothing but normal vulgare when the
weather conditions are not good (say in June), whereas
another sowing which matures in early autumn may contain
a reasonable proportion of characteristic plants.

Ferns, in common with human beings, are benefited bya
change from one part of the country to another. The
writer attributes his first bumper crop of S. v. crispum
fimbriatum (2,000 plants all of the very best type) to a
removal from a cold damp sunless district to a drier air,
sunnier and warmer conditions, and a limestone soil.
We are all familiar with the general practice of importing
‘seed’ potatoes from North to South. Scotch grown

ol

tubers planted in Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, or Cheshire,
produce a 30 per cent. better crop than tubers locally
grown. ‘The changed conditions appear to revivity and to
bring into active operation certain capacities for growth
and development which under the first set of conditions
might have remained dormant for ever. The same thing
holds good with ferns as with potatoes.

The sex feminine or neuter of bees can be regulated at
will by giving a special diet whilst in the immature stage of
development. This special diet stimulates the develop-
ment of certain organs which otherwise would have atro-
phied or become abortive. If queen bees can by a diet of
royal food be manufactured from prospective neuters, it
would seem not improbable that the earliest conditions
prevailing during fern life may have a deciding influence
on the subsequent character of the plant. These observa-
tions are made with special reference to S. v. c. fimbriatum.
If the deep cutting is not visible on the earliest fronds,
there is little likelihood of its being acquired in later life.

There are some ferns which usually produce a proportion
of pigmies in each crop of seedlings. Blechnum spicant
ramo-cristatum is facile princeps as a pigmy producer.
This tendency is so ingrained in the nature of the plant,
that it is doubtful if any full crop of this fern has ever been
brought forward which did not include more or less of the
pigmy, B. sp. Maunderit among the brood. Another
pigmy-breeding fern is Scol v. crispum muricatum. Mr.
Lowe, some thirty years ago, exhibited a few sample
fronds from pigmies of this variety, and every sowing of
S. v. muricatum here in recent vears has contributed its
quota of about 2 per cent. of pigmies. Pigmies have also
been raised from A. f.-f. acrocladon, A. f.-f. gemmaium,

52

Cyst. Dickieana, and most of the curiosum section of
Scolopendrium.

Your readers may not all be familiar with C. Dichkieana
crispa. This fern appears to be now extinct, but was well
known and much sought after forty or fifty years ago. It
is a fern of an intensely dark but vivid shade of green, and
crows not more than two inches. It will undoubtedly
reappear sooner or later if the parent is persistently and
extensively sown.

H. STANSFIELD.

WINTER AND SPRING WORK.

The present mild winter is, on the whole, favourable to
ferns, both in the open air and under glass. The fronds of
the evergreen species remain fresh and continue to perform
their vegetative functions, so that the fronds of the coming
season, now being formed, are more thoroughly elaborated
than if the old fronds had been destroyed in the autumn.
The danger is from a too early start, and a subsequent
check from frosts in April and May. To guard against
this, frames and houses should be opened freely to prevent
rise of temperature from imprisoned sun heat. Ferns in
the open may be kept back to some extent by covering roots
and crowns with a layer of dry leaves so as to prevent the
premature stimulation of growth by the direct heat of the
sun. Take care that ferns under glass do not suffer from
dryness. The roots are active and water is required, though
less, of course, than during the season of rapid growth.
Slugs and snails are more or less alert during the mild
weather, and can be trapped by laying down cabbage leaves
or pieces of board or slate, under which the vermin will
shelter during the day. There are also some hybernating

53

specimens of the green and white fly which are only waiting
the coming of slightly warmer weather before beginning to
feed and multiply. An occasional syringing of the under-
sides of the fronds of evergreen ferns, and of the crowns of
deciduous species, with insecticide (abol, nicotine soap,
etc.) will well repay the trouble by killing these advance
guards of the hosts of vermin. The insecticide can be
applied now in stronger solution (say double strength) than
when the fronds are growing, and so may kill even eggs
under some circumstances. It will, in any case, render the
fronds distasteful or poisonous to the newly hatched larvee.

F.W.S.

FERNS IN GHOLOGICAL AGES.
Translated (and abridged) from Correvon’s ** Fougeres
Rustiques”” by H. STANSFIELD.

In examining the various strata of the earth’s crust, we
find printed as in the leaves of a book, the history of the
development of organised beings. We now know that the
vegetation which covers our globe has very often changed
in aspect and in nature since the appearance of the first
plants in the waters of the Cambrian Period. Represented
at first by very simple forms (fwct and alga), vegetation has
later assumed forms diverse and varied. These simple
forms of vegetable life were (after or during the lapse of
countless ages) succeeded by more complex types, the
changes, of course, being very gradual and imperceptible.
Later still, the world continued to alter and develop. The
land appeared, and under the influence of an atmosphere
saturated with moisture and surcharged with carbon
dioxide, there grew to immense heights and in the form of
giant trees, the ancestors and predecessors of the lowly

O4

ferns and mosses of our woods at the present time. During
a long series of ages vegetation assumed exaggerated and
grotesque forms, and took on gigantic proportions suggestive
of our present-day ferns run mad, or as seen in some awful
nightmare. Thanks to the heat which escaped from her
steaming bulk, the climate of our earth showed no difference
either in season or in temperature, the latter being at that
time perfectly uniform from pole to pole, and very high in
comparison with present-day temperatures. The fossils
found in Spitzbergen and Greenland are therefore identical
with those found in tropical countries. Vegetation was
at that time entirely cryptogamic, and included nothing but
acotyledonous subjects such as Filices, Lycopods, Equi-
setums, Lepidodendra, &c. Some Cycads appeared, how-
ever, towards the end of this period, probably when the
sun’s rays commenced to pierce the clouds, and to permit
the development of plants better organised. In the
semi-obscurity of an atmosphere charged with vapour, we
can understand that cryptogams alone would be able to
live and develop. The air at that time contained twenty
times its present proportion of carbon dioxide, and flower-
ing plants could not exist in the lower regions to which this
heavy gas would naturally gravitate.

It is estimated that upon the summits of the mountains.
which were then much higher than they are now, the
atmospheric equilibrium would be first established and that
plants resembling our alpine flora might there be able to
live and multiply. We must therefore look to these
mountain solitudes as the creating force of the phanero-
gamic flora.

In the deep shade of the plains some Lycopods attained
a height of forty yards. Immense Lepidodendra of fantastic
appearance, enormous Equisetums (whose forms and extra-

5d

ordinary dimensions appeared to give them a place apart
from all others in the vegetable world, and of which the
Equisetums of our woods and fields are the diminutive and
infinitely small representatives) constituted the base of the
vegetation of the coal period. In some coal fields fossil
trunks have been found measuring forty feet in circum-
ference, and belonging to plants of the Lycopodium family,
that is to say, to a kind of moss! Is it possible that our
humble and inconspicuous mosses of the present day have
had for ancestors trees of such stupendous magnitude as
the prehistoric giants in question? That the mighty have
indeed fallen there is no room for doubt.

Little by little, all these plants—Sigillarias, Lepidodendra,
Calamites, &c.—very abundant at the commencement of
the carboniferous epoch, seemed to dwindle and diminish
and to give place to the newly arrived ferns which pre-
dominated towards the end of this period. Ferns and
mosses now reigned supreme, the former rearing their
columned trunks higher than the tallest trees of our actual
forests, and spreading the bewitching tracery of their
gracetul fronds through space as though in silent benediction
of the dying denizens of the forest beneath.

More than 900 species of fossil ferns, in more than 160
families, have already been discovered and_ classified.
Many of these species have now totally disappeared from
the terrestrial flora, but some kinds still exist at the present
time. The genus Phegopteris, which exists in Europe in a
living state, belongs to these distant ages. Fossil specimens
have been found which approach very nearly to our present-
day Cyatheas. Heer mentions among others, Pecopteris
Cyathea, which belongs to the carboniferous ages, and of
which we still find similar forms in hot countries.

It is this vast vegetable mass which, thanks to the high

56

proportion of carbon dioxide contained in the atmosphere,
has formed the coal. During this epoch when the air
was saturated with carbon, animal life was almost non-
existent upon the earth, because carbon dioxide, which is
par excellence the life and soul of plants, is inimical to
animal life. With the exception of reptiles, fishes, and
seme molluses, all the animal debris discovered amid the
fossils of this period belong to primitive beings and simple
organisms. ‘The fiery air was then filled with suffocating
vapours escaping from the soil. The earth was shrouded
in thick clouds showing the high temperature of the soil,
which converted to vapour much more water than is the
case to-day.

This was the golden age for ferns—superb, they domi-
nated the whole landscape, raising their stately heads in
regal splendour towards heaven with grace and with
majesty. Alas! what has become of them, and why are
these glorious queens of the coalfield vegetation fallen from
their former high estate to one of humble dependence,
seeking and begging the protection of trees and of rocks,
and hiding themselves, timid and ashamed, at the feet of
creat trees ? Plants,at one time among the ancestors of
the vegetable world, appear now to fly and to hide them-
selves in the shade; they have suffered as from a curse
and a degeneration.

Meanwhile, what beauty and grace! What delicacy of
outline and lightness in their graceful carriage and the
stately grandeur of their magnificent foliage! They are
still full of charms these marvellous sirens of our woods.

Let us remember in seeing them now so humble and so
small, that they once had an epoch of power and great
glory. That this glory is immortal, and that it is preserved
for the history of the vegetable world in the depths of those

57

black beds which they have so effectually contributed to
form, and which are and will be in the future the sources
of heat and of life, of which our present age, so old, decrepit
and decayed, has so much need.

A GLOSSARY OF FERN NAMES.
ADIANTUM CAPILLUS-VENERIS
admirabile—to be wondered at, or admired.
Cornubiense—coming from Cornubia (Cornwall).
Daphnites—resembling a laurel (Daphne—a laurel).
fimbriatum—tringed.
fissum—cleft, split (7.e., the pinnules).
umbricatum—overlapping like tiles (imbrex, a tile).
meisum—cut into, slashed, or cut through.
kalon—beautiful.
optandum—to be desired.
plumosum-—teathery.
ASPLENIUM ADIANTUM-NIGRUM
caudifolium—(lit. tail-leaved) having the segments
ending in tails.
flabellatum—fan-shaped.
lineare—very narrow segments (an extreme form of
acutum)
microdon—having short or small teeth.
ramosum—branched (ramus, a branch).
Serpentini—trom the Serpentine geological formation
(a distinct round-lobed form found only on this
rock in Scotland).
varvegatum—particoloured.
ASPLENIUM CETERACH
crenatum—notched, cut with circular incisures (crena,
a cranny).

58

ASPLENIUM FONTANUM
refractum—broken back, or bent downwards (2.e.,
the pinne).
ASPLENIUM LANCEOLATUM
microdon—(as in A. Ad. nigrum).
ASPLENIUM MARINUM
embricatum—tiled (pinne overlapping like the tiles of
a roof). A typical example of this character.
lineare—segments narrow and supralineate.
multifurcatum—many-forked.
multipinnatum—liiterally, having many pinne. This
variety, however, had a sub-bipinnate character.
plumosum—feathery ; comparable to var. Cambricum
in Polypodium vulgare. This, the finest variety of
A. marinum, is almost, but not quite, extinct.
ramosum—branched (see under A. Ad. nigrum).
ASPLENIUM TRICHOMANES
bipinnatum—pinnex again pinnate, like little fronds.
confluens—flowing together. The name is strictly
applicable only to the upper part of the frond.
dendroidewum—tree-like (really a ramosum).
depauperatum—poverty-stricken, lacking in parts.
embricatum—(as in A. marinum).
ramo-cristatum—branched and crested.
vamosum—(as in A. Ad. nigrum).
ATHYRIUM FILIX-F@:MINA
abasilobum—lacking the basal lobe.
acuminatum—made sharp, drawn out.
acrocladon—with branching end (akros, extremity, and
cladon, a branch).
amenum—pleasant, agreeable.
augustum—Nnalrrow.
angustatum—made narrow.

59

ATHYRIUM FILIX-F@MINA—continued

adlulterum—of mixed blood.

anomalum—uneven (7.e., deviating from the rule).

apicale—relating to the summit or apex (probably a
figurative expression implying a superlative).

apiovdes—parsley-like.

apucforme—fish-shaped (apua or aphye, a small fish).

arbusculum—a little tree.

attenuatum—made slender, drawn out.

brachiatum—tfurnished with arms.

brachypteron—short-winged (having short pinne).
calomelanos—dark and beautiful (*‘ Black am I, but
comely ’’).

canaliculatum—having little channels (in the rachis).

capittatum—having a head.

Caput-Meduse—* The Medusa’s Head” (hair like
snakes).

caudatum—tailed.

caudiculatum—having little tails.

caudigerum—bearing tails.

centiceps—hundred-headed.

cephalomanes—a thin or iax head (derivation slightly
obscure, possibly means a large head).

ceratophyllum—horn-leaved (7.e., fronds shaped lke
horns).

clarum—renowned, distinguished.

Clarissima—most distinguished. (Intended also to
commemorate Col. Jones’s wife, whose name was
Clara.)

Coniordes —like Conium or Hemlock.

congestum—crowded, heaped together.

coronare—pertaining to a crown.

coronatum—crowned,

60

ATHYRIUM FILIX-FEMINA—continued
corymbiferum—bearing a cluster or corymb.
crispatum—curled or wavy;
crispum—curled like hair.
cristulatum—lit. having small crests. (The variety in
question has, however, relatively large crests ;
probably the name was intended to mean a dwarf
cristatum.)

cruciatwum—crossed (2.e., with pinnz that cross each
other).

cruciferum—cross-bearing (a variant of above).

cymbaforme—boat-shaped (Cymba, the boat of Charon).

dactyliferum—finger- bearing.

dentatum—toothed.

depauperatum—impoverished (by loss of parts).

diffissum—cut up, split (7.c., the ultimate segments).

digitatum—fingered.

dilatatum—enlarged, widened.

dispar—unequal, irregular.

divaricatum—spread asunder, stretched apart.

echinatum—furnished with spines lke a sea-urchin
(Hchinus).

excurrens—running out or projecting (i.c., the midrib).

exiguum—scanty, limited.

exile—thin, meagre.

fimbriatum—tringed,

flabellatum—fan-shaped.

flabellipinnulum—having fan-shaped pinnules.

flecuosum—tull of turns, repeatedly bending.

fecundulosissimum—very fertile, producing small bul-
bils very freely.

formosum—finely formed, handsome.

foliosum—leaty.

61

ATHYRIUM FILIX-F@MINA— continued
furcillans—forking slightly.
furcillatum—having small forks.
gemellipara—twin-bearing (alluding to the cruciate or

twin pinne).
gemmatum—decked with zems.
glomeratum-—gathered into balls or knots.
gracile—slender.
gracilissiemum (properly gracillimum)
grandiceps—with a large head.
grandidens—large-toothed.
gratum—pleasing.
imeequale—unequal, irregular.
incongruum—inconsistent.
kalon—beautitul.
kalliston—most beautiful.
kalothrix—beautiful hair.
laciniatum—jageed, pleated, full of folds.
latifoliwm—broad-leaved.
lumbospermum-—having spores on the edge or border.
lineare—narrow, line-like.
lunulatum-—-having little moons (i.e., the circular
pine).

muagnicapuatum—having a large head.
maynificuom—cniarged, specially fine, magnificent.
marinum—telating to the sea.
medio-deficiens—lacking in the middle.
mintmum—very small.
mirandum—to be wondered at.
multiceps—many-headed.
multicus pe—many -pointed.
multifidum—split into many parts, or very much split.
multifurcatum—many times forked.

very slender.

62

ATHYRIUM FILIX-F@MINA—continued
nanodes—dwarfish.
nanum-—-dwart.
nodosum-—knotted. (The opposing pinne resemble

little bows).
nudicaule—naked-stemmed.
orbiculatum—round, globular.
omnilacerum-—torn or rent throughout.
pannosum—rageged.
parviceps—with a small head or crest.
paucidentatum—having tew teeth.
percristatum——crested all through (7.e., pinnules crested).
plumosum—feathery.
polydactylum—many-fingered.
polymorphum—having many forms.
proteum—assuming many forms (like the mythical
Proteus).

proteoides—Proteus-like.
pterophorum—wing bearing.
pulchrum—beautitul.
pulcherrimum—very, or most beautiful.
ramosum—branched.
ramo-cristatum—crested and branched.
ramulosissimum—hayving many small branches.
reflecum—bent backwards.
rectangulare—right angled.
regale—royal.
refractum-—broken or bent backwards or downwards.
reticulum—like a little net.
revolvens—rolling backwards.
Rhxeticum—trom Rheetia in Switzerland.

[To be continued. |

VOL. 4. No. 5.

|
. | ee ee
|

Gritish Fern
Gazette.

PUBLISHED QUARTERLY.

March, 1920.

BDITED BY

F. W. STANSFIELD, M.D.

PUBLISHED BY

THE BRITISH PTERIDOLOGICAL SOCIETY

(Hon, Sec. and Hon. Treasurer, W. B. Cranfield, East Lodge, Enfield Chase,
Middlesex)

KENDAL, WESTMORLAND.

iUsus

BRITISH FERN GAZETTE.

NEW. SERIES:

VoL. 4. MARCH, 1920. Nose,
CONTENTS. By ens

EpiToRIAL NoTES... ae edee mh RE me a 63
CHoIcE BritisH FERNS (Druery)—Corrections ies so 65
THE SECTIONS OF P. ANGULARE VARIETIES. (F.W.S.) Pe 67
A Fern Hunt in Kinnarney. (Mr. H. Stansfield)... aa 70
A GLossaRyY OF FERN NAMES (continued) ots se, aoe 74

EDITORIAL NOTES.
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING.

The Annual General Meeting of the Society will be
held at Webb’s Temperance Hotel, Kendal, on the 2nd
of August, at 12 o’clock noon, when the Audited Accounts
will be presented and matters of great importance brought
forward.

Accommodation for a limited number of members has
been secured at the above Hotel—those desirous of being
present will please communicate with the Honorary
Secretary at the earliest possible moment.

As this is the first meeting which has been held since
the War, it is hoped that a representative gathering will
muster.

The usual Fern Hunting Excursions in the district will
be organised, in which it is hoped that as many members
as possible will participate. ‘

64

Mr. B. Wall, of Grimsby, writes that he spreads his
spent hops in the sun for a few days and that they can
then be mixed with soil and used as leaf mould in the
ordinary way. Spent hops can often be obtained more
cheaply and easily than leaf mould, and may be very
useful to the town or suburban dweller. Nevertheless,
where good oak leaf mould is accessible most fern growers
will probably prefer to use it.

Mr. F. Burton, Roughetts, Hildenborough, Kent, sends
a frond of a crested or polydactylous form of Lastrea
jfiliz-mas, which he has found in Kent, in a district where
‘in a wood of about 50 acres there are about two ferns
to the acre, and these L. filax-mas.’’ The variety is a neat
and symmetrical one, having nothing of the irregular and
depauperate character so often found in variations of this
species.

Our member, M. R. de Litardiére, of the Institut de
Botanique, Louvain, is working at the Cytology of Ferns,
on which he proposes shortly to publish a pamphlet. We
congratulate our member upon his choice of a subject,
and the town of Louvain upon getting to scientific work
again so quickly after the cruel devastation to which she
has been subjected.

The steadily mounting costs of printing and paper
necessitate the continued publication of the GAZETTE in
a severely restricted form. More subscribing members,
or an increase in the amount of the subscription, will be
necessary before the GAZETTE can return to its former bulk
and usefulness.

Members who have not paid their subscriptions will
oblige by sending a remittance at once to the Hon. Secretary,

Mr. W. B. Cranfield, East Lodge, Enfield Chase, Middlesex,

65

CHOICE BRITISH FERNS (DREURY).
(CORRECTIONS.)

The following mistakes—some were printers’ errors and
others probably due to hurry or inadvertence—were mostly
pointed out to Mr. Druery immediately after the book was
published, and would doubtless have been corrected in a
future edition had the author lived to produce one. As.
unfortunately, he did not do so it is well that they should
be pointed out now lest the errors should be copied and
perpetuated.

On page 105. Athyrum f.f. Huckii; for West Steddale

read Wet Sleddale.

On page 109. A. f.f. nodosum is not synonymous with
A.f.f. Frisellie as stated, but was a cruciate form
raised from Pritchardi.

On page 113. A. f.f. plumosum, Horsfall : for Skipworth
read Skipwith Common.

On page 132. Blechnum sp. trinervum coronans, Barnes
has “‘ nothing to do” with multifurcatum and was
never known by this name. The only synonym of
trinervum coronans is brachiato-cristatum (Wol-
laston). Multifurcatum, Symons was, however,
occasionally brachiate, but was a poor thing and
is probably not now in cultivation. Trinervum
coronans is correctly figured and named in the
Appendix, page 290.

On page 133. Blechnum sp. paradoxum. For Ramsdale
read Banisdale.

On page 144. Lastrea dilatata cristata-gracile should be
cristata-gracilis.

On page 154. L. propinqua gracilis, Forster was ori-
ginally named gracilis furcans, the pinne having
forked tips. !

66

On page 154. L. propinqua Pinderw should be placed
under L. pseudo-mas (paleacea).

On page 155. Lastrea pseudo-mas abbreviata cristata
should be L. propinqua cristata; abbreviata is
merely a synonym of propinqua.

On page 159. L. montana grandiceps, Smithies : for
Long Seddale read Long Sleddale.

On page 159. L. montana plumosa, Mr. Barnes’s form
(thought by some to be the best) is omitted.
L. m. plumosa Stansfield was found in 1908.

On page 163. Lastrea spinulosa is well marked off from
L. dilatata by its creeping rhizome and concolorous
scales.

On page 182. Polypodium v. multifido-cristatum was
found by Mr. Parker, not Tasker. The correct
history is given on page 180 under grandiceps,
Parker, of which multifido-cristatum is Moore’s
original name. Grandiceps, Parker, although as
much better name, was given years afterwards by
Wollaston. °

On page 191. P. aculeatum gracillimum cristulatum
and P. plumosum, Green have nothing to do with
P. acul. pulchrum, but should be placed under
P. acul. pulcherrimum. The name cristulatum is
a misnomer, as the variety is not really cristulate
although it sometimes simulates this character
by its dilated apices.

On page 197. P. angulare decompositum splendens,
Moly., ‘‘ parent of the plumose strain raised by
Col. Jones and Dr. Fox.” This legend is now
exploded ; the real parent was decomp. splendens,
Jones,

67

On page 198. P. ang. depauperatum. This is really a
lineare which has ** gone blind’ and not recovered
its strength.

On page 200. P. ang. grandiceps. ‘* Origin obscure.”
The correct history is given in Appendix, page 382.

On page 203. P. ang. Kitsoniw. ‘‘ Miss Annie Kitson ”’
should read Miss Fanny Kitson. The variety
was really a brachiato-cristatum, and the frond
figured is not fully characteristic.

On page 211. P. ang. proliferum Crawfordianum. This
is the original name, but the variety is really a
divisilobe and not an acutilobe. It was not found
by Mr. Phillips, but was collected unwittingly by
one of Miss Crawford’s gardeners who was sent out
to “‘ get some ferns.” The figure is not at all
characteristic of the variety, which is one of the
best wild finds of this section.

On page 212. P.ang.ramulosum. ‘‘ Mr. J. Stansfield ”
should read Mr. T. Stansfield.

On page 224. Pteris aquiline grandiceps is not ‘* always
barren.” We have recently raised a large crop
from spores of the original, the seedlings being true
to character. F.W.S.

THE SECTIONS OF P. ANGULARE VARIETIES.

The late Colonel A. M. Jones and Mr. Wollaston made
an attempt to classify the then known forms of angulare,
more especially the divided forms of normal outline. These
were classed as plumosum, foliosum, decompositum, multi-
lobum, conspicuilobum, acutilobum and divisilobum. Their
classification has been adhered to by subsequent pterido-

68

logists, though it must be confessed that it is often difficult
to draw the line between the various groups of varieties.
Plumosum and foliosum are both characterized by increased
size of the pinnules, plumosum being separated from
foliosum by the thinner texture and by the absence or
abnormality of the sori. The two original wild plwmosums
were Elworthy’s and Wollaston’s, which have a general
resemblance to each other; but while Elworthy’s form is
barren of spores, Wollaston’s is fertile, but has the sori
naked or nearly so, ¢.e. the indusia, when present, are
imperfect. Moly’s plumosum grande is thicker in texture
than the others but is quite barren ; it is one of the noblest
of British ferns. Pateyii is perhaps the most typical
plumosum found wild and was long supposed to be barren,
but has since been found to be occasionally fertile, the
sporangia being scattered and devoid of indusia. Up to
the present Elworthy’s and Moly’s forms are the only
angulare plumosums upon which spores have not been
recorded. The decompositums are simply very much
divided forms of normal outline and texture, and they are
all fertile. They differ from the multilobes, acutilobes
and divisilobes in not having the segments contracted at
their bases. The acutilobums are distinguished by the
sharp cutting and more or less contracted character of the
ultimate segments. In a few cases the pinnules are not
cut down to the midrib, but are simply cut into lobes which
are contracted at their bases and very acute at their apices.
This is the simplest type of acutilobe and may be taken
as the primary form of the section. One of this character
was found by the writer in 1916. In the majority of cases,
however, the pinnules, besides being acute, are completely
divided into subsidiary lobes or pinnulets. These may
be called the compound acutilobes, and are only distin-

69

guished from the true divisilobes (according to Wollaston’s
definition) by the upper and lower pinnules being of approxi-
mately equal length, while in the divisilobes proper the
lower pinnules are considerably longer than the upper.
This is rather a weak point in Wollaston’s classification
because it is manifestly often difficult, and sometimes
impossible, to draw the line between the two sections,
since a fern which, under some conditions, appears to be
an acutilobe may, when given better treatment, become a
divisilobe and the same plant may have fronds some of
which are of acutilobe and some of divisilobe character.
Had Wollaston restricted the term acutilobe to those
varieties which have acute lobes but not divided pinnules
and given the name divisilobe to all those having com-
pletely divided or compound pinnules, his classification
would have been more logical and in accordance with the
literal meaning of the words, but the acutilobe section
would have been very small and the divisilobe section
very large. It is well for us, while adhering to Wollaston’s
classification, to bear in mind the distinction between
what I have called the simple and the compound acutilobes.
The multilobes and conspicuilobes have contracted lobes
of a rounded character, 7.e. they lack the sharp points of
the acutilobes. With this exception they agree in character
with the latter, the conspicuilobes being simple in con-
struction while the multilobes are compound. Moly’s
manica-infantis (Wollaston’s name) may be taken as the
type of a conspicuilobe, the pinnules being entire with the
exception of one lobe, which juts out like the thumb on a
baby’s glove in which the fingers are united. The pul-
cherrimums constituted a very small section in Wollaston’s
time, only some half-dozen forms being known, and these
mostly of intermittent character. They were considered

70

to be ultra plumosum, although in nearly all of them the
upper pinnules were normal, the lower ones being very
finely divided, long and sickle-shaped. Of the forms then
known only two remain, both found by Moly. Both of
these were faulty originally, the green one having a pro-
portion of normal fronds and also some normal pinne
mixed with those of true character, while the variegated
one was spoilt by a tendency to depauperation of the upper
part of the frond. Attempts have been made to correct
these defects, successfully in the case of the green one and
with partial success in the case of the variegated one.
Other pulcherrimums have, however, been raised from
spores, which are not only constant in character all through
but have the upper as well as the lower pinnules of true
type. Of these more anon. F.W.S.

A FERN HUNT IN KILLARNEY.

Although claiming two generations of fern-hunting
ancestors, we cannot say that we ever took kindly to this
branch of the fern cult. Either through lack of persistence,
or sheer bad luck, the fact remains that the whole of our
finds during the last 50 or 60 years (a fairly long apprentice-
ship) are as valueless as the proverbial itinerant white-
smith’s imprecation. But hope springs eternal in the
fern-hunter’s breast, so, undeterred by former non-successes,
we decided to have a week’s hunting in Killarney, leaving
an efficient locum tenens in charge of our rather numerous
fern family. .

Should any of our friends feel inclined to sample this
ground, our advice would be that he lay well to heart
Iago’s instructions to Roderigo, to “‘ put money in thy
pocket ’’—a very necessary precaution indeed.

Feeling the necessity of a refresher during the long

71

railway journey, we were rejoiced at seeing Victoria plums
on sale at the various railway stations, and found the
unsophisticated natives more or less content with a modest
profit of 800 per cent. on English retail prices. However,
we reached our destination eventually without loss of life,
and proceeded to make arrangements for the following day.

Next day, the weather being perfect, we chartered a
vehicle for a day’s drive through the country anywhere.
Our Jehu could not have been one of the sons of Nimshi,
as his driving was the reverse of furious, but that was an
advantage from a hunter’s point of view. One of the
disadvantages of Killarney is that one is faced witha 10-ft.
wall on each side of the road wherever one goes. It is
only when driving through the various estates (we should
call them woods in England) that we get rid of these
objectionable- walls. Finding ourselves miles from any-
Where and surrounded by unlimited stretches of strong
L. emula, we suggested a halt in order to secure a memento
in the shape of a plant of 4. wmula. Our driver, however,
although having no objections to a halt, had very decided
ideas on the rights of property, and begged to remind us
that the ferns belonged to Lord So-and-So, and he pointed
to certain notices to the effect that ferns were not to be
taken away.

‘** Does his Lordship want all these ferns 7’’ we asked.
‘‘ He wants everything that belongs to him, sorr,” replied
our driver, who proved so incorruptible that he might have
been the landlord himself in disguise, so zealous was he in
his Lordship’s behalf.

Not wishing to place ourselves on a lower moral plane
than that assumed by this son of Erin, we made a virtue
of necessity and, for the time being, kept our hands from

picking and stealing.

72

Going out on foot next day we found ourselves in a
land of Aspleniums. Walls and banks draped with millions
of A. trichomanes, Ceterach, A. ruta-muraria, A. ad.-nigrum.
Many nice multifid forms of A. trichomanes were noticed,
but no improvements on existing varieties. We examined
some thousands of square yards, hoping to find something
worth stealing, but found nothing. P. v. semilacerum was
occasionally seen; Ceterach was very fine, and quite
plentiful even close to the village. Scolopendriums were
not really plentiful, although very vigorous specimens
were occasionally noticed. Beautiful cone-bearing Arau-
carias were met with, whilst Chamerops humilis, Dracena
Australis and Eucalyptus imparted a sub-tropical look to
the landscape. O. regalis, Allosorus, Lycopodium selago
and clavatum and Pinguicula vulgaris were all more or less
plentiful.

We were anxious to see T. radicans, but could not find a
breach in the fortifications to allow us to approach really
favourable hunting ground. We made enquiries from
native boatmen as to where we should be likely to meet
with the plant, but an atmosphere of suspicion was imme-
diately created, which our most fervid eloquence was
powerless to dissipate. We assured these worthies that we
only wished to see the plant growing wild and not to rob
the habitat. Our assurances that we had sufficient stocks
at home to plant the road from here to Avernus and back
did not tend to improve our case. ‘‘ If you only wish to
see it, you will find a plant in a fern case in Kate Kearney’s
cottage,” said Paddy. It was in vain that we reiterated
the fact that our hearts did not yearn towards seeing the
plant in captivity, but that we were prepared to pay
liberally for an introduction to its native haunts. How-
ever, no business was done. ‘“‘ Corrupting gold” might

13

oeé

have *‘ tempted these men to a close exploit with death,”
but life is cheap in Ireland when weighed in the balance
against T. radicans.

We found the crowds of sturdy beggars a perpetual
nuisance. It was difficult to walk very far without being
besieged by a clamorous horde of banditti, whose ceaseless
appeals for “*‘ backsheesh’”’ were a source of considerable
annoyance. Begging appears to be considered an honour-
able and legitimate means of livelihood.

Towards the end of a long day’s walk we found ourselves
feeling very fit, and attributed this apparent rejuvenation
to the exhilarating properties of the atmosphere and the
beauty and novelty of our surroundings. We discovered
later that this apparent buoyancy was due to the fact of
our having shed the whole of the bronze currency with
which we started heavily laden in the early morning.

Finding our progress barred by a Bardolphian-visaged
ruffian of sinister aspect, who was improving the shining
hour by importuning all and sundry in forma pauperis for
*“‘ backsheesh,”’ we endeavoured to explain to him that in
consequence of the persistent demands of his fellow brigands
in the rear we had now not a single denarius in our treasury,
and might, from his point of view, be considered absolutely
impecunious. He suitably expressed his deep concern, and
hinted that locomotion would be found tedious unless the
wheels of progress were thoroughly and persistently lubri-
cated by a steady and unstinted flow of ‘° backsheesh.”’
In the legitimate exercise of his vocation he found himself
temporarily encumbered with an embarrassing accumula-
tion of bronze coinage which he would gladly exchange for
its equivalent in silver or paper currency, to our mutual
advantage. With strict economy, he estimated that half-
a-crown (exclusive, of course, of the regular tolls) ought to

74

see us through. We produced the half-crown, which our
Hibernian friend pocketed in an absent-minded manner, and
proceeded to interrogate his next client.

Had we obeyed the promptings of our baser nature the
contretemps might have had a sanguinary termination, but
to ‘* ope the purple testament of bleeding war ”’ and ‘* deface
the precious image of our dear Redeemer ’’ formed no part
of our programme, and ‘‘ chastisement did therefore hide
its head.”

The hunt was on the whole a most delightful one, although
the result as regards new ferns was nil.

To anyone interested in Spleenworts we can confidently
recommend this ground as most promising. Many slight
variations of Asp. ad. nigrum were observed, and only
careful hunting and good eyesight are needed in order to
make a decent bag.

H. STANSFIELD.
(Thanks: we are not taking any at present—ED.]

A GLOSSARY OF FERN NAMES.
(Continued.)
ATHYRIUM FILIX-F@MINA—continued
sagittatum—arrow-shaped.
scutwm—elegant, fine.
selagerum
setiferum
stellatum—star-shaped (7.e., the pinne).
stupatum—crowded, condensed.
strictum—drawn. together, narrow.
strigosum—lank, thin.
tenue—slim, slender.
thyssanotum—turnished with tassels.
todeoides—Todea-like.

—hristle-bearing.

75

tortum
tortile

truncatum—cut off abruptly.

umbraculiforme-—um brella-shaped.

uncum—hooked.

velutinum—woolly or velvet-like. (A modern word,
botanical Latin; Italian velluto, velvet; akin to
villosum, woolly.)

BLECHNUM SPICANT

anomalum—irregular.

apiculatum—having a little point or apex.

bellum—beautitul.

biceps—having two heads.

bifidum—cleft into two.

caudatum-—tailed.

cladophorum—branch-bearing.

concinnum—neat, pretty.

confluens—flowing together (7.e., the pinne).

conglomeratum—crowded together, like a ball.

contractum—narrowed (at base).

coronans—crowning.

crispissimum—very curly.

cristatum—crested.

cristato-gracile—crested and slender.

crispum—cutly.

curtum—short (v.e., the pinnee).

elegans—choice, elegant.

flabellatum—tfan-shaped.

furcans—forking.

heterophyllum—various-leaved (having irregular
pinne).

embricatum—see under Asp. marinum.

lancifolium—lance-leaved, having a long, pointed tip.

lineare—very narrow.

| —twisted.

longidactylum—-long-fingered.

multiforme—having many shapes.

multifurcatum—many times forked.

obovatum—egeg-shaped reversed.

paradoxum—contrary to expectation, surprising.

parviceps—having a small head.

plumosum—(see under Athyrium f.-f.).

polydactylum—many-fingered.

projectum—jutting out (some of the pinne project
beyond the rest).

ramosum—(see under Athyrium f.-f.).

revolvens—(see under Athyrium f.-f.).

rotundatum—rounded (pinnze).

semilacerum—half-torn, cut part away.

serra—a Saw.

serratum—saw-toothed.

serrulatum—small saw-toothed.

strictum—narrow, contracted.

subserratum—saw-toothed on lower sides of pinne.

superbellum—more than beautiful.

trinerviwem——three-pronged (equals brachiatum).

tripinnatum—having the pinne twice divided, thus
making three divisions of the frond in all, the
pinne themselves being the first division.

LASTREA DILATATA

alpina—belonging to the Alps or other high mountains.

angustipinnula—having narrow pinnules.

collina—hbelonging to hills.

crispata-cristata—curly and crested.

crispa—curly.

cristata—crested.

cristata-gracilis—crested and slender.

cruciata-pinnula—having cross-like pinnules,

le

dumetorum—belonging to thickets.
ebeneum—black and polished (like ebony).

fastigiata—peaked or pointed like the roof of a house.
foliosa-cristata—leafy and crested.

glandulosa—set with small glands.

grandiceps—having a large head.

grandidens—having large teeth.

lepidota—scaly.

micromera—having small parts (7.e. finely dissected).

ochracea—ochre-coloured (yellowish).

parviceps—having a small head.

ramosa—branched.

setigera—bristle- bearing.

stenophylla—narrow-leaved.

succisa—(lit. cut off from below, 7.e. at lower end)
off or cut down; the variety is a truncata.

tanacetifolia—Tansy-leaved (Tanacetum).

tenera—tender, delicate.

LASTREA FILIA-MAS.

attenuata—drawn out, slender.

concinna—neat.

confluens—flowing together (7.e. the pinnules).

crispata—curled.

crispatissima—very much curled.

cristata—crested.

decomposita—sub-divided on normal lines; excep-
tionally divided.

depauperata—impoverished, lacking in parts.

digitata—fingered.

erosa—as if gnawed or corroded.

fluctuosa—wavy.

gracilis—slender.

grandiceps—(as in L. dilatata).

cut

s
7

78

linearis—line-like or pertaining to lines.

Lux-Lune—moonlight (alluding to the pale yellow
colour).

multiformis—having many forms.

pendens—drooping, hanging.

platyphylla—broad-leaved.

polydactyla—many-fingered.

producta—(lit. led forward) having forward projecting
pinnules.

ramosa—as in L. dilatata.

recurva—curved backwards.

tortuosa—twisting.

variegata—parti-coloured.

LASTREA PALEACEA (Don) [L. PSEUDO-MAS(WOLLASTON) |.

angustata—narrowed.

crispa—curly.

cristata—crested.

jimbriata—tringed.

furcillata—having small forks.

grandiceps—having a large head.

nitida—shining, glossy.

pendens—drooping.

polydactyla—many-fingered.

pumila—dwart.

ramo-cristata—branched and crested.

ramo-furcillata—branched and small-forked.

ramosissima—very much branched.

ramulosissima—having many small branches.

recurva—curved backwards or downwards.

revolvens—rolling backwards.

rotundata—having rounded pinnules.

subcristata—slightly crested, having small crests,

[Z'o be continued. |

Gazette.

PUBLISHED QUARTERLY.

Fune and September, 1920.

BDITED BY

FF. W. STANSFIELD, M.D.

PUBLISHED BY

THE BRITISH PTERIDOLOGICAL SOCIETY

(President and Hon. Treasurer, Mr. W. B. Cranfield, East Lodge,
Enfield Chase, Middlesex.)

(Hon. Sec. My. Charles Henwood, 21, Clifton Road, Maida Vale,
London, W. 9.)

KENDAL, WESTMORLAND.

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BRITISH FERN GAZETTE.

NEW. SERIES
Vou. 4. JUNE anp SEPTEMBER, 1920. No. 6.
DoUBLE NUMBER.

CONTENTS. PAG

Epitor1At NoTEs _... ; ie ae eae (i)

Our FRONTISPIECE—A. f. f. Kalothrix hie - cae — 80

OBITUARY: BELL, STANSFIELD, SALKELD = 1a ce 81

THE AuGcust MEETING eee - oat = 33 or 82
FERN PROPAGATION BY BULBILS AND BY DIVISION. " (Revd.

Canon Kingsmill Moore, D.D.) ee as sia ao 86
OPHIOGLOSSUM VuLGATUM, (Mr. H. Stansfield) ihe be 90
CULTURE OF RocK-FERNS—A convenient method. (F.W.S.) 92’
DEFECTIVE FERNS AND THEIR CORRECTION. (F,W.S ) ove 92
A GuossaRY oF FERN NAMES (continued) $

EDITORIAL NOTES.

The Editor congratulates the Society upon the resumption
of its annual meetings, and hopes that they may now be
held regularly without further interruption by national or
world convulsions. ‘The increase in the annual subscrip-
tion was inevitable from the alteration in the value of
money caused by the war. It might, however, have been
staved off a little longer had it not been for the neglect of
some members to pay their contributions promptly and
regularly. ‘‘ Procrastination is the thief of time,’ and
“Time is the stuff that life is made of.’’. The reprehen-
sible habit may even occasionally extend its depredations

80

to more material things than time, so that it is to be depre-
cated from every point of view. It would help the officials
—all busy men—very much if members would pay their
subscriptions during the month of August (when they are
due) or, at latest, immediately upon receipt of the September
GazErTeE. A slip from the Treasurer accompanies the
present number, informing each member of the state of
his account with the Society. Will members please note
the address of the new Hon. Secretary, Mr. Charles Henwood.
The address of the Hon. Treasurer is unaltered.

The Editor also begs for a little more help from members
in the way of literary contributions to the GazeTTE. A
larger number of contributors would add to the interest of
the publication, because variety is the spice of life, and
there must be more than half-a-dozen persons who have
something of value to say to their fellow members,

OUR FRONTISPIECE.
ATHYRIUM F, F. KALOTHRIX LINEARE, HS.

This extremely elegant fern probably represents the
limit in the way of delicacy and refinement in a British
fern. Owing to the difficulties of photography and repro-
duction the picture does not accurately represent the
extreme delicacy of the ultimate segments. The pinnules
are really little fans of radiating, glistening green bristles
or hairs, which are only seen very imperfectly in the figure.
The plant was raised some twenty-five years ago by Mr. H.
Stansfield, and has only yielded two offsets, one of which went
to the late Mr. Druery, while the second is the one repre-
sented, from Dr. Stansfield’s collection. It is. so far,

81

entirely barren of spores. The cost of this picture will
not be charged to the Society’s funds: the regular issue of
a pictorial frontispiece cannot be resumed until the finances
are in a more stable condition, which desideratuin, however,
should not be long delayed.

OBITUARY.

Beit. We deeply regret to announce the death of our
valued member, William Bell of Barrow-in-Furness, which
took place on May 28th at the age of eighty years. Up to
the beginning of the War, Mr. Bell was one of our most
active and energetic members, rarely failing to attend a
meeting of the Society, and taking an active part in all
excursions. A severe illness in 1918 sapped his vitality,
and he had been in poor health ever since, up to the time
of his death. Mr. Bell added a number of varieties to the
general stock of Ferns, perhaps his best find being his No. 2
bipinnate Polypody, found at Ulverston. This is a fine
thing, approaching the well-known pulcherrimum of
Atkinson in form and beauty. Another good find was a
narrow crispate-foliose form of Lastren Filix-mas in the
way of L.f.m. Barnesit. Our old friend’s geniai personality
and cheerful presence will be greatly missed at our meetings.

STANSFIELD. It is also our painful duty to announce
the death of Mr. Walter Stansfield (late Captain R.A.M.C.),
of Manchester, the only son of our contributor, Mr. H.
Stansfield, and a young medical man of amiable character
and brilliant promise. His death took place on July 7th
at Santa Cruz, Canary Islands, whither he had gone, on
expert advice, in the hope of saving his life. His death is
the direct result of the war, for, although not killed in

82

action, he contracted pleurisy while on military duty in
Palestine, and this developed later into pulmonary tuber-
culosis. He leaves a young widow but no children. She,
and his parents, will have the warm sympathy of all our
members.

The Editor regrets to learn incidentally of the death of
another member of the Society, Miss Salkeld, who took
over the garden and collection of the late Mr. Barnes after
his death, and whose garden has been more than once
visited by members with interest and pleasure.

THE AUGUST MEETING.

After an interval of six years a General Meeting of the
Society was again held at Kendal on August 2nd. ‘Some
fourteen members attended, representing both the North
and South of England, as well as Scotland, but not Ireland.
Several old friends were missed, some of whom will not be
seen again, having gone to their long rest. Two octo-
genarians, however, were present, Messrs. Whitwell and
Gott, both from Kendal.

Mr. Walton, of Richmond, sent for examination a series
of fronds which called forth much interest. They were
mostly Polystichums (angulare) of the divisilobum and
polydactylum sections. Some of the latter were more
thorough in their character than is usual in this section.
A very elegant and symmetrical crested divisilobe was much
admired, as also was a new and very good cristata form of
Lastrea filix-mas having incised pinnules and heavy sym-
metrical lateral and terminal crests. The President,

83

Mr. Alex. Cowan, exhibited some interesting seedlings of
varieties of L. montana raised by himself from mixed spores,
including several densely-crested and narrow forms, and some
showing crosses between the two sections. Dr, Stansfield
showed fronds of several varieties of P. angulare found
wild by himself and Dr. T. Stansfield in Somerset and
Devon. There were two forms of lineare, both very dis-
tinct and symmetrical; two acutilobes (one of large size
with lax divided pinnules and very sharp claws); and a
brachiatum not yet fully developed. A frond was exhi-
bited of a very fine bipinnate Blechnum, found near London
by Mr. Charles Henwood, and one of a noble angulare
cristatum found in Ireland by the Rev. E. H. Hawkins, of
Stroud. Dr. Stansfield showed also a frond of P. angulare
plumosum rarefactum (H. Stansfield), a splendid large-growing
fern of very refined character, from which he had raised a
number of quite new varieties belonging to the plumose,
super-plumose, plumose-divisilobe, and pulcherrymum sections.
Some seven of these were exhibited (fronds) and evoked
much admiration, both on account of their high quality
and their diversity of character. Other fronds exhibited
were a well-grown example of P. aculeatim pulcherrimum,
Druery, an improvement upon the well-known pulcherrimum,
Bevis, while equalling it in vigour and hardiness, and a
frond of the corrected P. angulare pulcherrimum, Moly
(green). The latter showed no normal pinnules, and was
from a plant which bore no normal, nor partly normal,
fronds. When first found, and for many years afterwards,
this variety was only partly characteristic, usually pro-
ducing 30 to 40 per cent. of normal fronds, while the best
fronds usually had a few normal pinne or pinnules. The
corrected plant is the finest example of pulcherrimum
character at present known in P. angulare.

84

The Hon. Secretary’s report showed that the membership
had been fairly well maintained during the war and since.
The Treasurer’s report, while showing a balance at the
bank, was noticeable for two issues of the GAZETTE unpaid
for, which would leave a considerable deficit, due partly to
the enormous increase in the cost of printing and paper for
the GAZETTE, and partly also to the large number of unpaid
subscriptions to the Society. It was thought that most
of these were recoverable.

In view of the unsatisfactory state of the Society's
finances it was resolved to increase the subscription from
5s. to 10s. per annum, but a saving clause was inserted to
the effect that members of fifteen or more years’ standing
might have the option of continuing their membership at
the old rate of 5s. A hope was expressed that as many of
the old members as could reasonably afford it would volun-
tarily pay at the increased rate, so as te make the position
of the Society financially secure.

Upon the election of officers for the coming year the
President, Mr. Alexander Cowan, wished to lay down the
office which he had held for some ten years. He proposed
Mr. Cranfield as President. Mr. Cranfield had borne the
burden of the offices of both Hon. Secretary and Treasurer
since the death of Mr. Druery in 1918, and had nobly carried
on the work of the Society, so far as this was possible,
during the war. This was seconded by Dr. Stansfield, and
carried unanimously. Mr. Cranfield was also elected
Treasurer, while Mr. Charles Henwood, of London, was
elected Hon. Secretary upon the proposition of Mr. Edwards,
seconded by Dr. Stansfield. The names of Mr. Cowan and —
the Rev. Canon Kingsmill Moore were added to the list of
Vice-Presidents, which had been reduced by the death of
Mr. W. B. Boyd and of Mr. C. T. Druery.

85

The following is the complete list of officers :—
President and Hon. Treasurer.

Mr. W. B. CRANFIELD, East Lodge, Enfield Chase, Middlesex
Vice-Presidents.

Dr. F. W. STANSFIELD, Reading.

Mr. W. H. Purturrs, Holywood, Co. Down.

Mr. J. J. Surures, Kendal.

Mr. AtEx. Cowan, Penicuik, Scotland.

Rey. Canon Ktnasmint Moore, D.D., Dundrum, Ireland.
Hon. Secretary.

Mr. CHartEs HeEnwoon, 21, Clifton Road, Maida Vale,
London, W.9.

Auditor.
Mr. J. J. SMITHIES.
Committee.
Mr. T. Botton, Warton. Mr. H. Rettron, Garanew,Mon.
Mr. J. Epwarps, Manchester. Mr. J. J. Smrrujes, Kendal
Mrs. Groves, London. Mr. WurtesIprE, Lancaster

Mr. T. E. Henwoopn, Reading. Mr. WuItweEtu, Kendal
Mr. W. Witson, Kendal
(together with the President, Vice-Presidents and Hon.
Secretary as members ex officio).
Kditor of GAZETTE.
Dr. F. W. STansFier.p, Reading.

It was resolved that the meeting in 1921 should be held
at Chard, Somerset, on the Monday following the August
Bank Holiday for greater convenience of travelling and
accommodation, subject to the district being found favour-
able on a preliminary survey by the President and Dr.
Stansfield.

The members visited the gardens of Mr. Smithies and
Mr. Whitwell (some also Mr. Gott’s) in Kendal, many rare
and interesting varieties being seen. Mr. Smithies showed

86

two plants of P. aculeatum gracillimum raised by him by
apospory from the spreading tips of the frond. This is
the first record of apospory in aculeatum. 'The aposporous
offspring appeared to be absolutely identical with the
parent gracillimum.

On several days before and after the Annual Meet
excursions were arranged to Kentmere, Long Sleddale and
Brotherswater. Many ferns were examined, the weather
being, on the whole, fairly fine, except on the last day,
Wednesday, August 4th. The only find of any importance
was a curious form of LZ. montana by Mr. Charles Henwood
on August 3rd at Brotherswater, a mixture of crispate and
foliose or sub-plumose characters with a tendency also to
confluent pinnules. The plant being not yet mature, it
remains to be seen which of these characters will even-
tually take the lead. On the same expedition Dr. Stans-
field found a neat imbricate Blechnum and Mr. Edwards
a foliose form of Lastrea propinqua.

A copy of the Society’s balance sheet is appended.

FERN PROPAGATION BY BULBILS AND
BY DIVISION.

In an article on growing ferns from bulbils, which was
published in the Gazerre of March, 1918, I said ‘‘ The
causes which lead to the formation of bulbils are, so far as
I am aware, obscure. Some species (and varieties) yield
bulbils at an early age. while others take a long time, and,
of course, there are many that do not yield them at all.”

The title of the present article has been chosen, not with
the view of adding to what I wrote in 1918 about the
methods to be employed in raising ferns from bulbils, but
in order to call attention to a relation which seems to

87

exist between the two methods of propagation—bulbils
and division.

During the past season I found myself more at loss than
ever to account for the production, or rather the non-
production of bulbils. My collection of P. A. plumosum
contains about two hundred specimens of all ages. Had
the rates of progression noted in the last paper continued,
bulbils would have been more plentiful than ever before.
To my perplexity and surprise scarcely a bulbil appeared.
Esplan’s variety, of which I have seventy or eighty plants,
gave not a single bulbil. Fox’s variety. whose numbers
are similar, did not yield half-a-dozen, it was the same with
the rest. For some unexplained reason hbulbils were not
formed. Neither in the season nor in the appearance of
the plants was there anything which to me suggested a
cause. Rain in sufficient quantity had fallen throughout
the year, and the collection as a whole had the appearance
of vigour and health.

But while I failed to find bulbils, I soon became aware ot
an exceptional tendency to form second and third crowns
fit in many cases for division. The number of crowns so
formed greatly exceeded anything I had before experienced.
It was not only that I had more divisions—an increasing
collection would explain this—but the number of divisions
available was much in excess of anything that could be
explained by the increase in the number of plants. Taking
this fact in connection with the absence of bulbils. it seems
likely that there may exist some unexplained relation
between the formation of bulbils and divisions. It is
commonly held that plumosums are generally so busy
with leaf formation that they can spare little or no energy
for spore production. Possibly a fern which is bearing
bulbils has little time for forming divisions, and, vice versa,

88

where attention is turned to the serious undertaking of
building up new crowns, the work of bulbil making goes
into the background.

At the request of our Editor I shall devote the con-
clusion of this note to setting down some of my experiences
in dividing ferns. The process is not without its dangers.
In his article on ‘‘ A Tripennate Fern,” Vol. III., p. 263,
Dr. Stansfield, in recording a division which unhappily
proved fatal, exclaims ‘‘ Alas! the fatal knife.” Some of
my divisions this year merited a similar sigh. There are
of course, conditions where no trouble arises. If we are
given well defined crowns whose boundaries are plain, a
suitable time of year, and a species which lends itself to
division, the knife need not be feared. So soon as the
crowns are severed the roots of each can be gently dis-
entangled—a better plan than passing the knife right
down till roots as well as crowns are cut in two—and growth
will continue even better than before, as there will be no
interference with the development of the fronds. When
however the crowns are intermingled, five or six, or even
more together, the operation becomes complicated. Owing
to the way in which the fronds interlace it is not easy to
see where one crown ends and another begins. In such
cases it is perhaps better to be satisfied with saving the
principal crowns; these can be readily cut out, with a
sufficient supply of roots for each ; whereas an attempt to
take all may mangle several, and leave all with insufficient
root sustenance.

With regard to the right season for dividing, I have had
some disasters from separating crowns just as they were
beginning to unfold. At any other time good results may
be expected if the operation is, as the doctors say, ** success-
fullv performed.” The fern surgeon, however, is likely to

89

limit the phrase to cases in which the subjects are expected

to survive ; in this he will differ from some, at any rate,

of the medical profession.

[It is doubtless true that, broadly speaking, there are “‘ black
sheep in every flock”’ but the late ‘‘ Dr.’’ Crippen’s name
was not on the British Medical Register —EDIToR. |
Marked differences are noticeable in the way different

species accept division. The lady fern, Athyriwm filix

femina, is astonishingly tolerant of the knife; not only
may divisions be made with little or no risk, but a ball of
roots may be reduced by one-half, or more, without any
apparent effect on the plant. Lastreas also divide easily,
but they do not rival the lady fern in allowing liberties to
be taken with their roots. Less indulgent in my experience
are the Polystichums : like the others they can be, and indeed
ought to be, divided, where perfect specimens are desired,
but for success they require careful handling and a restricted
choice of season. Late autumn, when frost is not a danger,
or early spring are the times I recommend.

H. Kinesmitn Moore.

[It is obvious that the processes of making crowns and
producing bulbils are essentially the same, differing only
in the size and situation of the buds produced. Conse-
quently the one must be, more or less, at the expense
of the other. We have known the free production of
bulbils to cause the main crown to go blind, all the vital
energy of the plant being directed to the bulbils. We have
recently had to pick out bulbils with a knife in order to
preserve the main crown from extinction, which operation
appears to have been successful; some, even, of the
bulbils survived, although not ‘‘ expected”’ todoso. Also
when the main crown is breaking up into several there
isa smaller tendency to the formation of bulbils —Ep1iror. |

90

OPHIOGLOSSUM VULGATUM AND ITS
REPRODUCTION.

This plant, often regarded as the ugly duckling among
ferns, was formerly considered rather an intractable subject,
difficult to transplant, and difficult to grow. A superstition
was current many years ago to the effect that grass was in
some way necessary to this fern’s existence, and that the
plant was parasitic on the roots of the grass. This is,
however, incorrect, and grass is not necessary to its success-
ful cultivation. The apparent difficulty in transplanting
this fern is due to its deep-rooting habit, the roots and
crown being at a depth altogether disproportionate to the
size of the plant, and it not infrequently happens that in
lifting the plant the roots and crown are left behind in the
ground, when, of course, the frond soon dies. It possesses
a sort of running rootstock, and is thus able to travel long
distances underground.

It is one of the few ferns which the writer has not yet
succeeded in raising from spores, although he has sown
every year for twenty years, in every conceivable kind of
soil, simply as a matter of duty and with a view to exploring
in ‘* Nature’s infinite book of secrecy,’ always hoping for
a happy issue, but always disappointed.

Recently conducted investigations prove that the ger-
mination and subsequent fertilisation of Ophioglossum and
Botrychium form one of the most interesting and fasci-
nating chapters in the whole history of fern life.

The reproduction from spores of ferns in general was a
sufficiently complicated operation in all conscience, but the
reproduction of the two above-named requires the presence
and active co-operation of a certain microscopic fungus of
a comparatively low type, which has not yet been definitely
identified. The spores of these ferns, which are very

Sth

minute, are washed into the soil by the rain. When the
fungus is present it attacks and pierces the spore. Under
ordinary circumstances such conduct would be resented,
and would tend to the destruction of the organism thus
attacked. In the present case, however, it appears to
provide the necessary stimulus to enable the spore to
germinate, and to form a prothallus, so that the ordinary
routine of fertilisation can be proceeded with. Unless the
fungus is present in the soil, germination is impossible, and
the spores rot in the ground as surely as would birds’ eggs
under similar conditions. It is, therefore, quite useless to
sow in ordinary sterilized soil. It has not yet been ascer-
tained whether this interdependence is mutual. The fern
spore appears to be the host and the fungus the guest.
The presence of the guest is absolutely necessary to the
existence of the host from a reproductive point of view.
Quite possibly the guest may be able to quarter himself on
the roots of the various grasses with which these two ferns
are usuaily associated, only calling upon the ferns casually
as a sort of change or relaxation.

The subject is a very interesting one, and should any of
your readers meet with very young Ophioglossum (the
younger the better) it might be possible to find vestiges of
the prothallus by careful examination of the base of the
plant. The prothallus is formed underground, and re-
sembles a small potato. It has recently been the writer’s
privilege, through the courtesy of Professor Lang of the
Cryptogamic Department, Victoria University, Manchester,
to inspect a number of specimens of Ophioglossum with
prothalli attached. These were preserved in spirit. Highly
magnified drawings and photographs of the spores, showing
the fungus at work, and its effect on the spores, were

also seen. H. STANSFIELD.

92

CULTURE OF ROCK-FERNS
A CONVENIENT METHOD.

We have recently observed, under cultivation, a pheno-
menon which gives a useful hint for the culture of delicate
Asplenzums, Woodsias, &c. A plant of Blechnuwm sp.
plumosum, Forster, was growing in a pot which had been
plunged inside a larger pot, the intervening space being
filled with soil which consisted mainly of coco-nut fibre
refuse. Inthe interstice thus formed a couple of Aspleniwms
sprang up self sown, viz.: A. Ad-nigrum multifidum and
A. trichomanes bipinnatum, and these grew with such
vigour as to quickly form strong plants and to compete
seriously with the Blechnum in the struggle for space. We
have since acted upon this hint by placing a small pot,
containing soil, inside a larger one, and, between the two,
some suitable soil m which are planted various small-
erowing and delicate Asplenzwms. The soil in the inner
pot is regularly watered, the Aspleniwms being thus supplied
with moisture chiefly by percolation through the pores of
the pot, which is sufficient in periods of comparative rest.
It will be an easy matter to give the whole structure a
thorough soaking occasionally during rapid growth and
in hot weather.

RO Was:

DEFECTIVE FERNS AND THEIR CORRECTION.

Apart from the host of depauperatums and irregulares, &c.,
most of which have been discarded by fern growers, there
are many ferns which have high qualities of beauty and
distinction, but which are cursed with some fatal flaw or

93

irregularity which keeps them out of the highest class.
The defect may be of form, or simply of constitution, but
the result is the same in either case—the plant is inherently
unsatisfactory to the connoisseur although it can be tan-
talizingly beautiful when the defect is not in evidence,
or even in spite of it. An example of the correction of one
of these defective ferns is mentioned on another page.
(The August Meeting—-P. ang. pulcherrimum, Moly.) It
still remains to be seen whether the amendment will be
permanent.

Asplenium Ad. nigrum grandiceps is defective chiefly by
reason of its poor constitution. When it can be persuaded
really to thrive it is a very fine fern. A. trichomanes
bipinnatum is unsatisfactory from its tendency, even when
well grown, to revert almost to the normal form. When
seen at its best it is a most striking and handsome fern.
One plant, in the collection of Mr. Henwood, keeps its
character even when in poor condition, and it is hoped that
a permanently constant strain may be raised from this.
Mr. Whitwell also has a plant in fine character. That
lovely fern, Athyriwm f.f. kalothrix shows a tendency to
produce occasional pinnules or pinne of a coarser form,
but, if the plant be well treated, these faults are so rare as
not to be noticeable. A. f.f. Clarissima, the noblest of
Lady Ferns, is perfect in the original, but the aposporous
offspring all show a greater or less tendency to twisting
and crumpling of the fronds. This is largely due to the
greater breadth of the fronds in proportion to their length
as compared with the original. The tendency to twisting
can be minimized by good cultivation with plenty of room
for the fronds, but the children are probably never quite
the same as the splendid and perfect original. Elworthy’s
Cystopteris fragilis cristata is a plant of very unstable

94

character as regards the amount of the cresting. It varies
from a grandiceps to a furcillata at different times. It is
constant in its inconstanecy, but would be greatly improved
if a definite character of cristata or grandiceps could be fixed.
The only hope of this appears to be from raising seedlings
with careful selection of the best. Lastrea dilatata cristata-

gracilis is a pretty and graceful fern in the young state,
but, as it approaches maturity, invariably assumes an
irregular character, some pinne or pinnules being de-
pauperate or missing. If this fault could be cured it
would be one of the most elegant forms of this species.
L. f. mas Bollandie is another example of a beautiful and
unique fern spoilt by a tendency to depauperation.
Although found more than sixty years ago this remains
the only plumose form of filiz-mas. As it produces offsets
freely and spores very sparingly, it has not been much sown
and, indeed, is grown less than it deserves to be. If it
could be cured of its one bad habit it would become one of
the first rank of British ferns. L. f. mas linearis is another
example of the same fault. This variety comes freely from
spores, and ‘“‘improved”’ forms have been raised which
promised well for a time, but, so far as we know, no one
has succeeded in completely breeding out the defect. A
number of depauperate crested forms of filiv-mas have
been found at various times. and their defects have been
endured in the absence of a perfect crested form of this
sub-species. Now that regular forms have been. found
(by Mr. Burton) and raised (by Mr. Walton) the roguish
and irregular forms will be discarded by growers of ** the
best only.” JZ. paleacea apospora cristata is the nearest
approach to a pulcherrima in its species, but its constitu-
tion is so *‘ miffy ’ that it is almost impossible to grow a
really handsome specimen. This weakness is due, pre-

95

sumably, to a known defect in its germ-plasm, the nucleus
of its cells containing only half the normal number of
chromosomes. As the fern is apogamous as well as apos-
porous it is not easy to see how this defect can be corrected,
but should it ever produce spores fresh possibilities may
arise in view of the notorious tendency of aposporous ferns
to produce (by this method) defective offspring. So far as
is known no spores have ever been produced: the writer
has a plant which has this year developed fronds 16 to 18
inches in length but they show no trace of spores. Lastrea
montana filifera, Wiper, raised great expectations when
first shown, but has proved disappointing on account of its
tendency to revert to the normal character. It can be very
beautiful at times but needs to be stabilized. Polypodium
v. omnilacerum, Bennett, is an old form of great beauty
when at its best, but it probably never was a constant
variety, although sometimes plants have been seen with all
the fronds in good character for a time. Asa rule a large
number of nearly normal fronds wiil be produced for one
characteristic one, and neither cultivation nor selection
seems to affect this tendency to “run wild.” The Oxford
omnilacerum is constant and very fine when well cultivated,
but if starved or neglected it also tends to approach the
normal. It is a great improvement upon the older form,
although not quite equal, in sharpness of cutting, to the
latter at its best. P. v. Cornubiense is a standing joke on
account of its tendency to become coarser in cutting and also
to produce a proportion of normal fronds. ‘‘ Improved ”’
forms have been raised from spores by the late Mr. Fowler,
Mr. Clapham and others, but these have all ultimately
manifested the same tendency as the original. The most
successful improvement is the “‘ trichomanoides ”” of Messrs.
Backhouse, which is however only the original Cornubiense

96

in its best form, kept true by long continued selection, not
of seedlings, but of the best rhizomes. Even this plant
produces a few small normal fronds, which are best removed
as soon as made. I[t has, however, practically lost the
habit of producing coarser fronds. It is certainly an
improvement which may presumably be carried further by
persistence in the policy of selection. The improved form
(like the original when first grown) has rhizomes of a slen-
cerer and less shaggy character than the species. In the
coarser forms the rhizome approximates to that of P. vulgare.
Another variety with slender and comparatively smooth
rhizomes is P. v. serra, J. Wilson. The trouble with this
variety is its miffy and weak growth. The rhizome has a-
tendency to grow out of the ground and to erect itself in
the air. ‘This aspiring tendency needs to be kept in check
either by pinning the rhizomes to the soil or by frequent
top-dressings of leaf mould.

Of good but faulty Polystichums there are many. Most
of the brachiatums and brachiato-cristatums tend to be
irregular in the form of the fronds, sometimes for a time
losing either the brachiation or the cresting, and sometimes
both. Keall’s is the best so far, but even this sometimes
has only one arm instead of a pair, and frequently the arms
are of unequal lengths or placed at diiferent levels. Many
very irregular brachiate forms have been found, but most
of them have been discarded. The grandidens forms are
mostly a ragged lot, having pinne of unequal length and
often truncate extremities. Gray’s was the most regular,
having a well-finished tapering extremity, but this tine form
isnowrarely seen. I itt’sis a pretty form, having a crispate
character in addition to its long teeth. The lineares nearly
all have aborted pinnules in the middle of the frond (medio-
deficiens). Moly’s hirondelle is the best, but seems to have

a

a weak constitution, tending to go blind, and even to die,
without any obvious reason.

The polydactylums are all lacking in thoroughness, almost
invariably having some pinne undivided. Mr. Walton
seems to be on the track of an improved strain. Setoso-
cuneatum, Phillips, is a lovely fern, quite constant in charac-
ter, and with perfectly symmetrical fronds. In the writer's
hands, however, it has an annoying trick of going blind as
soon as a nice specimen has been grown. Where it has
been seen doing well it generally has had a mass of crowns,
and this tendency may be a sequel of the other. P. ang.
flabelupinnulum, a very curious and distinct fern, often
drops the fan shape and lapses into an acutilobe. Some
may preter this to the fan character, but there are many
better acutilobes and there is only one flabellipinnulum.
In order to keep it true it is necessary frequently to raise
stock from bulbils of the true form, and then many of
them willlapse. P. inaquale variegatum, Padley, is prettily
spotted with white, and quite constant in its variegation,
but is spoilt by its irregular outline. Occasionally, although
rarely, a frond is produced of normal outline, and if this
could be perpetuated it would be a great improvement ;
the plant would then cease to be an inequale. Attempts
have been made by the writer to raise stock from bases
of these normal shaped fronds, but, unfortunately, without
success, as it was impossible to get off the fronds quite at
their junction with the caudex on account of their being
in the middle of a breaking-up crown. Mr. Henwood has
now a regular frond bearing a small bulbil, which will be
carefully preserved.

P. angulare pulcherrimum variegatum, Moly, has perhaps
more virtues and vices than any other form of angulare.
Along with a splendid pulcherrimum character it has an

98

absolutely unique variegation of the most beautiful kind,
and the two combine to place it in a class by itself among
British ferns. Its vices are (7.) a very miffy constitution,
which is probably due to the lack of chlorophyll in its
composition, and (7.) a trick of producing abortive pinne,
especially towards the tip of the frond. This unfortunate
habit quite spoils its symmetry as an adult plant. It is
much less in evidence in young plants, and, in fact, is
rarely seen on plants having fronds under a foot in length.
The writer has been trying to breed out this defect for
nearly forty years, and has succeeded in some measure,
although not entirely. A plant was raised by apospory
some twenty-five years ago in which the majority of the
fronds are symmetrical and free from depauperation. A
touch of the old Adam, however, shows itself in a few
fronds, although to a much less extent than in the parent.
More recently another plant has been raised (from spores)
which, so far, is free from depauperation. It remains to
be seen whether the reform will be permanent or not.
Scolopendrium v. crispum fimbriatum, the most beautiful
form of the species, is hable, when slightly out of health,
to lose the fimbriate character and to become simply an
irregular crispum. ‘This means that it has so much to do
that it can only do its full duty when in the highest state
of health. S. v. crispum Drummondie is another fimbriate
crispum which was unreliable in character from the first,
and apt to produce normal fronds even under good conditions.
Improved forms have been raised by Mr. Bolton and the
late Mr. Druery, but [ am not sure whether these have
remained permanently constant. If unfairly treated they
would probably degenerate like the allied variety.

BF. Was

99

A GLOSSARY OF FERN NAMES.
(Continwed.)

LASTREA PROPINQUA.
attenuata—(see under L. filix-mas).
concinna—neat.
congesta—crowded.
confluens—(see under L. filix-mas).
crispa—(see under L. paleacea).
cristata—(see under L. paleacea).
dactylifera—tinger- bearing.
erosa—(see under L. filix-mas).
excurrens—(lit. running out) having projecting points.
gracilis—slender.
grandiceps—(see under L. filix-mas).
mikra—short, small.
morsa—bitten off, shortened.
producta—(see under L. fjiliz-mas).
pulchella—pretty, small and beautiful.

LASTREA MONTANA
angusta—narrow.
angustifrons—having narrow fronds.
apuceformis—shaped like a small fish (7.e., the pinne).
altenuata—drawn out ; slender at the tip.
breviloba—having short lobes or pinnules (generally more

or less irregular).
caudata—tailed (7.e., terminal pinnules confluent, thus
resembling a tail).

concinnata—well adjusted ; neatly put together.
congesta—crowded ; thrust together.
coronans—crowning (t.e., with crown-like terminal.)
corymbifera—(see under Athyrium f.f.).
crispa—curly.

100

crispata—curled.

crispatissi_ma—very much curled.

cristata—crested.

cristata-gracilis—crested and slender.

curta—short (pinnee).

curvata—curved (pinne curved downwards).

decurrens—running downwards (pinnules attached by a

wing to the midrib).

digitata—fingered.

erosa—as if gnawed or eaten.

filifera—thread-bearing (7.e., with a fringe as of threads).

flecuosa—bending ; full of turns.

furcillata—having little forks at tips.

gracilis—slender.

grandiceps—(see under Athyriwm, &c.).

inequalis—irregular ; unequal (7.e., the pinnuies).

incisa—cut in; gashed.

interrupta—broken off (the continuity of its parts broken).

latufolia—broad-leaved.

multiformis—having many shapes.

multifurcata—having many forks.

plumosa—teathery.

polydactyla—many-fingered.

premorsa—as if bitten off; abruptly shortened.

rotundata—having rounded pinnules.

rugosa—wrinkled or furrowed.

serrulata—small saw-toothed.

simplex—simple ; less divided than the normal.

stricta—narrow.

truncata—abruptly shortened (compare premorsa).
POLYPODIUM VULGARE

attenuatum—drawn out ; slender at tips.

auritum—having ears (long basal lobes to pinne).

101

bifidum—pinne two-cleft.

bifido-multifidum—pinne two-cleft, with many-cleft head).

brachiatum—having arms (long basal pinnee).

Cambricum—belonging to Wales, where first found
(really a plumosum).

Cornubiense—belonging to Cornwall (where first found).

crenatum—(see under Aspleniwm Ceterach).

cristatwm—crested.

curtum—short (pinnee).

densilobum—having dense lobes.

dentatum—toothed (in botanical language dentate is the
reverse of crenate, v.c., sharp teeth with rounded
concavities between).

falcatum—with pinne shaped like a reaping hook or
sickle.

foliosum—leafy.

foliosissimum—very leafy.

elegantissimum—very elegant. (The descriptive name
given to var. Cornubiense).

glomeratum—eathered into a ball or knot).

grandiceps—(see under Athyrium).

Mibernicum—belonging to Ireland, where first found (for
description see semilacerum).

longipinnatum—having long pinne.

macrosorum—having large sori (a form of semilacerum).

macrostachyon—long-spiked.

marginalum—maregined ; having a marginal ridge be-
neath.

multrfidum—many-cleft ; split into many parts.

multiforme—having many shapes.

omnilacerum—completely torn (7.e., bipinnate throughout).

pluma—a soft feather.

plumosum—feathery.

102

pulcherrimum—very beautiful.

pulchritudine—with beauty.

ramosum—branched.

rotundatum—rounded (pinne).

semilacerum—half-torn (7.e., with the inner parts of the
pinne bipinnate).

serra—a saw.

serratum—saw-toothed ; cut like a saw.

sinuatum—winding (the margin).

suprasoriferum—having sori on upper surface.

trichomanoides—Trichomanes-like. (An unfortunate
name seeing that the species of T'richomanes differ so
much from each other. No doubt Trichomanes radi-
cans was meant.)

truncatum—mutilated or cut off short.

undulatum—having little waves like the surface of the sea.

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No.

Gazette.

PUBLISHED QUARTERLY. °

December, 1920.

EDITED BY

F. W. STANSFIELD, M.D.

PUBLISHED BY

THE BRITISH PTERIDOLOGICAL SOCIETY

(President and Hon. Treasurer, Mv.W. B. Cranfield, East Lodge,
Enfield Chase, Middlesex.)

(Hon. Sec. Mr. Charles Henwood, 21, Clifton Road, Maida Vale,
London, W. 9.)

KENDAL, WESTMORLAND.

THE

BRITISH FERN GAZETTE.

NEW SERIES —

Wor, 4. DECEMBER, 1920. Nox’.
CONTENTS. PAGE

EDITORIAL NOTES ... ae pee ie aes ie ae 103
AN OLD Fern Book (Dr. §. P. Rowlands) ... aie si 105

DIFFICULTIES IN RAISING FERNS From Spores (Mr. F.

Burton) ... , saa ae ‘a x ae 109
Fern Cuat (Myr. H. Stansfield)... ae - es ses 112
PLUMOSE VARIETIES OF FERNS (F.W.S)_... Se ave 115
Nores by Mr. F. W. Thorrington ... sie ane ee 118
A GuossaRY OF FERN NAMES (continued)... ae Te 121

EDITORIAL NOTES.

We are glad to report that our hint, in our last issue of
notes, has been acted upon for, not only have members
generally (so we are informed) ‘‘ paid up” well but there
has been a decided influx of contributions to the Gazette.
We regret to learn that some members have resigned but
hope that some of these will reconsider the matter and
rejoin the Society later. In the meantime we must close
up the ranks and beat up for new recruits. We note that
the British Mycological Society, which works upon some-
what similar lines to our own, has increased its subscription
from ten shillings to one pound per annum, and it is reported
that some ardent spirits were anxious to go beyond this
really very moderate sum.

We have received a copy of a recent issue (October Sth)
of that handsome publication ‘* Irish Life,’ in which is
given an interesting account of the fernery of our contributor

104

and Vice-President, the Revd. Canon Kingsmill Moore, with
pictures of parts of his garden and a somewhat distant
glimpse of the Reverend Doctor hinself.

We are indebted to Mr. J. E. Austin, of West Court,
Detling, Kent, for a fine plant of a beautiful and distinct
new form of P. angulare divisilobum which his neighbour,
Mr. Bensted, received as a wild find from a friend in Ireland
some years ago. Unfortunately, the sender has since died,-
and the history of the fern is somewhat obscure. We are,
however, casting about for further information, and hope
soon to be able to trace its exact origin. It is certainly
a very fine thing, one of the best pure divisilobes we have
seen, if not the very best. It has very long lower pinnules
and is very finely dissected, being quadripinnate, even in
the half-mature state, and may even be quinquepinnate
when well developed. The ultimate segments are very
narrow and slender. It is fertile, a good grower, and pro-
duces bulbils freely, so that it will doubtless soon find its
way into general cultivation. It is in every way superior
to divisilobum proliferum, Bagg, (Henley) which Col.
Jones thought *‘ could hardly be surpassed.”’

We have also received from Revd. Canon Kingsmill
Moore a frond of another handsome divisilobum, recently
found in Queen’s County. It is comparable in development
to div. proliferum, Bagg, but has somewhat shorter lower
pinnules, which are, however, very much curved outwards,
giving the frond a suggestion of pulcherriemum in appearance.

Mr. P. Greenfield, of Warlingham, sends a frond of a
breviloba form of L. montana, which he found this year
near Buttermere, but did not collect. Judging from the
frond sent it is more regular and even in make than any
breviloba we have previously seen. We learn that Mr. W.
Wilson, of Kendal, has recently found a new crested

105

Polypody, of which we hope to see a frond in due
time.

On page 31, Vol. L1., of the Gazette, Mr. Druery recorded
a case of a solitary frond of Cambricum type arising from a
plant of Polypodium v. semilacerum and supposed it to be
a bud sport of plumose from semilacerum or sub-plumose
character. Mr. T. E. Henwood has now a plant which waz
originally P. +. plumosum, Hadwin, but which last vear
(1919) began to send up fronds of semilacerum character.
The semilacerum portion of the rhizome was visibly con-
tinuous with the plumosium portion, so there was no question
of an intrusion from spores or otherwise. This year the
semilacerum has, as might be expected, got the upper hand.
and has almost choked out the plumosum, although two or
three fronds of true Hadwinii are still visible. It will be
an interesting experiment to sow spores of the semilacerum
in order to see whether Hadiinii can be raised from it.

The Hon. Secretary will be much obliged if members who
have not yet paid their subscriptions or arrears will send a
remittance at once to Mr. C. Henwood, 21, Clifton Road.
Maida Vale. London. W. 9.

AN OLD FERN BOOK.

On a recent visit to a second-hand book shop T came
across a “* History of British Ferns’ (4th Edition. dated
1844). by Edward Newman. Not very old. as books g
hut if the Author’s introduction has been read aright. one
is led to believe that this was the first book worth reading
that had been written on the subject of ferns. The style.
of course, has not the quaintness of Culpepper or Samuel
Pepys, but it has an Early Victorian flavour which I found
quite entertaining.

O;

106

Fern culture must have been in an early stage when
the book was written, for Mr. Newman states that ‘* Since
the publication of my First Edition, the cultivation of
Ferns has become fashionable: it is no longer confined
to the professional nurseryman or florist, as was then the
case, but almost everyone possessing good taste has
attempted more or less successfully to cultivate these
exquisite plants.”

Mr. Newman, author also of books on Bird Nesting,
British Birds and Entomology, had apparently acquired
confidence in himself through prolific writing, and does
not adopt the apologetic tone so noticeable in the y;refaces
of some of our modern authors. Notice how he speaks
of “‘' The Fern Books that have sprung up around mine.
like mushrooms around the parent plant. I have read
them all; I have thought this a duty and have performed
it: and I unhesitatingly pronounce, with the German
critic, that in all the mass of Fern literature that owes its
existence to my various editions, ‘ What is new is not true,
and what is true is not new.’ ’”’ He ends by magnanimously
wishing success to the host of imitators which his final
edition would doubtless raise up, and expresses his satis-
faction that ‘‘ Newman’s Ferns ”’ had become a household
book.

Like many a later student of the subject, Newman
seems to have been considerably muddled by the scientific
nomenclature of ferns. Generic names especially seem
to have annoyed him. He says, ‘* As regards generic
names such as Aspidium, Nephrodium, &c., it will soon be
seen by any one who studies botanical works that these
names have no definite signification,’ and he follows on by
saying that he never met a botanist really conversant with
ferns who used them, the specific name being invariably

107

used by itself. Thus he would talk of ** recurvum, tricho-
manes, viride, &c.’ He also adopts his own classification
of the British ferns (*‘ for which I claim no merit,’’ he adds).
He starts with capillus-Veneris, continues with leptophylla
and spicant, through aquilina and crispus to the Polypodies
and Woodsias, then passes to the Bladder Ferns, Prickly
Ferns and Buckler Ferns (under all sorts of names) to the
Lady Fern and Spleenworts, ending with the filmies,
Royal Fern, Moonwort and Adder’s Tongue. It is interest-
ing to note that he claims to have communicated the dis-
covery of Gymnogramma leptophylla to the botanical public
of England, after verifying its name.

Variations receive no mention, and even Polypodium
vulgare var. Cambricum, which the most orthodox of modern
botanists includes in his list, is passed by unnoticed, though
I believe it had been discovered by Ray long before this
book was written. However, he gives away the habitats
of the rarest of our ferns, a practice which cannot be safely
indulged in during these days of vandalism.

But, among many interesting things in this book, what
chiefly caught my attention was the description of certain
species, of which I admit I have never heard. One of these
is called Wilson’s Fern, or Polypodium Myrrhidifolium, of
Villars, previously, but incorrectly, named P. montanwm
by Link. This little fern, it appears, was found on Ben
Lawers by Mr. Wilson, of Warrington, in 1836, and in
neighbouring localities by others at a later date. Mr.
Newman “‘ had the pleasure of introducing it to the British
Flora in 1844.” It had a creeping root stock, with a slender
erect stalk, topped by triangular, pinnate fronds which lie
horizontally. Said to occur freely on the Continent, it was
only to be found in this country in the Ben Lawers district.
[The reference is to Cystopteris montana.—ED. |

108

Another puzzler is Bennett’s Fern, or Lophodiwm glandu-
losum, no botanical authority being given for the name.
[Newman himself was the culprit.—Ep.] It appears to
have been a very large plant, which I gather from the
description to have resembled Lastrea dilatata. The author
states that the Forest of Dean and Epping Forest were the
only reliable localities for this fern. [See Lastrea dilatata
and its Allies, page 107, Vol. III., British FErn
GAZETTE.—ED.]

A third species which I do not recognise is Pseudathyrium
flexile. Newman states that ‘‘ Flexile has been referred by
speculative botanists to Filia-femina, alpestre and fragilis,
but those who are practically acquainted with it, without
exception, consider it a distinct species.” It was found
abundantly in one locality in Glen Prosen, in Forfarshire,
by a party of botanists, and our writer thinks it wut doubt-
less be found generally distributed over the Highland Glens
of Scotland. [See Species and Varieties, British FERN
GAZETTE, Vol. III., page 178.—Eb.|

Mention of two other species must suffice. One is called
Bory’s Spleenwort, the Asplenium acutum of Willdenow,
and the Asplenium productum of Lowe. This ‘‘ exquisitely
beautiful fern’ seems to be one of the most divided of
British ferns, abundant in the Azores and other places,
unknown in Great Britain, but occurring in three Irish
Counties, Down, Kerry and Cork. It grows in company
with the Black Spleenwort but is perfectly distinct from it.
[Asp. Ad. nigrum acutum, the ‘‘ French fern’’ of the flower
markets.—ED. |

The other species is Petrarch’s fern, Asplenium Petrarche
(Bory). From the illustration given, I gather this resembles
Asplenium viride in general outline, the fronds being about
three inches long, less than half an inch wide and diminish-

109

ing to a very sharp tip. A Grecian species which it seems
was discovered by a Lady Clermont, near Flurry Bridge,
in Ireland. Newman states that it is precisely intermediate
in habit and form between Ruta-muraria and Trichomanes.
[Asplenium Petrarche D.C. was reported to have been
found in Ireland as above, but the plant does not appear
to have been identified by any responsible authority.
The author of Cybele Hibernica believes that a form of
A. trichomanes was mistaken for it. Mr. Henwood has
now a plant of A. trichom. subequale (Moore) found by
Mr. Relton in the Wye Valley, which, in its present
condition, might well pass for Petrarche as figured in
Britten’s European Ferns.” Newman himself omits all
mention of this fern in his edition of 1854.—Ep.]

The object of these lines has been to ask what has become
of these ferns. The fern books available to me do not
mention them. Have they been heard of since, or have
they become extinct ? Are the names used by Newman
synonymous with others more familiar to the present
generation, or did he mistake varietal forms of common
ferns for new species ? These questions are a confession of
ignorance, but perhaps some one could lighten my darkness
and say something more about them. It seems a pity that
several interesting and apparently beautiful species should
pass out of our Flora without even a gravestone marked
‘ Extinct.” Can anyone rescue them from oblivion ?

Cardiff, South Wales. S. P. RowLanps.

DEAR Sir,

I notice in your last number of the FERN GAZETTE, you
ask for contributions from others than those who usually
supply them, and so make no apology for making a small

110

contribution, although it is chiefly in the direction of asking
for information and guidance.

Due no doubt to want of experience, I have occasionally
met with difficulty in satisfactorily raising ferns from
spores in the initial stage. This difficulty takes the form
of a very fine white fungus, which, starting in a spot,
gradually spreads over ail the prothalli. In cases where
the white fungus has started, I have at once pricked off
small portions of prothallus into other pots or boxes with
good results, as these have gone straight ahead, and show
practically no further signs of fungus.

I always sterilize the pot and soil by pouring boiling
water on the surface of the soil until the bottom of the pot
is too hot to hold, and then immediately place a square of
glass over the pot and allow to cool. The glass is only
removed (once) to sow the spores, when the pot is stood in
a saucer of water, the whole being placed in a cold frame
which only gets what sunshine filters through the branches
of a tree. When the sun has been very bright I have
generally spread a light covering over the frame.

Is an explanation of this fungous growth to be found in
sowing the spores too thickly, as I have made this mistake
sometimes, or are some varieties more liable to it than
others ? I have tried removing the glass cover from over
the pot but without any appreciable effect in arresting the
erowth of the fungus.

I should be interested to know whether any other grower
has had a similar experience. So much for difficulties.

My experience this year in sowing has been very different
from what I have previously had and from what I have
always understood to be usual. On June 30th, I made a
sowing of eight different varieties and within a fortnight
the surface of the soil in six out of the eight was covered

vt

with young prot”alli, whereas in former sowings I have
always had to wait about eight weeks, under similar con-
ditions in a cold frame. Can this be explained by the fact
that this year I sowed the spores as soon as ripe whereas
formerly I used spores obtained from a fern specialist who
may have had them in stock some time? Do fern spores
partially lose their vitality with age? I have been told
that spores of the varieties of Osmunda have chlorophyll
in their composition and do not remain active for more than
two or three days. Whether this is so or not I cannot say,
but took the precaution of gathering a fertile frond when
green. The spores very soon fell out on a sheet of paper
and I noticed that they were decidedly green, not brown
like others. I lost no time in making a sowing and have
been rewarded by a pot full of very promising looking
prothalli.
Yours sincerely,

FRANK BURTON.
Roughetts, Hildenborough, Kent, 13/10/20.

[Our correspondent’s experience in sowing spores is by no
means singular. There is a great tendency to sow too
thickly, and this conduces to the growth of moulds
(i.) by lowering the vitality of the prothalli from over-
crowding and (1i1.) by giving increased facility for the
spread of fungous growth should germs be introduced,
which is almost inevitable. Mr. Burton’s plan of
immediately pricking off the uninfected prothalli
into another pot (giving them more room) was quite

right and is the only safe plan, although a spot of
fungus can frequently be killed out by watering with
a weak solution (pink) of potassium permanganate.
It is true also that some varieties are more liable than
others to fungous growth. The more vigorous the

112

variety or species, and the more quickly it develops,
the less likely is it to be damaged by moulds or other
intruders. Consequently a sowing which can be
brought on rapidly, with the aid of a little artificial
heat, runs less risk of infection than one which lingers
for months or years in a cold frame before the pro-
thallic stage is passed. Also spores sown as soon as
ripe develop more vigorously, and are more resistant
to infection than those which have been kept for
some months. Mr. Burton is also right about the
short-lived character of the spores of Osmunda, which
is also shared by those of the Todeas and probably of
other filmy ferns.—Ep1ror].

FERN CHAT.

Tt is now some thirty years since the question of multiple
paternity in ferns was first mooted by the late Mr. Lowe
and it may still be considered (as the Scotch say) “‘ not
proven.” [Far from it—Ep.] There is, however, such an
accumulation of evidence in favour of the free and easy
crossing of varieties as to leave no room for doubt on that
subject. Such an admission has very far-reaching conse-
quences. In view of what has already been achieved in the
way of crossing, we must be prepared to admit that any
two varieties of a species will cross and can be combined,
provided they are sown together, and the prothalli mature
at about the same time.

The variety muricatum has been combined with almost
every variety of Scolopendrium, the same with marginatum,
peraferens, grandiceps and many others. Among 4.f/f.
we find every variety now has its crested, congested, cruciate

113

or ramose counterpart. Even such dissimilar types as
kalothrix and the heavily crested gemmatum and formoso-
cristatum have joined in holy wedlock.

The question now arising is—what constitutes a species ?
There is no certainty that the present arrangement of ferns
into genera and species is the correct one. For instance,
if varieties only and not species can be crossed, we are
driven to the conclusion that some of our so-called species
are simply varieties. LP. angulare crosses with P. acros-
tachordes, Polypodium aureum with P. vulgare. P. aculeatum
intermarries freely with P. angulare.

If we admit the general crossing of species, even if the
operation is effected only on rare occasions and with great
difficulty, what a vista of latent possibilities is opened up
before us! Imagine a cross between L. atrata and L.
montana or L. thelypteris. It needs no very great stretch
of the imagination to see in the Dicksonias and Cyatheas
of the Southern Hemisphere, the combined characters of
hitherto unsuspected parents. [’—HEp.|

In a sowing of crested Ceterach the writer once noticed
what appeared to be at first sight a very promising and
apparently pinnate Scolopendrium, suggestive of a very
superior type of sagittato-projectum. ‘This occasioned little
surprise, as stray Scolopendriums appear in every sowing
unless special precautions are taken to sterilize the spore
brush after each sowing. The scedling’s motto was evi-
dently festina lente, the growth being very slow and deli-
berate, the plant being quite outstripped by its fellows, and
only being saved from annihilation by the careful removal
of its immediate competitors. In a month or two the fern
was definitely identified as Asp. ad. nig. microdon, of which
no plant existed at that time on the writer’s premises.
Probably there were only some half-dozen specimens of this

114

fern in the British Isles, and certainly none within a radius
of one hundred miles. The matter is further complicated
by the appearance the same year of three seedlings of the
same plant in an equally mysterious manner in the fernery
of our late President, Mr. Alex. Cowan, at Penicuik. Whence
came these plants ? The spores found on A. Ad nig. micro-
don are apparently all abortive, and there is no recorded
instance of plants being reproduced by direct sowing.

The most workable hypothesis is, that two distinct species
have crossed, of which S. vulgare is probably (although not
certainly) one. What nature has accomplished in the past
(given similar conditions) can and will be effected in the
future.

It is highly significant that these seedlings appeared
simultaneously, and at places 200 miles apart, and were in
each instance the progeny of unknown parents. It may
be that exceptionally fortuitous climatic conditions are
requisite, and that these conditions very rarely coincide.
The fact that the fern in question appeared among a sowing
of Ceterach only constitutes prima facie evidence against
that plant, there being no resemblance between the two
except similarity in the arrangement of the sori. The
parentage therefore of this fern presents a very interesting
problem for future solution. Correvon mentions, on page
122 of ‘‘ Fougeres Rustiques,’’ the existence of ‘* Scol. v.
hybridum (Milde), which curious thing appears to be a
hybrid between S. vulgare and Ceterach.”’ That the plant
is still in existence is extremely doubtful, at any rate it has
never come under the present writer’s notice.

H. STANSFIELD.
[We have long considered Scolopendrium much more likely
than Asplenium marinum as a parent in the cases of
the three supposed hybrids A. Ad. nigrum microdon,

115

A. lanceolatum microdon and A. trichomanes confluens.
The only way to settle the question is by direct experi-
ment. We suggest that several members should sow
together freshly ripened spores, well mixed, of, say,
Scol. vulgare with A. lanceolatum, A. trichomanes and
A.. Ad. nigrum respectively, and report results.
A. marinum may also be used as an alternative stallion.
We have, so far, failed to raise seedlings directly from
any of the three so-called hybrids. It is possible that
the method of synthesis may be more successful than
the attempts at analysis.—ED. |

PLUMOSE VARIETIES OF FERNS.

The plumose varieties—using the word plumose in its
widest sense and including all the ‘‘ feathery-looking ”’
forms—comprise probably the noblest and loveliest of all
ferns inasmuch as the plumose character is simply the
extreme development of what constitutes the peculiar
beauty of all ferns, viz., symmetry and grace of form
combined with freshness and purity of colour. These
forms are admired even by those who look upon all varia-
tions as “‘ monstrous,’ and who regard a grandiceps or a
ramosissimum as a mere Ceformity if not as an utter abomin-
ation. ‘The plumose varieties may be divided into (i.) those
originally found wild and presumably primary sports from
the species, and (ii.) those raised under cultivation from wild
ferns or their descendants, these bemg therefore at least
two generations removed from the species ; and itis obvious
that it is unfair to make comparisons between members of
the two groups. The wild plumosums are so by comparison
with the parent species and naturally those derived from

the simpler species such as Scolopendrium vulgare, Poly-
pedium vulgare and Blechnum spicant are much less “ plu-
mose’’ (7.€., have less resemblance to plumes) than are
those derived from species which are normally more decom-
pound, of which the Lady Fern may be taken as a conspicuous
example. ‘The essence of a plumose variety consists in an
increased development of the leafy tissue of the plant as
compared with the skeleton. This increase is frequently,
if not generally, at the expense of the spore-bearing energy
of the plant. The varieties of this type were by no means
all originally, or even eventually, named plumosum or
plumosa. The first variety to receive this name, so far as the
writer is aware, was P. angulare plumosum, found by
Elworthy in 1856 and so named by Moore. Next in
order of time was probably Wollaston’s P. ang. plumosum,
which was shortly followed by Athyrium f.f. plumosum
found by James Horsfallin Yorkshire, and by the Axminster
plumosum found in the South-West. Forms analogous
to these in other species had, however, been found much
earlier—for instance, Polypodiwm ‘* Cambricum,” Asple-
nium trichomanes incisum and Scolopendrium v. crispum,
but the name plumosum had not been given to them.
Asplenium marinum plumosum is closely comp:rable in
character to Polypodium Cambricum, and received the
name plumosum because it was found at a time when
attempts were being made to name varieties on a distinct
plan. A plumose form of £. Filix-mas was found in 1857
and named Bollandie by Moore after the finder. Wol-
laston subsequently dubbed it *‘ plumosa,’ but the name
has never displaced the original one although it is a much
more philosophic one. The fact is, the names of the
earlier varieties were given on no particular principle, but
more or less haphazard according to the fancy of the

iy

sponsor. Wollaston tried to introduce a scientific system
of nomenclature for varieties but was too late to gather all
the varieties into his scheme, most of the older varieties
continuing to be known by their original names. Never-
theless, his system of descriptive or characteristic names
is the one which has been adopted by subsequent writers
with regard to new varieties and will probably prevail
more and more as time goes on. At least four plumose
forms of L. montana have been found, although this was
regarded for some time as the least sportive of its genus.
All these are grand ferns and, although less feathery-
looking than the plumose Lady Ferns, it is found that they
bear the same relation to the parent species as do other
plumose wild forms, 7.e., there is thinning and expansion
of the leafy tissue accompani-d by subdivision of the
ultimate segments and a great decrease in the production
of spores. The sori, when present, are moreover devoid
of indusia, as in the Horsfall plumosum in Athyrium. It
is odd when we consider the extreme abundance and wide
distribution of L. dilatata, that no plumose form of that
species has been discovered. Let us hope that such a
discovery may yet reward some of our members in their
hunting expeditions! The folioswums differ from the
plumosums in having fronds of normal substance and
texture (7.e., not thinned although expanded) and in
having normal fructification. They are really sub-plumose
forms.

To come now to the plumose forms of garden origin ;
it is obviously unfair to bring them into comparison with
those found wild. Many, if not most, of the plumose-
divisilobes in P. angulare have a much greater resemblance
to actual plumes than have their relatives the plumosums.
The principle of subdivision of parts is carried to a greater

118

degree and also another character comes in, viz., the
peculiar sharp cutting and contracted lobes of the acutilobe
and divisilobe sections. It is curious that these lovely
ferns, combining the beauties of two separate sections of
wild varieties, were not raised from either of those sections
but from the simpler decompositum type which may,
therefore, be considered to contain the germs of both the
more advanced sections. It is not unlikely that plumose
divisilobes might be raised by directly crossing the wild
plumosums with the wild divisilobes, and I know that
Col. Jones had at one time the idea of raising a plumose
divisilobe in aculeatum by crossing Wollaston’s P. ang.
plumosum with P. aculeatum acutilobum. His death
prevented this idea from being carried out by him, but it
is still open to others to essay the same task. The result,
however, can hardly be expected to surpass, or even to
equal, the lovely P. aculeatum pulcherrimum plumosum of
Green. It would be a triumph to approach it, and it is an
experiment which may be tried by anyone who has the
knack of raising ferns from spores, inasmuch as both the
suggested parents are easily available and both produce
plenty of spores. Perhaps some enterprising member

will try it. F.WS.

At an Exhibition Meeting of the School Nature Study
Union, at the L.C.C. Day Training College, Southampton
Row, W.C., on the afternoon of Saturday, September 25th
last, I gave a Demonstration Exhibit of the varietal capacity
of some of our British Ferns.

By the kindness of Mr. Cranfield, who sent me a box of
magnificent fronds, I was enabled to occupy two tables

119

with a much finer display than I could have attempted
from my own relatively meagre resources alone.

The meeting was attended by crowds of visitors during
the afternoon, and I found so much interest taken in the
fronds shewn, that I became extremely hoarse at the con-
clusion of the exhibition. It was decidedly no sinecure to
explain various phases of interest, over and over again, to
a long succession of groups of observers. For the first
time I realized, shghtly, what speaking a part must mean
to an actor.

As usual the plumosum and divisilobe angulares attracted
much notice, although closely run by some very fine crispum
Scolos. Afrond of P. aculeatum pulcherrimum, side by side
with gracillimum (Cranfield) was also much admired. The
range of variations shewn in Polypodium vulgare evoked
much comment.

Altogether, I felt very satisfied that the results in public
interest were easily commensurate with the trouble taken.

Fras. W. THORRINGTON.

In an edition, published in 1896, of ** Ferns, British and
Foreign,’ by John Smith, A.L.S., ex-Curator of the Royal
Botanic Gardens, Kew (the first edition, by the way, was
published in 1866), there is a note on page 289, of what I
imagine to be A. f.f. plumosum (Horsfall). This comment
is so very apropos of the raging battle as to ‘‘ specific ”’
value in classification that I feel impelled to give it in its
entirety, especially as I can remember no reference to it in
the past pages of the GazErrnr.

The Author, it will be observed, gives it as represented
in Lowe’s ‘‘ New and Rare Ferns” t. 14—and also says—
Yorkshire (Mr. Stansfield): The plate given by Mr. Lowe
does not convey to me an impression of identity with

120

Nature Print IX. in Druery’s *‘ British Ferns, &c.’”’ but as
it is stated as having been found at Skipworth, I judge that

p. Horsfall must be meant.
This, being a Stansfield family matter, is an instance
where a comment by our Editor should be of especial value.
Fras. W. THORRINGTON.

Extract from ‘‘ Ferns, British and Foreign” page 289.
84. PHEGOPTERIS

2. P. plumosa, J. Sm.—Asplenium Filix-foemina, var.
plumosum (Moore) ** Nat. Print Ferns,’ Oct. ed. p. 56,
Lowe’s ‘‘ New Ferns,” t. 14—Yorkshire (Mr. Stansfield).
Obs.—A few years ago three plants of this fern were
found wild in Yorkshire. It was soon afterwards described
and figured in the works above quoted, under the name of
Asplenium Filix-foemina, var. plumosum ; but upon what
erounds it was referred to Aspleniz I cannot explain, as all
the specimens I have examined of it have small, punctiform,
naked sori, perfectly characteristic of the genus Phegopteris,
with which it also agrees in habit. This leaves me no other
alternative than to consider it a species of that genus, and
consequently a new British species. In doing so, the
question arises as to whether it represents an ancient species
not before noticed, or the modern result arising from the
power of nature to generate new forms, in accordance with
the Darwinian Theory of creation of species. It is, how-
ever, to be observed that in abnormal or difformed states
of Asplenium and Scolopendrium, the sori are depauperated,
in some instances having no vestige of an indusium ;_ but
such is not the case with this plant. The fronds are perfect
in every respect, and if Herbarium specimens had been
received from some foreign country, no Pteridologist, on

seeing the naked sori, would refer it to Aspleniz.

121

(The fern referred to is A. f.f. plumoswm, Horsfall, which
was found by a gardener (James Horsfall), in the
employ of the present Editor’s father and grandfather.
Mr. Smith was not alone in the idea that it was a new
species, but he was probably the only man to publish
that opinion. At that time botanists were rather
scornful about the phenomenon of variation in ferns,
and most of them had the belief that the characters
of fructification, upon which their genera and species
were mainly based, were fixed and immutable. This
notion has long been known to be a mistaken one
(see “‘ Fern Mysteries,’ British FERN GAZETTE,
Vol. IIL., pp. 125—130). It was demonstrated as a
fallacy by the first considerable batch of seedlings
raised from the Horsfall plwmosum, inasmuch as these
showed, not only plants closely resembling the parent,
both in the nakedness of the sori and in the plumose
form of the frond, but also plants intermediate between
plumosum and the normal species, some being more or
less feathery but with normal sori, while others bore
imperfectly developed indusia attached to the sori.—
EpIiror. |

A GLOSSARY OF FERN NAMES—(continuwed.)

POLYSTICHUM ACULEATUM.
acrocladon—(see under Athyrium f.f.).
acutilobum—having acute lobes.
argutum—sharp, clear, well defined.
capitatum—having a head (see under A.f.f.).
corymbiferum—bearing a terminal cluster.
cristato-gracile—crested and slender (see under A.f,f.).

122

cristatum—crested (see under Blechnum).

gracile—slender (see under A.f.f.)

gracilimum—very slender.

grandiceps—{see under A.f.f., &c.).

lobatum—having lobes or divisions.

micaceum—belonging to a soil containing mica.

multifidum—(see under A.f.f., &c.).

proliferum—bearing offspring (7¢.e. bulbils).

pulcherrimum—most beautiful (see under A.f.f.).

pulchrum—beautiful (see under 4.f.f.).

stipatum—crowded, compressed (see under A. hole

POLYSTICHUM ANGULARE.

acrocladon—(see under A.f.f.).

acutilobum—having acute lobes.

aculissimum—very sharp.

adpressum—pinnee pressed towards rachis.

alatum—winged (pinnee congested so as to resemble wings).

alato-revolvens—winged and rolled backwards.

apuceforme—(see under Athyrium f.f.).

angustifrons—narrow fronded.

angustum—narrow (see under L. montana).

abasipinnulum—lacking the basal pinnules.

arclissimum—very thick, close (really a dense acutilobe).

attenuatum—drawn out, slender at tip (see under Poly-
podiwm v.)

aureum—golden.

brachiatum—having arms (?.e. basal pinne greatly pro-
longed, see under 4.f.f.).

brachiale (Lowe)-—a variant of above ; really a brachiatum.

capitatum—having a head or large crest (see previous list).

caudatum—tailed (apex of frond narrowed and prolonged
like a tail, see under A.f.f.).

conchatum—having (cockle) shell-like pinnules.

concinnum—neat (really a foliose perserratum, see wider
Blechnum).
confluens—pinnules flowing together (see under Blechnum).

confertum |
if -crowded, thrust together (see under A.f. f.).
congestum ) S :

conspicuilobum—pinnules having a projecting lobe.

en having a crown-like crest (see under A. f.f.).

corymbiferuwm-—(see under A.f.f.).

cristatum—(see under A.f.f.).

crispatum—curled (see under A./f.f.).

cruciatum—(see under Athyrium).

cruciato-pinnulum | having twin pinnules taking opposite

erucipinnulum | directions,i.e..cruciate(see under A. f. f.).

cuneatum—having wedge-shaped pinnules.

curtum—short (fronds), (see under Blechnim\.

decomposittum—(see under Lastrea F. mas.).

decorum—handsome, comely, seemly.

decurrens—(lit. running down) pinnules attached by a
wing to subrachis (see Druery’s last book, p. 197).

deltoideum—triangular, like the Greek letter Delta.

deorso-pinratum—pinne extended downwards, ¢.e., having
long lower pinnules.

depauperatum—impoverished, lacking in parts (see under

dissectum—pinnules cut into small segments, as it were
‘* dissected.”

divisiobum—lit. having divided lobes (see article in

GazeETTA, No. 5, Vol. [V., The Sections of P. angulare).
divisum—divided (really a form of decompositum).
dumetum ),.

-like a thicket (heavily crested forms).
Picci |» e a thicket (heavily ¢ )

falcatwm—sickle shaped (pinne and pinnules).

124

falcato-pinnulum—having sickle shaped pinnules.

flabellipinnulum—having fan-shaped pinnules.

fleruosum—tall of bends and turns.

foliosum _ |

frondosum |

furcans—forking (see under blechnim).

furcillatum—having little forks (see under A.f.f.).

gracile—slender (see under A.f.f.).

grande—larege, fine.

grandiceps—{see under A.f.f.).

grantidens—(see under A.f.f.).

hirondelle (French)—a little swallow (in allusion to form
of two opposite pinnules) (see GAZETTE, Vol. ITT, p. 250).

imbricatum—tiled (pinnce and = pinnules overlapping)
(see under Asplenium marinum).

incisum-—cut in, slashed (see under Lastrea montana).

iequale—unequal, irregular (see under 4.7. f.).

interruplum—having parts missing.

laciniare—finely pleated.

latifoliwm—broad-leaved (large pinne) (see under A.f.f.)

latipes—broad at the base.

lineare—pertaining to or resembling lines (see under
Asplenium marinum).

linealum—having lines (really a supralineatum),

longipinnatum—having long pinnee (see under Poly-
podium v.). |

-leafy (see under A.f.f.).

manica-infantis—a child’s glove.

marmoralum—marked or coloured like marble.

micron—small, short.

mousogenes—artistic (child of the Muses).

multifidum—(see under Athyrium).

multilobum—ilit. having many lobes) (see GAZETTE,
No, 5, Vol. IV.).

125

nitescens—(lit. beginning to shine) a promising variety.

nudicaule—naked-stemmed (see under A.f.f.).

oblusissemum—very blunt (pinnee and pinnules).

orbiculatum—elobular (7.e., the head or crest) (see under
Ali

ovale—oval or egg-shaped (fronds).

oxy phyllum—acute-leaved (cf. acutilobum).

parvissimum—very small.

pendens—drooping.

percristatum—crested all through (pinules crested) (see
muder Af. ].)-

perserratum—deeply saw-toothed.

pedicellatum , pinnules stalked.

pediculatum |

plenum—tull, dense.

plumatile—as though embroidered with feathers.

plumosissimum—very feathery or feather-like.

plumosum—feathery or featherlike (see under Asplenium
Marinumy.

polyclados—many-branched.,

polydactylum—many-tingered (see under A.f.f.).

premorsum—with the end or tip as if bitten off.

productum—pinnules pointing forward (lit. led forward),

projectum—jutting out (irregular branches) (see under
Blechnum).

proliferum—bearing offspring (bulbils).

pterophorum--wing-bearing (pinnules crowded, but not
pine) (see alaium).

pulcherrimum—very beautiful (see under A.f.f.).

pumilum—dwarf (see under Laslrea EF. mas).

quadripinnatum—trond four times divided (7.e., pinnules
twice divided).

ramosum—branched (see under A. Ad. nigrum).

ramulosum—having small branches (7.e., branched at
head, but not from base).

ramoso-pinnatum—having branched pinne.

retroflecum—pinne bent backwards.

revolvens—rolling backwards (see under A.f.f.).

rotundatum—ypinnules rounded (see under Blechnumy).

scalptum—carved or engraved (7.e., surface).

setosum—bristly, hairy, fringed with hairs.

stnuosum—with sinuous stem.

stipatum—crowded, compressed (see under 4.f.f.).

stipttatum—having stalked pinnules.

stipulatum—made of straws or little stalks (hence thatched
or resembling thatch).

tenue—slender, thin (see under 4.f.f.).

iripinnatum—trond thrice divided (7.e., pinnules once
divided) (see under Blechnum).

lruxcatum—abruptly shortened (see under 4.f.f., ¢f.
premorsum).

turgidum-—swollen.

venustum—lovely, charming.

vestitum—clothed (scaly).

ie.
British
Gazette.

PUBLISHED QUARTERLY.

|
March, 1921.

EDITED BY

Fr. W. STANSFIELD, M.D.

PUBLISHED BY

THE BRITISH PTERIDOLOGICAL SOCIETY

(President and Hon. Treasurer, Mv.W. B. Cranfield, East Lodge,
Enfield Chase, Middlesex.)

(Hon. Sec. Mr. Charles Henwood, 21, ee Road, Maida Vale,
London, W. 9.)

KENDAL, WESTMORLAND.

THE

BRITISH FERN GAZETTE.

NEW SERIES

VoL. 4. MARCH, 1921. No. 8.
CONTENTS. PAGE

EDITORIAL NOTEs ... ae ae mee ee ae = 127
A GARLAND OF Ferns (Mr. F. W. Thorrington) ... ae 129
TREE Ferns (Mr. H. Stansfield) : 130
THE FoRMS OF SCOLOPENDRIUM Vv. CRISPUM (F.W.S.) _ ... 134
A GLossaRY OF FERN NAMES (concluded)... a ae 139
List oF MEMBERS AND ADDRESSES ... as a ane 143

EDITORIAL NOTES.

We are indebted to our member Mr. T. Brown, J.P., of
Belfast, for help in unravelling the history of the very fine
P. angulare divisilobum referred to in our December notes
as having been sent by Mr. J. E. Austin, of Detling, and
received by him from his neighbour, Mr. Bensted. The
fern was sent to the latter about eight years ago by the
late Mr. J. H. Bland, of Tobarcooran, Carnmoney, and it
appears from Mr. Brown’s researches that Mr. Bland him-
self found it on Carnmoney Hill, Co. Antrim, a few miles
from Belfast. This fact rests upon the testimony of Mr.
Francis J. Bigger, of Belfast, who had many conversations
with Mr. Bland about it. The exact date cannot be
ascertained, but it was probably some 10 or 12 years ago.

The fern will therefore be known as P. angulare divisilobum,
Bland.

128

Mr. Everard Hamilton, of Dundrum, has kindly sent,
through Canon Kingsmill Moore, a plant of the Queen’s
County angulare, of which the latter gentleman recently
supplied a dried frond. On examination of the fresh plant
it appears to be an acutilobe rather than a divisilobe, 7.e.,
the upper and lower pinnules are of approximately equal
length. Itisa very neat fern and has a general resemblance
to acutilobum, Hartley, but is not bulbiferous like that
variety : also the pinnules are a little more falcate than
in Mrs. Hartley’s plant. It was found by Mr. Hamilton
some 20 years ago at Clopook (7.e., ‘* Rock of the Fairies ’’),
Queen’s County. The finder wishes the locality to be
perpetuated in the name which will therefore be acutilobum
Clopookense, Hamilton.

The two choice plants here recorded draw fresh attention
to Ireland as a happy hunting ground for fern-lovers. We
trust that Irish political affairs may soon be sufficiently
settled to permit peaceful botanists from the sister isle to
pursue their avocations in that beautiful but, at present,
unhappy country.

Mr. W. H. Stansfield, of Southport, reports that he has
found Asplenium Germanicum in a new locality in West-
morland. We trust it may be permitted to remain there.
The last thing a true botanist desires is to exterminate a
rare species.

Our present issue contains a corrected list of members
and their addresses. We regret to note the disappearance
of several familiar names. We hope all seceders, especially
old members, will reconsider this matter.

129

A GARLAND OF FERNS.

Royal Osmund groweth tall,
Lissome and strong and _ bold ;
Fringing all the rivulet
With crowns of green. and gold.
Rambling far o’er shadowed bog
See Marsh thelypleris glide ;
Fairy forests of its fronds
The matted Sphagnum hide.
Mantling all the rocky brink
With leafy lacework neat
Lady Fern peeps tenderly
And seeks to bathe her feet.
Hymen’s filmy haze, around
The mist-dewed cavern mouth,
Steals away, from contact with
The rich and glowing South.
Down the wall a tapestry
Of Hart’s-tongue lucent falls,
Meet to be the vestment of
Titania’s elfin halis.
Hair-stemmed gracile pennons gay —
The shimm’ring Oak Fern waves
O’er the bank whose foliage
The frolic streamlet laves.
By the road meandering
Thro’ woodland light and shade,
Cohorts of the Male Fern march
Embroidering the glade.
Here the great Broad Buckler Fern
Flings beauty shoulder-high
To greet the boughs that shelter
It’s verdure from the sky.

130

Shield Fern soft, the hedgerow’s pride
With vernal promise rears
Bronze and silver symmetry
Aglow with dewdrop tears.
Over Common as we pass
The Bracken’s acres sway ;
And Blechnum thrusts from under
It’s darting pecten-ray.
Sun-kissed fragrance, drifting from
The rock-strewn moorland, tells
Of montana’s clusters sweet
Amongst the heather-bells.
Moss-grown branch and crumbling wall
The frond-clad ramparts raise
Of Polypody murm’ring
Phoebus Apollo’s praise ;
Bolder still in challenging
The Sun God’s noontide face,
Wall Rue small and Ceterach
The topmast crannies grace.
Plenitude of frondage rich
Does Nature’s cup o’er-brim
By field and fen and mooriand,
Mountain and sea-cliff grim.
Fras. W. THORRINGTON.

TREE FERNS.

From very earliest times ferns have been compelled to
adapt themselves to the gradually changing conditions
prevailing on our globe. Types which were fit under one
set of conditions are often quite unfit under slightly changed
conditions, and as the climate and conditions are never

131

quite stationary but always changing, vegetation is com-
pelled to follow suit. The unfit are exterminated or
decimated, and the fit survive and perpetuate themselves.

The organic world is governed by two opposing forces
heredity, and the tendency to vary. These forces, con-
stantly acted upon by the varying climatic conditions due
to the gradual cooling of the earth, are responsible for the
infinite variety and complexity of organic life which we see_
around us.

During the carboniferous period, although there was a
total absence of animal life, vet every neighbouring fern
became a potential enemy. Warmth, moisture and food
(both gaseous and solid) were the natural birthright of all,
the only other absolute necessity was light, and this was
necessarily limited by the superficial measurement of the
earth’s surface. Ferns shed their spores in lavish pro-
fusion, every square foot of land being crowded to suffocation
with fern life, vegetation ran riot, millions of spores ger-
minating where there was room, only for perhaps one adult
plant. Then commenced the battle for the light. We may
assume that the ferns which first made their appearance
were not tree ferns, and that the strongest destroyed their
less robust neighbours. Every fern which was unable to
overtop its immediate neighbours would be itself overtopped
and therefore destroyed. It became a case of sauve qui
peut, every fern for itself and the devil take the hindmost.

It may be regarded as axiomatic that any ferns possessing
special qualities giving them an advantage, however slight,
over their competitors in the struggle for existence will
survive, and that this advantage will be transmitted to
their descendants, often in an increased degree.

In the times of which we are speaking, it was inevitable
that among such vast numbers of seedlings many new

132

qualities or capacities would be acquired. The most
important quality at this time was the ability to build a
stem. Any fern possessing this desideratum would, in the
battle for the light, fight at an advantage proportionate to
the height ofits stem. The stems in the first instance would
be only a few inches, but seedlings from the stem builders
would inherit this capacity and some would excel their
parents in this particular. With every succeeding genera-
tion the stems would lengthen, and the result would be the
encouragement of an arborescent habit of growth, and the
eventual evolution of a race of monstrous tree ferns with
which it was impossible for ordinary ferns to compete.
The exceptions were the small growing filmy ferns which
were able to exist in semi-darkness, and the rhizomatous
ferns, which, by attaching themselves to the stems, were
able to exist as epiphytes upon the shoulders of their giant
neighbours.

With the advent of animal life and the drier and less
congenial conditions prevailing later, the fight for the hight
became less strenuous. The depredations of animals and
the drying influence of the sun on the land thinned out
the dense fern jungle. The struggle for existence still
proceeded but on somewhat different lines, and the bone of
contention became a contest for the possession of the places
where existed the most favourable conditions for growth.
From this time the tree fern population began to decline.
The stem building weapon had become blunted and was
fast becoming useless. It was no longer a vital factor in
the perpetuation of fern life, but was somewhat of a
handicap as it involved useless and unprofitable labour.
Light could now be obtained without any extra exertion.

It will be observed that all tree ferns are evergreen, thus
proving their origin at a time in the earth’s infancy, when

13:

the climatic conditions were most benign and uniform.
The. deciduous character in ferns was a measure of self-
preservation forced upon them subsequently when the
heavy cloud blanket was removed, and extremes of tem-
perature began to be experienced, and the polar snows
began to ‘‘ steal like a ghost’ upon a formerly warm and
cosy world. In the earlier portion of this fern millennium,
whilst the polar seas were quite hot, huge tree ferns practi-
cally monopolised the whole land surface. They had
inherited or acquired the stem building instinct which had
enabled them to conquer the world, but a few of their
despised enemies had inherited or acquired another very
vital quality, the absence of which quality among tree
ferns was destined to prove the undoing of these otherwise
invulnerable tree monsters. This was the quality of hardi-
ness; they were able to hibernate, and thus protect them-
selves during the cold season, which began to make itself
felt towards the end of the carboniferous period. Tree
ferns were compelled to retreat before the advancing polar
icecaps, having never acquired the deciduous character,
and being very slow to accommodate themselves to the
later colder conditions.

Correvon says: ‘‘ Tree ferns stand in the same relation
to the vegetable carpet which to-day covers the earth, as
do the giraffes, elephants, rhinocerotes and sharks to the
animal world, that is to say they are the last remnants of
races which were formerly numerous and prosperous, but
are now on the verge of extinction. Weak and degenerate
descendants of those superb giants which peopled the forests
during the carboniferous epoch, tree ferns are to-day
confined to moist and sheltered ravines in tropical countries,
where they can still find in part their anterior conditions
of existence. They retreat before the frost which, from the

134

north and south, advances menacingly upon our poor globe
to such an extent that its crust is thickened and its mass is
cooled. In New Zealand, where tree ferns are still abun-
dantly represented, they are often called upon to endure
the inauspicious influences of a climate which is now much
too cold for them. They harden their tissues, bowing their
heads to the storms, and solidifying their outer integument
against the cold and the snow, but everything tends to the
belief that in spite of their best endeavours, they will
sooner or later disappear from these climates which are
now too cold for them. The tree ferns of anterior periods
suffered the fate of all beings of old origin, they retreated
little by little before the new arrivals.”

H. STANSFIELD.

THE FORMS OF SCOLOPENDRIUM V: CRISPUM.

Just as in other species the plumosums constitute the
cream of the varieties, so in the Hart’s Tongue fern the
crispums. which correspond to plumose varieties, are
acknowledged to be the most beautiful section. The
curling or undulation of the margins is produced by an
increased development of the leafy part of the frond in pro-
portion to the costa or midrib. As in the plumose forms
also the increase of the leafy tissue is accompanied by a
thinner texture and generally by the absence, or extreme
scarcity, of spores. The undulatums, as distinct from the
true crispums, have increased leafy development with
wavy margins but without thinning of the tissue and they
all bear normal sori. An intermediate place is occupied by
the fertile crispums, of which several have been found.
They produce sori somewhat sparingly, or only occasionally,
and are thinner in texture than the undulatums proper ;:

135

the margins are also generally more or less serrate or
incised. Forms of this character have been found by
the late Mr. R. Moule, Mr. E. G. Wrigley, Major Cowburn,
Mr. A. B. Taylor, and others.

Of the barren or true crispums the oldest is Gray’s form,
to which the name crispum was first given. It is a very
handsome fern and is largely grown as a market plant,
being propagated by nurserymen from the bases of the
stipites. It is deeply and regularly waved, entirely barren
of spores, and does not attempt to be crested or multifid
but is content to do one thing well. Bowden’s form,
found in the Lake district, is a somewhat similar fern but,
being narrower, appears to be more deeply undulate ; this
is the best narrow form. Major Cowburn found a number
of fine crispums in Monmouthshire, all resembling each
other in being very broad with shallow undulations and
serrate or incised margins. One of them is fertile and
comes true from spores. The others are barren or nearly
so. SS. crispwm latum, found by the late C. Jackson, was
the earliest of the broad forms. ‘The lower part of the
lamina of the frond is separated from the rest by a short
contracted or depauperate interval. For this reason it
is but little grown now, being superseded by more perfect
forms. Crispum majus, Jackson, cr. majus, Moses, and
cr. robustum, Jones, are broad forms somewhat resembling
each other, but robustum, Jones, has a short stipes and
the fronds consequently tend to be crowded in a large
Specimen. Crispum nobile, Bolton, and crispum, Robinson,
are both giant forms, broad, but less deeply undulate than
the foregoing. Bolton’s nobile is very fine and soon forms
a large specimen. Crispum grande, Wills, is the finest of
the broad forms and, in Mr. Henwood’s hands, has produced
fronds seven inches in width, and more deeply undulate

136

than either Bolton’s or Robinson’s form. The fronds, how-
ever, are rather blunt and rounded at the apex and pro-
portionately shorter than the others, so that its habit is
somewhat squat. Mrs. Stabler’s form is a first-rate variety,
having deeply undulate fronds, broad at the base and
tapering to a sharp point. The foot-stalk is very long,
so that a small plant with few fronds has a lanky appear-
ance. In a large plant, however, the long stalks are a
distinct advantage, as the fronds are well raised up and do
not interfere with each other. This is a noble exhibition
fern when well grown. Crispum, Keall, is another fine
form of medium width and undulation, but with a very
dark foot-stalk and midrib and a peculiarly glossy surface
of a rich deep green, which contrasts well with the dark
midrib. Crispum, Stansfield, was found by the present
writer’s grandfather, at Roundstone, Ireland, about fifty
years ago. When grown in the open air, as at Clifton, it
is one of the most distinct forms, standing out from all the
rest ; although deeply undulate the waves are somewhat
flattened and consequently overlap each other like pleats.
For this reason Mr. Lowe called it crispum imbricatum.
When grown under glass the folds are less flat and tend
rather to overlap the midrib behind the frond. Crispum
speciosum, Moly, a plant preserved from extinction by
Mr. Cranfield, and only recently distributed, is. we think,
the finest of all the plain crispums, ‘being deeply waved
(fronds as deep as wide), a gigantic grower of perfect habit
and without the least tendency to coarseness or eccen-
tricity. Sagzttato-crispum, Jackson, and sagittato-crispum.
Wollaston, are as like each other as a pair of identical twins.
of medium width and undulation with smooth (7.e., non-
serrate) margins and sagittate lobes at the base of the
fronds ; very neat and distinct.

137

Crispum fimbriatum, Stansfield, in its best form, is
we think, the most beautiful of all the varieties
of Scolopendrium. It is practically identical with
‘* Stansfieldii,”’ raised at Todmorden, and figured in Lowe’s
‘“Our Native Ferns ”’ (a rather poor frond) and reproduced
in Druery’s last book (plate xxxviii., p. 253). The
original Stansfieldii had been some years extinct when the
present fimbriatum was raised from quite a different source
by F. W.and H. Stansfield, at Pontefract. Two-fine fronds
of the modern type are figured by Druery on p. 235 in his last
book. They show the beautiful fringed margins well, but
both fronds are slightly crested, which we consider rather
a defect, the best type having pointed fronds. The original
batch were mostly (but not all) non-crested and no better
forms have since been raised. There is a great tendency
of late years for seedlings to be multifid or crested or even
ramo-cristate but the normal outline is the most elegant.
The late Mr. 8. Cropper raised, from the Stansfield strain.
a fine seedling which had long narrow fronds, richly fim-
briate, and with neat rounded crests. The other so-called
Cropper fimbriatums were simply reproductions of the
original Stansfield batch. Cr. fimbriatum is usually barren
when in its best form, but sometimes bears a few sori.
Inferior seedlings are abundantly soriferous, and good
forms can sometimes be raised from them.

Mr. Lowe combined cr. fimbriatum with muricatum, and
the result is a very beautiful but somewhat miffy plant.
It attempts too much for its health.

S. crispum Drummondie is another fimbriate form which
was originally found wild. It produced always a propor-
tion of normal or nearly normal fronds, but the characteristic
fimbriate ones were of great beauty having however a
“ switch-back ’’ undulation of the midrib which spoilt the

138

habit of the plant. It was very inconstant and uncertain
as to the production of fimbriate fronds. Mr. R. Bolton
and Mr. Druery have both raised improved forms in which
the inconstancy has been largely, perhaps entirely, elimin-
ated. The switch-back and rather weak habit remains.
with an increased tendency to cristation of the apices.
The best forms are beautifully fringed and aposporous
(see GAZETTE, Vol. II., pp. 156 and 237). If one must have
a crested crispum, S. crispum cristatum, Moly, is the best.
This is another of Mr. Cranfield’s resuscitations from Moly’s
collection. It is deeply undulate, slightly serrate, and
neatly crested; it is also slightly fertile. Miss Kitson’s
crispum multifidum is a fine form with rather narrow erect
fronds. It is a good crispum and a fairly large grower,
but is, we think, rather spoilt by the multifid apices. Cris-
pum ornatum, Troughton, is a somewhat similar form.

S. crispum diversifrons, Jones, is a fertile form and a
curiosity rather than a beauty, although a young and
vigorous plant can be very attractive. As the name
implies the fronds are various in form but generally have
large basal lobes. The veins on the upper surface are large
and prominent giving it a transversely grooved or tooled
appearance, which is very characteristic and by which very
small plants may be readily recognised.

All the forms of crispum are well worth cultivation, but
for a small collection, where room is limited, we should vote
for speciosum, Moly ; grande, Wills : fimbriatum (best type) :
Mrs. Stabler’s and Bowden’s forms, and sagittato-crispum,
Wollaston.

F.W.S:

139

A GLOSSARY OF FERN NAMES (continued),
SCOLOPENDRIUM VULGARE.

acetabulum—a vinegar-cup (a form of peraferens).

acrocladon—(see under Athyrium f.f.).

alatum—winged (the *‘ wing”’ is really the edge of the
frond beyond the marginal line).

albescens—becoming white.

albo-varvegatum—variegated with white.

angustatum—narrowed (see Athyrvwm and Lastrea).

bimarginatum—-doubly marginate (7.e., oh upper and
lower surfaces).

blandum—-pleasant, charming.

capitatum—having a head or large crest.

cervi-cornu—shaped like a stag’s horn or deer’s horn.

chelefrons—claw-fronded, or with claw shaped fronds.

circinatum—curved round, like a circle.

concavo-capitatum—with crested head. Hollow or con-
cave frond.

concavum—hollowed out, concave.

conglomeratum—rolled together, like a ball.

congregatum—collected together, like a herd.

conjungendum—yoked together, twin-fronded.

constellatum—a cluster of stars, clustered crests.

constrictum—drawn together, narrowed,

contractum—contracted (below crest).

cordatum—heart-shaped (in allusion to lobes at base of
frond)

corraceum—leathery.

cornutum—horned.

corniculatum—having little horns.

coronatum—-crowned.,

corymbiferwm—(see under Athyrium f.f.).

crenatum—(see under Asp. Ceterach),

140

crispissimum—very curly.

crispum—(see under Athyrium).

crista-gallia cock’s comb or crest.

cristatum—crested (see Blechnum, &c.).

cristulatum—(see under Athyriwm f.f.).

curtosum—curious

cymbaforme—boat-shaped.

dichotomum—torking again and again, repeatedly dividing
into two parts.

digitatum—fingered (see Athyrium f.f.).

dimorphum—having two forms.

divaricatum—(see under Athyrium).

diversifrons—having differing fronds.

jimbriatum—tringed.

Jissum—cloven (see Adiantum).

fissidens—split into tooth-like lobes.

fissile—cleft, split.

flabellatum—tan-shaped.

flavum—yvellow.

flexuosum—tull of turns, repeatedly bending.

glomeratum—formed into a ball.

grande—large, fine.

grandiceps—having a large head (see Athyrium).

gymnosorum—having naked sori.

hastatum—spear-shaped.

hebetatum—blunt, pointless.

hemionitoides—like a mule (v.e., having long ears).

embricatum—tiled, having overlapping folds (see Asp-
lenium marinum).

mneguale—irregular (see Athyrium).

incisum—cut in, slashed (see Lastrea montana, &c.).

inframuricatum—roughened (like a wall) beneath.

kephaloton—having a head.

ia

141

keratoides—horn-like, branching like the horns of a deer.

laceratum—torn.

lacertum—‘‘a lizard,’ a form of sagittato projectum,
resembling a lizard.

lacinvatum—pleated or folded.

lactewum—milky (a variegated form).

lacteolum—milky white (a diminutive).

laudabile—praise-worthy.

latum—broad.

latissemum—very broad.

lumbospermum—having sori on the margin or edge.

lineare—-very narrow (see Asplenium Ad. nigrum).

lonchophorum—lance-bearing.

longipes—having a long foot (-stalk).

macrosorum—naving large sori.

marginatum—-having a marginal ridge beneath.

muricatum—roughened like a wall.

nitidum—shining, polished.

nodosum—full of knots (7.e., the stem).

nudicaule—having a naked stem (devoid of scales).

omnilacerum—(see under Polypodium vulgare).

palmatum—hand-shaped.

papillosum—hbearing warts, teats, or nipples, or out-
growths.

patulum—-open, spreading, wide.

pectinatum—comb-like, having long teeth.

peraferens—bearing a bag.

pinnatifidum—cut to resemble wings or pinne.

plumosum—feathery (see Adiantum CU. V., &c.).

polycuspis—having many points.

polyschides—many splintered, or with many splits.

projectum—having projecting lobes.

ramigerwm—branch-bearing.

142

ramosum—branched.

ramusculum—having little branches.

reflecum—bent backwards (see Athyrium).

reniforme—kidney-shaped.

rigidum—stiff, inflexible.

rimosum—tull of cracks or fissures.

robustum—stout, strong, like an oak.

rugosum—wrinkled.

sagittatum—arrow-shaped, winged at base.

sagittato-projectum—arrow-shaped, with projections.

sagittato-cristatum—arrow-shaped and crested.

scalpturatum—carved or engraved.

serratum—-saw-like (see Blechnum).

serrula—a little saw.

sinuatum—wavy on margin.

senum—a fold or pocket (a form of peraferens).

speciosum—showy, handsome, good-looking.

spirale—twisted spirally.

supralineatum—having lines on upper surface.

suprasoriferum—bearing sori on upper surface.

tortuosum—-tull of twists or turns.

transverso-lobatum—-having lobes crossing each other.

truncato-cornutum—abruptly shortened and bearing a
horn.

turgidum—swollen, distended.

uncinatum—hooked, barbed (at base).

undulatum—waved.

unguiceps—claw-headed (crests like a bird’s foot)

varvabile—variable in form.

varvegatum—particoloured.

venosum—veined, full of veins.

viviparum—bearing living young (/.c., bulbils).

143

LIST OF MEMBERS OF THE BRITISH

PTERIDOLOGICAL SOCIETY.
(With addresses.)

ApxIn, F. N., Westwood, Oaklands Road, Bromley Kent.

AIKEN, Rev. J. J. M. L., Manse of Ayton, Berwickshire.

Attcatn, F. A., Tredudwell, Fowey. Cornwall.

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

Arxinson, F., The Bungalow, Staveley, Newby Bridge, Ulverston.

Austin, J. E., West Court, Detling, Maidstone.

BaRreL, Mons. M. B., 10, Avenue d’Iena, Paris.

Barton, H. D. M., The Bush, Antrim. C

Benepict, R. C., Brooklyn Botanic Gardens, New York, U.8.A.

BicknaM, S. H., F.L.S., Underdown, Ledbury, Glos.

BIgLAND, J. W. S., 45, Ashbourne Road, Eccles, Lancashire.

Bow1tes, E. A., Myddelton House, Waltham Cross.

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

Browy, T., J.P., 162, Donegall Street, Belfast.

Bucuan-Heppury, Sir A.. Bart., Letham, Haddington, Scotland.

Burton, F., Roughetts, Hildenborough, Kent.

Carter, Pace & Co., 53, Lendon Wall, E.C.

Cuapman, A., The Gardens, Weston Birt, Tetbury, Glos.

Cory, JAmeEs, Ardeen, Larne, Co. Antrim.

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

Cowan, A., Valleyfield House, Penicuik, Midlothian.

CRANFIELD, W. B., East Lodge, Enfield Chase, Middlesex.

Dempster, R., Kinneuchar, Craigs Road, Dumfries.

Ditwortu, R., Dalegarth, Ulverston.

Donan, W., Ashburne Lodge, Milliken Park. By Johnstone, Renfrew-
shire.

Epwarps, J., Fern Holme, 17, Oak Bank Avenue, Meston. Manchester.

Exton, C., 3, Sterling Road, Enfield, Middlesex.

Evans, T., School House, Abercych, Boncath S.0., Pembrokeshire.

GEORGE, Epwarp, Nassau, N.P., Bahamas, British West Indics.

Gorpon, W., Victoria Road, Maxwelltown, Dumfries.

Gort, Jonny, Kendal, Westmoreland.

Green, T. W., 217, Birmingham Road, Oldbury, Worcestershire.

GREENFIELD, P., The Limes, Warlingham, Whyteleafe, Surrey.

Groves, Mrs. E. A., 6, The Avenue, Brondesbury, London, N.W. 6.

Hawkins, The Rey. E. H., Holy Trinity Vicarage, Stroud.

Hawkins, Miss, Kingston-on-Soar, Derby.

144

Henwoop, C., 21, Clifton Road, Maida Vale, London, W. 9.

Hrnwoop, T. E., 16, Hamilton Road, Reading, Berks.

Krpson, The Rev. J. C. E., Holy Trinity Vicarage, Sittingbourne, Kent.

Kwox-Gorg, Miss A., Cill-Alaithe, Killaloo, Co. Mayo.

Lavgig, G. F., Laurel Villa, Kenmure Avenue, Bishopbriggs, N.B.

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

Leicuton, T., 10, Hamilton Place, Kilmarnock.

Marcery, Mrs., Chartham Park, East Grinstead, Sussex.

MARKENDALE, R. S., Ashfield House, Boston Spa, Yorks.

Marsit, Miss 8. A., Glenlyon, Holywood, Co. Down.

Mason, C. F. (Bursar), Gray Herbarium, Harvard University, Cam-
bridge, Mass., U.S.A.

MAksHALL, H. C., 8, Bryansburn Road., Bangor, Co. Down.

Martin, Mrs. J., Auchinraith, Bexley, Kent.

Maps, J., Cld Connaught, Bray, Co. Wicklow.

McKay, J., Antermony House, Milton of Campsie, Scotland.

McKenprick, J. G., M.D., LL.D., F.R.S., Maxieburn, Stonehaven, N.B.

Mixton, E., ‘‘ Rosedene,”’ Station Road, Bracknell, Berks.

Moors, Rev. Principal H. Kinasminy, D.D., Cedar Mount, Dundrum,

Dublin.

Morzison, W. T., Bowerswell Road, Bridgend, Perth.

Morr, The Rev. F. BLount, 233, Newport Road, Cardiff.

Murray, J. CAMPBELL, J.P., Hagys Castle, Glasgow.

Mouscuamp, R., Myrtle Cottage, Radclifie, Lancashire.

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

O’ Brien, W., 4, Kildare Street, Dublin.

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

Patn, F’., Chase Ridings, Enfield Chase, Middlesex.

Parsons, J. 8., St. Hilary, 96, Cardiff Road, Llandaff, Glam.

Perry, A., The Nurseries, Enfield, Middlesex.

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

Reiton, H., Ganarew House, Ganarew, nr. Monmouth.

Roaerson, Miss B. S., Rokeby, Dunblane, Perthshire.

Row.uanps, Dr. S. P., 229, Newport Road, Cardiff.

RusseELL, A., 4, Crossgate, Cupar, Fife.

Scorr, W., Tullubole Castle, Fossoway, Kinross-shire.

Scott, W. D. T., The Gardens, Government House, Buluwayo,
Rhodesia, South Africa,

SHELDON, J. J., Brightside, Churchfields, 8. Woodford, Essex.

SueRRIN, W. R., A.L.8., London Botanical Institute, 323, Norwood
Road, London, S.E, 24.

145

Sitva, F., Coram Tower, Lyme Regis, Dorset.

SMALL, Miss, 1225, Brentwood Road, Washington, U.S.A.

Smiruins, J. J., Boundary Bank, Kendal.

Soames, The Rev. H. A., Hazelcroft, Mason’s Hill, Bromley, Kent,

STANSFIELD, Dr. F. W., 120, Oxford Road, Reading.

STANSFIELD, H., Fern Nursery, Sale, Manchester.

STANSFIELD, Dr. T., 102, London Road, Reading.

Start, F., East Lodge Gardens, Enfield Chase, Middlesex.

STEPHENS, Gro. E., 168, New Street, Horsham, Sussex.

STrRANACK, HK. F., Elmhurst, Batheaston, Bath, Somerset.

Taxaal, M., Broadway Court, Broadway, Westminster, 8. W. 1.

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

Tuorp, W., Sorrentoville, Dalkey, Co. Dublin.

THORRINGTON, F. W., Ferncote, Emerson Park, Hornchurch.

Tucker, J. W., Ferncroft, Woodah Road, St. Thomas, Exeter.

Turner, T. H., Lynwood, Caversham, Reading.

VAN DER Exst. A. M. C., Royal Tottenham Nurseries, Dedemsvaart,
nr. Zwolle, Netherlands.

WALL, B., 393, Heneage Road, Grimsby, Lincolnshire.

Wa.po.e, J. E., 44, Hannaville Park, Terenure, Dublin.

Wa.potg, J. E., Highbury, Whitby, nr. Chester.

Watton, J. W., Finkle Street, Richmond, Yorkshire.

WarvILL, C. H., Field Villas, 4, Quay Road, Bridlington.

Wuite, W. L. Satussury, Birstall, nr. Leicester.

Wairetey, T. L., 139, Otley Road, Shipley, Yorks.

Wuitton, J., V.M.H., Bellahouston House, Glasgow.

WHITWELL, G., Serpentine Cottage, Kendal.

Witutsams, J. C., Caerhays Castle, St. Austell, Cornwall.

Witirams, W. M. H., Clontarf, Cardigan.

Witson, W., 7, Ferney Green, Kendal.

Wiper, J., 431, Young Street, Victoria, British Columbia.

Youne, J., Helston, Pembroke Road, Sevenoaks, Kent.

Youne, W., Thomson Place, Milton of Campsie, Stirlingshire,

a

fay

—

PUBLISHED QUARTERLY.

Sune, 1921.

EDITED BY

F. W. STANSFIELD, M.D.

PUBLISHED BY

THE BRITISH PTERIDOLOGICAL SOCIETY

(President and Hon. Treasurer, My.W. B. Cranfield, East Lodge,
Enfield Chase, Middlesex.)

(Hon. Sec. Mr. Charles Henwood, 21, Clifton Road, Maida Vale,
London, W.49.)

KENDAL, WESTMORLAND.

(ists

BillISH FERN GAZETTE.

NEW SERIES.

Vou, 4. JUNE, 1921. Nowd.

CONTENTS. PAGE
EDITORIAL NOTES ... es “ Sai Pee bad coe 147
THE AuGust MEETING. ... _ ... aes ee a9 Ae 148
My Ferns (Mr. F. W. Thorrington) ... es a ni 149
Fern Gossip (F.W.S.) ... a ois * ek + 149
Herepity (Mr. H. Stansfield) ... os ot ua ma 153
THE JuDIclIous USE OF SHELTER (Column for beginners)... 157
GLOSSARY OF GENERIC AND SPECIFIC NAMES ee oe 159

EDITORIAL NOTES.

The ** Blackthorn winter”? being now over (May 10th),
ferns, in the South, are looking very promising, especially
those which have been slightly sheltered from the East
winds of April. In the North, probably, the crowns have
been mostly at rest during the dry Spring, and that is all
in their favour. We hope soon to receive notes from our
members with regard to new finds, seedlings and other
matters of general interest. In this issue are some notes
on our Reading ferns. No doubt other members will have
matter to communicate of equal or greater value. Please
let us have some of it for our next issue. Short notes will
be welcome, as well as more elaborate articles. The glossary
of names being concluded so far as varieties are concerned.
the present issue contains a glossary of generic and. specific

148

names, in the compilation of which, as before, the Rev.
Canon Kingsmill Moore has collaborated with the Editor.

We learn that the collection of ferns belonging to the
veteran fern-grower, Mr. W. H. Phillips, of Lemontfield,
Holywood, Co. Down, is for sale.

THE AUGUST MEETING.

The Annual Meeting of the Society will this year be held
at 10 a.m. on August 8th (not August Ist), at the George
Hotel, Chard, Somerset, where good accommodation for
visitors is available, as also at the Victoria Hotel. No
doubt some members will arrange to get to Chard on Friday,
August 5th, and to stay for a few days after the meeting.
The journey is a considerable one for Northern members,
but it is hoped that the change of scenery and surroundings,
as well as of species of ferns, will make it worth while for
comparatively distant members to spend a few days in the
neighbourhood. The surrounding country provides rich
fern-hunting ground in P. angulare and aculeatum, Scolo-
pendrium, various Aspleniums, etc. It is classical ground,
being in the field of Moly’s and Wills’s activity, but has not
been overhauled by any recognized pteridologist for more
than twenty years. so there has been plenty of time for new
variations to arise, some of which it is hoped will reward the
search of our members. There is but little hill-climbing to
be done (though hills are not entirely absent), but ferns are
practically everywhere in the hedges and lane sides, so that
elderly persons of limited activity will have a fair chance
of a prize as well as the more athletic juniors. We hope to
have a good muster of members.

149

MY FERNS.

The summer through I'd gladly spend each day
In watching fronds that airily unfurl ;
Their bannerets the morning dewdrops pearl

Until the mounting sun with ardent ray

The promise of the dawning shall betray,
And steal the jewel from each silvered curl.
He would be in his soul a very churl

Who would not joy to view that gracious play.
Some throw aloft each waving croziered head
In bold defiance ot the fervent noon,
Though many flow rets wither in that glare
That one deemed fitter to Apollo wed.
Yet best I love the ferns that crave the boon
Of shelt ring shade, and tender, watchful care.

Fras. W. THORRINGTON.

FERN GOSSIP.

A little over a year ago we received from Canon Kingsmill
Moore ** a pinch ” of prothalli, showing young fronds, from
a sowing of his cwn of a strain which he calls P. angulare
falcato-pinnulum. The pinch quickly resolved itself into
some 15 or 16 plants, all showing more or less falcate and
divided pinnules. The leading plant now (May 10th) has
fronds over a foot in length, of very fine falcate divisilobe
character, and promises to be a very ornamental fern, far
surpassmg Moly’s divisilobum falcatum (British FERN
GazeTTe, Vol. III., p. 278), even when the latter is fully
developed, and, of course, greatly superior to what one
expects from a young plant of Moly’s find. Two other
plants of the little batch were of a different character,

150

although evidently from the same strain. They were semi-
translucent in texture, which appearance in seedlings we
connect with pulcherrimums or very fine plumose-divisilo bes.
As is usual also, the translucent seedlings proved to be slow
erowers, and much more foliose than the bulk of the batch.
They are still small, but very promising, and it is possible
we may have here a new source of the pulcherrimum charac-
ter in angulare. We think very highly of this falcate
strain, and shall watch developments with great interest.
Unfortunately, the raiser is not sure of the parentage, but
thinks it may be from a West Cork find of his own. It is
possible that it may be indirectly from Moly’s find, since
the latter has previously given some improved seedlings
which have been widely distributed. In any case it is a
long step in advance of anything previously raised from
Moly’s strain. The original P. a. pulcherromum variegatum,
Moly, has this year metaphorically turned over a new leaf,
and is sending up some six or seven fronds, now 20 inches
long and still expanding, all free from defects or irregu-
larities with the exception of one slightly contracted pinna
near the tip of a frond. Seeing that this plant has for
forty years never failed to send up fronds more or less
ragged towards the tips, this is somewhat of a record, and
the plant should be worthy of a pilgrimage from Orkney or
Shetland to see it in perfection. Along with the original is
a seedling plant, nearly as large and equally perfect, which
we had relied upon to beat the original. Moly’s plant.
thus put upon its mettle, has spurted ahead, and may yet
win the race for supremacy against its own offspring.
Growing in the same frame is another fern, raised from
spores of a plumose-divisilobe (foliosum), which we consider
the finest angulare pulcherrimum at present known, It is
superior in cutting to Moly’s tind, every frond is without a

—
1
—

flaw, and both upper and lower pinnules have the pul-
cherrimum character well developed, whereas in Moly’s
plant the upper pinnules are practically normal. The new
fern is moreover a fairly decent grower. It is worthy of
a pilgrimage from Mecca. It was almost killed by the
severe winter of 1916-17 (being then in a pot), and only
made one frond in 1917. The seedlings from P. a. pil.
rarefactum are mostly doing well, but one of the best
pulcherrimums has failed to start, although treated with
every care and growing among a number of other choice
things, all of which are doing well. This is the fly in the
ointment, but there is plenty of good clean ointment left.
The parent rarefactum, growing in the open air, is a perfect
shuttlecock, with fronds two feet high, and not yet fully
developed. It was described by a connoisseur visitor last
year as ** the finest thing in the garden,” and it promises
to be better this year than last, always provided that
no severe frosts or storms occur in late May or June.
Aspleniwm trichomanes inciso-crispum, Clement, is almost as
fine as the specimen figured in the GazettE (Vol. I., p. 75).
although probably not so large, as the fronds (not yet fully
developed) are only about seven inches in length. The
plant was, however, broken up last year. This is certainly
the finest form of the species, and is hardly likely to be
surpassed. JWoodsia alpina began to grow in January, and
was in full frondage by the middle of March. In its native
habitat it is doubtless still sleeping under the snow, or on'y
just beginning to wake. Cystopteris montana is only just
peeping through the soil. but has probably not yet become
acclimatized here. Athyriums, out of doors, also are mostly
only just starting into growth, thereby showing their
wisdom under our erratic climatic conditions. A. ff.
kalothriz, under glass, is well developed, but has recently

152

manifested the eccentricity of genius by throwing up a
perfectly normal frond, although this particular plant has
been singularly true for many years, having only very
occasionally shown a pinnule or two of plumose character.
In Mr. Henwood’s collection a plant of the original A. f-f.
unco-glomeratum, which had kept perfectly true for nearly
fifty years, has this year developed several fronds of
acrocladon character, thus reverting partly to its parental
form. Plants of this variety, raised by apospory, have been
known to do this before, but not. so far as we are aware.
the original. That lovely fern Polypodium dryopteris
‘* plumosum’”’ is a true plumosum only in the young state
before it reaches the fruiting stage ; afterwards it becomes
a crispato-foliosum. It is, in both conditions, a beautiful
and distinct thing, but the plumosum stage is so much more
satisfying to the eye that we cannot help hopmeg that a
permanently plumose (7.e., barren) form will be raised.
That this fern comes so freely from spores renders this the
more probable. In our own small indoor fernery it is a
veritable weed, and thousands of self-sown seedlings are
pulled up annually. They vary very considerably, but
chiefly in the direction of the normal. We have had several
which have retained the plumose condition quite to full
size, but, so far, all have eventually produced spores and
taken on the crispate-foliose condition. Where, as here.
the fern sows itself freely the best seedlings should be
marked and preserved until they attain their final character.
In this way a true and permanent plumosum should, sooner
or later, be produced. A human tragedy in Reading last
Christmas was followed by a fern tragedy. During the
War, owing to the scarcity of fuel, Mr. H. Stansfield sent
us his last scrap of Aspleniwm marinum plumosum in the
hope that our possibly warmer climate might preserve its

153

life. As the plant was in a very low state of health it was
entrusted to a neighbouring nurseryman, who had a warm
house. The manager, Mr. Charles Holder, promised to
give it personal attention and did so, with the result that
the scrap slowly grew into a small but healthy plant. It
was in this condition at the end of 1920, when Mr. Holder
was knocked down by a street vehicle and was taken,
severely injured, to the hospital, where he lingered for
several weeks and eventually died from secondary pneu-
monia. Incredible as it may appear, we heard nothing of
the accident or its result until a week or more after the poor
man’s death, and, on going round to the nursery, we found
a new manager, who knew nothing of the fern, and 4d.
marinum plumosum with every frond black and withered, the
plant dried up and apparently dead. On close examination
with a lens there appeared to be a trace of life in the crown,
and the new man kindly promised to do his best for it,
The plant has again made one or two tiny fronds, but a
moderately-sized siug or woodlouse could easily devour the
whole thing at a meal, and it is doubtful whether it can
survive the vicissitudes of its condition. Is there another
plant of it anywhere ? We deeply regret the loss of Mr.
Ho'der who was a most friendly and helpful man.

FLW.

HEREDITY.

That heredity plays a most important part in moulding
both the physical structure and also the character of all
living beings is incontestable. It is a legacy left to us, a
legacy, moreover, which we are not at liberty to decline,
uthough it would sometimes be greatly to our advantage
to be able to do so. We are neither so good nor so bad

154

as we appear to be, and ought not to be credited with more
than half the good, nor debited with more than half the bad
which is apparent in us to outsiders. Our long-deceased
ancestors are pushing us (as though with unseen hands)
hither and thither to some extent in spite of our own wishes
and endeavours. Cassius in his quarrel with Brutus says :
‘“ Have you not love enough to bear with me, when that
rash humour which my mother gave me, and blood ill-
tempered makes me forgetful ’”’ He thus infers that the
“rash humour” in question is far from receiving his
unqualified approval. It was an incubus which he would
_ gladly shake off, but was powerless to do so. But ** revenons
& nos moutons.’’

The cultivation of ferns affords much scope for the
investigation of heredity, and we may learn both charity
and humility by noting the effects of heredity as exem-
plified in these interesting subjects.

In the case of any such well defined species as Asp.
septentrionale or Alloserus crispus, which so far have
yielded us no varieties, the pull or push of heredity from
tens of thousands of generations is all in one direction, and
tends therefore to uniformity and stability of character,
there being no disturbing influence, in the shape of recent
ancestral varieties, to complicate matters. Many of our
fern varieties have, however, been built up in successive
stages, or from various combinations, and the hereditary
influence is in many and possibly diverse directions, tending
therefore to the production of diverse and complex structure
in the progeny, but the more numerous and diverse the
hereditary impulses, the more unstable the resulting
variety.

We may examine a thousand seedlings of Asp. septen-
froonale without finding a single Caliban, but the result is

155

quite different if we inspect seedlings from S. curiosum or
A.f.f. Craigu. Here we meet with quite a large proportion
of degenerates ; stunted and deformed monstrosities, mostly
cripples and imbeciles, who owe their unfortunate condition
to the malign influence of heredity.

Some of our fern varieties have apparently leaped at one
bound from the normal; these are what we call ** wild finds,”’
and are highly prized as indicating where we must look if
we wish to trace the first step in variation. Other varieties
have been obtained by a process of selection of the best
types appearing in each sowing, and have been brought
to their present standard of perfection in three or four
generations. By continuing this process through a series
of fern generations, a considerable degree of perfection can
be attained, the structure becoming more complicated and
the progeny more heterogeneous with each generation.
There is no finality to this fern evolution until absolute
sterility is reached.

One would naturally expect the parent plant to be the
main factor in determining the character of the succeeding
generation, and this is usually but not invariably the case.
It is impossible in the present imperfect state of our know-
ledge to estimate with mathematical accuracy or in con-
crete figures the hereditary influence of each generation,
as In the case of the parallelogram of forces, although the
general result from a number of ancestors may work out in
somewhat similar manner.

If several ancestors possessing differing characters were
all acting convergently and with equal forces, we should
expect a uniform blend of all the ancestral types engaged.
But if the forces were unequal we should expect the more
recent and therefore the more powerful to have a prepon-
derating influence in deciding the character of the progeny.

156

We can, however, imagine these ancestors acting diver-
gently (each one working for its own hand and trying to.
carve out as large a following as possible from the general
spoil), in which case we should expect all the ancestral types
to be represented in greater or lesser proportion according
to the proximity or remoteness of each ancestor.

In a sowing of S. v. grandiceps the writer has had 99 per
cent. true to the parent plant, but in a more recent sowing
only one true grandiceps appeared, the rest being a full
crop consisting of 50 per cent. slightly digitate and 50 per
cent. normal forms. On the assumption that the parent
plant had been built up in five successive stages, we can
conceive the possibility of the hereditary impulses of the
last four generations being so arranged as to produce a state
of equilibrium among themselves, when, of course, the long
line of normal ancestors and the first break (probably a
simple multitid form) would be left with a free hand, and
would therefore be able to shape the destiny and mould
the character of the young brood in spite of the hereditary
influence of the more powerful but conflicting later genera-
tions. Thus exemplifying the old saying: *‘ When thieves
quarrel, honest men come by their own.”’

Heredity is not the only factor in determining the charac-
ter of the succeeding generation. In addition to the innate
tendency to vary, there is always the probability of a cross
with some other variety still further to complicate matters.
and as heredity plays its part with both parents, we get
a combination of two varying forces influencing the charac-
ter and structure o! the young brood, often with strange
results. If the seedlings have any wills of their own, they
must in face of such a formidable and perhaps sinister
combination, be an almost negligible quantity.

The variety P. v. Cornubiense multifidum has an extremely

157

complex structure. Imprimis, the Cornubiense parent,
possesses a dual personality. a sort of Jekyll and Hyde
arrangement in which the two characters vulgare and
Cornubiense are each struggling for the mastery. In early
youth P. Cornubiense is a perfect model of propriety, but
during adolescence we notice very small normal fronds
(about 3 per cent.) furtively make their appearance, to be
followed in a few years as the plant becomes hardened in
crime by many full-sized normal fronds, which in ranks and
squadrons shamelessly flaunt themselves. At a still later
stage there is a general degeneration of character which is
sad to behold.

The other parent P. bifido-cristatum is a perfectly fixed
and constant variety and has apparently married both
Jekyll and Hyde. The seedlings have inherited constancy
a regards cristation from one parent, and variability in
the matter of dissection from the other. An additional
virtue has thus been grafted upon both Jekyll and Hyde,
but the relative status quo still persists.

H. STANSFIELD.

THE JUDICIOUS USE OF SHELTER.
(COLUMN FOR BEGINNERS.)

Nearly all ferns require a certain amount of shelter from
cutting winds (especially East winds) as well as shade from
scorching sun. Apart from these elementary requirements,
however, temporary shelters of a simple kind are of great
service, especially when the ferns are making their spring
growth, at which time East winds and sudden frosts are
particularly prevalent. In late autumn, too, temporary
shelters are useful to preserve the fronds of evergreen ferns
such as Polystichums and Scolopendriums. These ferns

158

build up their crowns for the spring growth during the
winter and, for this purpose, it is necessary that their
fronds should not be prematurely destroyed or broken.
During mild weather in the winter the plants are best left
entirely unprotected as they are then less likely to make
precocious growth. In the spring, also, so long as the
crowns are not starting into erowth, shelter should be
avoided. They are only too ready to spring into life during
the mild weather which we often experience in January
and February, and the growth then made is almost sure
to be cut down by frosts and East winds in March and
April. It is much the best if they can be kept completely
at rest until all danger of East winds is over, but this
counsel of perfection can only rarely be. put into practice.
At the time of writing (April) most of the evergreen ferns
have made several inches of growth and the young fronds
are now being buffeted by biting Kast winds with scorching
sun by day and sharp frosts at night. ‘This is just when a
little shelter is most valuable. Every bell-glass should be
brought into use and broken ones, if not too badly smashed,
will be found more useful than whole ones provided the
sound side of the glass be set against the wind. The
tender fronds are sheltered from the wind and frost, while
the ferns are not stimulated to further growth as they
would be by close jars. Mr. Henwood, that prince of
cultivators, uses bottomless wooden boxes, 15 to 18 inches
square, which are placed around the ferns in the autumn,
thus sheltering and supporting the fronds while leaving the
crowns open to the air. In some cases a lid for the box is
made of a pane of stout glass which thus completely pro-
tects the occupant from winds, severe frosts, cats and birds.
all of which are, at times, capable of doing considerable
damage. During mild weather at all times and during

159

only moderately severe weather in winter the glass covers
are left off, but are immediately put on in case of a spring
blizzard. The young fronds can be thus enabled to defy
April storms, whether of wind, snow, or hail, and on the
return of mild weather the ferns are able to resume growth
as if nothing untoward had happened. Ferns which have
been thus cared for have a very different appearance in
June from those which have been battered by hail storms and
cutting winds, broken down by snow or squatted upon
by cats during their period of tender growth. Even
without the covering panes of glass the boxes are a great
help to the young growths,as they form a complete pro-
tection from East winds which occur practically every
spring and which do more damage than all the rest of the
above-named enemies combined. F.W.5.

GLOSSARY OF GENERIC AND SPECIFIC
NAMES.

ApDIANTUM—the Greek name for the same fern, derived
from Adianton, ** not wetted,’’ in allusion to the
faculty the fronds have of throwing off drops of
water.

Capillus- Veneris—Latin ** Venus’s Hair,’ from the
black wiry stems.

ALLOsoRUS—-Greek, *‘ differing sori,” referring to the fact
that the fertile fronds are different from the barren
ones. Soros (Greek) means a heap.

crispus—curly.

Aspipium—Greek Aspidion, ‘‘a small shield,’ from the
shield-shaped indusium which covers the sorus.

160

AsPLENIUM—from Greek Asplenion, *‘ without spleen ’’—
spleenwort, the plant being supposed to be medicinal
for disorders of the spleen.

Adiantum-nigrum (Linn.)—probably formerly confused
with the true Maiden-hair (Adiantum) of the Greeks,
and afterwards called black to distinguish it,
although the stems are neither so black nor so hair-
like as those of Adiantum.

fontanum (Presl])—** pertaining to springs or fountains.”
Probably it may be found in Switzerland growing
on rocks down which water trickles.

Germanicum (Weiss)—** pertaining to Germany.” It
is, of course, not confined to that country.

lanceolatum (Hudson)—** like a small lance,” from the
outhne of the fronds in contradistinction with its
nearest ally A. Adiantum-nigrum.

marimum (Linn.)—** pertaining to the sea,” from its
habitat.

Ruta-muraria (Linn).—‘‘ Wall-rue,” from its resem-
blance to rue and to its common habitat upon walls.

septentrionale (Linn.)—** relating to the seven ”’ (stars
of the Great Bear), hence Northern.

lrichomanes (Linn.)—the Greek name for this fern,
from Greek thrix ** hair.”

viride (Hudson)—*‘ green,” to distinguish it from
A. trichomanes, its nearest ally.

AtHyriuM—trom Greek Athyros, ** without door or lock ”’ :
supposed to be an allusion to the early opening of
the indusium.

filie-femina (Bernhardi)—lit. ** female-fern,’’ from its
slender feminine grace as opposed to the robust
and sturdy habit of the °° male-fern.”’

161

BLecHNUM—from Greek blechnon, a fern.
spicant (Desvaux)—spicant is neither Latin nor any
other language. Mr. Wollaston considered it to be
a mistake by an old copyist for spicans, ** sticking
up ”’ like an ear of corn.

Botrycuium—tfrom Greek botrochos, a cluster or bunch of
erapes, referring to the cluster of capsules in the
fertile frond.

lunaria (Swartz)—‘* moon-like,” from the shape of the
pinnee of the barren frond.

CETERACH—a corruption of Chetherak, a word of either
Arabic or Celtic origin—meaning unknown.

officcnarum—lit. ** of workshops or offices,” in allusion
to its former use as an Official medicine.

CRYPTOGRAMME—from Greek krupton gramma, ** hidden
writing,’ from the concealed lines of sori.

CystopreRis—from Greek kustis pteris. Lit. ** bladder
fern,’ from the thin dome-like skins, like little
bladders, which cover the spore heaps.

alpina—pertaining to the Alps or other mountains.
fragilis—brittle.

montana—pertaining to mountains.

regia (synonym of alpina)—royal.

DRYOPTERIS (the newest and oldest name for the genus
Lastrea)—from Greek drus pteris, ** oak-fern.”’

GYMNOGRAMMA or GYMNOGRAMME—from Greek guwmnon
gramma, “naked writing,’ fromthe naked lines of sort.

leptophylla—trom Greek leptos, ~* thin or fine.”’ phullon,
“a leaf.”

HyMENOPHYLLUM—from Greek hiamen phullon, “* with a leat
like a thin membrane.’

Tunbridgense—trom the locality where first noticed.
unilaterale—** one sided.,”’ from the shape of the pinne,

162

LAsTREA—the Latinized name of M. de Lastre, a French

botanist.

emula (Brackenridge)—emulating, rivalling, simulat-

ing, from its similarity to allied species.

fenisecir (Watson) —‘of hay-making time,’ from its
odour of drying hay: this is an appropriate name,
although not the first in order of time.

aristata (Druce)—** bearded like grain,’ from the fine
spinulose teeth.

cristata (Gray)—‘** crested ”’ : the application is obscure,
but this name was originally applied to a group of
ferns, including dilatata and spinulosa.

dilatata—widened, extended laterally.

Filix-mas—‘‘ Male-fern.”’

paleacea—** chafty,”’ from the character of the scales.

propinqua—** near,” from its close alhance with Faliv-
mas.

pseudo-mas—** false male,” to differentiate it from the
true male fern.

montana (see under Cyslopleris montana).

oreopteris Greek from oreios, ** mountainous,” pteris.
“ater.

remota—* distant ’’: the application is obscure.

rigida—** stiff.”

spinulosa—* having little spmes”’: from the sharp
teeth.

thelypteris—Greek theleia pteris, *‘ feminine fern.”’

OpHtoGLossumM—from Greek Ophis glossa, “a serpent’s

tongue,’ from the slender tongue-like fertile part
of the frond.

lusitanicum—pertaining to Lusitania or Portugal.

vulgatum—common.,

163

OsmMUNDA—derivation unknown.
regalis—‘‘ royal,” from its majestic habit.
Puy.uitTis—leaf-like, from Greek phullon, a leat.

PotypopiumM—Greek polus pous, “‘ many feet or many
footed ’’; from the numerous foot-like rhizomes of
P. vulgare.

calcareum—pertaining to limestone.

Robertianum—** Robert’s’”’; possibly from a fancied
resemblance in its odour to that of Geranvwm
Robertianum (see British FERN GAZETTE, Vol. IIL.,
p. 1d). |

dryopterts—Greek drus pteris, ‘* Oak fern.”

phegopteris—Greek phegos, which is a species of oak,
distinct from drus. Possibly confused with Latin
Fagus, a beech.

vulgare—common.

PoLysticHum—from Greek polus stichos, *‘ many rows” ;
from the numerous rows of sori.

aculeatum—prickly.

angulare—angular ; presumably from the square-
shouldered pinnules as compared with the wedge-
shaped ones of P. aculeatum.

lonchitis—Greek lonché, ‘‘ a lance’; presumably from
the little spines which fringe the pinne.

PsEUDATHYRIUM—false Athyrium.

Preris—the word is Greek for a kind of fern, possibly the
bracken ; it is derived from another Greek word,
pteron, ** a feather or a bird’s wing.

hp
aquilina—** pertaining to an eagle’; from the size of

its fronds or ‘* wings”? as compared with other
Northern ferns.

164

SCOLOPEN DRIUM—skolopendrion is the Greek name for the
same plant; from the resemblance of its lines of
sori to the legs of a centipede or skolopendra.

vulgare—common.

TRICHOMANES—the Greek name for Asplenium trichomanes
(used by Dioscorides and Pliny), from Greek thria,
‘‘ hair,” in allusion to the hair-like stems of that
plant. The name was later transferred to the
Bristle fern in allusion, presumably, to the bristle-
shaped receptacles of the sori.

radicans—** rooting,” from the running rhizome which
makes roots along its course.

Woopsta—the Latinized name of J. Woods, a British
botanist.

alpina—(see under Cystopteris).

hyperborea—hit. ‘‘ beyond the North wind ”’ (7.e., very
far Northern).

Llvensis—pertaining to the Island of Iva or Elba.

British Fern
Gazette.

PUBLISHED QUARTERLY.

September, 1921.

EDITED BY

F, W. STANSFIELD, M.D.

PUBLISHED BY

THE BRITISH PTERIDOLOGICAL SOCIETY

(President, Mr.W. B. Cranfield, East Lodge, Enfield Chase, Middlesex.)

(Hon. Sec. and Hon. Treasurer, Mr. Charles Henwood, 21, Clifton Road,
Maida Vale, London, W.9.)

KENDAL, WESTMORLAND.

nh Ra A i ES A ANY ease Laas! asi enim

THE

BRITISH FERN GAZETTE.

NEW SERIES;
Vou. 4. SEPTEMBER, 1921. ING. 10;
CONTENTS. PAGE
Epirortiar, NoTEs ... ar hee ne oes or Nee 165
THE Aucust MEETING ... at ee he bats a 167
THE CHARD EXCURSIONS... nee Bs os oe a 170
Goop Huntine In Moty’s Country (Dr. Tom Stansfield) 173
New Break From P. aculeatum pulcherrimum (F.W.S.)... 176
FERNS AND THE DrRovuGHT oF 1921 (Rev. Canon Kingsmill
Moore)... ae oe ie Bee ae a i 176
THE Drovucut oF 1921 In Reapine (F.W.S.) os 179

EDITORIAL NOTES.

We have received from Mr. R. Whiteside of Lancaster, a
letter which finally settles the question of the origin of that
curious and beautiful fern Athyrium f.f. cristatum setiferum
which has been a matter of some controversy. In 1902, on
the Society’s excursion to Long Sleddale, Mr. W. H. Phillips
found a large clump of lady-fern which he thought “ had
something in it,” although its character was at the time
somewhat indefinite. Mr. Phillips took home a piece, and
several other members did the same, though most were
sceptical about the value of the find. Next year, 1903,
Mr. Phillips exhibited a beautifully crested Athyriwm, which
he declared was the plant he had taken home from Long
Sleddale the previous year. As no one else was able to show
or report a similar plant some doubt was entertained as to
whether Mr. Phillips might not have made a mistake and
an accidental seedling from one of the many crested Athy-
riums might not have taken the place of the Long Sleddale

166

plant. Mr. Phillips gave a division from his plant to the
present writer, who was convinced of its distinctness and
independent character. Mr. Whiteside, who was not
present at the meeting in 1903, now sends fronds from the
Long Sleddale plant, a piece of which was given to him at
the time, and these are identical with those of Mr. Phillips’s
plant. Our veteran late vice-president’s accuracy and
carefulness are therefore triumphantly vindicated. The
plant is one of the finest crested Athyriuwms ever found wild,
having some general resemblance to 4.f. f. formoso-cristatum,
but the mossy crests are made up of fine bristling points,
somewhat like the terminations in A.f.f. acrocladon. The
plant has an odd habit of throwing out an occasional pinna
longer than the rest, these being occasionally so conspicuous
as to resemble small branches. The plant has nothing in
common with A.f.f. setigerwm or its sub-varieties, the
bristly terminations being confined to the crests and not
appearing upon the pinnules.

We are glad to report that Asplenium marinum plumo-
sum, referred to in ** Fern Gossip ”’ in our last issue, and now
again in the Editor’s possession, is making a bid for life.
The whole plant could be buried under a threepenny piece,
but it looks healthy. In the meantime Mr. Henwood has
been to Kew to inquire if the plant were in existence there,
but was told *“* We had it but lostit.” The same answer was
returned with regard to Adiantum Cap. Veneris Cornubiense
and Asplenium Ad-nigrum microdon. Any member possess-
ing plants of any of these ferns has a great responsibility to
posterity.

We understand that Mr. Phillips’s series of Nature prints
of British Ferns, by the late Col. Jones, is for sale, as well as
his collection of ferns.

167

THE AUGUST MEETING.

The 26th Annual Meeting of the Society was held on
August 8th, at the George Hotel, Chard. The following
members attended: Mr. W. B. Cranfield (President:
Messrs. Edwards (Manchester), T. E. Henwood (Reading),
C. Henwood (Hon. Sec., London), Sheldon (Woodford),
Stephens (Horsham) and Dr. Stansfield (Reading).

The Hon. Secretary’s report showed a falling off of
members. The Treasurer’s report, whilst showing a balance
at the bank, was noticeable for two issues of the GAZETTE
unpaid for, which would really leave a considerable deficit.

Upon the election of officers for the coming year Mr.
W. B Cranfield was again unanimously elected President.
Mr. J. J. Sheldon, of South Woodford, was added to the
Committee, upon the proposition of Mr. T. EK. Henwood,
seconded by the President. Mr. Charles Henwood was
again elected Hon. Secretary, with the office of Treasurer
as well; this was proposed by Dr. Stansfield and seconded
by Mr. Edwards.

The following is the complete list of officers :—

President.

Mr. W. B. CranFrecp, East Lodge, Enfield Chase, Middlesex.
Vice-Presidents.

Mr. Atex. Cowan, Penicuik, Scotland.

Dr. F. W. Sransrretp, Reading.

Mr. J. J. Smirures, Kendal.

Revd. Canon Kinesmrnn Moore, D.D., Dundrum, Co.
Dublin, Ireland.

Hon. Secretary and Treasurer.

Mr. Cuartus Henwoop, 21, Clifton Road, Maida Vale,

London, W. 9.

168

Auditor.
Mr. J. J. Smiruires, Boundary Bank, Kendal.

Committee.
Mr. J. Epwarps, Manchester.
Mr. T. EK. Henwoop, Reading.
Mr. H. Retton, The Lizard, Cornwall.
Mrs. Groves, London.
Mr. Wuirsisipx, Lancaster.
Mr. WHITWELL, Kendal.
Mr. J. J. SHELDON, South Woodford.
(together with the President, Vice-Presidents and Hon.
Secretary and ‘Treasurer as members ez officio).

Editor of the GAZETTE.
Dr. F. W. STANSFIELD, 120, Oxford Road, Reading.

It was resolved that the meeting in 1922 should be at
Llanberis, North Wales, on the Monday following the August
Bank Holiday, subject to the district being found suitable
by the President and Editor.

The President exhibited a series of fronds of choice ferns,
including P. aculeatum pulcherromum, Druery; P. acul.
pulcherrimum plumosum, Green; P. aculeatum densum ;
P. angulare divisilobum plumosum Baldwini; P. ang. di.
plumosum erectum, H. Stansfield; P. ang. divisilobum
foliosum variegatum, Harris; P. ang. pulcherrimum varie-
gatum, Moly ; Polypodiwm v. omnilacerum (Oxford variety) :
Scolopendrium v. crispum speciosum, Moly, &c. Another
frond of special interest was one apparently of P. angulare
plumosum grande, Moly, but which Mr. Cranfield said was
a seedling raised from spores of P. ang. pulcherrumum
variegatum, Moly. Dr. Stansfield said he had raised a
similar, but not quite identical, form from the same source.

169

This was considered significant as pointing to a seedling
origin of Moly’s grand plumosum, hitherto assumed to have
been found wild, although there is no record that Mr. Moly
ever said so.

It was decided that the granting of certificates for new
ferns (which had been in abeyance during the war) should
be resumed, and certificates of the Society were awarded
as follows :—

To Mr. W. B. Cranfield for Polystichum aculeatum pul-
cherrimum plumosum, Green; Scolopendriwm v. crispum
speciosum, Moly ; P. angulare percristatum, Cranfield (raised
from P. a. cristatum, Hawkins) ; and P. angulare divisilo-
bum plumosum erectum, H. Stansfield.

To Dr. F. W. Stansfield for P. angulare plumosum rare-
factum, H Stansfield; and P. aculeatum pulcherrimum,
Druery.

To Mr. T. E. Henwood for Scolopendrium vulgare crispum
fimbriatum muricatum, Lowe.

To Mr. T. Bolton (retrospective) for Aspleniwm tricho-
manes inciso-crispum, Clement.

To Mr. W. G. Baker, Botanic Gardens, Oxford, for
Polypodium v. omnilacerum, Oxford variety.

To Mr. M. Harris, Clifton, for Polystichuwm angulare
divisilobum foliosum variegatum, Harris.

A copy of the Society’s balance sheet, when audited, will
appear in the next issue of the GAZETTE.

Subscriptions for the new year are now due and members
will oblige by sending the amount owing as early as possible
to the Hon. Secretary and Treasurer, Mr. C. HEnwoop, 21,
Clifton Road, Maida Vale, London, W.9.

170

THE CHARD EXCURSIONS.

The Chard meeting, with its associated excursions,
proved to be one of the most successful from the fern-
hunting point of view, that the Society has ever held.
Seven members attended and one visitor. The district has
varied geological characters, being partly calcareous and
partly on gravel and peat. Consequently the number of
species met with was very considerable. Polystichum
angulare and Scolopendrium vulgare were the commonest
kinds, while Lastrea filix-mas and L. pseudo-mas were almost
equally plentiful. Polypodium vulgare was pretty generally
distributed and Polystichum aculeatum was also fairly abun-
dant, the plants being in many cases very fine and well grown.
The lady fern, Lastrea dilatata and Blechnum spicant were
met with off the lime, but were local in their distribution,
although plentiful in patches. Of Aspleniums the com-
monest was A. Ad-nigrum with trichomanes rather a bad
second. A ruta-muraria and Ceterach were seen here and
there, but could not be called common. Osmunda was said
to grow in the district but was not seen. Mountain species,
such as Asp. viride, Polypod. dryopteris, phegopteris and
calcareum were also not noted. Cystopteris fragilis was only
once seen.

The hunting was mostly of the hedge-bank and wayside
kind, and consequently involved a minimum of labour, but
the members were somewhat handicapped by the recent
activity of the hedge-cutters, who had almost everywhere
slashed and shaved the hedges (and with them the ferns) to
a smooth surface. Notwithstanding this disadvantage it
was possible generally to find stumps of fronds and occa-
sionally entire ones within the sanctuary of the hedge. The
district was said to be suffering from drought but was much

171

greener and fresher than any the party had seen elsewhere
and presented a marked contrast, in this respect, with the
dry and parched condition of the home counties, particularly
the Reading district. On Saturday, August 6th, a short
walk was taken late in the afternoon in the immediate
neighbourhood of the town where plenty of ferns were seen
but no varieties, with the exception of an undulate form of
Polypodium vulgare, by Mr. Sheldon. On Monday, the day
of the meeting, the afternoon was spent in a visit to the
village of Thorncombe, the former home of the famous
hunter Dr. J. S. Wills. His one-time residence, Green Hill,
was found, and the present owner’s wife, Mrs. Wilde, kindly
invited the party to look round the garden. It contained
plenty of ferns but mostly normals, although a few traces
of the occupation of a fern-lover were seen in the shape of
angulare acutilobes, decompositums and lineares. The presence
of afern grower in the village was learned, but unfortunately
he was not at home at the time of our visit. After tea in
the village the party walked back to Chard Junction, and
on the way Dr. Stansfield found a P. angulare revolvens or
rather revolutum of good type, the pinne being rolled back
so that the frond formed a complete cylinder. Mr. Edwards
also found a revolvent or recurved form of aculeatum. On
Tuesday a lane was taken quite near the town and within
easy walking distance of our centre. Quite early Dr.
Stansfield found a brachiate form of P. aculeatum, quite a
new type of variation in this species—one in which more
varieties are desirable. The plant was a large one, and
deeply buried in the hedge, only 2 or 3 pinnules showing
above the cut surface ; these called attention to the plant
by their decompound character. Every frond was
thoroughly brachiate, the lamina of the frond being
nearly as broad as long. There seemed no tendency to

172

cristation but, as the tips of the largest fronds had all been
slashed away, one could not be quite sure about this.
There were several crowns and these were distributed, as
far as they would go, among the company. Mr. Sheldon
found a polyschides in Scolopendrium and also a neatly
tripinnate angulare. The following day, Wednesday, it
was decided to go a little further afield, and so a small
wagonette was chartered to take the party to Howley, a
hamlet some miles to the west, and close to the Devon
border, where it was dismissed with instructions to meet
the party in the evening. The members divided into two
sections and some beautiful ferny lanes were found un-
damaged by the hedge-cutters and consequently the ferns
were visible in their full beauty. Unfortunately, the day
turned out thoroughly wet,and although this was good for
the ferns and the district it did not conduce to the comfort
of fern hunting for a more or less elderly party. In the
afternoon it was decided to walk back to Chard, and on the
way Mr. Edwards found a couple of crested Scolopendriums
and a prettily variegated form of the spindle tree Huonymus
EHuropeus. On Thursday the party had dwindled to three,
and an expedition was made to Chardstock, some miles
south of Chard, and over the Devonshire border. In the
morning Mr. T. HE. Henwood found a very pretty erect and
rigid form of Asplenium Ad.-nigrum of neat habit, very
compact and almost congested in character. This is
another species in which more varieties are desirable. In
the afternoon a lane was found extraordinarily rich in
variations, especially of P. angulare, almost every other
plant being either a foliosum or a decompositum, or some
other departure from the normal. Mr. Cranfield soon came
across a large decompositum form of aculeatwm, which was
considered rather a catch, as possibly the beginning of a

173

new series of divided forms in this not very variable species.
Mr. Cranfield and Mr. Henwood both also bagged several
tripinnate and foliose forms of angulare. Mr. Cranfield
called Dr. Stansfield from the other side of the lane to
inspect one of his decompositums, when the latter, within
a few feet of it, descried a very fine angulare divisilobum, ot
lax and slender habit, with very finely divided pinnules and
quite distinct from any other divisilobe at present known.
The hunting here being so good it was decided to return
and continue the search on the following day. This was
done, but it was found that the gold mine was exhausted,
and although a long day was spent in hunting nothing was
found beyond a possible congestum and a lineare form ot
angulare. On Saturday, August 13th, the party finally
broke up, and an end came to a very pleasant holiday, from
which no one went home empty handed, and every one
seemed well satisfied with the contents of his bag.

GOOD HUNTING IN MOLY’S COUNTRY.

The present writer, being unable to attend the Annual
meeting at Chard, was fortunate in securing a fortnight’s
holiday on the South Dorset Coast.

The country here is a fern paradise, consisting of many
little hills and valleys, the soil being a good water-holding
clay, with plenty of loam and some chalk. . This last has
been supposed to encourage variation in Polystichums, and
certainly here the differentiation of types within the limits
of the normal is remarkable. It is a country of very few
roads, not many lanes, and numerous cart-tracks, which
last, where they cross the hills, become deeply worn by
traffic and water action until they run between banks, up

174

to 15 feet high, which are just natural ferneries. The
oldest and deepest tracks are apt to be abandoned as
thoroughfares in favour of more convenient routes, where-
upon they are neglected by the hedge-slashers to the
common benefit of the ferns and their hunters.

The most abundant species are P. angulare and Scol.
vulgare, these being almost ubiquitous. P. aculeatum in
its typical form was only occasionally met with, though
there were plenty of intermediate character. Polypodium,
Blechnum, Lastreas and the two common Aspleniums are
abundant in suitable spots.

Attention was concentrated on the Polystichums, and no
variety of any other species was noticed, except the inevit-
able marginate and multifid forms of Scolopendrium in
varying degrees of badness.

On the first real hunt, a very pretty P. ang. congestum
was collected, densely imbricate and gracefully finished with
slender tips to fronds and pinne. The next finds were a
series of five belonging to the acuti-divisilobe section. The
frequency of this form was perhaps explained when a large
old plant of excellent divisilobum character was found near
the top of a 600 ft. hill, where it had evidently been estab-
lished for many years, and whence its spores had, no doubt,
been widely disseminated.

A neat small-crested P. ang. cristatum was next acquired,
in little more than seedling stage. It shows some tendency
to be percristate, but is too young for final assessment.

The best thing found is a large deltoid tripinnatum with
long curving pinnules, bearing 8 to 10 pairs of pinnulets. It
was seen from afar, waving its fronds near the top of a high
bank in one of the abandoned tracks before mentioned, and
almost opposite to it was found a curious P. ang. rotun-
datum. One frond only of this was first seen in the midst

175

of a large clump of the normal form, and was thought to
be a merely accidental or perhaps pathological variation.
It was (unfortunately) gathered, as a curio, and only then
was another exactly similar frond noticed. On investi-
gation, the two were found to belong to a single small
crown, an offset from the normal parent plant.

This is a quaintly pretty variety, and should it prove
permanent, it will be of interest as being a bud sport from
a perfectly normal P. angulare.

The question is sometimes asked, “ Is fern-hunting worth
while ?’’ in these days of super-excellent varieties raised
by selection. The present deponent would answer with a
decided affirmative, at least as regards so rich a country as
South Dorset.

T. STANSFIELD.
102, London Road,

Reading, September, 1921.

The half dozen ferns brought home by our correspondent
are all good finds, the best being the congestuwm and the

tripinnatum. The former is quite distinct from any
other congestum, having beautifully setose pinnules and
silky texture, very thorough and settled in character :
the tripinnatum resembles Moly’s and Jones’s deorso-
pinnatums, but is probably better than either. It should
produce some good things from spores. The acutilobes (3)
are all well marked varieties, but too young to show their
final character at present. The large divisilobe was left
behind as being too large to move with the means at
command. It belongs to the same section as divisilobum,
Bland, but is, of course, inferior to that splendid
variety.—EDITOR.

176

NEW BREAK FROM P. ACULEATUM
PULCHERRIMUM.

In the late Autumn of 1919 there appeared in a spore
dish of P. acul. pulcherrimum, from which seedlings had
been pricked off for several years, three tiny plants of a
different character from any previously seen. The primary
fronds were very slender, consisting each of three almost
hair-like segments. From their appearance I expected
them to produce extreme forms of gracillimum. The
secondary fronds, however, quickly departed from the
extremely tenuous appearance, and during 1920 the plants
produced fronds of an indefinite character, apparently
intermediate between aculeatum and angulare. ‘This year,
however, the three commenced by producing fronds of a
much more divided character, and it is now (August)
evident that they are divisilobes in aculeatum, quite a new
character in this species, although one or two acutvlobes
have been found wild. The plants are moreover fairly
freely bulbiferous, which character is so frequently asso-
ciated with divisilobes in angulare. One of the three is
already producing sori and probably the others will do so.
It is possible that we have here the beginning of a series of
divisilobums in aculeatum, as varied and as decorative as
those found in angulare, and having also the firm habit
and thoroughly evergreen character of the prickly shield
fern, which is certainly one of the handsomest of our native
species. F.W.S.

FERNS AND THE DROUGHT OF 1921.

The drought of 1921 has had no rival in the twentieth
century. This to many will seem an obvious under-
statement ; beyond question fern cultivators will recognise
that the test which their collections have had to endure was
severe,

LE TAg

My garden in Co. Dublin stands high, perhaps 250 ft.
above the sea ; and our water supply is such that even in
normal years artificial watering has to be rigorously limited.
The drought test, therefore, was applied in drastic form, so
much so that in all probability ferns which at Cedar Mount
came safely through the spring and early summer of 1921
are likely to be able to face similar conditions anywhere in
the British Isles.

The first to suffer were the Athyriwms—this is always so
with me. For this reason I grow very few in the open,
not twenty in all. With the exception of one or two bold
growing forms they held out flags of distress by drooping,
and those which could not be watered withered. I fear
there is little likelihood of their recovering.

The troubles of Lastrea Dilatata came next. Among the
most beautiful of our ferns, in the type, L. D. has few
varieties, and for this reason is little grown. As no plumose
form is yet known I have been in the habit of annexing any
specimens which suggested a plwmose tendency. ‘The
drought bore heavily on all; they drooped and wilted, not
however so badly as the Athyriums : and when the drought
broke they revived ; so much so that no permanent injury
is to be feared.

Of the Scolopendriums and Lastrea Filix-Mas it is not
easy to speak in classes. The Scolopendriums were the more
sensitive of the two ; only a few refrained from asking for
water; all needed careful watching. Lastrea F. MM.
acrocladon (grandiceps?) of which I have a good stock,
required help early, and was put on the regular watering
list, but the other varieties were able to survive without
any special attention.

Polypodium vulgare behaved peculiarly. As a rule
many of the old fronds remain until the young growth

178

commences. This year the old fronds dropped off whole-
sale, and left the creeping rhizomes bare. Had I known
less of Polypodiums I might have been anxious. I
remembered however the dry summer of 1911, and how
well P. vulgare bore that drought.* Nor have I been
disappointed. When I left home for a month at the
beginning of August only a few of the Polypodiwms were
moving ; many showed no signs of growth. Now, Septem-
ber, they are better than ever before ; not a single plant
has failed to send up a stock of exceptionally luxuriant
fronds. Ithink we may take it as proved that Polypodium
vulgare is actually benefited by a dry season. [In Ireland
perhaps so.—ED.]

I notice last the shield ferns, Polystichum angulare.
They in their plumose form make the largest part of my
collection. With the solitary exception of a few specimens
of P. a rarefactum, none of them complained.

The growth is perhaps not quite so luxuriant as usual,
and there was, in some cases, noticeably in P.a. plumosum,
Esplan, a tardiness in development. Otherwise my stock
is untouched by the drought. The plumosums have shown
a splendid capacity for not only existing, but for flourishing
through waterless months.

Doubtless these happy results are largely due to influences
more or less within the reach of every fern cultivator, viz.,
careful planting, in suitable places and suitable aspects.
My ferns get lttle sun, some get none; they are all in
sheltered positions ; most of them have northern or north-
eastern aspects. Thus fortified the collection as a whole
has been able to pass safely through the drought of 1921
unassisted by the water-can.

H. Kinesmitt Moore.

* Seo my note Vol. [., No. 10; pp. 237-238.

179

THE DROUGHT OF 1921 IN READING.

The present season has probably been the most trying
for fern growers since 1893. A mild winter was followed
by a cold, dry spring and this was immediately succeeded
by a dry and parching summer. The drought seems to
have been pretty general over the whole of Great Britain,
and even in the usually green and moist country of Ireland,
but, so far as we can gather, no district has been quite so
dried up as that of Reading, where we have only had two
moderate rains, scarcely more than showers, on May 10th
and August 17th respectively. Both of these were im-
mediately followed by periods of scorching sunshine and
drying winds, which quickly licked up every particle of
moisture from the soil. Even now (September) the soil is
dust dry for two or three feet deep, except where it has
been watered—mulching and hoeing were alike useless,
and it has been necessary to water copiously and regularly
to keep things alive at all. Fortunately our River Kennett
has continued to supply us with a sufficiency of water for
household purposes. This water, however, is impregnated
strongly with carbonate of lime, so that for such things as
Blechnums, L. montana and L. dilatata, it has been necessary
to get rid of the lime by chemical means (?.e., ammonium
oxalate, which forms an insoluble oxalate of lime when
mixed with the water). The precipitate is allowed to
settle and the resulting clear upper fluid is practically as
soft as rain water. In this way montanas and Blechnums
have been kept alive and have not suffered appreciably —
have, in fact, done remarkably well—inasmuch as they
were all grown in pots which have been kept standing in
pans of water, and these have been replenished at least
once, and in the hottest weather, sometimes two or three
times, a day. The pots are now crowded with masses of

+ wate

180

healthy roots, and the montanas have made _ splendid
crowns for next year. All of them will require to be pulled
to pieces, or to have larger pots, in the spring. Blechnums
have not done quite so well, but all have done at least
fairly, and not one has died. Polystichums and_ Scolo-
pendriums, eic., whether in the open ground or planted in
frames, have been liberally watered at least once a week,
the hose being laid on and the water allowed to run for
half an hour or so to each large plant. The labour involved
has been Herculean, and such treatment is, of course, only
possible in a comparatively small garden. Deeply rooting
fruit trees have not been watered, but such things as roses
and poeonies have, although less frequently than the ferns.
Notwithstanding this some of them have died. Bearded
irises have held their own well but have made but little
growth, -although they are mostly natives of hot sunny
climates and are supposed to enjoy a baking summer.
Polypodies, in frames, have done very well (but not without
watering) and are now a glorious sight, several kinds having
fronds nearly two feet in length and proportionate in width,
not drawn up but firm and stocky in character.

Pee Ne s..

British
Gazette.

PUBLISHED QUARTERLY.

Deceinber, 1921.

BDITED BY

E,W. SPANSFIELD;. M.D:

PUBLISHED BY

THE BRITISH PTERIDOLOGICAL SOCIETY

(President, Mv.W. B. Cranfield, East Lodge, Enfield Chase, Middlesex.)

(Hon. Sec. and Hon. Treasurer, Mr. Charles Henwood, 21, Clifton Road,
Maida Vale, London, W.9.)

KENDAL, WESTMORLAND.

THE

BRITISH FERN GAZETTE.

NEW SERIES.

VoL. 4. DECEMBER, 1921. Novi.

CONTENTS. PAGE

EDITORIAL NOTES ... a of oh aa as aes 181
THE NOMENCLATURE OF BRITISH FERNS, by G. C. Druce,

iIMmAce Bria. 1D.; Oxon ... oe ane ore Nes ra 182

THE PURPOSE OF VARIATION (F.W.S.) nee ae a 190

AtuyRium f.f. Unco-GLoMERATUM (Mr. H. Stansfield)... Aye

A Ferny Deu (Mr. F. W. Thorrington) ... 7 Se6 20C

On Sowine Sporss (F'.W.S.) ... se ar oe ee 200

EDITORIAL NOTES.

The Editor wishes the members, individually and
collectively, a Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New
Year. We trust that members will work whole-heartedly
to extend the influence and increase the prosperity of the
Society. They can do this first by endeavouring to obtain
new members and perhaps still more by giving to the
Society, through the medium of the Gazerrs, the benefit
of their experience and knowledge on Fern subjects.

We have received from Mr. F. T. McFarland, Department
of Botany, University of Kentucky, Lexington, U.S.A., an
inquiry for all the back numbers of the GAzeTTE and also
for Mr. Druery’s two books on ferns. We believe “* Choice
British Ferns,’ published by the Society, is now out of print,
and Mr. McFarland will be glad to hear from any member
possessing a spare copy.

The present number contains an article on the
Nomenclature of British Ferns, for which we have to

182

thank the eminent systematic botanist, Dr. G. C. Druce,
of Oxford. It is obvious that a common system of
nomenclature is of the first importance in any branch of
natural science, and that it is worth while for nations and
sections to make whatever sacrifices of private convenience
and prejudice may be necessary to attain this end. If it
can be shown that a general and stable agreement has been
reached we are certain that our Society will gladly conform
to the new system. We should lke, however, to have some
evidence that the “new world peace ”’ will be a final one.
If not, it will only serve to increase the already existing
confusion. Beyond saying that Dr. Druce has purposely
excluded varieties from his list, we postpone further comment
upon it.

The Hon. Secretary and Hon. Treasurer, Mr. C. Henwood,
will be obliged if members will remit any due or overdue
subscriptions to him as promptly as possible. He will also
be glad to send a specimen copy of the GAZETTE to any
outside person who may be indicated as a possible member.

We publish herewith the Society’s Balance Sheet for the
past year.

THE NOMENCLATURE OF BRITISH FERNS.
G. CLARIDGE Druce, LL.D., &c.

With Ferns as with Flowering Plants the cardinal
principle in selecting the official name is “ priority of
publication,” which means that a botanist who first names
and describes a species is entitled to be quoted as the
authority for it, and the name selected by him has priority
over other names which may be subsequently used. H,
however, the genus in which he places it is found to be
wrong—that is if its characters belong to a different genus

183

or if a new genus has to be found for it, his trivial must
stand even if another generic name is used, and the authority
for the new binomial has his name appended, although
many botanists prefer to include the authority for the
original name in brackets : for instance, Linneeus described
the Lady Fern as a Polypodium, and the name was then
written Polypodium Filix-femina L. Subsequently Roth
showed that it was essentially different from a Polypodium,
and, retaining the Linnean specific name or trivial, we write
Athyrium Filix-feemina (L.) Roth. There have been most
discordant views, not only as to the limitations but to the
names of Fern genera, hence the many and kaleidoscopic
changes of names, which are irritating to the botanist and
most perplexing to the Fern lover. Fortunately, field
botanists, in conversation, do not often use the binomial,
but are content with the specific name ; so they speak of
Filiz-mas as the name for the Male Fern and do not much
trouble whether it is linked with Lastrea, Aspidium,
Nephrodium or Dryopteris. Filix-mas conveys the sense
of what they mean. It is different in writing of Ferns,
then the binomial must be employed. But which (7) is the
question. Take for instance Filixz-mas. Linneeus called it
a Polypodiwm, as he did many ferns ; indeed he had little
conception of a Fern genus. In Britain many authors—
including Moore and Lindley, in “ Nature Printed Ferns,”
1855 ; Lowe (“‘ Our Native Ferns,” 209, 1865) ; Babington
(“ Manual Brit. Botany,” 1904); Syme (** English Botany’’);
the “ British Museum List of Seed Plants and Ferns,”’
1907 ; the “ Lond. Cat.” 1908—call it Lastrea Filix-mas,
Lastrea being the genus established by Presl in 1836.
Hooker (** Student’s Flora,” 1884), uses Nephrodiwm, the
latter genus being described by Richard in Michaux “* Fl.
Bor. Amer.’ in 1803; Bentham and Hooker (“‘ Ill. Brit.

184.

Flora,” 323), give Aspidium, which was defined in 1800.
Dryopteris, which was established by Adanson, in the
‘““ Familles des Plantes,’ in 1763, was first used in Britain
by Newman, in his “ British Ferns,’ and Dryopteris, being
the oldest name, was chosen by me for the Male Fern in the
-“ Flora of Berkshire ” in 1897, and in my “ List of British
Plants,’ in 1907, as it is also in the ‘‘ American Check List.”
Before explaining further I may say that among continental
authors, Rouy and Foucaud (‘Flore de France ’’) ;
Archangeli (“‘ Fl. Italiana ’’) ; Cosson and Germain (“‘ FI.
Env. Paris,’ 1845), use Nephrodium; The Abbé Coste
(“ Flore de France ’’); and Roth (“ Tent. Fl. Germ.’’) ;
Ball (“‘ Fl. Maroce. Spie.’’) ; Grenier and Godron (“ Fl. du
Fr.’’); Boreau (“‘ Fl. du Centre France ’’), use Polystichum.
Swartz (“Schrad. Journ.” 1800); Nyman (‘‘ Consp. FI.
Kur.) ; Sibth. and Sm. (“Comp. Fl. Graec.”’); Gremli
(“Swiss Flora,’ 1886), use Aspidiwm.

In 1906 Carl Christensen published his important and
authoritative “‘ Index Filicum,”’ in the preparation of which
Dr. Christ, of Basle, had rendered great assistance. The
large herbarium which represents it is now in the possession
of the great Fern Specialist Prince Roland Bonaparte, in
Paris, and His Highness also uses the name Dryopteris for
the genus containing the Male Fern. At the Botanical
Congress at Brussels, Christensen’s “‘ Index’”’ was con-
sidered to be an authoritative work. I may say that his
sequence of genera in the Filices differs greatly from
that in Nyman’s “ Conspectus,” or in the “ British List,”
but it is here appended so that Pteridologists may see ata
glance generic names and the sequence given in the “* Index.”
Fam. 1 HYMENOPHYLLACEAE.

Gen. 1 Trichomanes L.
2 Hymenophyllum Sm.

Fam. 2 POLYPODIACEAE.
Gen. 3 Woodsia Br.
4 Cystopteris Bernh.
Onoclea L.
Dryopteris Adans. [Lastrea, Nephrodium,
Polystichum Roth. cle. |
Athyrium Roth.
9 Phyllitis Hill [Scolopendriwm |.
10 Asplenium L.
11 Ceterach Adans.
12 Blechnum L.
13 Anogramma Link [Gymnogramma].
14 Cryptogramma Br.
15 Adiantum L.
16 Pteridium Gled. Scop. [Pteris L. p.p.].
17 Polypodium L.
Fam. 3 OSMUNDACEAE.
Gen. 18 Osmunda L.
Fam. 4 OPHIOGLOSSACEAE.
Gen. 21 Ophioglossum L.
22 Botrychium Swartz.

From this list, in* which the synonyms are in brackets,
it will be seen that the adoption of the names used by
Christensen causes few alterations; most of them are in
universal use ; the chief change is that of Dryopteris instead
of Lastrea and Nephrodium, and also the merging into this
genus the Phegopteris of Fee (Groves in Babington’s
‘“Manual”’ put it under Polypodiwm) ; then there is the
change of Gymnogramma for the Jersey Fern to Anogramma,
which is necessitated by botanical reasons, as_ strictly
speaking the Jersey Fern is not Gymnogramma ; the replace-
ment of the genus Scolopendrium by the much earlier one
of Phyllitts has been already adopted in our List and in

GO ~I o> Cr

186

Groves’ edition of Babington. The last change is that of
Pteridium for Pteris, so no serious heart-burnings can
arise among British botanists, and a great advantage will
be secured that in using these names we shall be in accord
with the botanists of the whole world.

Below is appended the List of British Ferns as they
appeared in my Plant List. A few necessary alterations
in this have been made.

PTERIDOPHYTA.
104. - POLYPODIACEAE.
Br. Prod. i. 145 (1810).

707 CRYPTOGRAMMA Br. in Franklin’s Voy. 767 (1823).
2875 crispa Br. 54 [6]. H 6.
708 Prertpium Gleditsch ex Scopoli Fe. Carn. 169, 1760.
(Pteris L. pp.)
2876 Aqwlinum Kuhn 112. H 40. 8.
709 Apiantum L. Sp. Pl.
2877 Capillus-Veneris L. 10 [2]. H 6. Jersey.
710 BuecHNuM L. Gen. 455 (1754).
2878 Spicant With. 112. H 39. S.
(Lomaria Spicant Desv.)
711 Payuuitis Hill, Brit. Herb. 525 (1756).
2879 Scolopendrium Newman. 107. H 40. S.
(Scolopendrium vulgare Symons.)
712 AspLentuM L. Sp. Pl.
2880 marinum L. 55. H 20. 8.
2881 Trichomanes LE. 111. H40. S.
[ x Ruta-muraria = Clermontae Syme. Hib.]
2882 viride Huds. 47 [12]. H 12.
2883 lanceolatum Huds. Ang. 13[6]. H3. 8.
2884 fontanuwm Bernh. Eur.

714

715

716

187

2885 Adiantum-nigrum L. 109. H 40. S.
2886 Ruta-muraria L. 111. H40. S.
2887 germanicum Weiss. 12 [2].
2888 septentrionale G.F. Hofim. 15 [4].
ATHYRIUM Roth. Tent. Fl. Germ. iii. 355 (1800).
2889 Filix-femina Roth. 110. H40. S.
2890 alpestre Milde. Scot. 13 [4]. -
(A. rheticum Dalla Torre = Polypod. molle R. &
B. = Aspidium alp. Hoppe.)
2891 flexile Syme. Scot. 6.
(Polypodium flexile Moore.)
PotysticHuMmM Roth. 1. ec. 69 (1800).
(Aspidiwm Swartz.)
2892 setiferum Woynar. 73. H40. S.
(angulare Presl.)
2892(2) Brawnit Spenn. Som. ?
2893 lobatum Huds. 103. H 37.
(aculeatum Roth.)
b. lobatum Presl.
2894 Lonchitis Roth. 26 [5]. H 6.
OnocLeA L. Sp. PI.
2895 sensibilis L. Am. bor.
DryoptTeris Adans. Fam. ii. 20 (17638).
(Lastrea Presl = Nephrodium Rich. Aspidiwm
Sw. p. p.)
2896 Filix-mas Schott. 112. H40. S.
ce. paleacea (Don) Druce. (Borreri Newm.)
e. abbreviata (Lam.).
x spinulosa = remota A. Braun. Winder-
mere, Lomond.
2897 cristata L. A. Gray. Ang. 11 [8].
x spinulosa = ? uliginosa Kuntze. Ang. 7.

[5].

Tey

721

188

2898 spinulosa Kuntze. 92 [5]. H 34.
e. glandulosa Milde.
(? spinulosa < aristata.)
2899 aristata (Vill.). lll. H40. S.
(L. dilatata Presl = Asp. dilatatum Swartz.)
e. alpina (Moore).
2900 aemula Kuntze. 35 [17]. H 37.

(Last. recurva Newm. = Neph. foenisecii Lowe.)
2901 Villarsia (Bell.) Woyn. Ang. 7 [1].

(rigida Underw.)

2902 Oreopteris Maxim. 104 [3]. H 30.

(montana Kuntze. Lastrea O. Presl.)
2903 Thelypteris A. Gray. 43 [4]. H 14.

(Sect. Phegopteris Fée.)

2904 Phegopteris Christ. 82. H 20.

(Poly. Phegopt. L. = Pheg. polypoides Fee.)
2905 Linneana Christ. 82. H 4.

(Pheg. Dryopteris Fee.)

2906 Robertiana Christ. 29 [7].

(Pol. calcareum Sm. = Pheg. Robertiana Fee.)
CysTopTEeRIs Bernh. in Schrad. Journ. i. 26 (1806).
2907 montana Desv. Brit. bor. 8.

2908 regia Presl. ? 2.
2908(2) Dickieana Sim., Kincardine.
2909 fragilis Bernh. 85. H 32.

3 Potypopium [Tourn.] L. Sp. Pl.

2910 vulgare L. 112. H40. 8.
CeTERACH Adans. Fam. ii. 20 (1763) p. p.
2911 officinarum Lam. & DC. 69 [4]. H40. 8.
(Aspleniwm.)
AnoGRAMMA Link Fil. Sp. 187 (1841).
(Gymnogramma Desv.).
2912 leptophylla Desv, Sarnia,

189

722 Woopstia Br. in Tr. Linn. Soc. xi. 173 (1813).
2913 ilvensis Br. 9 [2].
2914 alpina S. F. Gray. 6. (hyperborea Br.).
105. HYMENOPHYLUACEAE.
Gaud. in Freyc. Voy. Bot. 262 (1826.)
723 TRICHOMANES L. Sp. Pl.
2915 radicans Sw. 2([8]. H 12 [1].
724 HyYMENOPHYLLUM Sm. E. B. i. 162 (1794
2916 tunbrigense (L.) Sm. 30[11]. H 24.
2917 peltatum Desv. 52. H 29.
(H. unilaterale Bor. = H. Wilsont Hook.)
106. OSMUNDACEAE.
Bre Prod. lol (1310),
725 OsmuNDA [Tourn.] L. Sp. PI.
2918 regalis L. 91. H38 [1]. S.
107. OPHIOGLOSSACEHAE.
Bre Prod21), 165 (1310).
726 BorrycHium Sw. in Schrad. Journ. i. 110 (1800).
2919 Lunaria Sw. 104. H 35. Guernsey.
727 OpHiocLossuM [Tourn.] L. Sp. PI.
2920 vulgatum L. 100. H 35. S.
2921 lusitanicum L. Guerns. ; Aldern.

It is quite probable when a new edition of the British
Plant List is issued that I shall adopt the sequence of the
Christensen Index, but in the above I have only (against
my own judgment) merged Phegopteris into Dryopteris,
and made a few alterations in the specific names which have
been in the main taken from the suggestions of the dis-
tinguished Austrian Pteridologist, H. Woynar, these being
the substitution of Polystichwm setiferum for P. angulare,
P. lobatum tor P. aculeatum, of Dryopteris Villarsii for the
well known D. rigida of the limestone area of Northern

190

England, and the restoration of D. Oreopteris for the less
well known D. montana: in all these instances the older
trivial is used.

Just a word about the abbreviations employed above :
most speak for themselves. The generic and _ specific
numbers are those of the Plant List. The numbers follow-
ing the specific name refer to the distribution of the plant
in the British Isles so far as is ascertained. Britain is
divided into 112 vice-counties ; therefore ““99’’ means that
it has been recorded for 99 of such vice-counties. I ought
to have said that 59 of the 112 are English, 12 Welsh and
41 Scottish. When a plant only occurs in Scotland then
Scot. is appended, if in England only then “ Ang.” is
appended. “ H”’ signifies Hibernia, which has 40 vice-
counties. “‘S’’= Sarnia, signifies the Channel Isles, if in
one only of the group that island is mentioned.

As regards the varieties of Ferns which are included
in my list, | must confess my own want of knowledge as
to their distinctness as true varieties. Those given are,
I am afraid, arbitrary, and on this I should much value
the opinion of the readers of this Magazine who can give

me most valued aid.

THE PURPOSE OF VARIATION IN FERNS.

The phenomenon of variation, although existing all
through animated nature, has probably been more noticed
among the British Ferns than in any other group of species.
The hunt for wild varieties, which has now been kept up
for 70 years or more, has resulted in the collecting of a
definite series of facts. The first is that almost every
species has been found to vary more or less, although, of
course, the greatest number of variations have been
recorded in these species which are most abundant and in

19]

those which lend themselves most to decorative purposes.
The only British species in which no varieties have been
recorded are: Cystopteris montana, Asplenium septen-
trionale, Polypodium calcareum, Gymnogramma leptophylla,
Woodsia Ilvensis and W. alpina and Ophioglossum Lusi-
tanicum. With the exception of the Limestone Polypody,
these are all rare plants,each of which is a “ find ”’ in itself,
apart from the question of varieties. P. calcarewm, although
locally abundant, is not a widely distributed fern, and it is
doubtful whether any fern-fancier has ever made a systema-
tic search for varieties. The writer has himself, during the
present year, casually detected a slight tendency to forking
of the tips in this species, although this was not sufficiently
definite to constitute a fixed variety. This forking of tips,
or the multiplication of other parts, is probably the com-
monest type of variation,and is generally the first thing
noticed by a beginner in fern-hunting. Among those
species in which variation is most marked, however, it is
found that every part of the plant is liable to variation.
In addition to changes in the form, texture, cutting, and
colour of the fronds, alterations are to be found in the
stems, crowns, rhizomes, sori, indusia, scales, and even in the
roots. There are also changes in the microscopic anatomy
of the cells, although this is of course only to be found by
the skilled cytologist, and is beyond the reach of the
ordinary fern-fancier. Another curious fact is that altera-
tions in one part of the plant are frequently associated with
changes in another. In the acuti-divisilobe section of
P. angulare, for instance, the production of numerous
bulbils or buds upon the rachis and stipes is so frequent as
to be almost the rule—indeed, as our readers know, the
earlier discovered acutilobes and divisilobes were first
named “ proliferum,’ as if this were the main character.

192

The height of absurdity was reached when an acutilobe in
aculeatum was found and was also named _ proliferum,
although no adventitious buds were found upon it. This
led, naturally, to the dropping of the word proliferum as a
primary varietal name, although it is still used as a secondary
name to varieties which are specially given to the bearing
of bulbils. There is, however, scarcely any variety of
angulare which will not occasionally produce a bulbil or two,
but there are now many divisilobes and acutilobes which
only do it occasionally and not regularly (e.g., one bulbil
may be seen in half a dozen years or so). Another pecu-
liarity of the acutilobe and divisilobe section is the abun-
dance of scales which clothe the stipes and rachis. These
scales are generally silvery white in the young state,
but become reddish or “foxy ’’ when the fronds are fully
matured. The late Mr. E. F. Fox noted that these foxy
scales had a peculiar cedar-like smell in this section of ferns.
Again the plumose character, in almost every species, is
associated with abnormality of the sori, which may be
absent or relatively scarce, or may be destitute of indusia
or even occasionally changed into bulbils as sometimes
seen in the Axminster plumosum in Athyriwm and in Poly-
podium v. Cornubiense. Another instance of correlation
of characters is the combination of finely cut pinnules
(although this is different from the cutting of the divisilebes)
with brachiation in P. angulare. The writer recently
noted (GAZETTE, Vol. III, p. 130) that the angulare
brachiatums, so far as his observations go, have also naked
sorl. This fact has not, however, been either confirmed or
contradicted by other workers and further observations
are desirable.

There is a certain parallelism in the range and direction
of variation among the various species. Thus we get

198

cresting or multiplication of tips in almost every species
which varies at all, the only exceptions being Hymeno-
phyllum Tunbridgense, Asplenium Germanicum, Lastrea
cristata, Polypodium dryopteris, Botrychiwm lunaria, and
Ophioglossum vulgatum. Congestion and expansion of the
lamina are also pretty generally found among the various
species although, naturally, the more divided kinds show
it more easily than the simpler ones. In Scolopendriuwm,
congestion is represented by such forms as spirale and
crispissimum. The plumose character is found more or
less perfectly developed in Adiantum, Aspleniwm tricho-
manes, A, marinum, Athyrium, Blechnum, Scolopendriwm
(the crispums), P. angulare and aculeatum, Lastrea montana,
L. filix-mas, Polypodiuwm vulgare and P. dryopteris. In
every one of these species, except Blechnum spicant and
P. dryopteris, the plumose character is associated with
total or partial sterility or some abnormality of the fruc-
tification. The pulcherrimum or ultra plumose character,
which is considered to be the highest flight of genius among
ferns, has hitherto only been found wild in P. angulare
and P. aculeatum, Scolopendrium vulgare (crispum fim-
briatum) and Athyrium f.-femina (Clarissima), although
it has been developed under cultivation in Lastrea paleacea
(apospora cristata). It is, in every case, associated with
apospory, and generally with non-production of spores.

It is seen, then, that there is a method in this madness.
Variations do not occur merely haphazard and accidentally,
but along definite lines and under certain laws. The
question now to be discussed is WHY do ferns make
these bold, sometimes almost frantic, experiments in the
way of variation? It is clear that the normal form is
the one which has been found, by long experience, to pay
best in the ordinary conditions of the struggle for existence.

194

Whatever view we may take on the general question of
Plan in the Universe, and especially in animated Nature,
we may fairly assume that, if there be any purpose in
Nature, then those variations which have been found to
serve certain ends have actually had those ends as their
purpose. For instance, ferns which have developed a
thick clothing of scales upon their lower footstalks, have
done so for the purpose of protecting the unfolding tender
fronds from sudden frosts, &c. Ceterach has developed a
habit of curling in its fronds in drought in order that the
naked upper surface may be protected from evaporation,
and the scales upon the lower surface have been produced
in order to protect that surface from excessive evaporation.
Sunilarly, the orchid Angrecum sesquipedale has developed
its eleven-inch long nectary in order that it may be fer-
tilized by a certain moth which has a proboscis of the same
length. Also the head of the tape-worm is furnished with
hooks in order that it may hang on to the lining membrane
of the human or other intestine, which it does most tena-
ciously. In fact the whole of animated Nature teems
with adaptations of means to ends so elaborate and so
accurate that we are forced to conclude that Nature has
somehow contrived them for their special purposes. What
purpose then do the various modifications in the forms
of ferns, which it is our habit to note, fulfil in the economy
of fern life? They obviously do not conduce to the pros-
perity of the plant in its wild state,inasmuch as the varieties
are usually at a disadvantage—in some cases very serious—
in the ordinary struggle for existence. They only conduce
to the prosperity of the plant when they succeed in drawing
the attention and pleasing the eye of another organism, to
wit, the human fern-hunter. When they do this the fern
in question benefits very materially, inasmuch as it is

195

immediately rescued from the remorseless conflict with
wild nature and placed under much more favourable
conditions in the fernery. It is protected from the
ageression of stronger plants, from the slash-hook of the
hedge cutter, from the attacks of hosts of vermin of various
kinds, and, to a certain extent, from the vicissitudes of the
weather. Thus variation is a kind of advertisement on the
part of individual plants and, like advertisements in
“The Times,” &c., it has to be paid for. Some kinds of
advertisement are relatively cheap, viz., those which
involve little, if any, diminution of fertility or vegetative
vigour, such as the minor forms of cresting, the acutilobe
character in Polystichums, the marginate and supralineate
characters in Scolopendrium and the semilacerum character
in the Polypody. When complete sterility is reached,
however, as in the Polypodiwm Cambricum and Scolopen-
drum v. crispum sections and the more highly developed
plumosums in other species, it is evident that the plant
is paying a heavy price for its “ full-page ”’ advertisement,
inasmuch as it is no longer able to disseminate its spores
and can only hope to survive by being rescued at the hands
of the fern-hunter. When we come to the highest efforts
of genius as in the pulcherromums, which are rendered not
only sterile to spore propagation but are otherwise at a
serious disadvantage from their generally weakened con-
stitutions, it is obvious that the plant is literally staking
its existence upon the chance of rescue. It is the most
desperate kind of gambling known in Nature, and it is not
surprising that so few individuals have the courage to pay
the price. Some of these pulcherrimums protect themselves,
like the bookmakers at races, by “hedging,” 7.e., they
send up only a proportion of characteristic fronds among
a varying number of normal ones. In this way they

196

calculate to make the best of both worlds, to “run with
the hare and hunt with the hounds,” for, while the pul-
cherrimum fronds are a signal to the fern-hunter, the
normal ones are a means of keeping up something like the
normal vigour and fertility. It is a kind of half-page
advertisement which costs less than the full-page one and,
in the event of no customer coming along, it can be with-
drawn and the fern will relapse to the normal. Most of
the angulare pulcherrimums which have been found wild
have been of this kind, and doubtless many others which
have not been found at all. Moly’s green pulcherrimum,
when found, and for many years afterwards, only produced
some 30 to 40 per cent. of characteristic fronds, the rest
being normal or nearly so. Under cultivation the fern,
or rather a part of it, has advanced from an intermittent
to a constant variety. On the other hand Padley’s,
Jackson’s, Smith’s and Mrs. Thompson’s, all intermittent
forms, have lapsed to the normal. Wills’s has done still
worse, for, although originally a constant form, it has also
reverted to the normal. Like many other advertisers
these have made more or less glowing promises which
they have afterwards been unable or unwilling to fulfil.
There is a good deal of human nature in ferns. Notwith-
standing its risky character full-page advertising sometimes
pays, its success or failure depending upon the taste and
the skill and pertinacity of the fern-hunter and cultivator.
Should these increase it may reasonably be expected that
the enterprise of ferns will sooner or later rise to a pro-
portionate extent. It is evident that fern-hunters and
growers play an important part in the economy of Nature.

F.W.S.

197

A. F.F. UNCO-GLOMERATUM.

Some of the choicest gems of the fern world belong to
the genus Athyrium, but the subject of these notes, in
view of its gemmiferous character is probably the most
epoch-making. It was raised in 1876 from the then little
known but comparatively coarse A. f.f. acrocladon and soon
began to exhibit that ultra-ramulose character combined
with extreme tenuity of foliage which distinguishes it at
the present time.

During the third year of its existence it was removed
from the cool humid conditions of its birthplace (an ideal
Athyrium district enjoying a heavy rainfall) to the arid
conditions prevailing in one of the driest parts of mid-
Yorkshire, where the rainfall is much below the average,
and the winds are so fiercely evaporating that it is unusual
for any Athyrium to survive more than two or three years
under any circumstances. In spite of a world of loving
care and every possible attention, the plant evidently felt
the fatal drain upon its vitality, with its accompanying
premonition of impending dissolution, and as is usually
the case when much punished, made a bid for life by pro-
ducing a crop of spores, but severe frost coming upon the
heels of summer (1879) the spores were abortive and never
matured. Fairly sound spores, which the writer has hopes
of being able to germinate, have been produced this season
on reverted fronds, the reversion being quite exceptional
and probably due to the punishment inflicted by the
prolonged drought.

The most striking peculiarity in connection with this
fern and one which renders it absolutely unique among
British ferns, is its ability to develop apical buds on fronds
which have apparently completed their growth and which
are (so far as can be seen) worked out to the terminal. It

198

often happens in very moist seasons that the fronds con-
tinue growing and unfurling without intermission the
whole season through, and are never fully unfurled. In
this condition the fern is at its best, as it continues to
ramify during the whole period of its growth, consequently,
towards the end of August the plant becomes one dense
mass, composed of thousands of growing and still branching
tips. In hot dry seasons growth of the early spring fronds
apparently ceases, and the fronds appear to be complete,
but a microscopic examination will reveal a very slight
thickening of the terminal tissues. This thickening con-
tinues until buds are developed, when the old fronds are
endowed with a new lease of life, and continue to develop,
each single tip growing and ramifying until cut down by
frost. As the terminal buds are constantly unfurling and
extending, the earlier growth is covered by the gossamer
mantle which is being constantly woven and extended
from day to day, so that the plant is “ with surpassing
glory crowned,’ even when its plebeian sisters have ful-
filled their destiny and are in the “sere and yellow leaf.”

Fronds laid down for propagation twelve years ago have
yielded a.small annual crop ever since, although there is
nothing visible to the naked eye in the shape of either old
fronds or prothalloid growth, the surface of the dish being
overrun with green slime (Protococcus pluvialis), which is
considered such a nuisance when it gets a footing among
newly-sown spores. The infinitely small threadlike growths,
although invisible, must be able to exist in this medium
because ex nihilo nihil fit, but a bed of living slime, although
ensuring uniformly moist conditions, would appear to be
anything but a suitable nidus in which to raise up a crop
of seedlings of a fern so very frail and ethereal.

For 20 years after its birth the plant was propagated by

199

division, two offsets only being produced during this period.
This was the only known method of propagation until its
aposporous capability was so ably demonstrated by our
Editor. It lends itself so well to aposporal development
that it is now pretty generally distributed. Unlke many
aposporous subjects, the seedlings so raised include quite a
high percentage of true plants. Some are in the writer’s
opinion much more hair-like than the original, and stand
in the same relation to the original, as does P. acul. gra-
cillimum to its parent pulcherrimum. This is most notice-
able when grown under specially favourable conditions
from earliest infancy, when the growth assumes an extremely
fiiferous character. To ensure this condition the plant
must have plenty of light and also something approaching
close culture during the earlier period of its growth. The
writer has had a small plant under close culture during the
whole of this season, and a more beautiful object it would
be difficult to imagine. Close culture would perhaps be
inadvisable North of the Tweed. or in the Lake District, or
with large plants anywhere, and the cultivator must be
prepared to give attention four or five times daily to partial
ventilation. -If this is not attended to the fronds cannot
support their own weight, a certain indication of too much
shade or too close confinement. The writer stands his
plants in half an inch of water during the day, removing
them in the evening so as to allow the roots to breathe.
Many of the roots would be destroyed by continuous
immersion. This treatment appears to answer very well
in this part of the country and the plants attain a maximum
of capilliform development.

H. STANSFIELD.

200

A FERNY DELL.
A ferny dell beside the stream,
Oh ! listen, and I’ll tell ;
"Tis hidden from the noonday beam ;
A ferny dell :
Meseems I know it well,
And how its dainty fronds will gleam
Where orbéd dewdrops fell.
That nook refreshment will, I deem,
For jaded mortal spell :
It is a talisman supreme,
A ferny dell.
Fras W. THORRINGTON.
12th Nov., 1921.

ON SOWING SPORES.

Having been asked by several members to describe my
method of raising ferns from spores I do so, although with
some diffidence, as the subject has already been dealt with
by the late Mr. Druery and by Mr. Alexander Cowan.
There are many ways of raising ferns from spores, all of
which have been successful in the hands of experts, and
naturally each successful raiser considers his method the
best. Probably for him it is the best, but it is not
necessarily the best for every one, and each worker may
select the one which appeals to him. All the methods rest
on certain broad principles.

(i) The maintenance of a continuously moist atmo-
sphere.

(ii) Adequate, but not excessive, moisture of the
soil.

(iii) The exclusion of worms, weeds. and extraneous
spores.

201

The last of these is by far the most difficult of attainment,
indeed it is not too much to say that it is impossible to
realise it completely, inasmuch as, however thoroughly we
may sterilize the soil and the water, we cannot sterilize the
spores ; 2.e., we cannot be sure that we do not sow, along
with them, the spores of confervee, mosses, moulds and
Protococci. The chances of intrusion can, however, be
reduced to a minimum by careful gathering of the spores,
v.e., by taking a pinna or pinnule of the selected fern as
soon as the sori are ripe and allowing the spores to be shed
naturally upon a piece of perfectly clean glazed paper,
carefully folded to exclude the air and dust. The clean
spores being obtained, the sooner they are sown the better
for, although it is well known that some spores can be
kept for many years without losing their vitality, there
can be no doubt that this is highest when the spores are
first shed from their capsules. It is Nature’s selected time
for sowing, and self-sown spores, provided they meet with
favourable conditions, germinate the most rapidly and
vigorously. We come now to the question of receptacles
for the spore bed and spores. There is no question that
spores can be successfully sown in ordinary pots, covered
with bell-glasses or merely with flat pieces of glass, the pots
being stood in saucers and supplied with water as required
from below. In this way, however, they require to be
carefully watched, and the supply of water must be so
regulated that the soil never becomes either too dry or too
wet. After long experience I have found circular glass
butter-dishes with closely fitting glass lids to be the most
convenient and least troublesome of “‘spore pots.’ The
less ornamentation there is about these dishes, and especially
about the lids, the better for the ferns. Patterns and
decorations upon the lids not only obscure the view but

202

keep out the light, and are also an element of needless cost.
It is not always easy, however, to obtain perfectly plain lids.
The dishes being washed clean and wiped dry with a clean
cloth the next consideration is the soil. It is well known
that ferns vary very much in their choice of soils, some
liking peat, others loam or leaf-mould, some preferring
and some abhorring a calcareous bed. There are, however,
few ferns the spores of which will not germinate and the
prothalli perform their functions upon a stratum of stiff
loam. This may even approach the character of clay, and
we have often seen small seedlings of Blechnum, L. dilatata,
L. montana, and Athyrium growing upon a surface of pure
clay. Clay is not, however, to be selected for spore pots
but a stiff, preferably non-fibrous loam, will answer for
most ferns. Of course for lime-hating ferns it should be
free from lime. The soil is mixed with water in a pan and
boiled for some time until soil and water become mud of
the consistency of thick porridge. Some of this is ladled
out with a spoon, while still hot, but not boiling, and
placed in an irregular heap in the middle of the spore dish.
The mound is made an inch or an inch and a half high in
the centre. and slopes down around the circumference,
almost to the bottom of the basin. The lid is immediately
placed upon the dish, covering in the hot mud, and the
dish is put aside for a few days to cool and settle. In this
time the superfluous water drains from the mud and settles
in the groove around the base of the mound from which
situation it can be readily poured out without disturbing
the soil. As soon as it ceases to drain, the spores are sown
thinly upon the irregular mound of moist earth. If sown
too early, 7.e., while the mound is still oozing, the spores
will be carried down by the trickling water and lost in the
ditch. As soon as the spores are sown the lid is put in place

203

and is not again raised, without some particular reason,
until the ferns are ready to prick off. The name of the
variety sown is written in indelible ink, with the date of
sowing, upon a celluloid label, which is tied round the knob
of the lid with copper wire, and so a record is kept which
will last for years without being obliterated. The spore
dishes are then put in a place where there is plenty of
daylight, but no sunshine (I prefer the inside sill of a house
window, facing North), and after this they will require very
little attention until the young ferns are ready to prick off,
which may be in a couple of months, or may extend to half
a dozen years or even longer. JL’teris aquilina and Athyriwm
germinate and develop very quickly, but Polypodies are
very slow. Scolopendriums, Lastreas, Polystichums, &c.,
are intermediate. The process of germination and develop-
ment can be watched through the glass, and water may
require to be supplied occasionally, although as there is
very little evaporation and no leakage of water this is at
longish intervals. When it is desired to lift the lid of the
dish for any purpose, this should be done, as far as possible,
in a room away from growing ferns and in a still and dustless
atmosphere. The lid should not be removed more fre-
quently than is absolutely necessary as every opening
gives an opportunity for the entry of floating spores and
germs. If the dishes can be kept in a warm house or room
a good deal of time is saved as the prothalli develop more
quickly and there are obviously fewer chances for the
intrusion of undesirable spores. As soon as the prothalli
are fully grown, should no young fronds appear, a little
tepid water may be poured into the groove around the base
of the mound, whence it will be quickly absorbed into the
soil and any excess can be easily poured away without
disturbing the soil or prothalli. The water for this purpose

204

should be kept at hand in a stoppered bottle. Filtered
and boiled rain-water is best, although ordinary tap water
will serve the purpose for many ferns. Ordinary rain water
contains the spores of mosses and the germs of Protococcus
pluvialis, the low organism which forms the green slime
upon the surface of pots, &c., and which tends to block up
the pores of the soil, thus rendering it unhealthy for young
ferns. Perhaps the commonest cause of failure in sowing
spores is sowing too thickly, the spores being so minute
that it is difficult for the beginner to realise how many he
is sowing. The spores produced from one pinnule of an
Athyrium or Polystichum or from a pinna of an Asplenium,
if taken at the right time, will be sufficient for one sowing.
Should the prothalli be seen to be obviously crowded
before they are fully grown it will be wise to prick out a
number of them into another pot or dish in little groups of
three or four, about a quarter of an inch apart, using
sterilized soil. As soon as the little ferns have made one
frond they should be carefully pricked out with the attached
prothallus (vide Druery, GazeTTH, Vol. I, p. 1385) and
planted out, singly if possible, half an inch to three-quarters
of an inch apart, according to the vigour of the kind. They
will come on much more quickly and will make more
symmetrical plants than if planted in bunches. No doubt
many will say “I can raise seedlings without all that fuss,”
and this is doubtless true. With good luck and a warm
moist house a good average of success may be reached by
haphazard methods, but there will be sure to be some
failures, and these may be just the ones most desired to be
successful. ‘‘ What I have written I have written,’ and

no one need adopt my methods unless he chooses.
| | F.W.S,

aia

vitish fern
Gasette.

~ September, 1922.

a Shree BY

er. W. STANSFIELD, MI. Ep

(READING)

PUBLISHED BY

t IE BRITISH PTERIDOLOGICAL SOCIETY

(B President: Mr. W. B. Cranfield, East Lodge, Enfield Chase, Middlesex.)

(E on. cay and \Hon. Treasurer: Mr. Charles Henwood, 21, Clifton
BE: Road, Maida Vale, London, W.9.)

“KENDAL, WESTMORLAND.

—
DRBARI CY &2 80M ITF OFaninG

ce)

dap: = Ps

vgs — ,
A

POLYSTICHUM ANG. PULCHERRIMUM—F.W5S.

W. B, CRANFIELD, F.R.H.S., President, British Pteridological Society.

THE

BRITISH FERN GAZETTE.

NEW SERIES.

Vot. 4. SEPTEMBER, 1922. No. 12.
CONTENTS. PAGE
EpIToRIAL NOTES .. ae 63 7 Se <8 .. 205
Our FRONTISPIECE .. se ti: 7 Ay Rs -. 206
THE Avueust MEETING - ae ae a: se ree ev ie
FINANCE FROM WITHIN, by a Member present at the Annual

Meeting .. ve ie 2 ae on i eee oe
First IMPRESSIONS OF A MEETING OF THE B.P.S., by Rev.

Canon Kingsmill Moore - fe wi sa a4) 4
THE Finmy Fern (Roundelay) (Mr. F. W. Thorrington) .. 215
Notes on FERN NOMENCLATURE—CORRESPONDENCE WITH

Dr. Druce (Mr. F. W. Thorrington) sh at .. 216
AtTHyYRIUM ff. UNCo-GLoMERATUM (Mr. T. Leighton) .. -. 218

HIBERNATION AND A‘sTIVATION (Mr. H. Stansfield) ut yo 219

EDITORIAL NOTES.

The Editor congratulates the Society upon the completion
of another Volume of the Gazette and has pleasure in presenting
a@ portrait of the President for binding, as a frontispiece.
This Volume has had the most chequered life of any yet
issued, the numbers having had to be abbreviated and shorn
of the frontispiece, which was formerly a conspicuous feature,
as well as having their publication suspended for lack of
funds. The Society has lost many of its members during
the stormy and troublous times following upon the war.
The faithful have, however, held together staunchly and the
thanks of the Society generally are due to the little band of
people who have kept the flag flying. The indefatigable
Hon. Secretary, Mr. C. Henwood, has been a tower of strength
and has contributed, in no small measure, to the life of the
Society, both by his work in keeping his end up under difficult
circumstances and by his generosity in paying postages and

206

other minor expenses out of his own pocket. The Rev.
Canon Kingsmill Moore and Mr. H. Stansfield have also
been especially helpful by their valuable contributions to
our columns. There are signs that the Gazette is being more
appreciated by the scientific world in general and inquiries
for back numbers have come in from foreign universities
as well as from the headquarters of British botany at Kew.
A notable accession to the membership is the eminent French
botanist, H.I.H. Prince Roland Bonaparte of Paris.

Finally, it is a matter of much satisfaction to the Executive
that the Society is now thoroughly solvent, “ owing no man
anything,” and having a useful balance to credit at the Bank.
This comfortable state of affairs, however, is due to the
enthusiasm and public spirit of a comparatively smail number
of members who cannot be expected to repeat indefinitely
the process of levelling up. It is hoped that the members
generally will endeavour to broaden the basis of the Society
by missionary work among their friends who are non-members,
as well as by regular and prompt payment of their own
subscriptions. ‘The subscriptions for the new year are now
due and should be remitted to the Hon. Secretary and
Treasurer, Mr. C. Henwood, 21, Clifton Road, Maida Vale,
London, W.9.

Several articles are held over for a future number of the
Gazette.

OUR FRONTISPIECE.

POLYSTICHUM ANGULARE PULCHERRIMUM—F.W5S.

This photograph was taken from the frond exhibited by
Dr. Stansfield at the Llanberis Meeting, and for which he was
awarded the Society’s Certificate. The plant was raised
from spores (supplied by Mr. T. E. Henwood) of P. angulare
divis. plumosum foliosum, H. Stansfield, a very fine form of
the Jones-Fox strain. The plant, which nearly died during
the severe winter of 1916-17, is now in good health and has

207

produced, this year, some twenty fronds, all of which are
thoroughly and uniformly pulcherrimum in character. The
writer considers it the finest thing he has yet raised. The
Society is indebted to Mr. Charles Henwood for the cost of this
reproduction.

THE AUGUST MEETING.

The Annual Meeting of the Society was held at the Padarn
Villa Hotel, Llanberis, on Monday, August 14th, the President,
Mr. W. B. Cranfield, occupying the Chair. Members were
also present from Co. Dublin, Manchester, Reading, South
Woodford, Horsham (Sussex), and Brondesbury (London).

On the Balance Sheet being read, it was found that, although
only two numbers of the Gazette had been issued during the
year, the cost of one issue was still owing to the printers
as compared with two numbers last year. It was elicited
that the Hon. Secretary and Editor had both defrayed the
cost of postages out of their own pockets, thereby saving the
Society’s funds to a considerable extent. A letter was read
from Mr. Smithies, a Vice-President, regretting his inability
to attend the Meeting and enclosing a contribution of £3
towards the funds of the Society. Other members present
voluntarily added to this sum, as shown in the revised Balance
Sheet published herewith, with the result that the Society
was now found to have a balance in hand without encroaching
upon the subscriptions for the new year.

The opinion was expressed that the cost of printing the
Gazette was excessive for the work, and it was decided to try
to find a cheaper printer. It was also resolved that the
Gazette should be issued, for the present, only twice a year.

The officers were all re-elected, the name of Mr. G. E.
Stephens (Horsham) being added to the Committee.

There was a lengthy discussion of the question of the revised
nomenclature as presented by Dr. G. C. Druce in the December

208

issue of the Gazette. A general desire was expressed to
conform to the usage of other botanists, but considerable
doubt was expressed whether the settlement, supposed to
be made by the Vienna Conference, would be a stable one,
the new edition (1922) of Babington’s Manual of British
Botany being quoted as adhering to the more familiar names
of Hooker, etc. It was eventually resolved that a Sub-
Committee, consisting of the President and Dr. Stansfield,
be appointed to confer with the Royal Horticultural Society
and the Kew Authorities, to express the Society’s views on
nomenclature and to endeavour to come to an agreement
with botanical authorities generally on the subject. The
Sub-Committee was also empowered to represent the Society’s
views on the subject of certification of British fern varieties
by the R.H.S.

There was some discussion as to the place of meeting for
1923, a desire for Ireland having been expressed and a long
time having elapsed since that rich hunting-ground was
visited. The advice of Canon Kingsmill Moore (subsequently
confirmed by another Irish member) was that the West of
Ireland was not likely to be a comfortable place for peaceful
citizens to visit for another year at least. It was eventually
resolved, on the motion of Mr. T. E. Henwood, that the
Meeting next year should be in the neighbourhood of Axmin-
ster (Devon), where good hunting was certain to be met with.

Fronds of new and rare varieties were exhibited by the
President, Mr. Edwards, Mr. Henwood, Mr. C. Henwood,
Canon Kingsmill Moore and Dr. Stansfield, and the following
Certificates were awarded :—

To Mr. Charles Henwood :—
for Polypodium v. Cambricum, Henwood, and for Polypodium
v. cristatum, Henwood.
To Mr. J. W. Walton, Richmond :—

For Polystichum angulare foliosum grande, Walton, exhibited

by Mr. T. E. Henwood.

209

To Mr. J. E. Austin, West Court, Detling, near Maidstone :—
For Polystichum angulare divisilobum, Bland ; also exhibited
by Mr. T. E. Henwood.

To Dr. Stansfield, Reading :— P
For Lastrea montana formosa-cristata, F. W. Stansfield,
and for Polystichum angulare pulcherromum, F. W.
Stansfield.

To Mr. George Whitwell, Kendal :—
For Lastrea pseudo-mas polydactyla, Whitwell.

To Mr. J. Edwards, Manchester :—
For Polystichum aculeatum pulcherrimum foliosum, Edwards,
and for Lastrea pseudo-mas fimbriata-cristata angustata,
Cropper.

To Rev. Canon Kingsmill Moore :—
For Athyrium f.f. cruciato-cristatum baccatum, K. Moore.

Mr. C. Henwood exhibited a frond of a fine crested form of
Lastrea Filax-mas, which he had found on the wall of Norwich
Cathedral.

The members remained at Llanberis for practically a week,
and the surrounding neighbourhood was energetically scoured
for varieties. The following species were noted :—Allosorus
crispus, Lastrea oreopteris (montana), L. Filix-mas, L. pseudo-
mas, L. propinqua, Athyrium Filia-femina, ‘Polypodium
vulgare, Blechnum spicant, all of which were abundant and
widely distributed. Less abundant were Lastrea spinulosa,
Polypodium phegopteris, Asplenium trichomanes, A. Adiantum-
mgrum, A. Ruta-muraria, Ceterach officinarum. Scolopen-
drium vulgare was only found very occasionally in chinks of
mortared walls and mostly as very small specimens. Hymeno-
phyllum unilaterale was found in two places only, near
waterfalls. The Lycopodiums, clavatum, alpinum and selago
were also noted. Many small variations were observed,

but no variety worthy of being perpetuated or collected was
found.

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211

FINANCE FROM WITHIN.

Most Societies are subject to financial crises. For this
there are many causes, but the commonest arise from the
outside view of the subject which is generally taken. The
Officers and Committee are inside, the bull’s-eye of the target,
at which the members who are outside discharge their more
or less irresponsible criticisms.

Our B.P.S. has been passing through one of these crises.
Its members appreciate their Society, and in particular they
appreciate their Gazette. Weil they may; the writer has
no share in the management of the Gazette and is therefore
free to voice the unanimous chorus of approval with which
its numbers are greeted. The Gazette has made the Society
famous the world round, requests for complete sets come from
the ends of the earth. This appreciation of members from
without is expressed in various ways ; often it takes the form
of criticism. “Why is my copy late?” ; ‘‘ Why is there not
more frequent publication ?”’; ‘Why are there not more
articles ?”’; “‘Why is the size not increased by the intro-
duction of new features ?”’; and there have been those who
added : ‘““ Why has the subscription been raised ?”’ Of such
kind are the arrows from without. Inside, the Editor and the
Treasurer listen with gratification—and perplexity. If the
outside view alone had to be considered, they would respond
with enthusiasm. But when the matter is viewed from
within, these are the kind of questions which have to be
answered :—

What are we to do about our decreasing balances? In
1914 there was a balance of £94 15s. 6d., the balance in 1922
is £5 15s. 2d.

How are we to induce our interested friends to be more
regular with their subscriptions ? The amount outstanding
in August, 1922, was 24 members’ subscriptions.

Where can a means be found of keeping the cost of printing
within possible limits ?

212

In 1916 the cost of one issue of the Gazette was £4 17s. 8d.
To produce three numbers then cost little more than to
produce one number now, when an issue costs over £14.

Why is it that our friends do not act as propagandists
and bring in new members? There were 134 members in
1914. The number in 1922 has fallen to 72.

Why do so few of the members lighten the labours of our
hardworked Editor by forwarding the results of their ex-
perience in the shape of contributions to the Gazette ?

Through the generosity of some of those who have viewed
our finance from within the crisis which threatened to end the
Gazette is past, and it has been decided to publish twice a
year. This is a temporary arrangement made necessary by
the facts to which attention has been called. But if this
unveiling of our finances from within should lead the members
to view the situation comprehensively, and quicken them
collectively and individually into a more active support of
the Society and the Gazette, there will be nothing to prevent
the expansion of both Society and Gazette in any direction
which the interests of fern-lovers may suggest.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF A MEETING OF THE B.P.S.

A VERY DELIGHTFUL EXPERIENCE.

For a great many years I have been a member of the
Society, but never before had I the opportunity of attending
an Annual Meeting ; I think I should have made opportunity
could I have imagined the pleasure which such a Meeting
can give. The place chosen this year simplified matters.
I was spending August at Harlech, and Llanberis is in the
neighbourhood. On alighting at Carnarvon, to change
trains, a group of travellers about whom there was something
distinctive, attracted me; the initials on my bag attracted

213

them. Forthwith we were introduced all round. It was as
though a great arm of welcome had embraced me; I was
at once at home.

As we travelled up to Llanberis the special interests of the
party quickly became apparent. From the window it could
be seen that ferns abounded, and sharp eyes hailed each new
species with delight. On arrival there were further intro-
ductions to members who had already arrived, and we sat
down to dinner and spent the evening as though we had all
been lifelong friends.

What particularly impressed me then, and throughout the
Meeting, was the spirit of comradeship which prevailed.
A common fund of experience was, as it were, pooled. Here
were the leading experts of the cult, and all that they knew
was available for everyone; the habitats, the history, the
nomenclature, the culture of our favourites were discussed
and illustrated from every point of view.

At Monday’s Committee the conduct of the formal business
by our President and Honorary Secretary did honour to the
Society. I shall not duplicate the report of the important
decisions given elsewhere, but it is a pleasure to place on
record my impressions of the scrupulous fairness and the
judicial acumen shown in awarding Certificates. One by
one the owners submitted their favourites—the candidates
for honours were many—the fronds were passed round ;
their points were explained and noted ; then a vote was taken.
In all cases the awards made were unanimous. The Com-
mittee was equally unanimous when a Certificate was refused.
The one aim throughout was to reach right decisions. All

felt for themselves and for others, that in each case justice
had been done.

A prominent feature of the Meeting was variety hunting.
It went on early and late. At breakfast there was always
news oi energetic starts “at six.” After dinner the tran-

214

quillity of digestion was invaded by proposal for one more
walk. On Tuesday there was an all-day excursion, with
sandwiches. In the case of those who have not yet attended
a Meeting, some misgivings as to these “hunts” might be
pardonable. How about danger spots, or overwalking ?
Do the strong overlook the weak? What chance for the
less initiated among the experts? If such doubts exist,
let them be dismissed once for all. Everything might have
been planned to suit the weakest ; the stronger made bolder
circuits, but the company was always forming and reforming,
and thus it was made possible for each to do as much or as
little as he or she pleased. In this connexion, the chivalry
of the President and his consideration for his members will
not easily be forgotten. While I was with the party there
were perhaps no real “ finds,’ though we were always finding.
It is the special joy of the cult that something more or less
(generally less) out of the common is always occurring. For
this part of the sport we had in our Editor an unfailing mentor
and arbiter. I do not suppose there were any members
who did not at one time or other present a fern with something
like a flutter of expectation. “‘Show it to the Doctor”
was the universal recipe, as we brought these finds to one
another. And the Doctor was never at fault. ‘‘ Yes, not
quite normal now, will be next year.” “ Interesting, but
not uncommon.” ‘Not enough departure to constitute a
variety.” ‘“‘ Frequently found so.” With these, and such-
like dicta, he often shattered hopes, but we were satisfied
that he could do nothing else. The decision was given with
authority and we felt that it was final.

If I were asked, in concluding, to sum up these impressions
in a phrase, I do not think it could be better done than by
quoting the President, as we dealt with specimens and shared
spores at the Committee Meeting. ‘In our Society,” he
said, “‘ there is no jealousy.” That this was my experience
what has been written ought sufficiently to show, but I cannot

2156

deny myself the pleasure of adding a quite unique piece of
evidence. Towards the end of my stay a member whose
collection is famous handed me his catalogue and when I had
studied its richness and variety, astonished me by saying
“You are welcome to anything there of which I have a

duplicate.”
H. Kiryesmitt Moore.

THE FILMY FERN.

The filmy fern drapes o’er the face
Of the crag where the wide cavern gapes ;
A wonderful sight is the place
The filmy fern drapes.

Each translucent frondlet escapes,
Unless you shall carefully trace
The medley of delicate shapes.

That network of intricate lace
The craftiest needle but apes,
Where, sprayed by the waterfall’s race,
The filmy fern drapes.

Fras. W. THORRINGTON.

12th November, 1921.

216

** Ferncote,’’ Curtis Road,
Emerson Park, Hornchurch,
Essex.
27th February, 1922.
To the Editor British Fern Gazette.
NOTES ON BRITISH FERN NOMENCLATURE,
vide the article by Dr. G. Claridge Druce in the December

number of the ‘‘ Gazette.”
Dear Sir,

Correspondence with Dr. Druce has elicited the following
interesting comments, and I imagine that Gazetie readers
may find them of use as a corollary to his article :—

(1) Re Gen. 715. Onoclea (L.). sp. 2895. sensibilis (L.)

Notes by Dr. Druce.—*‘ Onoclea sensibilis grew in a lane at
Moreby, near York, H. Baines (Phyt. i, 492) and at
“Plemont, Jersey, in 1915. In both cases alien, of
“course.”’

716 “ Dryopteris is a large genus as defined by Christensen.
“Its sections, or subgenera, might well bear the
“names Lastrea : Phegopteris.”’

“T see that Schinz suggests sinking Polystichum
“also in Dryopteris. I do not agree.”

713 “ Yes, Pseudathyriwum is superseded by Athyrium on
“ grounds of priority.”

714 ‘* The trivial aculeatum (L) was dropped on account of
“its being a nomen confusum; strictly speaking, it
“is said to mean angulare, therefore Hudson’s trivial
““ lobatum of 1762 is revived and used for the Prickly
‘Shield Fern. This may necessitate a new varietal
““name.”’

“So, too, with angulare. If, strictly speaking,
“this should be aculeatum, great confusion would
“arise. Therefore the trivial setiferum, which dates
“from 1775 (Forskal Fl. Aegypt-Arab).”

“ Angulare only dated from 1810 (Kit. in Willd.
Ope elastase

i

217

716 “‘ Wollaston’s three species of Filix-mas. In my list
“T give as var. c. paleacea, which as Aspidium
“ paleaceum was described by Don in 1825. Wollas-
“ton described his pseudo-mas in 1855 and the two
“names are said to be synonymous: hence I take
“ the older ; but I think it deserves sub-specific rank.
‘“ Again, I use abbreviata in the sense of propinqua,
“but Iam aware that there are doubts about propin-
“qua and abbreviata being the same: abbreviata is
“the older trivial.”

2899 “I suppose aristata refers to the strongly mucronate
“ teeth—but not very happily. We owe the trivial
“to Villars.”

2902 “‘ Oreopteris dates from 1787. Montanum is said to
“date from 1781, Vogler, but Schinz rejects it as a
“stillborn name. I have not gone into this ex-
“ haustively.”’

2904 “* I should prefer to keep the Beech, Oak and Limestone
“Ferns separate as Phegopteris, Fée, as in my list.
“Tf not, as a subgenus of Dryopieris.”’

2905 “ Yes, D. Linneana was chosen to avoid the duplication
“of the name.”

2917 (724, Hymenophyllum) “ peltatum on account of
“priority of name.”

Dr. Druce comments further, in regard to the way in which
“ priority ’’ will often revive a name less suitable than the
accustomed one. He says: “ The difficulty of choosing the
“first most useful name would result in confusion, because
“people might not agree as to which was the most useful.
“ Directly one parts from the bed-rock of priority, you are
“on the quicksands of individual caprice.”’

I make no apology for quoting these explanatory notes in
full. They appear to me to be of considerable use as a help
to understanding the reasons for the changes of names,
which so frequently look quite arbitrary at a first acquaintance.

Fras. W. THORRINGTON.

218

A. F.F. UNCO-GLOMERATUM.

A dozen years ago I purchased a plant of the above-named
fern and knowing its aposporous character it occurred to me
to try my apprentice hand upon it.

Preparing four 4-inch pots, giving abundance of drainage,

the pots were filled two-thirds full of good open soil, loam, ~

leat-mould and sand; making the same firm and placing a
crock on top I poured boiling water on it to sterilize the soil.
Placing a piece of glass on the top of each pot, I set them
aside until they were cold. Taking a frond from my plant
I cut off the extreme ends of the fronds below a joint where
it branches away in little clusters half-an-inch or so long:
then, planting them in the already prepared pots of sterilized
soil one inch apart and making them firm, I covered each
pot with a piece of glass and placed them in a temperature
of 55 degrees, keeping them close and moist. This was done
in the beginning of September; within a few weeks the
cuttings, so to speak, in three of the pots began to grow ;
those in the fourth pot all dried up and died ; the reason why,
I cannot tell, as they were all treated alike and kept in the
same condition as regards heat and moisture. By the
following August the plants had become crowded and the
fronds had got mixed up with one another, so I potted them
singly into pots one inch in diameter, using sterilized soil.
IT replaced them in the same temperature and kept them close.

In the following spring they were again shifted on, this
time into 2-inch pots and they continued to grow nicely, some
growing more quickly and making stronger growth than
others, but the slow growing ones were the finest plants.
Unfortunately, following the severe frost which occurred
during the winter of 1916-1917, not one of them started to
grow in the spring. I thought perhaps being wintered in
a temperature of 45 degrees—my greenhouse boiler going
off during the severe frost and could not be replaced owing

219

to the war—the sudden fail of temperature from 45 F. to
25 degrees of frost had been too much for them.

In my correspondence with my esteemed friend, Mr.
Stansfield, of Sale, I told him of their untimely death, and
he attributed it not to the frost, but to the dryness produced
by frost. From whatever cause they ceased to live I can
assure you I much regretted the early death of my beautiful
plants. The parent plant I still have, but it has become a
degenerate, a dwarf coarse type of acrocladon from which
the variety originated.

I presume this mode of raising young plants is similar
to laying down the fronds and is the development of the
apical buds.

T. LEIGHTON.
10, Hamilton Place, Kilmarnock.

[Mr. Leighton’s failure to raise plants was undoubtedly due to
destruction by frost: although the roots and crowns are hardy the
fronds of A. Filix-foemina are invariably destroyed by a very few
degrees of frost. Our correspondent’s cultures were not independent
plants, but extensions of the original frond laid down. The apical
knots are not “‘ buds” in the physiological sense (i.e. bulbils) such
as are found on Scolopendrium v. densum, or they would produce roots
and new fronds; they are simply points of arrested development
in the original frond and it is not until the frond has unrolled to its
ultimate segments that prothalli are developed from which new plants

can arise. See “ Production of Apospory by Environment,” Gazette,
Vol. IIL, p. 237.— Editor. ]

HIBERNATION AND AESTIVATION.

As some of our native ferns have adopted hibernation as a
means of defence against the rigours of winter, so also one
at least of our native Alpine, or mountain ferns has hit upon
estivation as a means of escaping the (equally objectionable
in this case) rigours of summer. The fern in question is
C. montana, which is only able to exist in a wild state in this

220

country at altitudes of 1,000 to 2,000 feet above sea-level,
where it is found growing on moist dripping rocks. When
brought down to lower levels it behaves like a wild bird in
captivity and seldom appears thoroughly happy.

When the writer was stationed at Pontefract, where the
soil and atmosphere are both exceptionally dry, and the
geological formation Permian limestone, C. montana was
temporarily planted under conditions almost the exact
opposite of those selected by the plant when growing wild,
the land being very dry and the soil heavy and devoid of
humus. The plant took to the new conditions like a duck
to the water, most of the fronds being a foot long and the
rhizomes strong in proportion. Growth commenced very
early and proceeded at high pressure, the serious business of
life being practically over by the end of May. By early
June, when other ferns were just waking from their beauty
sleep, and P. Cambricum had not moved, C. montana had
shed its spores and retired for the season so as to escape the
devastating heat experienced during the hot summer months.
The plant evidently took a similar view to the old foxhunting
squire, who, at the end of the hunting season, bemoaned
the sad fact that “we have now a long dreary summer in
front of us.”’

That the writer’s experience with this fern is not a solitary
one is proved by the fact that fifty years ago he heard from
a client who reported fronds 12 to 15 inches on C. montana,
but the matter not having been confirmed by ocular demon-
stration, it was presumed at the time to be a case of mistaken
identity, as there is some similarity in outline between the
plant in question and P. calcarewm, and it would be an easy
matter for the uninitiated to confuse these two ferns.

Assuming that the soil alone was responsible for this most
extraordinary transformation, the writer was recently at
pains to import special soil from the place where this fern
was behaving so very remarkably, but alas! the hoped for

Z21

result failed to materialize, neither estivation nor exuberant
growth resulting. The exuberant growth is probably the
result of estivation, which itself is probably the result of
special atmospheric conditions induced by a combination of
unknown climatic conditions peculiar to that district.

Something of a similar nature occurs with Adiantum
lunulatum, a native of India. During the winter or rainy
season this fern is to be seen in all its glory, a most fragile
and delicate fern almost filmy in appearance. When the
rain ceases, and before the land becomes hard-baked, the
fern promptly retires, and matures its crown an inch or more
below the surface, where it is perfectly safe, although every
scrap of vegetation on the surface of the ground is often
licked up by the jungle fires which sweep harmlessly overhead.

H. STANSFIELD.

INDEX TO VOLUME 4

PAGE
Athyrium f.f. Kalothrix lineare (frontispiece) sue aa 80
na » unco-glomeratum a o te 197, 218
August Meeting, The .. oe ae oe 82. 1a Seal One cor
Beginners, A Column for Fe ia ae os 27
Biological Questions ve British Ferns aa se a 38
Blechnum sp. serratum, Henwood 16
Chard Excursions, The.. Pee sb: es ae as 170
Choice British Ferns, Correcticns 65
Defective Ferns and their Correction oe ae: Es 92
Difficulties in Raising Ferns from Spores... ie 109
Drought of 1919, The .. ar 4 ne oe hee 19
Editorial Notes .. 1, 31, 47, 63, 79, 108; 127, 147 lloas Seas
Exchange Column for Members ie ate a oa 30
Fern Book, An Old ts ae = ye re ave 105
Fern Chat As sc om oP ae ae 497182
Fern Culture... ae sa i cae os Ar )
Fern Gossip fe ah me a oe oe es 149
Fern Hunting, Disadvantages of a as ae si >
Fern Names, Notes on ae A ee es oa 216
Fern Propagation by bulbils and division .. a ars 86
Fern Variation .. Bs = a she se aN 22
Ferns and Shows ee 22 ee ae ca we 54
Ferns and the Drought of 1921 i = o Os 18h9
Ferns, My (Thorrington) she a o rhs = 149
Ferns in Geological Ages 2a is me «f as 53
Ferny Dell, A... ha v ie oe Es oe 200
Filmy Fern, The (Roundelay).. .. «. ws ee 28
Finance from Within .. an aa = a Ae Pa
First Impressions of a Meeting of the B.P.S. ss eh oll
Garland of Ferns, A .. fe oe vs ra ae 129
Glossary of Names of Varieties ig 44.57, 74, 99, 02121338
% » Generic and Specific A oe is 159
Going Blind i Bs acs #3 zx ms ~~ 42
Heredity aN i bee fe a a i 153
Hibernation and A#stivation 219
Killarney, A Fern Hunt in 70
Members and Addresses, List of i Se we oe 143
Moly’s Country, Good Huntingin .. a oi a 173
Nomenclature of British Ferns 5 oe oe ot 182

Notes (Thorrington) .. Sas ae ae on = 11s

— -<

Obituary
Ophioglossum vulgatum
Otiorrhynchus devastator : ae
Perry’s Nursery, Enfield, A Visit to ;
Polystichum aculeatum pulcherrimum, New oe fea
angulare divisilobum percristatum
foliosum grande, Walton
plumosum, A New Strain of
pulcherrimum, F.W.S. (frontispiece)
Varieties, The Sections of
Plaumose Varieties of Ferns
Purpose of Varietion, The
Rock Ferns, Culture of rw: 5
Scolopendrium v. acrocladon, Buchan-Hepburn

ap » crispum, The Forms of
Shelter, The Judicious Use of
Spores, On Sowing
Tree Ferns 6
Variation, The Purpose of
Work for the Spring
Work, Winter and Spring

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VOLUME Vf" eg 1. /
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EDITED BY
F. W. STANSFIELD, MD., F.LS.
(READING.)

THE BRITISH PTERIDOLOGICAL SOCIETY

President: Mr. W. B. Cranfield, F.R.HS., F.LS.,

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British im ern

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- Gazette,

‘May, 1923. — eo

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EDITED BY :

a w. STANSFIELD, M.D.

(READING)

PUBLISHED BY

rHE BRITISH PTERIDOLOGICAL SOCIETY |

Road, Maida Vale hopdeas W.9.)

KENDAL, WESTMORLAND.

- BRADLEY & SON. LTD., READING.

a

THE
BRITISH FERN GAZETTE.

NEW SERIES.

Wor. V. MAY, 1923. Nios
CONTENTS. PAGE
EpiIToRIAL NovTEs He
Tue Aucust MEETING a ae ze ae ae oe 2
OBITUARY—PHILLIPS ; WOYNAR 3
Dr. Drucr’s REVISED NOMENCLATURE oe 43 - 3
LECTURE BY THE PRESIDENT KH a, a 3% a 5
Tue Lapy Frern (Roundelay) (Mr. F. W. Thorrington) ce 9
INSECTICIDES—F'.W.S. an ie Fe a 3 ne U0)
PotyPovium v. CaAmBricum (Dr. 8. P. Rowlands) oe ae, 12
List oF MEMBERS (CORRECTED) .. om - fe oe 15

EDITORIAL NOTES.

We learn that our past-President, Mr. Alex. Cowan, has
sent a contribution of £5 to the funds of the Society, thereby
bringing up the voluntary contributions, at and since the
Annual Meeting, to the useful sum of £28 14s. 3d.

We present herewith a separate title-page for binding
with Vol. IV., which was omitted from the last number of the
Gazette.

Mr. Whitwell has very generously sent us his only plant
(perhaps the only one now existing) of Asplenium Adiantum-
mgrum microdon. It is a great responsibility to hold such
a rare and unique fern. We hope to send Mr. Whitwell a
division back before the close of the present year, so that
the responsibility may be divided.

Mr. Leighton, of Kilmarnock, writes us to say that we
misunderstood his letter (published in last number of the
Gazette) with regard to his “ cuttings ”’ of A. f.f. wnco-glomera-
tum. ‘These, it appears, “sent out roots and formed crowns,”’
which latter “‘ afterwards sent up new fronds which continued

¢€

2

to grow until they were two and three inches long.” He
could find no prothalli in any of the cultures. Mr. Leighton’s
experience is quite different from our own and it is difficult
to understand why his plants should have died unless they
became dried up.

Mr. R. Ll. Praeger, of Dublin, has sent us a copy of The
Irish Naturalist to which he has contributed an interesting
monograph on Aspleniwm Ad-nigrum acutum, otherwise
Asplenium acutum (Bory), in which he discusses the vexed
question of variety or species for this fern. The matter
naturally turns upon the still more vexed question of ““ What
is a species ?”’ We hope to refer again to this monograph
in another issue of the Gazette.

THE AUGUST MEETING.

The Annual Meeting of the Society will be held at the
George Hotel, Axminster, Devon, on Monday, August 13th,
at 10am. The district is not far removed from Chard, where
particularly good hunting was met with in 1921. It is
hoped that many members may be able to get to Axminster
on Friday, the 10th, so as to put in a day’s hunting and
prospecting on the Saturday. The region is the scene of
several of Moly’s and Wills’s exploits, but the experience
of the Society at Chard proves that they did not exhaust it.
We believe that good hospitality will be met with at the
George Hotel (proprietor, Mr. Franks), but there are doubtless
other places where comfortable accommodation can be had,
if desired. Members who wish rooms to be retained for
them at the George will please notify the Hon. Secretary
a week or two in advance, if possible. Also please take note
of the place and date of meeting as no further notice will

be issued.

Sale

3

OBITUARY.

PHILLIPS: We regret to announce the death of our
esteemed friend and past-President, Mr. W. H. Phillips, of
Holywood, Co. Down. Mr. Phillips had attained to the
patriarchal age of 92. Until well past his eightieth birthday
he was a regular attender at our meetings, where his genial
company was enjoyed by ali who met him. He had been
a great fern-hunter in his time and had many successes
especially among angulares, perhaps his greatest being his
P. ang setoso-cuneatum, although his P. a. rotundatum, P. a.
divisilobum, P. a. brachiato-cristatum, and setoso-gracile were
very good things. His total finds of varieties amount to
some scores.

WOYNAR: Another loss to the Society and to botany
generally is that of the eminent Austrian botanist, Herr
Woynar, of Graz. Our Society necessarily lost touch with
him during the war. Hoping to bring him back to the
communion we sent him copies of our last two numbers of
the Gazette, but these were returned through the dead
letter office with the grim superscription ‘* Gestorben.”’

DR. DRUCEH’S REVISED NOMENCLATURE,

On March 17th the President and Dr. Stansfield, by appoint-
ment, had a meeting at Kew with Mr. C. H. Wright, the
fern expert, who had been deputed by the Director of the
Royal Gardens to discuss with them the question of nomencla-
ture. Dr. Druce’s list of names is based upon the principles
laid down at the Vienna Conference. We gathered that that
assembly did not specially discuss the nomenclature of ferns,
which was ieft to be dealt with at a later Conference at
Brussels in 1910. At that meeting it was decided by a
majority that the Vienna principles should be adopted, a
motion for the preservation of the more familiar names of

4

Hooker and Baker, etc., being rejected by 88 votes to 61.
There is evidently therefore a substantial minority against
the rigid application of the Vienna code. Even the code
itself is not in accordance with a strict rule of priority since
(e.g.) the name Phyllitis, which it is proposed to substitute
for Scolopendrium, only dates from 1756, whereas “‘ Skolopen-
drion ’’ is as old as the ancient Greek writers. For the present
a useful modus vivendi is that adopted in the new edition of
** Babington’s Manual of British Botany,” published in 1922.
In the preface of this edition it is stated that “‘ generic names
whose authors did not employ the binominal system have
been ignored. Such names should date for priority from
the time when some binominalist author introduced them
into the modern system. . . . This principle was not adopted
at Vienna because M. Briquet stated that it would cause
many name-changes as the result of rejecting Adanson’s
work. M. Briquet’s fears were unfounded. Adanson’s
names are all rejected here (7.e. in the “‘ Manual of British
Botany ”’) and the result is only one change, viz., Chamagrostis
for Mibora, and the use of the latter was one of the first
changes caused by the use of non-binominalist works. Further,
the majority of the generic name-changes made in accordance
with the Vienna code are due to the use of non-binominalist
names. It seems clear that the rule was created in mis-
apprehension and should be revoked since it leads to results
the opposite from its purpose.”’

It is all a question of where in time the priority line is to be

drawn. The Vienna Conference apparently drew it (so far —

as British ferns are concerned) at Hill (a British writer, 1756).
Mr. Willmott, the Editor of ‘‘ Babington,’’ proposes to draw
it at the publication of the “ Species Plantarum” of Linneus,
the author of the binominal system. It is clear that the
line must be drawn somewhere, otherwise we may find revolu-
tionary records at Ur of the Chaldees or in the buried cities ©
of the Incas or in the ancient literature of China or Japan. —

fs)

Our own objection to Dr. Druce’s list is chiefly to Adanson’s
generic name of Dryopteris, and that not on account of its
date, but because the genus itself is so miscellaneous, including,
as it does, evergreen and deciduous, rhizomatous and tufted,
indusiate and non-indusiate ferns. Its disadvantages are so
obvious that we feel certain it will have to be split up sooner
or later. Even Dr. Druce is very half-hearted about the
inclusion of Phegopteris of Fée in Dryopteris. If Phegopteris
be admitted as a distinct genus from Polypodiwm (for which
there is, perhaps, some reason) we see no excuse for the
changing of the specific name of phegopteris into polypodordes.
Again, if Phegopteris be merged in Dryopteris, for which we
think there is no reason whatever, it is quite unnecessary
to change the specific name of Dryopteris into Linneana.
What is the matter with Phegopteris phegopteris or Dryopteris
dryopteris? Have we not already Hmberiza emberiza and
Gallinago gallinago among birds ? Our Sub-Committee is
supported in its objection to the exceedingly mixed genus
Dryopteris by the opinion of Mr. Wright, the Kew fern expert.

We note that an Imperial Botanical Conference is to be
held in London in July, 1924; possibly the question of
nomenclature may then be again raised.

THE PRESIDENT’S LECTURE TO THE HORTICULTURAL
CLUB.

On February 27th last Mr. W. B. Cranfield delivered a
lecture on British Ferns and their Varieties at the meeting
of the Horticultural Club, Hotel Belgravia, London.

Starting from geological times the lecturer stated that
ferns and their allies probably represented one of the earliest
forms of vegetation. They existed in immense numbers
and in gigantic stature when the general terrestrial temperature
was much higher than that of the Tropics of to-day, and the

6

earth was enveloped in an atmosphere of vapour heavily
charged with carbonic acid gas. Under these conditions
ferns, mosses, equisetums, etc., assumed proportions com-
parable with the present growth of the largest timber trees.
The fossil remains of many hundred species of ferns have
been found in the coal measures. Ferns and their allies
have, therefore, played an important part in the economy of
the world. Many millions of years have passed during
which both animal and vegetable life have undergone great
modifications, but the Cryptogams have retained the early
method of reproduction by spores. Ferns do not produce
the richly coloured blossoms and delightful scent of the
flowering plants and, for this reason probably, they have
failed to become so universally attractive as their merits
deserve, but even the normal ferns, when growing in congenial
conditions, present a refreshing verdure and grace of outline,
which, however, is far transcended by the choicest of the
varietal forms, that have either been found as wildlings or
raised from such finds by selective culture. There are between
thirty and forty.species of ferns indigenous to this country
and these vary in almost every conceivable direction, from
abnormally foliose sports to extremely attenuated, branched,
crested, lax, convoluted and very finely divided types ; also
in stature from giant forms to dwarf examples. In no
other country are the native ferns known to vary to the same
degree ; the reason of this departure from the type is not
known, but when the change has taken place there would
appear to be no limit to a fern’s further capacity to vary, the
ordinary varietal type becoming crested and vice-versa among
the more protean varieties resulting largely in ragged and
irregular offspring. All our native ferns possess the merit
of hardiness, but, to attain their fullest development, some
of the choicer varietal forms need the protection of a cold
frame or conservatory. Many species are evergreen and
of robust habit ; many forms of them, having been grown by ©

7

traders for a long time, are obtainable from nurserymen at a
trifling cost. When planted in suitable environment these
hardy ferns may be enjoyed the year round, whether in the
fresh verdure of their early growth, or as mature specimens,
bedewed with raindrops or outlined with a delicate tracery
of hoar-frost. The method of reproduction by spores in
Cryptogams differs from that of flowering plants which
produce seed. The spores are produced usually on the backs
of the fronds within capsules grouped in heaps known as
sori, either naked or covered with an indusium differing in
form in various species, which differences form an important
factor in determining the species. Each species has its
popular name ; thus Athyrium filix-foemina is known as the
Lady Fern probably on account of its refined and delicate
appearance ; Lastrea filix-mas is called the Male Fern pre-
sumably for the opposite reason ; Polystichum angulare and.
P. aculeatum are the soft and hard shield ferns respectively,
and so on. Varieties are almost endless in number. In
Lowe’s Handbook, published in 1908, over 1,700 varieties
are described, of which some 1,300 were wild finds. Many
were, however, quite unworthy of record. Since that date
many more have been found, from which vastly improved
forms have been raised, until, after a few generations of
selective culture, they are scarcely to be recognised as de-
scendants of the normal types. In some ferns two forms of
fronds are produced; for example, in Blechnum and Osmunda,
and these are popularly spoken of as flowering ferns.

The number of spores shed annually by a fern can scarcely
be conceived, but it has been computed that a plant of
Athyrium filix-foemina possessing a single crown and 14
fronds, will produce annuaily 1,120,000,000 spores, every one
of which is capable of producing an independent plant.
The spores are very minute, but retain their vitality, in
many cases, for many years. There is but little wonder
that ferns spring up apparently spontaneously where local

8

conditions of moisture are favourable ; the spores may be
borne by the wind for long distances. It was only possible
to mention other modes of reproduction such as bulbils,
basal buds, soral and apical apospory. The varieties of the
various species are classified throughout on the same prin-
ciple ; the plumose forms are usually considered to be the
choicest. and are frequently barren.

Mr. Cranfield iulustrated his lecture with lantern slides as
follows :—Fern fronds embedded in coal ; Sori and spores in
various stages of vegetation and mature prothalli with
male and female organs and the young ferns; bulbils and
aposporous growths in various stages of development ;
Asplenium trichomanes incisum Clementi; A. trichomanes
confluens ; Athyrium f.f. revolvens; A. f.f. Victoria; A. ff.
ramulosissimum ; A. f.f. kalothrix ; A. f.f. todeoides cristatum ;
A. f.f. clarissima ; A. f.f. vars. showing pedigree of Druery’s
superbum section; A. f.f. plumosum percristatum ; Blechnum
sp.concinnum ; B.s. Maunderu ; B.s. plumosum, Airey No.2;
Lastrea pseudo-mas polydactyla, Wills; L. ps.m. cristata ;
L. ps.m. fimbriata-cristata; L. montana formosa-cristata :
L. dilatata foliosa cristata ; Polypodium vulgare omnilacerum,
Oxford var. ; P. v. grandiceps, Parker ; P. v. trichomanoides ;
P. v. Cornubtense ; P. v. cristatum, Henwood ; P. v. Cambri-
cum, Henwood ; P. dryopteris normal and P. d. plumosum ;
Polystichum angulare grandiceps, Moly; P. a. divisilobum
nitescens ; P. a. divisilobum, Bland ; P. a. brachiatum, Stans-
field ; P. a. stipulatum, Carbonell ; P. a. percristatum, Moly ;
P. a. hirondelle, Moly; P. a. divisilobum plumosum, Jones
and Fox ; P. a. plumosissimum, Birkenhead ; P. a. div. plum.
Baldwintt ; P. a. div. plumosum variegatum, Harris; P. a.
pulcherrimum, F. W. Stansfield, No. 1; P. ang. rarefactum,
Stansfield ; P. aculeatum pulcherrimum, Bevis: P. a. pul-
cherrimum, Druery ; P. a. gracillimum, Druery : P. a. gracilli-
mum, Cranfield; P. a. pulcherrimum foliosum, Edwards ;
P. a. pulcherrimum plumosum, Green; Scolopendrium r.

o

sagittato-projectum ; S. v. Coolingu ; S. v. plumosum, Stans-
field ; S. v. plumosum, Perry; S. v. crispum Drummondiae
superbum ; S. v. crispum nobile, Bolton ; 8S. v. crispum specio-
sum, Moly ; S. v. crispum varieties on either side of a ditch ;
the late Mr. C. B. Green’s fernery ; the late Mr. Druery’s
fernery ; portrait of the late Mr. C. T. Druery.

The lecturer concluded by stating that the British Pterido-
logical Society of which he had the honour of being President,
was formed for the purpose of encouraging the cultivation of
the varietal forms of native ferns and that the Gazette, pub-
lished by the Society, afforded a large amount of interesting
information. A number of questions was asked at the
conclusion of the lecture, which led to an interesting dis-
cussion in which Messrs. C. E. Pearson, P. R. Barr, H. S.
Rivers, Geo. F. Finley, Dr. F. W. Stansfield and others took
part. Messrs. T. E. Henwood and C. Henwood and Dr.
Stansfield were present as guests of the lecturer.

[The above report is taken, with slight abbreviation, from the
Gardeners’ Chronicle of March 13th.—-Editor, B.F. Gazette. |

THE LADY FERN,

In wocdland deep, the Lady Fern
Beside the rocky steep,
Rejoices with the rushing burn
In woedland deep.

Her emerald tresses sleep,
And then in frolic traffic turn
To meet the zephyr’s leap.

Lo, she shall all our homage earn
And our affection keep ;
So graceful is the Lady Fern
In woodland deep.

Fras. W. THORRINGTON.
12th November, 1921.

10

INSECTICIDES.

The fern grower, whether in town or country, and whether
his plants are grown under glass or in the open air, finds it
necessary to use insecticides of some kind or other in order to
keep them free from pests of various kinds. Under glass
the green and black fly (Aphides) are sure to be troublesome
while, both in the greenhouse and outside, the white fly

(T'yphlocyba) if unchecked will quickly disfigure the fronds. —

This last vermin is much more prevalent in dry districts
and in dry seasons, but is to be found, more or less, in every
part of the country and even in wet seasons. Insecticides
are of many kinds, or rather they have many names, but may
be conveniently divided into two classes, viz., the poisonous
and the non-poisonous. Nicotine is the basis of most of the
poisonous kinds and may be used either in the liquid form
by spraying or may be vaporized by boiling or diffused by
burning. Fumigation can, of course, only be practised in
close structures such as frames and houses. In the open air
the only practicable method is spraying or washing. The
well-known XL All Vaporizing Compound depends for its
efficacy on nicotine and is a most convenient and effective
preparation probably the best that can be used for fumigating
purposes. It is, of course, necessary that the house should
be fairly air-tight or much of the vapour will escape, especially
in windy weather. Still, raany weather should be chosen,
if possible, for fumigation as there is much less waste of the
vapour through the crevices of the glass. It is very important
that the white fly (T'yphlocyba tenerrima) should be attacked
while in the larval state, as, after it becomes winged, it is
much more resistent to fumigation and is also able to escape
from spraying operations by flying. Another poisonous
insecticide, even more deadly than nicotine, is hydrocyanic
acid gas, but this is a dangerous thing for the amateur to
handle and should only be used under the advice, or with
the assistance, of an expert. In any case, it is rarely, if ever,

iil

necessary in the fern house. The non-poisonous insecticides
depend for their efficacy upon their power of blocking up the
spiracles or breathing pores of insects and thus causing death
by suffocation. Soft soap is the type of this kind of insecticide
and is an excellent remedy in itself if used in the proportion
of 2 oz. to the gallon of soft water. Emulsions of various
oils, mineral and vegetable, are used in the same way and
most of them are effective if the insect can be thoroughly
wetted with the emulsion. Unfortunately, nearly all these
soaps and emulsified oils are injurious to the tender young
fronds of ferns and to all the fronds of those with velvety
surfaces such as P. dryopteris, Adiantums, and L. Thelypteris.
For these, when fumigation is impracticable, we have found
a solution of two drachms (teaspoonfuis) of pure nicotine
to a gallon cf soft water to be a useful application causing the
minimum of injury, although even this causes a little dis-
colouration of the partly expanded fronds of P. dryopteris.
If a sharp look-out be kept for the first appearance of vermin
and the remedy be promptly applied, not only is a great deal
of trouble saved, but there is much iess risk of injury to the
fronds than by the repeated drenchings which. are necessary
when the insects are mature and more numerous. The
species of Otiorrhynchus (weevils) seem to be proof against
all insecticides, which can be applied either by fumigation
or spraying. We have recently experimented on the destruc-
tion of the larvae, while in the soil, by means of solutions of
nicotine. It is obvious that if this could be effected without
injury to the plant a great point would be gained as it is
not always desirable to shake out and examine the roots of
a fern in which grubs may be suspected. We potted a
healthy young plant of Polystichum aculeatum and mixed
with the soil some six or eight larvae of O. sulcatus of various
ages. When the plant was established and the grubs pre-
sumably busy we moistened the soil with solution of nicotine
of varying strength from 1 drachm to the gallon up to I oz.

12

to the gallon of water. It was not until the latter concentra-
tion was reached that the grubs were found to be ali killed,
although some of the smaller ones succumbed to 4-oz. to the
gallon strength. The plant survived and is now healthy,
although most of the roots were killed in the process, but
whether this was due to the nicotine or to the repeated
disturbances necessitated by the periodical examination of
the larvae is uncertain. The point established is that the
erubs can be killed in situ and without necessarily killing
the fern on which they are preying. Further experiments
are, however, desirable on the action of nicotine solutions
upon the roots of ferns of different species.

POLYPODIUM CAMBRICUM.

Polypodium vulgare, var. Cambricum, is one of the very
few varieties of interest to the collector and cultivator of
British ferns, of which any notice is taken in the ordinary
text books of Botany. It is mentioned, for instance, inthe
Flora of Babbington, of Bentham and Hooker, Hayward
and others, sometimes as P. cambricum, Willd., sometimes as
P. Cambricum, L. Good varieties, even plumose forms of
other species, have been found, but for some reason thesehave
raised no enthusiasm in the heart of the critical botanist.

My first acquaintance with this fern was some years ago,
in the garden of Dr. A. H. Trow, now Principal of the Uni-
versity at Cardiff. It formed a fine clump, well established
out of doors in a shady corner near some beautiful specimens
of Osmunda regalis, and was probably responsible for my
earliest interest in fern varieties. This particular plant,
I believe, was found on Conway Castle, though the earliest
specimen appears to have been discovered by John Ray near
Cardiff.

13

A local botanist by the name of Storrie, who published a
“ Flora of Cardiff ” in 1886, states that ‘‘ Polypodium vulgare,
var. Cambricum, with the segments pinnatifid a second time,
was collected between Dynas Powis and Cwn George by John
Ray, the Father of English Botany, in 1690, and his specimen
is still preserved in the Natural History Museum at South
Kensington. It was completely destroyed about ten years
ago by an itinerant fern dealer, who uprooted every plant
and sold hundreds at one shilling each.’ Storrie quaintly
adds: “I bought one myself.”

Ray’s plant, of course, was the original Cambricum, but
practically identical forms have since been found in other
places. The late Mr. Druery treated the subject rather
sketchily in his book, but Lowe’s little book in the Young
Collector Series gives a good deal more information. There
P. Cambricum is treated under sub-division Plumosum,
which includes well-known varieties such as Barrowii, Prestonii,
Oakeleyae and pulcherrimum. A Mr. Joseph Sidebotham
seems to have had his full share of fortune, having found
Cambricum forms at Beaumaris and Conway Castle ; also
at Troutbeck near Ambleside ; and at Flenarim in County
Antrim. Others have found them in South Devon, Mon-
mouthshire, Glamorganshire, Cheshire, and also near Bristol.
Lowe remarks that the Irish form is not sterile, which fact
I imagine at once disqualifies it as a “‘ Cambricum,” which
is always described as sterile. G.W. Francis, in his “* Analysis
of British Ferns ’’ (my copy is the Third Edition, 1847) has
a remark bearing on this point. He says that the Irish
plant is somewhat different from the P. Cambricum of Linnaeus
and is apparently his variety sunuatum, intermediate between
the usual state of the plant and the Cambricum, the latter
being “ usually without fruit,” both in its wild and cultivated
state. It would, I think, make an interesting article if one
of our Pteridological experts would write of the forms which
might be included under Cambricum proper. I often wonder

14

what has become of these old finds, whether any are retained
in cultivation, and whether there is any recognisable distinc-
tion between them.

Little further need really be said about this beautiful
and well-known fern, but I am tempted to add a condensation
of Lowe’s description of it, for it is about the best I have seen.

Polypodium Cambricum, then, is somewhat ovate—oblong
in form and is throughout bipinnatifid. The lobes are narrow
near the rachis, become wide in the centre, narrowing again
to a pointed apex ; they are crowded together so as to over-
wrap each other, except at the base and apex (of the lobes).
The margin is deeply cut into narrow, pointed, serrated
lobules, with the exception of their base and apex. This
beautiful species is always barren.

[We have seen an Irish form of Cambricum. but it was not fertile
and was undistinguishable from the original Welsh variety. Other
bipinnatifid and bipinnate forms have been found both in Ireland
and in England (probably also in Wales), but they are distinguished
by being more or less fertile, by having less acute lobes and generally
a slightly thicker texture than true Cambricum ; P. v. pulcherrimum,
Atkinson, is the best of these being tripinnatifid, 7.e. even more divided
than Cambricum. True (barren) sub-varieties of Cambricum, all
quite distinct, are Barrowti, Hadwinii, Prestonii, plumosum Whilharris,
and Cambricum, Henwood, the last found by. our Hon. Secretary

near Cromer.—f#ditor.]

S. P. RowLaAnpDs.

15

LIST OF MEMBERS OF THE BRITISH

PTERIDOLOGICAL SOCIETY.
(With addresses.)

ApxKin, F. N., “ River Knowle,’’ Northam, North Devon.

AuucHin, F. A., Tredudwell, Fowey, Cornwall.

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

Atkinson, F., The Bungalow, Staveley, Newby Bridge, Ulverston.
Austin, J. E., West Court, Detling, Maidstone.

BARREL, Mons. M. B., 10, Avenue de Jena, Paris.

Barton, H. D. M., The Busn, Antrim.

BENEDICT, R. C., Brooklyn Botanic Gardens, New York, U.S.A.
BickHam, 8. H., F.L.S., Underdown, Ledbury, Glos.

BIGLAND, J. W.S., 45, Ashbourne Road, Eccles, Lancashire.
Bonaparte, §.A.I. Prince Rortannp, 10, Avenue d’lIena, Paris.
Bow tgs, E. A., Myddelton House, Waltham Cross.

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

Brown, T., J.P., 102, Donegall Street, Belfast.
BucHsaN-HEPBURN, Sir A., Bart., Letham, Haddington, Scotiand.
Burton, F., Roughetts, Hildenborough, Kent.

CARTER, Pace & Co., 53, London Wall, E.C.

CHapMAN, A., The Gardens, Weston Birt, Tetbury, Glos.
CorRDREY, ©., 151, Bedfcnt Lane, Feltham, Middlesex.
Cowan, A., Valleyfield House, Penicuik, Midlothian.
CRANFIELD, W. B., East Lodge, Enfield Chase, Middlesex.

DemesTER, R., Kinneuchar, Craigs Road, Dumfries.

Ditworts, R., Dalegarth, Ulverston.

Donaxp, W., Ashburne Lodge, Milliken Park, By Johnstone, Renfrew-
shire.

Epwarps, J.. Fern Holme, 17, Oak Bank Avenue, Moston, Manchester.
Exton, C., 3, Sterling Road, Enfield, Middlesex.

Gorpon, W., Victoria Road, Maxwelitown, Dumfries.

Gott, JoHN, Kendal, Westmoreland.

GREEN, T. W., 217, Birmingham Road, Oldbury, Worcestershire.
GREENFIELD, P., The Limes, Warlingham, Whyteleafe, Surrey.
Groves, Mrs. E. A., 6, The Avenue, Brondesbury, London, N.W.6.

16

Hawkins, The Rev. Canon E. H., Holy Trinity Vicarage, Stroud.
Hawkins, Miss, Kingston-on-Soar, Derby.

HeEnNwoop, C., 21, Clifton Road, Maida Vale, London, W.9.
Henwoop, T. E., 16, Hamilton Road, Reading, Berks.

Kipson, The Rev. J. C. E., Holy Trinity Vicarage, Sittingbourne, Kent.
Kwox-Gore, Miss A., Cill-Alaithe, Killaloo, Co. Mayo.

Lavrgigz, G. F., Laurel Villa, Kenmure Avenue, Bishopbriggs, N.B.
Lawson, G. C., Mayfield House, nr. Ashbourne, Derbyshire.
Leicuton, T., 10, Hamilton Place, Kilmarnock.

Marcery, Mrs., Chartham Park, East Grinstead, Sussex.
MARKENDALE, R. S8., Ashfield House, Boston Spa, Yorks.

Marsu, Miss 8. A., Glenlyon, Holywood, Co. Down.

Mason, C. F. (Bursar), Gray Herbarium, Harvard University, Cam-
bridge, Mass., U.S.A.

Martin, Mrs. J., Auchinraith, Bexley, Kent.

Meapg, J., Old Connaught, Bray, Co. Wicklow.

McKay, J., Antermony House, Milton of Campsie, Scotland.

McKenpricrk, J. G., M.D., LL.D., F.R.S., Maxieburn, Stonehaven,
N.B.

Mitton, E., ““ Rosedene,’’ Station Road, Bracknell, Berks.

Moore, Rev. Principal H. Kinesmityi, D.D., Cedar Mount, Dundrum,
Dublin.

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

Murray, J. CAMPBELL, J.P., Haggs Castle, Glasgow.

Muscuamp, R., Myrtle Cottage, Radcliffe, Lancashire.

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

O’Brien, W., 4, Kildare Street, Dublin.
OrMEROD, G. F., Stratford Park, Stroud, Glos.
Orr, ALLAN, The Institute Riccarton, Kilmarnock, Ayrshire.

Pain, F., Chase Ridings, Enfield Chase, Middlesex.
Parsons, J. S., St. Hilary, 96, Cardiff Road, Llandaff, Glam.
Perry, A., The Nurseries, Enfield, Middlesex.

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

PRAEGER, R. Luoyp, Librarian, National Library, Dublin.

Retton, H., ‘‘ Tresawie,’” The Lizard, South Cornwall.
RoGeErson, Miss B. 8., Rokeby, Dunblane, Perthshire.
Row.tanps, Dr. 8S. P., 13, Waterloo Gardens, Roath.
Russet, A., 4, Crossgate, Cupar, Fife.

iby

Scott, W., Tullubole Castle, Fossoway, [Kinross-shire.

Scott, W. D. T., The Gardens, Government House, Buluwayo.
Rhodesia, South Africa.

SHELDON, J. J., Brightside, Churchfields, 8. Woodford. Essex.

SHERRIN, W. R., A.L.S., London Botanical Institute, 323. Norwood
Road, London, 8.E.24.

Sitva, F., Coram Tower, Lyme Regis, Dorset.

SMALL, Miss, 1225, Brentwood Road, Washington, U.S.A.

Smiruies, J. J.. Boundary Bank, Kendal.

Soames, The Rev. H. A., Hazelcroft, Mason’s Hill, Bromley, Kent.

SoutH Lonpon BorTanicaL InstiruTe, 21, Mostyn Road, Merton
Park, S.W.19.

STANSFIELD, Dr. F. W., 120, Oxford Road, Reading.

STANSFIELD, H., Fern Nursery, Sale, Manchester.

STANSFIELD, Dr. T., 102, London Road, Reading.

Srart, F., East Lodge Gardens, Enfield Chase, Middlesex.

STEPHENS, GEO. E., 168, New Street, Horsham, Sussex.

STRANACK, EF. F., Elmhurst, Batheaston, Bath, Somerset.

THATCHER, Mrs. E. J., The Manor House, Chew Magna, Somerset.
THorpP, W., Sorrentoville, Dalkey, Co. Dublin.

THORRINGTON, F. W., Ferncote, Emerson Park, Hornchurch.
TUCKER, J. W., Ferncroft, Woodah Road, St. Thomas, Exeter.
TurNER, T. H., Lynwood, Caversham, Reading.

Watt, B., 393, Heneage Road, Grimsby, Lincolnshire.
WALPOLE, J. E., 44, Hannaville Park, Terenure, Dublin.

-Wapouz, J. E., Highbury, Whitby, nr. Chester.

Watton, J. W., Finkle Street, Richmond, Yorkshire.
Warpitt, C. H., Field Villas, 4, Quay Road, Bridlington.
WHILE, W. L. SatusBury, Birstall, nr. Leicester.
Wuitetzy, T. L.; 139, Otley Road, Shipley, Yorks.
Wauitton, J.. V.M.H., Bellahouston House, Glasgow.
Wuitwe tt, G., Serpentine Cottage, Kendal.

Wituiams, J. C., Caerhays Castle, St. Austell, Cornwall.
Witson, W., 7, Ferney Green, Kendal.

Wiper, J., 431, Young Street, Victoria, British Columbia.

Youne, J., Helston, Pembroke Road, Sevenoaks, Kent.
Youne, W., Thomson Place, Milton of Campsie, Stirlingshire.

a

oi) 7) AG , he Onn
: Pe Lae tengo eee ta me
A Se Laer a 1
\ F i * 2) oe
~
1 es
/
: /

British Fern
; — Oasette.

October, 1923.

ie * EDITED BY

| F. W. STANSFIELD, M.D.

hee | i (120, OXFORD ROAD, READING.)
Mi nan

£

& ‘PUBLISHED BY

_ THE BRITISH PTERIDOLOGICAL SOCIETY

| 3 President: Mr. W. B. Cranfield, East Lodge, Enfield Chase, Middlesex.)
: a

Hon. Secretary and Hon. Treasurer: Mr. Charles Henwood, 21, Clifton
Road, Maida Vale, London, W.9.)

KENDAL, WESTMORLAND.

BRADLEY & 8ON, LTD., THE CROWN PRES&, REACING.

THE

BRITISH FERN GAZETTE.

NEW SERIES.

WoL. V. OCTOBER, 1923. Now
CONTENTS. PAGE

THE GENETICS OF VARIEGATION IN A FERN—Editorial Notice 1

THE AvGust MEETING a oe as 3 ae 3

FERN HUNTING WITH THE SocrETY (Rev. Canon Kingsmill

Moore) |
OBITUARY—BOLTON ss we - és ae * 2
Our FRONTISPIECE: P. ANGULARE PLUMA-PARADISE (F.W.S.) 9
Fern Gossip (F.W.8.) mA a a ste a sO
SCHISTOSTEGA PENNATA (The Shining Moss) (Mr. H. Stansfield) 11
ASPLENIUM LANCEOLATUM MICRODON (F.W.S.) = re

OSMUNDA REGALIS CRISTATA, BULBILS ON (Mr. F.W. Thorrington) 17

THE CULTURE OF THE PotyPpopy (F.W.8.) ce w peer |
AMATEUR FERN GRowine (Dr. H. C. Druery).. sf oe

THE GENETICS OF VARIEGATION IN A FERN.

We have received via Mr. H. Stansfield an extract from
The Journal of Genetics under the above title. The paper
is an account of an elaborate and scientific research, at the
John Innes’ Horticultural Institution by Miss Irma Andersson,
under the direction of Professor Bateson, into the reproduction
of Adiantum cuneatum variegatum. The result of the work
is to show that all the ferns raised are variegated ; in other
words, the variety comes perfectly true from spores. Not
only are the ferns (Sporophytes) all variegated, but the
prothallia which produce them are also variegated. This
latter fact had not been established by previous work upon
the subject. The prothallia which result from a sowing of
the spores of the fern are, however, of two kinds which may
be roughly described as dark green and pale green. The
difference between these two kinds consists in a difference
of the chloroplasts (i.e. masses of green protoplasm) which
line the cells of the tissue. In the dark green the chloroplasts
are comparatively large and of a vivid green while in the

2

pale green they are distinctly smaller and of a dull grey-green
colour. It is the dark green prothallia alone, however, which
produce ferns, while the pale green ones grow for a short
time and then die. The dark green ones seem entirely
green at first, but all shortly develop pale stripes : this is
the variegation of the prothallia. The pale stripes seem to
serve no particular function as the ferns are all produced
upon the dark green portions of the prothallia. Even
entirely white ones, which sometimes appear, are always
developed frora the dark green parts and never from the
pale stripes. For reasons of convenience of examination
the spores are not sown upon earth, but upon films of agar
in Knop’s solution* (a clear transparent jelly) in porcelain
dishes. In this medium not only prothallia but ferns are
produced and grow for some time. They are, of course,
perfectly clean and can be easily examined as transparencies
under the microscope. We hope the life history of other
variegated ferns will be investigated as they do not all come
true from spores. Moly’s angulare pulcherromum variegatum,
for instance, produces a large proportion of variegated off-
spring, but some are perfectly green. Padley’s P. ang.
mequale variegatum comes true, but it has been crossed
with a green polydactylous form, the result being a variegated
polydactylum. This latter produces only a small proportion
of variegated offspring and the fern itself is apt to lose its
variegation and to become simply a green polydactylum.
Presumably of the prothallia of these ferns not all are varie-
gated. There are other variegated ferns which do not produce
variegated offspring at all, while, in many of them, the
variegation in the sporophyte is unreliable and non-permanent.
Plants of Pteris aquilina are not infrequently found with
some variegated fronds, but under cultivation the variegation
is found to disappear although it may occasionally crop up,

* Knop’s solution consists of a solution of 1 gram each of Potassium nitrate and
Potassium phosphate, and Magnesium sulphate with 3 grams of Calcium
nitrate in 1 litre of water. The usual strength of the agar solution is 15 grams
of agar to 1 litre of Knop’s solution.—F.W.S.

3

again to disappear. The same thing happens in Lastrea
montana, of which a few beautifully variegated examples
have been found, all of which proved to be inconstant.

Occasional variegation has also been found in Aspleniwm
Adiantum-ngrum, in Polypodium vulgare, Blechnum spicant,
Lastrea dilatata, Osmunda regalis and Ophioglossum vuigatum.
It is not uncommon in Scolopendrium vulgare.

We congratulate Miss Anderson and the John Innes’ Institution
upon this very thorough piece of research work.—EpIToR.

THE AUGUST MEETING,

The Annual Meeting of the Society was held on August
13th at the George Hotel, Axminster. The President,
Mr. W. B. Cranfield, occupied the Chair, and there were also
present members from London, Warlingham, Horsham,

Reading, Clevedon and Dundrum, Ireland. The minutes of
the last Meeting having been read and confirmed, Mr. Cranfield
was unanimously re-elected President, while the old Vice-
Presidents were re-elected with the addition of Mr. T. E.
Henwood and Mr. G. E. Stephens. The old members of the
Committee were re-elected with the exception of Messrs.
Henwood and Stephens and with the addition of Mr. P.
Greenfield. Mr. C. Henwood was re-elected Hon. Secretary
and Treasurer, Mr. Smithies as Auditor and Dr. Stansfield
as Editor of The Gazette. The Treasurer’s report was read
and showed a substantial balance in hand. A complete
list of officers as well as the balance sheet are published on
another page. It was resolved that the next Annual Meeting
should be held at Newcastle, Co. Down. This is close to the
Mourne Mountains and will probably be new hunting ground
to most of the members.

The President showed an interesting series of fronds, most
of which, however, were below their normal development
and character in consequence of the exceedingly dry and
inclement season. Among them were P. angulare Baldwinia

4

seedling No. 1, a number of seedling forms of P. acul gracillo-
mum, P. acul. pulcherrimum, Druery, several seedlings from
a P. angulare pulcherrimum, which he had received from
Mr. H. Stansfield, and three or four seedlings from his own
P. ang. falcato-tripinnatum, which is itself a seedling from
Moly’s divisilobum falcatum. One of these was a falcate
divisilobe on the lines of Moly’s find, but so great an improve-
ment upon its grandparent that a certificate was awarded
for it under the name of P. ang. divisilobum falcatum, Cran-
field. A certificate was also awarded to Mr. Cranfield for
P. a. divisilobum plumosum Baldwinii Seedling No. 1. The
Rev. Canon Kingsmill Moore shewed also a very fine falcate
divisilobe from his falcato-pinnulum, the origin of which is
uncertain, but which strongly resembles Moly’s strain.
A certificate was awarded to Canon Moore for this and also
for P. ang. divisilobum venustum, a seedling from the Jones-
Fox strain, somewhat like divistlobum quadripinnatum, Jones.
Both these ferns were very finely grown and in excellent
condition testifying to the superior climate of Ireland to
that of the South of England for fern-growing purposes,
this year at all events. Canon Moore also exhibited fronds
of a very fine angulare divisilobe somewhat resembling divisi-
lobum, Bland, which, he said, had been raised from a bulbil
of P. a. div. plumosum laxum, Jones. It is well known that
bulbil sports do occur in ferns, but this was the most striking
example which had been brought to the notice of the Society.
Mr. Stephens showed a plant of a very neat angulare cristatum
or percristatum, which he had found in Dorset on his way to
the Meeting. The members mostly remained at Axminster
for the rest of the week and the neighbourhood was diligently
hunted for miles around. In consequence, however, of the
very dry season the success was not great. The ferns had
mostly been cut close by the hedge-trimmers early in the
season and, in consequence of the drought, they had made
little or no new growth, while the fronds which had escaped

5

damage were hanging limp, withered, and dusty. The
following species were found :—P. angulare and aculeatum,
L, filix-mas, and paleacea, L. dilatata, Asplenium Ad.-nigrum
and A. Ruta-muraria, Scolopendrium vulgare, Athyrium
f.-femina, Blechnum spicant and Polypodium vulgare. Small
variations were found in paleacea, angulare, aculeatum and
Scol. vulgare, but beyond the P. a. percristatum previously
recorded, nothing of importance was collected. [Dr. Stans-
field found a small, crippled and deformed angulare, which
he took home as a very forlorn hope for brachiatum. It has
since made new growth and turns out to be quite a promising
brachiatum.| The party noticed a very nice form of Scol, v.
crispum growing in the window of a house in the outskirts
of the town and the President ventured to call and inquire
whether it was a local find. He was informed that it had
been found in the neighbourhood some years previously
and the finder, Mrs. Bradford, kindly presented him with a
division.
OFFICERS FOR 1923-1924,

President :

Mr. W. B. Cranfield.
Vice-Presidents :

Mr. A. Cowan. Mr. J. J. Smithies.
Dr. F. W. Stansfield. Mr. T. E. Henwood.
The Rev. Canon H. Kingsmill Moore. Mr. G. E. Stephens.
Committee :

Mr. R. Whiteside. Mr. G. Whitwell.
Mr. W. Wilson. Mr. J. Edwards.
Mr. H. Relton. Mr. J. J. Sheldon.
Mrs. Groves. Mr. P. Greenfield.

Secretary and Treasurer :
Mr. C. Henwood.
Editor :

Dr. F. W. Stansfield.
Audiior :

Mr. J. J. Smithies.

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7
FERN HUNTING WITH THE SOCIETY.

A LIBERAL EDUCATION.

As I was struggling towards Axminster, a day of railway
carriages, prolonged by two hours, out of respect, I suppose,
to the holiday season, I said to my neighbour (he had claimed
the right of talk most of the way): “‘ If I were to tell you
the object of my journey, you would probably think, though
you would be too polite to say it, the number of fools in the
world is wonderful.” To my surprise, for he was of the
class whose craniums are supposed to have undergone special
seasoning from the bargains which they strike, he responded
to my fern-hunting confessions by saying that he believed
ferns to be a delightful hobby, and was sure that the pursuit
of them must be full of interest, and also extremely valuable
in connexion with the work of a clergyman. Had he been
able to join us in our excursion he would have been invincibly
confirmed in his judgment.

Devonshire lanes proved valuable hunting grounds ; they
were valuable from what they withheld as well as from what
they gave. The prevalence of the motor in all shapes and
forms, from the great chars-a-banc and omnibuses which
sweep the sides, to the impetuous cycles which tear up the
centres, has revolutionised the roads. No longer do the
ferns rise in their beauty attaining the stature and decked
with the grace which the climate of Devon can give ; every-
where the billhook has been busy—‘‘ Make the way clear

>

for the motors’ is the cry, and beauty has to bow before
the “ Juggernaut ” of traffic. A further trouble has arisen
this year from the weather ; the absence of rain, and the
presence of dust, have parched and choked our favourites,
The Polypodiums look like shrivelled tinder on the wall ; the
Scolopendriums flat and flabby cry pitifully for water as we
pass ; the stronger Polystichum and Lastreas are often so

dust-choked that their faces want a washing before the

8

features can be seen. Such were the disabilities from which
the searchers suffered, ferns slashed and maimed, poisoned.
with dust, in danger of perishing for want of moisture. On
the other hand, ferns in rich variety were there, about that
ho question could arise, and the search for the most beautiful
made fine call upon the skill and perseverance of the
searchers.

Watch that party as it moves. High banks, as is the
custom in Devon, rise steeply from the lane that has been
chosen. Some take one side, some the other. To the
uninitiated and profane they might perhaps appear fit food
for fun—a collection of figures in easy clothes—sunproof
hats, all armed with stout sticks, many bending under great
cases of tin, all peering intently into hedge or bank as though
they expected to strike gold.

But that is exactly what they do expect ; for to the fern-
lover a good “find” is as gold. See the care with which
each promising specimen is coaxed out and examined ;
truncated, mangled and dust-destroyed it seems at first,
but the skilled eye at once constructs the whole from the
parts, and foresees what the plant will become in favourable
conditions. To such a party, high bank, deep ditches, thick
hedges prove no obstacles ; hooked sticks, sharp trowels and,
above all, limbs ready for fatigue and not afraid of scratch
or sting, overcoming difficulties, and everything worth notice
is brought to observation.

If Axminster and its neighbourhood gave nothing that
was wholly new, it provided many interesting finds. In a
single lane perhaps a dozen different polystichums were
found. They varied from the type, of which there were few,
up to bold plants which came near deserving the title “ érv-
pinnatum.”’ To traverse such a lane in such company is worth
a six months’ study of fern books! Each hunter is con-
tinually bringing in specimens, keen eyes take note of the

various points of interest and divergence till something —

9

like a complete history of the Polystichum in its multitudinous
phases lies disclosed.

An experience such as this may well be termed a liberal
education in fern love ; but the fern hunts of the Society
are even more than this. Ferns form the chief, but by no
means the sole interest of members. The wild flowers, the
birds, the butterflies, the trees, the shrubs ; the geographical,
the geological formation of the neighbourhood ; the buildings
which man bas raised to mar or adorn—all come under notice,
and there are few beyond the powers of some one or other
of the party to illustrate or expound. In a very real sense
a fern hunt with the Society may be described as “a liberal

education.”’
H. KINGSMILL MOORE.

OBITUARY.

We regret to announce the death, in July last, of Mr.
Thomas Bolton, of Warton, near Carnforth, a very early
member of the Society and, for many years, a member of the
Committee. He resigned his membership about a year ago,
presumably on account of failing health. Having a favourable
soil and climate at Warton he was a very successful cultivator
of British ferns. Although not the actual finder he introduced
to the Society Asplenium trichomanes incisum Clementia,
one of the most beautiful ferns ever found. He was also
the introducer of Scol. v. crispum, Bolton and S. v. crispuwm
variegatum, Bolton, two very fine and distinct forms, but
whether these were found or raised we do not know.

OUR FRONTISPIECE.

P. ANGULARE PLUMA-PARADISEAt—F.W5S.
This is one of the best of the seedlings raised by Dr. Stans-
field from P. a. plumosum rarefactum, H.S. The sub-division
is finer than anything previously seen in this species. The
tips of the pinne and pinnules are curly and aposporous,

10

and the general effect is one of lightness and grace not sur-
passed by any British fern. In addition to the above there
are from the same batch :—pluma Cygni (Swan’s feather),
pluma mollissima (Eider Duck’s feather), pluma Struthionis
(Ostrich feather), pluma Ardee (Egret’s feather), and several
others not yet named, They are slow growers and probably
not one of them has yet attained to its full development.

FERN GOSSIP.

Since our last issue there has been no record of anything
in the way of new finds of British ferns beyond those men-
tioned in this number. Nevertheless, things have happened.
Mr. J. Edwards writes that he has obtained spores upon
Lastrea paleacea fimbriata-cristata angustata, Cropper. The
same variety has also produced spores in my own garden.
These are the first records of spores upon this variety although
it was raised more than twenty years ago. This fern is

remarkable inasmuch as it grows, and produces fronds,

practically without forming any roots, rarely more than
one or two short fibres being found when the plant is turned
out, although it may be a healthy looking little shuttlecock
with plenty of fronds. It is hoped that, if seedlings can be
raised, which now seems probable, the resulting plants will
be more enterprising in this respect and consequently more
vigorous. Another fern, raised by the same grower (Cropper)
and about the same time, is Last. paleacea apospora cristata
(see L. filix-mas acroclodon, Gazette, Vol. I1., p. 189.) This
variety makes plenty of roots, but very few fronds, and these
latter are of very short duration, generally turning yellow
and withering after three or four months of life. As a result
there are rarely more than two or three fronds to be seen
at a time upon any single plant. This year, however, a
plant in my collection has made seven fronds nearly two
feet in length and presents quite a furnished appearance.

The first frond of the year bore some eight or nine small sori —

ot

iat

(this being the first time any signs of spores have appeared).
The frond which bears them is now of a pale yellow, almost
ivory, colour although still quite perfect in form. The sori
are still green and it is doubtful whether the spores will ripen.
Two other fronds are in a state of incipient anaemia, while
four are fairly green and healthy. No other frond than the
first has shown any signs of spores. Another reputedly
barren fern, which has this year produced a few sori, is
Elworthy’s P. angulare plumosum, found in 1856, and recorded
by Lowe as “asterile form.’ This is one of the most beautiful
plumose forms found wild and is a good grower in the open
air. Athyrium f.f. unco-glomeratum, raised some fifty years
ago, has also this year for the first time produced spores in
the hands of Mr. H. Stansfield ; these have been sown and
are germinating.

HUNTING FOR SCHISTOSTEGA PENNATA.

The subject of these notes, although not a fern, is from a
spectacular point of view perhaps one of the most interesting
of our native cryptogams. It is found growing in caves
and in clefts of rock, where but little light can reach it, where
under certain conditions it shines like burnished gold. It is
a microscopic plant, and a close inspection with the naked
eye reveals nothing more striking than a faint olive-greenish
tinge on the surface of the rocks. The plant when examined
microscopically appears to consist of small featherlike growths,
hence the name. When well established, the growing points
appear (when viewed from a short distance and at a certain
angle) to reflect the light in such a manner as to present the
appearance of a sheet of burnished gold in brilliant sunshine.
A closer approach or an alteration in the angle of vision
renders the plant almost invisible.

On our first introduction to this plant, now some sixty
odd years ago, it literally lined the mouth of an old and disused
coal mine which had been driven horizontally into the hillside.

12

The roof, sides and floor for a distance of twelve yards from
the entrance, shone with almost uncanny brilliance.

The aspect was west, and the altitude probably about
800 feet. Allosorus crispus grew in the immediate vicinity,
but the prevailing fern is now L. dilatata, not luxuriant types,
but all battered and unhappy-looking specimens.

In the year 1870 a cloudburst occurred which brought
down much debris from the land above, some hundreds of
tons being deposited at the mouth of the cave, making the
latter inaccessible and shutting out the light to such an extent
that the habitat was destroyed. In July of the current year
we decided on a pilgrimage to the former habitat (which
before the above-mentioned catastrophe had been considered
the Mecca of all British muscologists) with the almost forlorn
hope that a few vestiges of the moss might perhaps still exist.
We found that the high price of coal had tempted the owners
to reopen the old coal mine which had lain dormant for over
acentury. The debris had been cleared away, thus admitting
the light without which the moss could not exist. Several
square yards of the moss were in nice condition, and the
cave bids fair to attain to its former great glory. We took
away a small quantity with a view to establishing a colony
on the estate of a Welsh client who is in a position to provide
the necessary moist conditions.

Instead of retracing our steps we ascended the mountain,
and being quite off the beaten track, missed our way, tramping
wearily over the moor for what appeared, owing to the
uneven state of the surface, to be an interminable number of
miles, but which would probably not be more than five,
without meeting with any sign of human habitation. Our
eyes were, however, eventually gladdened by the sight of a
house in the distance, and we made a bee-line for it. On
reaching our objective we found conditions suggestive of the
XIVth century in this Ultima Thule. The oldest inhabitant
}, Ving in patriarchal style and surrounded by three generations

13

of olive branches. We appeared to be objects of considerable
solicitude to the aged Nestor who presided. This solicitude
we imagined to be due to our spent and weary condition,
but we subsequently discovered that our venerable appearance
and presumed antiquity invested us with a degree of sacro-
sanctity in the eyes of the patriarch which no other attribute
could possibly have conferred. We called to mind the words
of the writer who said : “ What a truly wonderful and glorious
thing is ripe old ages! There is an oily benignity about fat
old age when it neither drinks nor swears, which overwhelms
us with a sense of the enormity of our crime in being guilty
of comparative youth.’ Our mental reflections were dis-
turbed by a peremptory command to sit at our host’s right
hand as he wished to speak to us. The catechism proceeded
as follows : “ I reckon you will be a long, long way ower 70,
gaffer ?”’ Now it would have been an easy matter to have
covered ourselves with glory by claiming some five or six
score years, but we remembered the admonitions and ex-
hortations of our preceptor in early youth, and still retained
a vivid recollection of the ultimate destination of all liars.
To our credit, therefore, be it recorded that we indulged
neither in the swppressio veri nor the suggestio falsi, but
deprecatingly informed our host that we could claim no such
honourable distinction, and that several moons must wax
and wane before we should attain to the beatific period of
septuagenarianism. Our host discounted his former cordiality
some 75 per cent., evidently feeling aggrieved at his own
lack of discrimination in having wasted so much sweetness
on the desert air of a mere sexagenarian and remarked :
“We thought you might happen be haymakers when we
yerd the dogs barking

{?

We were regretfully compelled
to inform him that we occupied no such utilitarian niche
in the general scheme of nature, that we were but humble
Schistostega pennata hunters who had lost our way, and would
be thankful if we could be provided with water for a bath,

i4

and something in the nature of solid refreshment. “If you
have shot onny o’ them things you might leave us a couple
if they are onny good to ait,’’ suggested out host. We
administered the cowp de grace to any lingering vestiges of
respect our host might still have entertained for us, by
informing him that the only shooting in which we ever
indulged was an occasional stray shot with a no more lethel
weapon than the arcus longus; that the contents of our
bag consisted of microscopic botanical specimens which we
feared would prove a very unsubstantial addition to his
larder.

We eventually reached lower leveis without further mishap,
and being overtaken by a friendly motor car, were whisked
back to civilization and a well-earned rest.

H. STANSFIELD.

ASPLENIUM LANCEOLATUM MICRODON.

This mysterious fern appears to have become almost, if
not quite, extinct of late years. It is stated by Lowe to have
been first found in Guernsey in 1855, afterwards again in
Guernsey and also near Penzance. The same author describes
it without hesitation as “‘a hybrid with marmum.” Moore,
however, in his ‘‘ Nature-printed Ferns,’’ published in 1855,
puts it down as a variety of A. marinum, but thinks that
““ where better known it will be found to be a distinct species.”
The idea of its being a separate species has been long given
up and is at once negatived by its barren character, for,
although it produces (or shall we say produced ?) plenty of
sori the sporangia seem to be all abortive and contain, as a
rule, no spores. Its relation to A. marinum has probably
been assumed because of its simple pinnate form which
resembles marmmum much more than lanceolatum. The
texture, however, is quite different from that of marinum
and is, if anything, thinner even than that of lanceolatum.
Some years ago I had a beautiful plant of mzcrodon which had

15

been sent to me by Mr. H. Stansfield. In 1916 it attained
its maximum development and I was struck by the resemb-
lance of the confluent tips of the fronds to Scolopendriwm
vulgare, these being quite different from the terminations of
Asp. marinum. In the same year the plant produced what
seemed to be a few perfect sporangia among the crowds of
abortive ones, the former standing out conspicuously on
account of their globular shape and black colour, whereas the
abortive ones are at first white, afterwards turning to a
pale brown. It occurred to me to sow the spores from these
apparent sporangia, but 1916 being a year of unusual stress,
I was unable to do so, but preserved a frond with its adherent
sporangia. The severe frost of the winter of 1916-17 killed
my plant, greatly to my regret. I made inquiries in every
likely quarter (including Kew), but was unable to hear of any
one who still had the variety. Under these depressing
circumstances I sowed my spores in the summer of 1917,
v.e. a year after they had been produced, hoping vaguely
that I might obtain plants, although there was no record
that microdon had ever been sown much less produced
seedlings. The following year a sparse crop of prothalli
was produced in the spore-dish and my hopes rose. When
fronds began to appear, however, I was disappointed for the
fronds were mostly those of Polypodum dryopteris, which
sows itself very freely with me. All these were picked out
as soon as recognized and the spore-dish was removed to the
dwelling-house with a view to excluding any more stray
spores. It was not until 1921 that anything appeared which
could possibly be microdon, but late in that year a little group
of very tiny fronds came from one smail patch of prothalli ;
they were obviously different from anything which had
previously appeared and seemed to be all alike, some eight
or ten altogether. Again my hopes rose. The tiny plants
were carefully picked out, inserted in sterilized soil in a
Separate pot, and jealously guarded against frost and insect

16

enemies. During the ensuing winter several of them died,
apparently from inanition, but in the spring of 1922 there
were half-a-dozen plants still living, but so small that they
could hardly be distinguished without a lens. Two or three
of these outstripped the rest and turned out to be Scolopen-
drium vulgare, not normal, but not belonging to any recog-
nized variety—simply little bastard rogues. The remaining
ones lingered on without making much progress, but at the
end of 1922 one of them had pinnatified fronds and I was
hopeful that it would be microdon, although the largest
frond was only about a quarter of an inch in length. Three
or four others remained undistinguishable. In the spring of
1923 I was laid up by an attack of acute sciatica, but on
getting up my first visit was to my microdon pot and I was
horrified to find that a growth of fungus had spread over the
soil and destroyed every frond. Of the “largest ’’ plant,
however, after flooding it with permanganate solution,
there remained a green speck, visible only through a strong
lens, the size of a pin’s point. After a month of suspense
this sent up a hair-like frond an eighth of an inch in length—
a stem without a lamina—which was followed by two or
three tiny frondlets. The plant is now (September) about
as large as it was a year ago, but is more definite in form,
and to my mind looks like microdon. Since, however, the
whole thing could be buried comfortably under a sixpence
it is still too early to be positive about it and it may also
turn out to be a Scolopendrium.* In 1922, acting upon
the hypothesis that microdon is a hybrid of lanceolatum with
Scolopendrium, I made a sowing of mixed spores of the two
species from wild plants. I have now a large crop of little
seedlings showing their first and second fronds. Many of
them are obviously lanceolatum and others equally clearly
Scolopendrium, but there are many still indefinite in character,
and it is possible that there may be one or more hybrids

* Since the above was written the little fern has sent up a new frond bearing the
characteristic silvery scales of Scolopendrium on the stipes and under surface.

hy;

among them. It will not be until 1924 that most of them
will be recognizable and even if there should. be a hybrid
among them it may not be microdon. We must wait and
see. In the meantime I shall be glad to have news of any
remaining plants of the original microdon should any still
. exist. I have recently made another sowing of spores
(ten years cld) of microdon supplied by Mr. H. Stansfield.
F.WSS.

STEM-BULBILS ON OSMUNDA REGALIS, VAR. CRISTATA,
‘* SEEDLINGS.,”’

b)

When in a young “seedling” stage, the stems of this
plant appear to develop a number of peculiar ‘“ bulbil ”’
growths—only one of the “ buds ”’ appearing on each stalk,

as shewn in the illustration.

Where the bulbil arises, the stems form a strong bend
or almost loop—in fact, the effect is nearly the same as if
an actual “gall” distortion had taken place.

Only the youngest fronds are affected, and, as these mature
and decay, the tiny plants root close to the parent plant.
Eventually, the young progeny might easily be mistaken
for a group of tiny offsets from the main plant.

So closely, in fact, do they nestle, that I find it difficult
to believe they ever manage to survive as the central crown
grows—unless here is another case of trading on the pro-
pagating habits of the beneficent pteridologist.

FRAS. W. THORRINGTON.
The Editor,
The British Fern Gazette.

THE CULTURE OF POLYPODIES.
A correspondent has asked me to describe my method of
culture of the varieties of Polypodiwm vulgare, as he says
“there is no doubt about the success of the Reading method.”

18

Now, there is nothing original about the “‘ Reading method,”’
and no claim is made for anything new in connection therewith.
Others have doubtless used the same methods with equal
results, but it is clear that not everyone is successful in their
culture, so it may be worth while to describe the chief points
to be observed in order to ensure success, The common
Polypody is the most accommodating of ferns and one of the
most difficult to kill by neglect. It is found growing upon
the tops and sides of walls, the trunks of trees, the summits
of pollards, upon dry banks and in accumulations of leaf-
mould. It is, however, not found, and will not grow, in
swampy places and the most certain method of killing a
cultivated Polypody is to drown it. I put therefore as the
first essential to its cultivation—good drainage ; the soil may
be moist, but it must not be wet for any long period. No
fear need be entertained of giving a good drenching occasion-
ally, but the water must be able to get away quickly. It
is even advantageous for the soil, during the period of rest,
to be rather dry although not dust dry. The period of most
complete rest for Polypodies, apart from periods of severe
frost, is probably the months of May and June. Growth
does not begin as a rule until the end of June and it continues
up to the middle of October or even later if the autumn be
mild. The ferns are at their best during the autumn and
winter months, 7.e. from September to March. This brings
us to another essential point in their culture, viz., shelter.
The species will live in the most exposed places, but will
not grow to any size without shelter from wind and sun.
If this be true of the normal form how much more so is it
true of the noble leafy varieties such as the Cambricums,
pulcherrimum, omnilacerum and the semi-lacerums? They
cannot thrive if their great luxuriant fronds be broken by
wind, snow and hail or by their being used as bedding by
dogs, rats, cats, rabbits and birds. Unless the district be
unusually favourable and the locality naturally sheltered,

19

therefore, some kind of house or frame is necessary to protect
the fronds during the winter. In the Oxford Botanic Gardens
Polypodies are grown in beds without any artificial covering,
but they are well sheltered from winds by walls and hedges.
They do remarkably well, but do not grow to anything like
the proportions they can attain under glass. While giving
shelter, however, it is necessary to avoid anything like close
culture. If grown in a confined atmosphere the fronds will
grow to a large size, but will be soft and pulpy, and will
quickly decay. For this reason I prefer a frame with movable
lights to a house, as in the former structure the lights can be
either entirely removed in favourable weather or (preferably)
they can be secured in a perpendicular position so as to admit
air and rain. In my own case the lights are never entirely
closed except in severe frost or violent storms, and during
the summer and autumn months they are widely opened
on the north side so as to give a certain amount of shade,
but to admit a free circulation of air. The fronds produced
under these conditions are thick and leathery and those of
one year remain green until those of the next year are well
developed. This persistence of the old fronds is sometimes
rather a nuisance as the new ones have not proper room to
develop. A period of comparative dryness before the new
fronds appear seems to ripen the old ones and to facilitate
their separation from the rhizomes.

Next as to soil. As before stated, the Polypody will live
in almost any soil which is not too wet, and sometimes
appears to grow without any soil, properly so-called, at all.
It grows on bare walls and on the trunks of trees rooting
either in the mortar of the walls or in the moss which, in
moist districts, covers the bark of many trees. In these
situation., however, it 1s invariably stunted and I have never
seen it luxuriating unless it had a run of leaf-mould or peat
for its roots. My friend, Mr. Henwood, who grows Polypodies,
as he has done many other things, as well as anyone ever

20

did, has described his method of culture, especially with
regard to soil, at p. 224, Vol. II., of The Gazette. For the
benefit of new members I may say that the soil consists
of about equal parts of turfy loam, fibrous peat, and oak
leaf-mould with a slight sprinkling of bone meal. All these
ingredients, however, are the best of their kind that can be
procured at any price or with any trouble. The beds are
top-dressed annually with a liberal quantity of leaf-mould
and a slight sprinkling of bone meal. The fronds are kept
free from green and white fly by being regularly sprayed with
“ Abol ’? as soon as these pests begin to appear. Lastly,
with regard to lime. Is the Polypody a lime lover or a lime
hater ? It is certainly not the latter because it will grow
in old mortar alone. On the other hand, it does not seem
to require a large proportion of lime in the soil since there
cannot be any large quantity of this mineral in beds of pure
leaf-mould or in the moss on the trunks of trees. It is a
fact, however, that it is rarely found luxuriating in a wild
state except upon a calcareous soil and we may assume that
it likes a calcareous flavour in its food. No doubt the leaf-
mould contains an appreciable quantity of calcium salts,
especially in a chalk or limestone district, and this may be
sufficient for its requirements. A little chalk or lime rubble
added to the soil, however, can do no harm and helps to
keep the soil porous. The bone meal also supplies lime in a
comparatively easily soluble form. Finally, the best Poly-
podies are worth any reasonable trouble to do them well
and it has been well said that anything which is worth doing
at all is worth doing well. Treat Polypodies well and the

reward will be abundant.
F.WS.

21
AMATEUR FERN GROWING.
(Reprinted from Irish Gardening.)

Any plant lover who has the misfortune to have to live
in town, may derive more satisfaction, and therefore more
pleasure, from the cultivation of ferns than from any other
plants.

A fern house is the ideal condition, but not essential for
success. We have known a fern lover and enthusiast who
had, we believe, every British fern growing on the roof of
his house, in the heart of London—he had not a yard of
garden on the ground level, and no glass shelter on the root
garden.

As most town houses have some space behind, euphemis-
tically called a garden, we will choose that as the site of our
fernery, and decide that it is to be a fern house.

To attain success it will be necessary to think out the
details beforehand of all the preparations to be made for
the reception of plants, and carry out all these to completion
before a single plant is bought. Many failures are due to
first getting the plants and then trying to make a place for
them.

Those who cannot afford a well-built greenhouse need not
be discouraged. With a few loads of second-hand _ bricks
the house can easily be run up, no glass being required except
that for the roof, and a very satisfactory fernery is thus
obtained. Better still, however, will be a well made green-
house, which can be bought in sections from one of the several
well-known firms who specialise in such things, and can be
put up by oneself with the help of any handyman. If a
wall sufficiently high is available, a “lean-to’”’ house is
recommended or, better still, a “ ? span,” as it gives head-
room for the ferns on the back wall, which otherwise must be
left bare, for a couple of feet, or else the ferns at the top
grow against the roof and get distorted and discoloured by
the moisture on the glass.

22

The steeper the slope of the roof the better, so as to carry
off the moisture that condenses on the inside of the glass,
for as the overlap of the panes gets clogged with dust, &c.,
the water does not run away on the outside of the lower pane,
but tends to drop down on the plants below, causing havoc
thereby. If making a fern-house again we would have a
small slip of cardboard or rubber inserted at each side of the
overlap, to keep the panes sufficiently apart, so as to carry
off the condensed moisture, and to enable one, if the space
became clogged, to clear it with a stiff brush. The overlap
should be at least one inch.

The house should have a north aspect if at all possible.
If not, choose anything but a south aspect. With a north
aspect little, if any, shading will be required. With any other
aspect shading will be necessary. Shading is a great bother,
and, as in town there is so much scot and dust, one cannot
have a permanent shading, for it becomes so dirty that it
makes the house too dark. Most ferns like the light and
grow towards it always ; it is the direct sunlight they object
to, so with a north aspect shading is not required at all,
though a little light shading from mid-May to mid-July is
rather an advantage.

The ventilation arrangements are very important. On
the front there should be at least two sashes which can be
opened, one near each end. Additional opening sashes in
each end are an advantage, as thus air can be admitted from
whatever aspect is sheltered from the wind, for ferns dislike
direct draught. Also there should be at least two ventilators
in the roof, at its highest point, near each end.

If funds allow, all metal fittings, hinges, fastenings, &c..,
with their screws, should be of brass, as the constant damp
soon rusts iron fittings, iron screws rot the wood, the hinges
stiffen and burst off, &c.

No artificial heating should be installed. It becomes a
nuisance, and we want our hobby to be only a pleasure. To

23

be constantly anxious about frost during autumn, winter and
spring, leaves only two-thirds of the year for unmixed pleasure.
To feel that one must go out on frosty nights to keep the fire
going, no matter what engagement holds us, or what weariness
or indisposition is over us, makes the heated greenhouse a
real burden, a burden too we may not be able to bear our-
selves, for the town dweller is often a busy person, whose
duties may even necessitate frequent absence from home,
thus he may have to rely one someone else to look after his
hobby, which is neither fair to the person nor to the hobby.
Put heating out of mind as an abomination, and cheer yourself
with the thought that it is quite unnecessary. If you grow
all the beautiful ferns which in no way require heat, you will
need an enormous house and unlimited time on your hands.

The moment you decide to get a house, and before you do
anything else, get together the materials for the ferns to
grow in. One cannot expect good crops without well prepared
ground, and the same applies to flowers, fruit or ferns. If
you want them to grow well, you must give them good stuff
to grow in and the kind they like. Get then a load of good
fibrous loam—that is, sods, or “scraws,” as the country
people call them, not more than 3 inches thick taken from
old mountain pasture in a district free from limestone. These
sods should then be carefully built, grass side down, into an
oblong or square pile, by preference, against a wall, so as to
get partial protection from heavy rain. They should remain
thus till all the grass and other vegetation have died and
decayed, which may take some months, hence the necessity
of attacking this part of the preparations first of all. If you
can leave it six months or more, all the better, for not only
will the vegetation decay thoroughly, but obnoxious vermin,
worms, beetles, &c., will die aiso, or else evacuate the territory
—a most desirable condition.

Next get a load of mountain peat—not “ turf,’’ such as we
get in bogs and use for fuel—but sods from the mountain,

24

of brown fibrous peat, permeated probably with roots of
bracken : the more fibrous it is the better. Treat it exactly
in the same way as the loam.

Then get a load of leaf-mould and build it also into a
compact square heap.

Finally, sand is a necessity. It is also a difficulty. “Silver
sand ”’ is the best, if you can afford it, but it isexpensive. It
can be obtained from garden supply firms by the hundred-
weight, of various degrees of fineness or coarseness. Medium
or coarse is perhaps the best when dealing with rockery work
rather than pot plants. Sea sand should not be used—at
least, that from the neighbourhood of Doublin, for even in

the absence of shells, it contains so much limestone sand

that it is quite unsuitable, in fact fatal, to many ferns. This
is the reason why “silver sand ”’ is so suitable, as it is lime
free. A substitute for silver sand can be obtained at small
cost, except the cost of personal labour. Get a load of “ free-
stone ’’—which is “rotten”’ or disintegrated granite, and so
lime free—from the mountain: riddle this through a fine
sieve. What does not run through is then pounded | up
and again riddled, and so on. An old horse-manger makes a
capital mortar and an iron bar an efficient pestle. Excellent
sharp, coarse and fine mixed, lime free sand is thus obtained
for our purpose.

We have then obtained good material for our ferns to grow
in. The preparation of it we will deal with later on, when
the reason for the directions about making separate square
or oblong heaps will be seen.

Incidentally, we may say that the coarser “ free-stone ~
will come in as a most suitable constituent of our concrete
cement floor.

(To be continued).

a aay, 1924.

EDITED BY

F. W. STANSFIELD, M.D.

(120, OXFORD ROAD, READING.)

PUBLISHED BY

|THE BRITISH PTERIDOLOGICAL SOCIETY

| (President: Mr. W. B. Cranfield, East Lodge, Enfield Chase, Middlesex.)

fe q | (Hon. Secretary and Hon. Treasurer: Mr. Charles Henwood, 21, Clifton
tod Road, Maida Vale, London, W.9.)

KENDAL, WESTMORLAND.

pmrmanicyv £#£ @Awn ITM TWEE POnRWs oOoococa ocarincr

THE
BRITISH FERN GAZETTE.

NEW SERIES.

VoL. V. MAY, 1924. No: 3:
CONTENTS. PAGE
THE Avaust MEETING a: ee - os ew eS
OBITUARY: PRINCE RoLanpD BONAPARTE - ee enh #43
FERNS AND FLowers (Dr. 8. P. Rowlands) .. Fe -. 44
A Harpy Apiantum. (F.W.S.) .. es Si We 48
SPECIES Vv. VARIETIES (Mr. F. W. Thorrington) .. es .. 49
ADIANTUM CaApPrIuLusS-VENERIS (Mr. H. Stansfield) 7“ gore LOO
THE ‘‘ OxrorD VARIETY’ OF POLYPODIUM v. OMNILACERUM
THE MAmDENHAIR: Porm (Mr. F. W. Tharrington) .. 24. 00
THE FERNS OF THE LizARD PENINSULA (Mr. H. Relton) 55
AMATEUR FERN GROoWinG—continued (Dr. H. C. Druery) .. 63

THE AUGUST MEETING, 1924,

As announced in our last issue the Annual Meeting of the
Society will be held at Newcastle, Co. Down, North
Treland, on Monday, August llth. Particulars as to place
of meeting and information as to available accommodation
will be sent later to members by circular. It has been pointed
out that there are two Newecastles in Co. Down, but our
Newcastle is close to the Mourne Mountains, under the
shadow of Slieve Donard, and is connected with the world
by a line of railway which the other Newcastle is not. Mr.
R. Ll. Praeger has promised to attend the Meeting and, as
he is familiar with the ground, will, as far as possible, conduct
the excursions, thereby saving valuable time as members
will be taken directly to the best places. We hope it may
prove a happy hunting ground, and feel sure it will be a

pleasant Meeting for those members who can arrange to be
present.

OBITUARY : PRINCE ROLAND BONAPARTE,
We greatly regret to have to record the death, on April 14th,
as announced in the daily press, of our member Prince Roland

44

Bonaparte, a grandson of Lucien Bonaparte, brother of the
great Napoleon. He was one of the most eminent of French
botanists and was also otherwise a great scientist and
traveller, a member of the French Academy and President
of the French Geographical Society. Although a compara-
tively recent acession to our Society his membership shed
lustre upon it, and it is significant that his botanical
enthusiasm was sufficiently catholic to embrace membership
of a small and, to him, foreign band of specialists such as
the British Pteridological Society. We mourn his loss in
company with botanists generally and especially with those
of France.

FERNS AND FLOWERS.

The ultra-specialist in any branch of gardening is apt to
be a tiresome person to the outsider. He is too inclined to
fill all his available space with his speciality, to his own
edification perhaps, but in a way that is boring to other
people. The keen rosarian, for Instance, may fill his garden
with roses and refuse to grow anything in between the trees.
He will probably be apologetic when you notice the edging
of violas or crocuses unwillingly planted at his wife’s command.
The fern enthusiast, too, I think, is a little inclined to fill
his ground to the exclusion of everything else. But in
spite of the wonderful diversity of form and size among our
British ferns, and in spite of the fact that so many of them
are beautiful the whole year round, I think the interest
of an outdoor collection can be considerably increased by a
judicious sprinkling of flowering plants. Ferns do not grow
in nature in serried ranks, with bare patches of earth in
between. In their natural haunts they are found in associa™
tion with various wild flowers, and are not thought any the
less attractive because of it. In the hedgerows they jostle
with Herb Robert and speedwell, with primrose, buttercup,
and stitchwort. Even the wall-loving spleenworts have to

45

rub shoulders with stone crop and pellitory, while in shady
dells their root-stocks are often smothered in moss.

The enthusiast will, of course, consider carefully what
he will allow to mix with his treasures. His first consideration
will be to note what will flourish in such situations as are
congenial to ferns. The flowers must be willing to grow
and bloom in somewhat shady places and in fairly moist
soil, besides which they must never be too obtrusive or in
anyway a nuisance. The cultivator will thus dispense with
periwinkle, St. John’s Wort and such-like except for the
roughest corners. The foliage must not compete with that
of the ferns for light or space, and the flowers should preferably
come when the ferns are past their best. Nor must the
plants be possessed of too vigorous a root system, lest they
deprive their neighbours of the necessary food and moisture.

The choice of suitable flowering plants is large, especially
for the amateur with a small garden, who has to spread his
collection beyond the strict limits of shade and into the
sunnier parts. He has ample choice of bordering plants,
should he desire such, and may choose violettas, dwarf
campanulas, mossy saxifrages and many other things.

Among flowering plants for filling in odd spaces between
the ferns themselves, few seem more suitable than the hardy
Cyclamen, such as C. coum and repandum which bloom before
the deciduous ferns have uncurled their new fronds, or C.
europeum and neapolitanum which come along when the
first glorious greenery of the ferns is on the wane. These
cyclamen, I think, associate particularly well with the harts’-
tongues, for both like a well drained soil not deficient in
lime. For other spots, also well drained and not too shady,
there are several of the Crocus species, beautiful and
uncommon, which are worth trying even among the choicest
ferns. Orocus zonatus, medius, speciosus and longiflorus
suggest themselves for the autumn, with C. Sveberi, biflorus
Tomasinianus and many others for the spring. The lesser

46

Narcissi, such as triandrus, cyclamineus and bulbocodvuwm
are all very choice and associate especially well with the
smaller ferns on rockwork. Other bulbous and tuberous
plants can be had in plenty, and the Anemones, such as
blanda, apennina and nemorosa (in several varieties) call for
special mention, as being beautiful, good natured and dis-
appearing early. Trilliwm grandiflorum and Sanguinaria
canadensis are two more, while mere mention will suffice in
the case of Adonis, Eranthis, Galanthus, Scilla, Muscari and
Leucojum. The old-fashioned Lily of the Valley enjoys the
company of ferns, but is apt when happy to become a weed.
Fritillaria meleagris, however, may hang its head, though
not in shame, among your choicest shield ferns. No attempt
at massing will be made in the fern border, a few flowers
peeping out here and there in odd places being probably
better, and detracting less from the main occupants of the
beds. Here and there, a larger plant may be allowed, such
as a clump of Christmas rose, a patch of Anemone hepatica,
Dodecatheon meadia, or Dicentra spectabilis. Mimulus is
somewhat too rampant, but Mazus pumilio is of a quieter
habit. In the damper parts, too, such things as Iris cristata
and gracilipes, Cypripedium calceolus and even some of the
Gentians might be tried, while the height of enthusiasm will
be reached when Calochorti of the Globe section are attempted
in beds of leaf mould.

A host of other suitable things could be mentioned, but
the object of this article is to give a few suggestions and
not an exhaustive list. Some discretion must of course be
used in placing whatever flowers we have decided upon,
so that such moisture-loving things as the Primulas shall
not be planted in the drier parts among the good-tempered
male and shield ferns, nor such sun-loving plants as the
Crocuses placed in the shadiest corners with the lady ferns.
And this point will be conceded—only the choicest flowers
among choice ferns: which statement can be supplemented

47

by another, that, on the whole, the so-called florists’ flowers
are out of place in the fern border, the natural species being
altogether more suitable.

The above arrangement certainly adds to the interest of the
visitor, who may never have heard of Moly, Jones, or Fox,
and yet who might be persuaded to examine some fine ferns
after having been attracted to the spot by a clump of
Epimedium or a patch of Primula rosea in its full glory.
Besides, it enables the fern lover with limited space to indulge
his fancy in flowers without endangering the supremacy of
his particular pets.

In conclusion, one might mention the question of carpeting.
In nature, there is no doubt that the general plant association
of wood and hedgerow tends to keep the rocts cco!, and
in some cases to conserve moisture, but we do not want cur
choice ferns smothered and strangled by a rampant creeper.
In an old volume of The Gazette it is suggested that the
“Corsican nettle ” (Helxine Soleirolii) might be used, but
I imagine that this is too hearty a grower, at least for the
less robust ferns, besides being doubtfully hardy. I am
at present allowing Mentha Requieni and Arenaria Balearica
to ramp over a small bed of mixed ferns, and am watching
with interest for the result. I may be sorry for it later,
but so far the apparent result is not bad. At any rate,
nothing more suitable as a carpeter comes to mind, unless
the dainty little annual Jonopsidium acaule can be called
one. Perhaps someone in whose garden the Arenaria more
especially is a weed, will give his experiences as to the fate
of the ferns when the carpeter has taken possession and

become thoroughly established.
S. P. ROWLANDS.

[There is nothing heretical in Dr. Rowlands’ suggestion of mixing
flowering plants (especially shade lovers) with ferns. We have long
grown forms of Anemone nemorosa among our choicest ferns, e.g. A. n.
Robinsoniana, Celestial and Blue Bonnet, as also some of the Hepaticas
and a few dwarf and early daffodils. The Anemones flower before
the ferns commence growth and by the time the ferns are fully occupying
the ground the foliage, even, of the former has practically disappeared.

48

The Corsican nettle carpets the ground comfortably among the more
robust-growing ferns, but is too overbearing for small-growing kinds.
Arenaria balearica is better and is also prettier and neater. Other
plants which may be suggested for association with ferns are snowdrops
of various kinds (we have six), mossy saxifrages, Hpigea repens (for
peat), Nertera depressa (in mild climates), Adonis vernalis, Mimulus
repens, Pyrola media, P. rotundifolia and P. minor, Smilzcina bifolia,
etc.— Editor. ]

A HARDY ADIANTUM.

We received last autumn from a friend, Captain Simpson-
Hayward, a plant of an Adiantum which he collected in
Kashmir, and which has proved quite hardy in mid-Gloucester-
shire for the past 15 years. It has been grown both in a
cold house and also in the open air, on rockwork, without
any protection except such as is afforded by the overhanging
rockwork. In our own garden it has been kept in a cold
house and has been frequently subjected to a temperature of
20 degrees F. Nevertheless, it has apparently not suffered
in the least, the fronds remaining as green and fresh as when
first received. About the end of January it began to make
new growth, although all the British ferns were perfectly
dormant. It has continued to grow slowly all through
February in spite of the persistently cold weather with hard
frosts almost every night. The new fronds are now (March
10th) one to two inches high, of a beautiful crimson colour,
and look perfectly fresh and healthy. The fern has been
identified by the Kew authorities as A. venustum, Don.
It is however somewhat different from the plant which was
in general cultivation under the name of “ venustum ” fitty
years ago, although possibly not specifically so. It is
obviously much hardier than A. Capillus-V eneris and probably
almost as hardy as A. pedatum although an evergreen species.
It is an elegant fern with wiry stems like dA. cuneatum, but
with rounder pinnules and with the rhizomatous habit of
A. Capillus-Veneris. In previous years Woodsia alpina has
commenced to grow in January and has several times been
in full frondage by the middle of March. This year it is still

49

completely dormant in the second week in March, having
been kept at rest by the cold weather. This is strong
testimony to the hardy and adventurous character of
the Adiantum. Another season we propose to try a bit
of it out of doors in a sheltered place. Other species which
are hardier than our native species are A. Wilhamsii (a
“gold fern ’’) and A. Chiliense, both evergreen. A. pedatum
is as hardy as any of our British ferns, but is, of course,
deciduous. B.W.S.

SPECIES v. VARIETIES.

Botanically speaking, there should be considerable value
In a list that might be compiled, for publication in The
Gazette, of those ferns, now known to be varieties of British
species, which have been classified originally as true species.

If Dr. Stansfield could be induced to speak with his
unequalled authority on this subject, I fancy we should be
surprised to find how often this has occurred.

I may instance a few cases as an illustration of my meaning :
(1) The Polypodium Cambricum of Linnaeus’ time, now our
familar P. v. var. Cambricum. (2) Phegopteris plumosa (J.
Smith) for Athyrium f.f. var. plumosum, Horsfall. (3) The
two forms of Polypodium vulgare from British Columbia, said
to have been named as species, and, I presume, still known
as such by the official botanists.

With regard to the last case, can it be definitely stated
which specific names are attached to these two ferns? If
the names given were at all descriptive, it ought to be easy
to discriminate between the two varieties, as one of them,
I understand, is a “long-tailed ” form, very suggestive of an
approach to O’Kelly’s P. v. var. macrostachyon.

>)

The definite citation of “chapter and verse ” concerning
these two American ferns would certainly prove what has
often been contended, that a revision of the names of exotic

ferns is urgently required.

50

Such a revision should only be attempted by a skilled
pteridologist, thoroughly acquainted with the marvellous
range of variation in our British species. Moreover, the
result is never likely to be attained until prolonged cultivation
tests have been carried out by such an expert. All
“doubtful ” species, in the view of an authority with such
experience, should be raised in fairly large numbers from
spores. The mass of young plants from these sowings,
growing under the supervision of a “seeing eye,’ would
probably yield many solutions as to genealogy.

As genera where such a process of investigation into origins
is extremely necessary, I mention specially Adiantum,
Asplenium, Polypodium and Pieris. Every year that passes
only proclaims more insistently the need for these critical
cultures ; and their bearing on the everlasting war of classifica-
tion concerning all plants need not be emphasized.

FRAS. W. THORRINGTON.
The Editor,
The British Fern Gazetie.

[We propose to deal with the question raised by Mr. Thorrington in
another number of the Gazette. It is much more complicated than
at first sight would appear. The matter of species and varieties has
been discussed at some length at pp. 159 and 178, Vol.III., of the
Gazette.— Editor. |

ADIANTUM CAPILLUS-VENERIS.

This would probably be the most popular of all our native
ferns but for its tender character. It is a child of the sunny
south and cannot endure the climate of the bleak inhospitable
north. It requires a winter temperature above freezing
point, shelter from wind and a moderate amount of sun.
A very vigorous and beautiful type is found in Natal, but
the best variety is magnificwum which often rivals Ad.
Farleyense in extreme development. Other varieties are
Cornubiense, daphnites and fissum. The varieties are quite
as vigorous as the type, and all respond in no half-hearted

ol

manner to the stimulus of a combination of heat, light and
moisture. The writer has seen it on the outside walls of
a warm greenhouse in Carnarvonshire, filling the crevices of
the masonry just as we see Asp. ruta-muraria, but as the
mean temperature in this county is too low the fronds barely
projected beyond the level of the brickwork, being cut off
and destroyed by the cold winds, but the roots and rhizomes
being able to feel the influence of the internal heat were
able to survive. M. Correvon mentions a beautiful legend
in connection with this charming fern. It is as follows :—
“Venus had black hair, of a lustrous ebony blackness. It
is the botanist who says it, and as the gods have now dis-
appeared it is difficult to contest the point. The fact is that
the goddess has left upon earth some fragments of her hair,
which nature has very properly not allowed to perish as
would have been the case with ordinary hairs, but, taking
root in the soil they have assumed the form of a plant! We
see further that the goddess also lost her charming slippers
which were transformed into a flower, Cypripedium calceolus.
Its colour is a combination of gold and chocolate, the whole
trimmed with silk in most exquisite fashion. The plant
which bears the hairs of Venus is not common, although
fairly well distributed in the regions of high Olympus which
the gods frequented. It shows a special preference to the
old walls of ruined temples in laughing Greece and in green
Italy, clinging to the monuments of the past, and seeming
to increase a ue recrole their grace and elegance with each
year that passes.’

The combings and cast-off garments of the goddess having
been turned to such satisfactory account, it is a matter for
regret that the list of vestimental debris left on earth by
the goddess is not a more extensive one.

H. STANSFIELD.

(We fear the variety Cornubiense of A. Capillus-Veneris has now
disappeared. We cannot hear of it anywhere. It was the best of
the lot.— Editor. ]

52

THE ‘“ OXFORD VARIETY’ OF POLYPODIUM V.
OMNILACERUM.

This fern has now become pretty generally distributed
among the members of the Society, and is also in the hands
of several nurserymen. It was first noticed by the present writer
in the Oxford Botanic Gardens, and a figure of it was published
at p.170, Vol. I., of The Gazette in June, 1911. On cultivation
of the plant it soon appeared that it was quite a distinct
plant from the omnilacerum of Moore found by Mr. Bennett
in 1848. Not only is it much superior to the latter at its
best, but it is a much more constant and reliable form, coming
practicaily always true if well treated. It is also one of
the two most robust-growing varieties of P. vulgare, producing
fronds frequently 2 to 24 feet in length and only rivailed
in this respect by P. v. semilacerum undulatum. Unfortunately
no information as to its origin could be obtained at Oxford,
it having been in the gardens from before the time of the
present curator, Mr. Baker, and no records being available
as to whence it came. It has several times occurred to the
Editor that the late Mr. Druery’s description of omnilacerum
superbum, Williams (Druery), in the “ Book of British Ferns ”
(published about 1900), viz.: “A magnificent form, robust ;
pinnules 2 inches long,” fitted this fern remarkably well ;
we saw a plant of this in Mr. Druery’s garden some 20 years
ago, but it was then in poor health and showed practically
no character at all. Apparently Mr. Druery lost it, as our
President, Mr. Cranfield, has not got it among the Druery
collection of ferns which he acquired after Mr. Druery’s
death. In December, 1923, we received from Mrs. Thatcher,
of Chew Magna, Somerset, a letter containing the following
passage : ‘‘ Since reading the interesting article in The Gazette
on native Polypodies I am thinking that it may interest
some fern growers to know that I have grown some varieties
of the native Polypody (fronds of which f am sending) for
about 15 years in the open on an old tree stump which was

53

planted on a border at the foot of a box hedge 12 feet high,
facing north. The ferns were small pieces planted in a
little leaf mould, loam and sand in the crevices of the stump ;
nothing, except the removal annually of the dead fronds,
has been done since. Ivy has grown over the surface and
the ferns grow through it making a beautiful mass of greenery
some four feet through each way. The ferns have had no
lime, as the soil here is Red Sandstone ; they have been
subjected to 16° F. of frost this winter, and in previous
winters to as much as 23°. With the latter degrees of frost
the fronds would be somewhat damaged.” ... . The
information contained in this letter is interesting on the
point of culture, but the significant thing was that one of
the fronds was obviously identical with the ‘‘ Oxford ”’
omnilacerum. On further inquiry we learnt that Mrs.
Thatcher had received the fern about 20 years ago from
a friend, Captain Pinwill, of Trehane, Cornwall, who at
that time had a large stock of it. Captain Pinwill, now
93 years of age, could not remember when or how he had
acquired the fern, but he had a strong impression that it
was of Cornish origin. Remembering that omnilacerum
superbum was from Cornwall, we appealed to Mr. J. C.
Williams, of Caerheys Castle, whom we had always understood
to be the finder of superbum, for further information about
that fern. That gentleman, however, disclaimed all know-
ledge of it, and said he had often hunted for ferns, but had
never found a Polypody, nor any other fern of importance.
At the suggestion of Mr. Henwood we next wrote to Mr. P. D.
Williams, of St. Keverne, on the subject. The latter
gentleman, although then laid up with a fractured thigh in
London, promptly replied, also disclaiming any responsibility
for superbum, but offerimg some _ valuable suggestions
which he thought might be the explanation of its origin.
The late Mr. J.S. Tyerman, of Tregoney, was a very observant
botanist and fond of ferns. About 1897, after Mr. Tyerman’s

o4

death, Mr. J. C. Wilhams bought his house and garden with
the contents of the latter, and it was suggested that Mr.
Tyerman was the finder of the fern—that Mr. J. C. Williams
found the fern in his garden and sent a plant of it to Mr.
Druery with whom he was in touch at the time. Mr. Druery
erroneously attributed the plant to Mr. Williams, as the
finder, and named it omnilacerum superbum, Williams. It
is significant that “Captain Pinwill was a great friend of
Mr. Tyerman, who shared most of his finds with him ”
(P.D.W.), and that is how the fern came to be in his possession
more than 20 years ago. On this view being put to Mr. J.C.
Willams he agreed that it was probably the correct one
as he found many things in Mr. Tyerman’s garden and “ most
of my gardening friends then shared in the loot ” (J.C.W.).
Before he retired to Cornwall Mr. Tyerman was Curator of
the Botanical Gardens at Liverpool, and it is probable that
he, himself, sent plants of his find to other Botanical Gardens,
including the Oxford one. Other inquiries have been made,
but no further evidence has been collected.* We think,
however, it is practically certain that omnilacerum superbum
and the “‘ Oxford Variety ’ are one and the same thing, and
there is a strong case for the conclusion that Tyerman was
the finder although this cannot be said to be actually
demonstrated. Mr. Tyerman was an old friend of the
Editor’s father and the writer, as a boy and a young man,
knew him well, but lost touch with him some time after he
retired to Cornwall.

EF-W SB.

[* Mr. Cranfield has sent us Mr. Druery’s note book of his sowings of spores, in
which we find a note ‘‘Nov. 22nd, 1899: a few spores of Williams's ommni-
lacerum”; a pinna of the fern is gummed in the book, and it quite
corresponds ‘n character with the Oxford var.]

aT)

THE MAIDENHAIR FERN,
The Maidenhair dreads winter cold,
Yet an Atlantic cliff will dare,
And in a cleft its fronds unfold.
The Maidenhair,
Well satisfied with frugal fare
Of long-accumulated mould,
Will glorify the crevice bare :
Secure in that precarious hold,
The wind its loveliness must spare
To be of every one extolled—
The Maidenhair.
FRAS. W. THORRINGTON.
THE FERNS OF THE LIZARD PENINSULA.
Circumstances took me to The Lizard in July, 1921.
Although I had been to Penzance so long ago as 1875 I had
never been to The Lizard itself, and I was glad to avail
myself of the opportunity that presented itself. I thought
perhaps that it might interest my fellow members if I gave
a short account of my experiences amongst the ferns of
that district. I was particularly anxious to find the
Asplenium lanceolatum, which I had been informed by Messrs.
Tresidder of Truro, as well as by other persons, was now
almost extinct, if not quite so. A Mr. Jephson, of St.
Germans, some years ago had sent me as a great rarity this
fern, two very small plants—they did not long survive.
I arrived one evening in July at Helston, but without my
bicycle. This I had to wait an hour for, as it was not allowed
to come by the Cornish Riviera express train, into which
I had changed at Plymouth. Mounting my machine, I set
out for the 1l-mile run to The Lizard. On leaving Helston
Station on my bicycle, the road is very steep to the centre
of the town : a sharp turn to the left and a steep hill has to
be ascended ; in about three-quarters of a mile you are

56

out of the town, and [ notice in the hedges on either side
of the road Scolopendrium vulgare in great profusion ; that
fern accompanies you all the way to The Lizard. At about
34 miles Polysticum angulare, the soft shield, makes it
appearance, and is very plentiful in all stages of growth.
At the fourth milestone you descend a steep hill and notice
on one side of the road many plants of Asplenvwm Adiantum-
ngrum. At the bottom of the hill, in the garden of one of the
houses, camellia. trees, eucalyptus trees, yucca and palm trees
are all growing in the garden, almost the first signs of the sub-
tropical vegetation that afterwards became so general in the
northern half of the Peninsula. Ascending the steep hill, in
another mile you descend another steep hill, at the bottom of
which you pass the entrance gate to the beautiful grounds of
Bochym, and then ascend through the woods of the Bonython
Plantations, composed of pine trees, rhododendrons, etc., which
appeared to be full of ferns, principally, however, bracken.
The soft shield fern which accompanied me as far as the
bottom of the hill now entirely disappeared, and the road
now enters on the bare and windswept Goonhilly Downs, that
stretch all around to the sea. On both sides of the road
Asp. Adiantum-nigrum is abundant, quite the prominent
fern, and keeps so all the way to The Lizard ; in fact it abounds
in every lane, except those quite close to the sea; no matter
what part of the coast I was exploring that particular fern
always stopped short at about a quarter of a mile from the
actual sea. These downs were one blaze of colour from
the Cornish heath, dark red, light pink and white, but the
full beauty was past. In the last two miles I noticed in
the banks of the hedges a few plants of Lastrea Filix-mas
and Lastrea dilatata. Although I constantly went along
the road from The Lizard to Helston, I did not meet with
any variation from the ordinary type of the ferns met with,
except on one occasion when hunting about in the bottom
of the hill at Bochym, I noticed, growing at the entrance

oT

gate to a private house between two rocks, two fine plants
of a beautiful crested lady fern. Seeing the gardener in
the garden, I asked him if he could tell me how they got
there, whether they had been planted there. He could not
tell me more than that the rocks in question had been brought
there from some neighbouring woods some years ago, and
that these two ferns had made their appearance shortly
after the rocks had been placed in position, and he had
never seen any like them before or since. Soon after I had
settled down I began exploring the coast-line for Aspleniwm
lanceolatum, and especially on the west side, hunting in
the caves and rocks as far as it was possible, but not a single
plant did I meet with. Aspleniwm marinum was fairly
common in some caves, but always out of reach. One
of the caves at Pistol Cove was a very pretty sight, quite a
natural fernery. I visited this cave several times just to look
at Asplenium marinum. One day I rode to Falmouth, but
owing to the Helford Estuary one has to come along the
Helston Road for nine miles before one can turn off to Gweek,
at which place there is a bridge over the river, and made
my way to the Village of Constantine, situated on a hill,
from which there are lovely views over the well-wooded
Helford River and Estuary. On one side of the churchyard
wall I came upon Asplenium trichomanes growing plentifully,
but nowhere else in the village did I see it growing. Also,
in the same wall, but at another point, were very stunted
plants of Aspleniwm Adiantum-nigrum, and this fern crowded
all the banks and stone walls right into Falmouth. My
return Journey was made through Penryn and a very hilly
road to Helston. Scolopendrium vulgare and Asplenium
Adiantum-nigrum were abundant. One day we all went to
the picturesque fishing village of Coverack on the east side
of the Peninsula, and went to Chynhalis Point, which stretches
out some distance into the sea. Amongst the rocks I came
upon some few plants. of Aspleniwm marinum and a single

58

plant of what I thought at the time was Asplenium Adiantum-
nigrum. Iplucked a frond and put it in my guide book, and
there it lay for some days. One day I was comparing various
fronds for any difference and I remembered the frond I
had got at Coverack. Placing it by the side of the others it
was quite different, and on referring to Moore’s Handbook
it appeared to me to be very like to his illustration of
Asplenium lanceolatum. I had spoken to several of the
inhabitants of the village. as to this fern, and one man, a
serpentine worker by name of Francis C. Jose, told me that
the zern was to be found amongst the rocks, low down, at
Housel Bay Cove. I found Mr. Jose a most interesting
man to talk to; his father had accompanied the late Mr.
Johns when he spent a week at The Lizard. However,
searching round Housel Bay failed to bring the fern into
sight, when one day.a man named Harris, employed at the
Housel Bay Hotel, stopped me and said: “I hear you are
interested in ferns and want to find Aspleniwm lanceolatum.
It grows low down near the sea in cracks of the rocks, most
difficult to get.” He knew of one place where there were
fine plants, but although they could be seen it was impossible
to get at them. I may say that the cliffs all around this
Lizard point are very high and very precipitous, and covered
with a fine slippery turf, making them not easy to climb
about. I had given up almost the hope of finding this fern,
and turned my attention to the seeking of Lastrea emula,
always a favourite fern with me, but I had never been
successful in keeping it alive for any length of time. I think
I searched every lane around the Lizard and could not find
it. In the woods between Bochym and Trelowarren I had
met with Lastrea dilatata, Blechnum spicant, both quite
common, and occasional Lastrea filix-mas and a few Athyrium
filix-foemina ; along the hedgerows, Scolopendrium vulgare.
Polystichum augulare and Asplenium Adiantum-nigrum
in quantities. I had certainly thought I should meet with

59
L. emula. One afterncon I started on my bicycle for the
village of Manaccan, situated not far from the Helford
Estuary ; the guide book spoke of this village as being one
of the most picturesque in the district. The first part of
the way is across the wild Goonhilly Downs then the country
becomes more woody and one notices yuccas, eucalyptus
trees and fuchsias, and other sub-tropical plants growing
in all the gardens. On passing through the little hamlet of
New Town, I passed a house in the front garden of which
abutilons were growing as big shrubs full of bilcom, and a
lady was training one plant against the wall of the house.
I got into conversation with her, and I asked about the
ferns of the district. She did not know much, but she had
got two plants of a fern. She did not know the name, but
had been told they were very rare and very valuable ; would
I like to see them? My hopes ran high; alas, they turned
out to be the ordinary kind of Asplenium trichomanes, certainly
a fern not at all common in The Lizard Peninsula—she
used to live at Manaccan she said and I should find plenty
of ferns there. I soon arrived at Manaccan, most quaintly
situated on the banks of a stream flowing into the Helford
River. Growing out of the tower of the church is a huge
fig tree, which has been growing there for the last 160 years,
and in the churchyard are many palm trees and the same
sub-tropical plants. On the banks of the stream there were
certainly heaps of ferns, and amongst them I came across
a few plants of Athyrium filix-femina, but Polys. angulare
was the most prominent. Leaving Manaccan by a different
way, I went along a most lovely lane, the banks of which
were also crowded with ferns, many Lastrea dilatatas being
in evidence, when suddenly I saw Lastrea emula; there
is no mistaking this fern, and I was pleased to find it, but
there were only a few plants of it, and curiously enough
I did not meet with it again along that lane. I was nine miles
from The Lizard by the shortest route, but I lengthened

60

my journey and it was dark before I got back. Just about
this time I was lent “4 Week at The LInzard,” by the Rev.
C. A. Johns, a most interesting little book, published many
years ago, and now out of print. He mentions that Aspleniwm
lanceolatum was to be found at Bass Point and the neighbour-
hood. Bass Point is a grand and, in places, precipitous
headland with many detached pieces of rock. On this
headland is stationed Lloyds’ Signalling Station, and close
to it but divided by a wide chasm is the equally grand headland
called Penolver Point. As I was staying at a house almost
situated on the very cliff itself and close to these two head-
lands, I determined to hunt every place I could get to. At
first J met with no success, but at last, in a narrow crack
in a rock, I noticed some fronds showing. The crack was
so narrow I could not even get a frond out whole, and they
seemed so stunted by the sun and wind. I continued my
search about these rocks, but only came across a few plants
in like places, and very soon passed from them—in fact
it was just a little colony. I hunted all round Penolver
Point itself, but not a plant was to be found, just a few
Asp. marinums and those most stunted ; but another time
[ was hunting around the Bass Point and met with it fairly
frequently, but nearly always in these narrow cracks ; but in
one or two places I came upon it growing under large blocks
of Hornblend rocks, and by the aid of a long narrow and
thin stick I was able to procure some plants. Two things
I began to notice about this fern were that it seemed to have
a special liking for Hornblend, and that it grew in what one
may term “colonies,” and these colonies were very far
apart and nearly always low down the cliffs, consequently
uniess really looked for it would not be seen. One afternoon
I went to see Ruan Minor Church which has quite a different
tower to those generally in the district, and I found growing
in the wall of the school playground Aspl. ruta-muraria ;
this was the first and only time and place that I met with

61

this fern in The Lizard district. IL had now met with the
following ferns :—Lastrea filix-mas, Lastrea pseudo-mas,
Lastrea dilatata, Lastrea cmula, Polystichum angulare,
Athyrium filix-femina, Asplenium ruta-muraria, Asplenium
trichomanes, Asplenium marinum, Asplenium lanceolatum,
Asplenvum Adiantum-nigrum, Blechnum spicant, Pteris
aquilina, Polypodium vulgare and Scolopendrium vulgare.
I now wanted to find the Osmunda Regalis. I had pretty
well hunted in what I thought were all the most likely places,
but without success. I had met with it in bicycling to
Penzance, and it was not till February llth that I came
across it. I had several times spoken to Jose as to its where-
abouts, and been to several of the places he mentioned, but
without success. One day he said to me that he remembered
his father saying to him that it was to be found on the
Predannack Downs and gave me most minute directions as
far as he could remember. I started early on 11th February
and walked to the third milestone along the Helston Road,
then took a rough road to the left which led on to the Downs.
When I reached a cottage Jose said I would find a narrow
rough lane close by, and there I should find the Osmunda ; I
found this track with a deep ditch on one side of it and many
plants of Blechnum spicant growing, but not the sign of an
Osmunda. On looking at my Ordnance Map I saw I was not
far from Kimbro Pool, This I visited ; all around it the ground
was very marshy, but no signs of any Osmunda, but as the
Ordnance Map showed a stream flowing out of the pool I
thought I would follow it down. It took me some Little time
before I could fix on the right stream as there seemed several
outlets from the pool ; however, I found that they all joined
together, and a current was running in what was now a
deep ditch, the banks of which were thickly covered with
gorse bushes and bushes of the wild sloe plum. I followed
this stream down for some considerable distance, and was
at last rewarded, for growing near the water at the side

62

bank was a fine clump ; it took me some considerable time
before | was able to get off one crown. Following the stream
I counted eight large clumps growing, and I dare say there
might have been more, but the stream was so thickly over-
grown it was quite impossible to see. I followed the stream
for some considerable distance but did not meet with any
further clumps, so struck across the downs to the coast and
so back. Old Jose was very pleased that I had found it
at last although not where he expected I should. With
reference to Aspleniwm lanceolatum and the variety microdon,
supposed to be a cress between lanceolatum and marinum,
in all the small colonies of lanceolatum that I came across
I never found a single plant of marinum growing with them.
I now mention two things that I came across : I was walking
one day through some fields near Grade church, a good
half-a-mile from the sea as the crow flies, and, examining
a low bit of wall which was full of Adiantum-nigrum, I noticed
three distinct clumps of Janceolatum growing with the
Adiantum-ngrum ; there was no mistaking the fern. The
other occasion was on the 15th February. I was returning
from Penzance on my bicycle and had to walk up a very long
hill, and as I had plenty of time I was examining the banks
at the side of the road more closely than I had done before,
when I came upon a batch of several plants of lanceolatum
growing closely with Adiantum-nigrum. Although I searched
all the way up this hi'l, which had quantities of Adiantum-
nigrum and Scolopendrium vulgare growing on the banks, I
never met with any more lanceolatum, and that spot was
fully a mile away from the sea as the crow flies. I had
been much disappointed in not finding any varieties during
my stay at The Lizard, I can onlv put it down to my not
being able to detect slight differences. The onlv variety
I did meet with was on this very walk from Penzance, when
I came across one plant of Adiantum-nigrum which had every
frond divided twice at the tip, and one frond was twice

63

divided. I took this plant up, but on unpacking the ferns
which I had brought back it was difficult to find the identical
plant, the fronds being mostly broken off. I have planted
it out with the other Adiantum-nigrums and the plants are
just beginning to throw up new fronds, so I am hoping my
variety will show itself again. I do not pretend that my
fern hunting has in any way produced anything new, but it is
just an account of my rambles in that interesting part of
Cornwall known as The Lizard.
H. RELTON.

[During a fortnight spent in the Penzance district in 1922 we found
A. lanceolatum widely distributed, but mostly in small colonies ; in
only one place was it found in anything like quantity. L. emula
was found in a few places but locally abundant. Osmunda was very
difficult to discover and it was only by trespassing on private ground
that we found it at all.— Editor. |

AMATEUR FERN GROWING.
(Continued.)
(Reprinted from Irish Gardening.)

Having selected the site, and got the house, the preparation
for the reception of its guests begins. First examine the
back wall, against which the house is placed, and cement
up every hole and deep crevice in it, otherwise an ‘army of
snails and other vermin will march out every night to wage
war on your succulent plants, and retreat to their safe quarters
every day when you go to seek them in your wrath and
indignation. Seal them up, to perish.

Next lay down a concrete floor over the whole interior
surface, specially tight against the back wall, to exclude
worms, with a slight slope from back to front, and a good
deep, half-round gutter-groove running along the sides and
front, sloping to one end. This should open outside into a
trap, such as one has in areas for carrying off surface water,
otherwise all kinds of pests will find their way up your water
channel from the outside, even rats and mice ; for all manner

64

of beasts, even humans, love to explore a hole, and though
there is only one into your greenhouse, they will find it out.
Besides, things you may wish to keep inside, which we will
speak of later, will also explore the one and only hole, and,
announcing the glad tidings to their friends, and even to
their enemies, all will troop out as your enemies troop in, so
trap it.

Next, we recommend that the house shall shelter a rockery
and not pot plants, therefore no stages are required. Pot
plants are a constant source of anxiety, and again, we are out
for pleasure. If one is away for a day or two, or a week,
the rockery looks after itself and takes no harm. The pot
ferns, however, would all suffer, and some—the cheice ones
surely—would be as dead as Queen Anne. In the rockery
it is wonderful how they will luxuriate in being left alone ;
for, at first, at least, they will probably suffer from over-
kindness, drowned one day with water, smothered another
day by heat, perished the next day with draughts. After a
time experience and mutual forbearance will work wonders

By this time our cement floor has set, and we have got
two or three good coats of paint on all the woodwork.

The back wall is now our first care. It must eventually
be covered with ferns, and usually they are given no chance
at all in such a position. We cannot work at it well after
the rockery is made, so it must be done first. Get enough
wire (rabbit) netting of about one inch mesh to cover all
that part of the wall to be left exposed by the rockery. We
will suppose the wire netting is 3 feet wide. Now get some
sods of turf such as are used for fuel. Select the softer
brown kind, as even in shape as possible. Measure down
from the top of the wall and mark on it the number of widths
of wire that will be required. Then along the lower line of
the last width, nail to the wall, with the largest wire-nail
spikes, the turf sods, end to end, two nails in each, leaving
about half an inch between each sod. Just before driving

te

65
home the nail, loop round the neck of it about 2 inches of
copper wire. Make another line of sods in the same way
along the line of the top of the lower width of netting. Now
by means of the copper wire loops fix the lower edge of
netting close to the turf sods. Next bound out the netting
and cover it on the inside with moss, damped and pressed
flat ; fill in prepared soil firmly as you proceed up till the
space is filled to the next line of sods; fasten the netting
above with one turn of the copper wire, leaving the ends
free. Make another line of sods at the next level ; fix the
next width of wire at the bottom with the free ends of the
copper wire which you have left, and then cut them short
or double them in. Line this width of wire with moss,
fill in the soil and fix as before, and so on till the wall is com-
pletely covered to the top—there it is not fixed to turf sods,
but to nails driven into the wall direct. This requires a
considerable quantity of soil, but it is worth it, as the ferns
then have a good chance, and will take advantage of it.
If, however, soil is a consideration and difficult to get, the
space may be considerably reduced, and much soil saved,
by cutting, with a fine-toothed saw, one-third off the thickness
of each turf-sod. This is easily done. The reason of the
lines of turf-sods will be obvious. They keep the netting
a definite distance from the wall and give it a firm line of
fixture ; each layer supports the soil above it, which is then
not of such weight as to bulge out the wire netting and fall
through it. The half-inch space between each sod allows
water to trickle through and moisten the lower section.
instead of running down the wall.and leaving the lower
section dry. Besides, the turf when thoroughly wet retains
the moisture for a long time and saves the life of many a
fern. By doing it in sections from below up, it can be done
quite easily, whereas otherwise it would be almost impossible.
As a matter of fact netting 2 feet or 2 feet 6 inches wide
would be even better, and if desired, further support against

66
bulging can be made by fixing here and there along the
middle of the space half a sod of turf, by one nail, with a
copper wire loop, on the same principle as the lines were
made.

Next, an arrangement must be made for watering this.
Get an ordinary piece of lead gas pipe, sufficiently long to
stretch the whole length of the house and down from roof
to floor. Take a very small piercer, a shoemaker’s awl
is the best, and having closed one end by beating it up, gently
pierce (so as not to dent) the gas pipe, every 3 inches for
the length of the house, from the closed end. The holes
must be very small and the intervals between them not
too close, otherwise the pipe will not be capable of supplying
them all, and the far end of the wall will get no water. Care
must be taken to get all the holes in line on the pipe, and
the best way to do this is to coil the pipe in a spiral on a
flat surface and then pierce it as it lies. It is then put up in
position with loops of copper wire, so that the jets from the
holes will be directed into the soil at the top of the wire :
this explains why no line of turf sods was made at the top.
The water must on no account spurt out into the house,
but must be directed right into the wire cutting, hence the
necessity of making the holes in accurate line. The other
end can be attached by a piece of rubber tube to the water
tap, and so the whole back may be automatically and
efficiently watered.

It is necessary to say something about the stones, or
small rocks, which we are going to use. As many ferns
do not thrive where lime is present, and others will be killed
by even small traces of it, we must exclude limestone in all
its forms from our rockery. This is a difficulty, for in many
parts of the country it is the only stone to be obtained locally.
Quite sufficient lime is dissolved out of the stones by the
water we supply to the plants, to poison the surrounding soil

(T'o be continued).

ritish JFe
Gasette.

Wovember, 1924.

EDITED BY

F. W. STANSFIELD, M.D.

(120, OXFORD ROAD, READING.)

PUBLISHED BY

ms Secretary and Hon. Treasurer: Mr. Charles Henwood, 21, Clifton
Road, Maida Vale, London, W.9.)

KENDAL, WESTMORLAND.

'
+
-
+

LASTREA FILIX-MAS GRANDICEPS, C. HENWOOD

THE
BRITISH FERN. GAZETTE.

NEW SERIES.

Wor: <V. NOVEMBER, 1924. No. 4
CONTENTS. PAGE
EpirorRiaL NOTES .. - ae ae ae ee sts 67
THE Avucust MEETING Lm ae Ae oe os = 68
OFFICERS FoR 1924-25 ae hy Ae ae A oie 71
BALANCE SHEET ae Br ae me x - .. 72
Our FRONTISPIECE: Lastrea filix-mas Seeagt Henwood 73
OxsituarRy: Whitwell; Edwards .. oe : 73

POLYSTICHUM ANGULARE PLUMOSISSIMUM AND Pp. A, PELLUCIDUM 76
ASPLENIUM LANCEOLATUM MICRODON AND A. AD. NIGRUM

MICRODON (F.W.S.) _.. as ae a ae
POLYPODIUM v. OMNILACERUM SUPERBUM AGAIN ae ae rae)
SPECIES AND VARIETIES (F.W.S.).. cs = .. oe 80
TESTACELLA : A CARNIVOROUS SLUG (F.W.S.) .. is x 8]
PsycHo-PTERIDOLOGY (Mr. F. W. Thorrington) a 83
A WoopiLaND VILLANELLE (Mr. F. W. Thorrington) .. a, bi Gel
Decripuous Harpy Ferns (The late Mr. C. T. Druery) Ste ae Coed
AMATEUR FERN GRow1nG—Continued (Dr. H. C. Drury) ae eens st)

EDITORIAL NOTES.

We learn from the daily press that two sons of our member,
Mr. J. C. Williams (Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall), have been
elected to the new Parliament, Commander Charles Williams
being returned for the Torquay Division of Devonshire,
and Mr. Alfred Williams for Launceston Division of Cornwall.
We congratulate the Williams’ family, the Society, and the
country upon this result. It will be remembered that in a
recent issue we referred to Mr. J. C. Williams as the primary
introducer of Polypodium v. omnilacerum superbum.

We have received from Dr. 8. P. Rowlands a plant of a
very fine cristatum variety of Asplenvum trichomanes, which
has been found in the Dartmoor district by Mrs. Rowlands.
It is very like the old cristatum of Moore, but may turn out,
when fully developed, to be an even finer thing. It does
not appear to have any tendency to the depauperation which
some crested forms have shown,

68

Our President, Mr. W. B. Cranfield, exhibited, at the
R.H.S. Show on November 4th, a fine group of choice British
ferns, including Polystichum angulare pulcherrimum, Cranfield
(a new seedling); P.a. divisilobum falcatum, No. 1; P. a.
divisilobum plumosum, Esplan ; P.a. divisilobum plumosum
Baldwinit seedling ; P.a. nitescens grande, Cranfield ; P.a.
grandiceps, Rousdon var.; P. aculeatum gracillimum, Cran-
field ; P. ac. pulcherrimum, Druery ; Scolopendrium v. crispum
fimbriatum rugosum; and many other exceedingly fine
things. He received awards of merit for P.a. falcatum, No. 1,
and P. ang. divisilobum laxum, and a silver-gilt Banksian
medal for the group. These awards cannot be said to err
on the side of generosity for certainly greater honours have
often been shown to exhibits of much less outstanding quality.
We congratulate Mr. Cranfield on his enterprise which, we
trust, may lead to a greater interest being taken by the public
and the horticultural fraternity in this class of plants, now
so rarely seen in first-class form at exhibitions in this country.

THE AUGUST MEETING.
‘The Annual Meeting of the Society was held on Monday,
August llth, at the George Hotel, Axminster, it having been

found impossible to secure suitable accommodation in or near
Newcastle, Co. Down. This was, no doubt, a disappointment
to some members, but Axminster proved an excellent second
choice for, although the district was visited in 1923, the dry
weather in that year made fern hunting a difficult and un-
satisfactory pursuit. This year the whole country seemed
transformed by the abundant rainfall, and the ferns, in
particular, were luxuriant and beautiful. The choice of
Axminster was justified by the result as, notwithstanding
the late notice of the place of meeting, a fair number of
members attended from London, Enfield, Great Bookham,
Horsham, Reading, etc. One member came from Ireland
(Co. Dublin) and a second was only prevented by his inability

69

to secure a berth in a steamer from Belfast. The President,
Mr. W. B. Cranfield, occupied the Chair at the Meeting.

Most of the old officers were re-elected, the exception
being Mr. Smithies, who wished to give up the position of
Auditor, which he had ably filled since the formation of the
Society. Mr. Sheldon, of Great Bookham, was elected
Auditor, and as it was considered that this office would
disqualify him from acting on the Committee, his name was
transferred to the list of Vice-Presidents. We print below
a complete list of Officers and Committee.

The Rev. Canon Kingsmill Moore exhibited fronds of two
varieties of Polystichum angulare, found in Ireland, which
had not previously been brought to the notice of the Society.
One, found in Co. Wicklow in 1910 by Miss Vera Symes, was
a neat crispatum or congestum in the way of the crispatum
found by the late Colonel A. M. Jones at Hale, near Salisbury.
The other, found also in Co. Wicklow by Mrs. F. Jones in
1896, was a dwarf grandidens, good of its kind, but still—
only a grandidens.

Mr. T. E. Henwood exhibited fronds of a number of fine
varieties including P. angulare divisilobum, Bland, Lastrea
filix-mas grandiceps, found on Norwich Cathedral by Mr. C.
Henwood, P. angulare congestum perserratum, a very neat
new cross, which he had received from Messrs. Perry, of
Enfield. This last is one of the most beautiful congested
forms either found or raised. Unlike most cross-bred ferns
It seems quite stable in character and does not fluctuate
between the two parents. The Certificate of the Society
was deservedly awarded to Messrs. Perry for this new fern.
Mr. C. Henwood was also awarded a Certificate for his grandi-
ceps find, which is distinct from other forms of grandiceps,
although, of course, on the same lines. The terminal crested
head is very “‘ mossy ” and the lateral crests give the pinne
a peculiar pendulous grace. It is free from the depauperation
which is so often found in varieties of this species and which

10

detracts so much from the beauty of some of the crested forms.
Other varieties shown by Mr. Henwood were P. angulare
divisilobum, Bland, P. acul. gracilluomum attenuatum, F.WS.,
Polypodium v. omnilacerum superbum, P. v. Cambricum,
C. Henwood.

Dr. Stansfield exhibited a number of fronds, including
P. aculeatum pulcherromum plumosum, Green, in very fine
form, and Mr. Burton’s Lastrea filix-mas cristata, found a.
year or two ago in Kent. This variety improves under
cultivation and is tending to become a percristatum. It is
not quite free from the vice of depauperation, but it is hoped
that this tendency will disappear from a thoroughly estab-
lished plant. Other varieties shown were P. angulare brachia-
tum, F.W.S., found at Totnes in 1913, P.a. divisilobum,
T. Stansfield, found at Chideock in 1921, P.a. pluma Cygni,
pluma Paradisee and pluma Arde, seedlings of the rare-
factum strain. Also Forster's Blechnum sp. plumosum, of
which some fronds had taken on the character of serratum,
Airey No. 2, while others remained true to the original
character.

A discussion took place as to the place of meeting for
1925, a desire for a locality in Ireland being again manifested.
Rostrevor was suggested as a convenient centre for the
Mourne Mountains and eventually the matter was left in the
hands of a Sub-Committee consisting of the President, Hon.
Secretary and Editor. The President said he was shortly
visiting this part of Ireland and would make investigations
on the spot as to the best base of operations.

The party spent a pleasant and interesting week at
Axminster and found the hunting much more profitable
than in 1923. The principal honours of the chase fell to the
senior member of the party, Mr. T. E. Henwood, who found
no fewer than three crested angulares, two of them of the
first-class, while the third was a mere multifidwm or furcilla-
tum. The same hunter also found a very neat angulare

(ai

congestum, this being in the same lane where a similar one
was found by Dr. T. Stansfield in 1921. Other finds of less
importance were made by the same and other members,
é.g., a fine multifid, but not quite constant, form of Aspleniwm
trichomanes was found in several places and by several members,
a sub-bipinnate form of the same species by Mr. Sheldon ;
A. Adiantum-ngrum was found very highly developed and
in some cases approaching A. Ad-nigrum acutum (Bory),
but not quite reaching the extremely divided type for which
specific rank has been claimed ;: a couple of humdrum acuti-
lobes in angulare and a couple of multilobes ; also one or
two other possibly crested angulares, but so greatly mutilated
by the hedge-cutters that their exact value could not be
determined at the time. Species not seen in 1923 were
Lastrea montana, Ceterach officinarum, and Cystopteris fragilis,
the last at Hawkchurch, the former residence and the burial
place of the late Mr. Moly, whose grave was seen in the village
churchyard.

The hospitality of Mrs. Franks and her staff made the
George Hotel a “home from home.”

OFFICERS FOR 1924-25.

President :
Mr. W. B. Cranfield.
Vice-Presidents :

Mr. A. Cowan, Mr. J. J. Smithies,
Dr. F. W. Stansfield, Mr. T. E. Henwood,
Rev. Canon H. Kingsmill Mr. G. E. Stephens,

Moore, Mr. J. J. Sheldon.

. Committee :

Mr. R. Whiteside, Mrs. Groves,
Mr. W. Wilson, Mr. J. Edwards,
Mr. H. Relton, Mr. P. Greenfield.

Hon. Secretary and Treasurer :
Mr. C. Henwood.
Editor :

Dr. F. W. Stansfield.
Auditor :
Mr. J. J. Sheldon.

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73
OUR FRONTISPIECE.

LASTREA FILIX-MAS GRANDICEPS, C. HENWOOD.

This very handsome fern was found by our Hon. Secretary
a few years ago as a tiny plant growing upon the wall of
Norwich Cathedral. It is the second good thing found by
the same hunter in ecclesiastical precincts, his Blechnum
sp. serratum having been tound on a churchyard wall in
Buckinghamshire. The grandiceps is in the way of previous
finds of this variety, but differs in the more mossy crest and
the pendulous pinne (see report of the August Meeting in
this issue). It seems to be quite free from “ roguishness ”
and will doubtless be a useful garden fern as filix-mas is
our most enduring and accommodating species. We are
indebted to the finder for the photograph as also for a plant.

OBITUARY.
WHITWELL.

It is with the deepest regret that we record the death,
on June 17th, of our old member and friend, Mr. George
Whitwell, of Kendal, in his 85th year, one of the founders
of the Society, and for many years its esteemed Hon. Secretary.
Although in humble circumstances, and with no pretensions
to culture or literary attainments, he was, in all essential
respects, a gentleman of the first quality—truthful, honourable
and kindly. He had a keen sense of humour and a large
fund of anecdotes of the countryside and its inhabitants.
An all-round naturalist of no mean character, he was a keen
botanist, but his greatest love was for British ferns and their
variations. Of these, he possessed an extensive and choice
collection, largely consisting of original finds, especially of
those in the Lake District. Of these last, he had probably
a more intimate knowledge than any other man up to the
time of his death. He never condescended to make a trade

14

of his hobby, but was content with the pleasure of tending
and developing his pet plants and of giving duplicates to
his friends. It was his greatest pleasure to give a spare
plant of a good thing to anyone who could appreciate it
and, as a natural consequence, anyone who had anything
good in the fern line was always glad to “ give a bit to Whit-
well.” The writer has received many valuable ferns from
him, but always as free gifts; never as the result of any
kind of bargain and certainly never for any consideration
of “filthy lucre.” As he was a constant hunter and a
resident in a ferny district his finds were numerous and often
very good. His own record of these, published in The Gazette
of December, 1909, contains 61 varieties, 26 of which were
montanas. His best montanas were probably his augustifrons,
congesta and plumosa, all very fine things, but, while augusti-
frons and plwmosa have been closely paralleled by others,
his congesta remains unique, being by far the most vigorous
and dense, as well as the largest grower, of this section.
His most remarkable find of all, however, was his Blechnum
sp. paradoxum, the history of which is related in The Gazette,
Vol. IIL., page 263, as well as in Mr. Whitwell’s own record,
as above stated. This fern was absolutely unique, not only
among Blechnums, but among ferns, nothing else like it
having been found in any species. It was a cause of great
grief to the finder and to other fern-lovers when this curiosity
eventually became extinct. We are glad to learn that our
past President, Mr. Alexander Cowan, has arranged to
purchase a large proportion of Mr. Whitwell’s collection,
including the Blechnums, the Lastrea montana varieties
and the Polypodies, as this will ensure the valuable series
of original finds in these species being still available for
reference and comparison in the hands of an eminent and
influential member of the Society.

Mr. Whitwell’s death has caused a great gap in the Society
as there are now very few remaining of the band of Lake

(i)

District fern-growers who formed the nucleus of the Society.

Those who knew him will always remember his quiet and

unassuming manner and his quaint and interesting personality.

It is well for us to have known such a man. Our sympathy

goes out to the daughter who is the only surviving member

of his immediate family. F.WS5.
EDWARDS.

With profound regret aiso we chronicle the death of another
very old and valued member of the Society, Mr. Joe Edwards,
of Moston, Manchester, in his 70th year. He died quite
suddenly and before medical assistance could be obtained.
Mr. H. Stansfield, of Sale, whose nearest fern neighbour he
was, has sent us the following contribution to his memory.

“Mr. Edwards was born near Bristol and came to the
North when about twenty years of age. He was originally
a joiner by trade, but eventually took service under the
Manchester Corporation as Inspector of Buildings. This
office he held for twenty-four years, when he retired on his
pension, but only enjoyed it for about eighteen months.
He was a very well-read man, possessed of immense energy,
and seemed to succeed in everything he took in hand. His
private garden was a wonderful example of what an energetic
man can accomplish in his spare time. He was an enthusiastic
grower of Carnations, Picotees and Auriculas, and had a
collection of all the best-named kinds as well as thousands
of seedlings, the results of his own crossing and raising.
His rock garden, planted with choice alpines, was a monument
to his energy and good taste. His collection of cacti and
succulent plants was a very choice and extensive one. He
also devoted a portion of his garden to the production of
vegetables for home consumption and his house of tomatoes
bears silent witness to his industry and intelligent culture.
Ferns were, however, his chief hobby and his collection was
one of the most interesting and extensive in the Manchester

76

district. His Blechnums and Polypodies were exceptionally
fine and his cultures of aposporous subjects were a most
interesting feature in his fernery. He was an enthusiastic
microscopist and flautist. His most noticeable quality,
however, was his cheerful, genial and optimistic disposition.
His very presence brought with it a feeling of contentment
and happiness like a breath from Arabia Felix and the writer
feels that he has lost a very dear friend.”

Mr. Edwards leaves a wife, a son and a daughter, the wife
and daughter both in delicate health. He was a member
of the Committee and a regular attender at our meetings,
where his cheerful and genial personality will be much missed.
We understand that his collections of ferns and other plants

are for sale.

POLYSTICHUM ANGULARE PLUMOSISSIMUM AND P.A.
PELLUCIDUM.

These forms have been previously mentioned on p. 11,
Vol. Il. of The Gazette, v.e. twelve years ago. The time has
now arrived when they can be more correctly described and
their correct place more definitely settled. Both are develop-
ments of the plumose-divisilobe strain and they are very
closely allied to each other. Plumosissimum has prothalloid
tips to all the segments and, when grown in a close atmosphere,
these are capable of development into true apospory. In
pellucidum, however, the frond in the young state is trans-
lucent all through except the stems and stemlets. If grown
on in the open air, or in a well-ventilated frame or house,
the pellucid character and aposporous tips both disappear
as the plant approaches maturity and the plants of both
sections gradually develop into plumose divisilobes of an
exceedingly high character. They are exceptionally foliose
as well as exquisitely divided and many of them are Todea-like
in cutting although no longer pellucid in texture. Under
cultivation the difficulty is the transition stage from the

77

translucent to the opaque condition. If kept too long in a
close atmosphere the aposporous condition is maintained,
but the plants lose vigour and sometimes die or “ go blind ”
quite suddenly. The best plan is to get them established
in the open air during a spell of moist weather. The open
air acts as a tonic and stimulates root formation while the
fronds take on a thicker and more opaque texture and the
plants acquire greater stamina and vigour. Many plants
have been lost by too much coddling as was the original
plant of Birkenhead’s plumosissumum. The surviving plants
of this form have all been raised by apospory. The original
batch of “‘ pellucidum ” contained some seven or eight plants,
all differing slightly in detail, although having a close family
resemblance. Most of these still survive in the collections
of Mr. Cranfield, Mr. Henwood, Mr. Edwards and Dr. Stans-
field (the writer has seven). Many plants (bulbils) have been
given away, but it is feared that many of them have died
either through too much coddling or in too abrupt an attempted
transition from the pellucid to the opaque stage of existence.
It is probable that pellucidums can be raised from almost any
one of the Jones-Fox strain of plumose-divisilobes when these
are fertile. It is necessary, however, to raise a considerable
batch of seedlings and to pick out the best. These can be
recognised in a very early stage, not only by their translucent
appearance, but by the curly character of the very first
fronds. If the terms plumosissumum and pellucidum be
retained it should be recognized that these terms merely
apply to a stage in the life-history of the plants and are not
permanent characteristics. It would, perhaps, be best to
drop the terms altogether and to class these ferns among the
plumose-divisilobes to which they belong when fully developed.

ASPLENIUM LANCEOLATUM MICRODON AND A. AD.
NIGRUM MICRODON,

Mr. T. Leighton, of 8. Hamilton Place, Kilmarnock, writes

us, on date July 24th, 1924, that he has adopted our suggestion

78

in No.7, Vol. 4 of The Gazetie, and has sown freshly ripened
spores of A. Adiantum-nigrum, A. lanceolatum, A. trichomanes
and A. marinum in separate pans, but mixed in each case
with spores of Scolopendrium vulgare. The spores have now
developed into plants from one to two inches high, but, so
far, nothing has appeared at all different from the species
sown. Mr. Leighton intends to try the experiment again
and hopes for better results. We congratulate him on his
enterprise, which, we hope, may be emulated by others.

Our own experiment of sowing together A. lanceolatum
and Scolopendrium vulgare (made in October, 1922) has also
had a negative result for, although the spores germinated
freely and simultaneously, nothing of the nature of a hybrid
has resulted. Many of the Scolopendriwm seedlings, however,
had their primary fronds pinnatifid, and some even pinnate,
raising hopes which were all disappointed. Indeed, so general
was this phenomenon that the idea is suggested that Scolo-
pendrium is descended from a pinnate-fronded fern and tends
to hark back to this character in the young state, just as the
human embryo in an early stage, has gill-slits like a fish
and a circulation like a frog. We have now made the further
experiment of sowing together the spores of A. marinum and
A. lanceolatum in order to test the theory of Lowe and
Wollaston that mcrodon is a hybrid between these two
species. Of course, a negative result in either case proves
nothing and is only what can be expected in the majority
of trials. A positive result, however, may eventually occur
and, in that case, will be decisive. Our sowing of A. lanceola-
tum microdon, made in 1917, has resulted in nothing more
than the production of a few miserable little bastard
Scolopendriums, most of which died before they were out
of babyhood, in spite of the most sedulous nursing. In
August, 1923, we made another sowing of microdon (very
old spores) with, as a result, a thin crop of prothalli, some
of which are now sending up fronds. Most of these are

ie

obviously strays, being mainly Lastreas, but there is one
which is certainly an Asplenium and probably either lanceola-
tum or Ad. nigrum. In 1923 we also sowed spores of Mr. H.
Stansfield’s A. Ad. nigrum subconfluens, found at Killarney in
1912, a variety which somewhat resembles A. Ad. nigrum
microdon, but is abundantly fertile. It will be interesting
to see whether anything more closely approximating to
microdon will appear among the seedlings which are now

just pricked off. F.WSS.

We have received from Mr. R. Hawkins, of Whitegate,
Co. Cork (brother of an esteemed member, Canon E. H.
Hawkins), a plant of an omnilacerum, which is undistinguish-
able from the “ Oxford” variety, 0. swperbum of Druery.
Mr. Hawkins found this fern near his home seven or eight
years ago, when it was considered to be a superior form of
semilacerum. The finder had, at that time, never seen an
omnilacerum at all, not to mention a superbum. He planted
the fern on his rockery, where it has been kept under con-
tinuous observation by himself and his sister, Miss Hawkins.
It has gradually improved under cultivation and he has
since received the “‘ Oxford ”’ variety and recognizes the
practical identity of the two forms. Both Mr. and Miss
Hawkins are positive that there has been no confusion between
the two plants, which have been kept in quite different parts
of the garden since the “ Oxford” variety was acquired.
It is, to say the least, a very singular coincidence that this
form, the origin of which is at present obscure, should crop
up again in County Cork as a wild plant. Mr. Hawkins is
to be congratulated on his find, which is one of the most
remarkable in the history of this species, prolific as it has
been in fine varieties. We shall study the behaviour of
omnilacerum superbum, Hawkins, and watch caerfully for
any points of difference from the “‘ Oxford” variety. At
present none is discernible although we have well developed
plants of both.

80
SPECIES AND VARIETIES.

Referring to Mr. Thorrington’s letter in our last issue of
The Gazette, there is not a great number of British ferns
which have been described as species, but are now regarded
only as varieties. Mr. Thorrington himself mentions two of
the most striking examples, viz., Polypodium v. Cambricum
and Athyrium f.f. plumosum, Horsfall. Asplenium lanceola-
tum mocrodon was referred to by Moore as probably a distinct
species after it had been classed as a variety of A. marinum.
The exact status of this fern is even now not finally settled,
although it is pretty generally regarded as a hybrid. The
same is true of Lastrea remota. Lowe, in “‘ Our Native Ferns,”’
says of this plant: “To Mr. Thomas Moore, of the Chelsea
Botanic Gardens, we are indebted for bringing the present
species before the public. This well-known authority on
ferns received fronds from Mr. Clowes and recognized in them
the Aspidium remotum of Braun, announcing the discovery
to the Linnaean Society on the 15th of December, 1859.
Thus another species has been added to our British ferns.”
L. remota is now almost universally regarded as a hybrid,
the parents being believed to be L. filix-mas and L. spinulosa.
Then several forms of L. dilatata have been described as
species, e.g., dumetorum (Smith), Polystichum tanacetifoliwm
(Hoffmann, endorsed by Lamarck and De Candolle) ; Lastrea
colluna, Newman, is the same thing if, indeed, it be anything
more than a state of dilatata (see L. dilatata and its allies,
The Gazette, Vol. Ill., p. 104). ZL. maculata, Deakin, and
L. glandulosa, Newman, are others. In these days we are
very doubtful about all these even as varieties. The same
is true about Athyrium, of which Hoffmann and Roth each
made five species, none of which we now regard even as decent
varieties. Cystopteris fragilis was also split up into three
species by Sir J. E. Smith, viz., cystea dentata, C. fragilis, and
C. augustata, none of which now stand as species, but simply
as slightly more or slightly less divided forms of C. fragilis.

81

Roth also described C. authriscifolia and C. cynapzrfolia,
which are also slightly more divided forms of C. fragilis.
On the other hand, C. Dickieana, Sim, which has really a
much greater claim to be called a species, if mentioned at all,
is referred to only as a variety. The Editor of the new
edition of “‘ Babington’s Manual ” says, however, that he has
“placed this and C. Alpina under one species (C. fragilis)
with much doubt.” Adverting to the two American Poly-
podies, sent to the late Mr. Druery some years ago by Mr.
Geo. Fraser, of Ucluelet, B.C., these have become known for
convenience as var. acuminatum and var. longicaudatum : the
latter is a close copy in outline of O’Kelly’s variety macro-
stachyon, while acuminatum is more like the var. acutuwm
Stansfieldia figured in Lowe’s *“‘ Our Native Ferns.” They
both differ, however, from P. vulgare in a certain softness of
texture with a very fine and almost invisible pubescence by
which they can be distinguished in the dark from any of the
British forms of P. vulgare. We learn from Mr. C. H. Wright
the fern expert of the Kew herbarium, that the fern we have
called acuminatum is Polypodium glycyrrhiza, D. C. Eaton,
* American Journal of Science,” Vol. 7., p. 138 (1856), to
which belong the following synonyms :—P. falcatum, Kellogg,
P. occidentale, Maxon and P. vulgare var. occidentale, Hooker.
“Tt is distinguished from P. vulgare by the long acuminate
pinnules ” (? pinne, F.W.S.). The long-tail form is regarded
as an extreme form of P. glycyrrhiza. Seeing that botanists
are not agreed upon what constitutes a species it is mere
beating of the air to discuss the question of species or varieties
for these forms. Our own view would be to regard them as
varieties of a geographical sub-species (distinguished by the
velvety surface) which is the western representative of our
P. vulgare.

TESTACELLA HALIOT:DEA: A CARNIVOROUS SLUG.
It were well that gardeners, and perhaps especially fern-
growers, should know that all slugs and snails are not vermin.

82

The Testacella was recorded in 1801 from Guernsey, but was
afterwards found in a garden at Lambeth. Captain Thomas
Brown, writing in 1845, considered it to be an indigenous
British and Irish species. It resembles, at first sight, a small
specimen of Limax flavus or a large one of L. agrestis, both
very common and destructive slugs, but it can at once be
distinguished from these and other vegetarian slugs by a
small shield-shaped flat shell, like the flat valve of a tiny
oyster, close to its hinder extremity. This rudimentary
shell does not seem to serve any particular purpose in the
life-history of the mollusc, but is probably merely evidence
of its descent from a shell-bearing ancestor. On closer
examination the T'estacella will be found to be less slimy than
other slugs and it is also peculiar in being slender near its
head and thicker near the tail. When the animal lays its
eggs these are extruded from an aperture, close to the head,
on its under surface. It lives largely on earthworms, but
will also eat ordinary slugs and other small deer. It spends
most of its life under ground and comes to the surface chiefly
at night and especially during the summer and autumn
months. It is eminently adapted for hunting the larvae of
Otiorrhynchus and, if encouraged, may be a valuable check
against that worst of all fern vermin. If Testacellas could
be trained like foxhounds and otter-hounds to make a special-
ity of fern weevil larvae they might be worth breeding on a
large scale. It is a far cry from sporting dogs to sporting
slugs, but if fleas can be trained to work for their living,
why not slugs? In any case, it will be wise for gardeners
to look out for and preserve T'estacellas instead of killing
them. It would not be difficult to confine a Testacella or
two along with a number of weevil larvae in earth in order
to find out whether the grubs are really eaten. The late
Mr. S. Cropper encouraged shrews in his fernery as weevil
hunters, but we would prefer Testacellas as being at least

equally useful and certainly much less mischievous.
F.W.S.

83

PSYCHO-PTERIDOLOGY.

In opening this subject, [ am compeiled for some space
to deal in generalities, so I must ask the kindly indulgence
of fernists if I seem “long-winded ” in arriving at the point.

Several times, amongst the gardening fraternity, I have
found an impression that there exist certain people who are
able to obtain better results in plant-growing than can be
managed by the generality of culturists. One hears some
such remark as this: “Oh, you know So-and-So, he only
has to stick a thing in the ground and it’s sure to grow.”

A similar idea may be traced regarding the wearing of

b

flowers as a “ button-hole,” or the carrying of a bouquet.
Here, it is stated, sundry individuals appear to possess the
faculty of keeping the flowers fresh and in good condition
much longer than is usual.

From these rather nebulous instances, I will pass to a much
better authenticated one—the strange selective powers
which are apparently used by Luther Burbank in raising
new varieties of plants. It is stated, although I admit it
sounds highly incredible, that from a field of many thousands
of seedling fruit-trees, which look all alike to the ordinary
eye, Burbank will unerringly select two or three plants for
growing on, and have all the remainder destroyed.

Doubtless many such selective marvels could be found
amongst our own horticulturists, the main difference in
Burbank’s case seeming to be the large scale of his operations.

The point on which I wish to lay emphasis is, that in all
these cases one finds in the person having this “ power,”’
not merely a great interest in the plants, but a veritable
“love ” for them.

These considerations all lead me to modern theories con-
cerning the “influence of mind over matter.” Is it possible
that certain “psychic forces can be “tapped” by people

* The term “‘ psychic forces ”’ is used throughout as implying “ forces

bi)

as yet unknown,” or ill-understood.

S4

who thus intensely love any subject, thereby making such
persons pre-potent in that direction, and enabling them to get
better results than can be attained by others who are not
so intensely affected ?

It may legitimately be asked: “‘In what way does this
apply to the British Fern Society ?”’ Well, accepting the
premises, the application may be in at least three directions :—

(1) [ cannot escape from the view that mere persistence
alone is scarcely adequate to account for all the wonderful
wild finds that have been made by members in the past.
Is it possible that such intense concentration on the subject
causes a psychic guidance to the desired plant ? On this
point, I feel I can confidently invoke testimony from our
old hunters: some of them relate strange tales of the way
in which their attention was drawn to their “ quarry.”

(2) Under culture, similar devotion would guarantee the
best results.

(3) Here, doubtless, I lay myself open to attack for
“heresy ” and all sorts of things. Does the powerful mental
focussing on the idea of raising new “ beauties “actually
work in some subtle psychic way, and literally “create ”
the desired new form ? Is it possible that such forces can
influence the re-grouping of determinants in the mitotic
spindles of the young cell-nuclei, and thereby cause pre-
ponderance to an already existing tendency to vary in any
particular direction ? In this connection, I would draw
special attentoin to the two following quotations from ** The
World of Life,” by Dr. Alfred Russel Wallace :—

Germinal selection .... ‘has been the normal means of
“adding to and intensifying that endless variety of form,
“that strange luxuriance of outgrowth, and that exquisite
“ beauty of marking and brilliancy of colour, that render
“the world of life an inexpressible delight to all who have
“been led to observe, to appreciate, or to study it. It is
“through the action of some such internal selecting agency

80

“that we owe much of what we must call the charming
“eccentricity of nature—of those exuberances of growth
“which cause the nature-lover to perpetually exclaim :
‘“* What can be the use of this?’” (pp. 275-6).

... ‘It is quite possible, therefore, that to this principle
“of ‘ germinal selection ’ we owe some of the most exquisite
“refinements of beauty amid the endless variety of form and
“ colour both of the animal and the vegetable world.” (p. 277).

The question inevitably arises here whether, assuming these
points, such powers could be developed and extended by
anyone of our time. This I am disposed to answer by a
decided negative. IJ feel convinced that the conscious
direction of such forces to given ends must wait for a bigger
mentality than anything known at present. Once, however,
sufficient evidence of its possibility were accumulated, the
subject would become of intense interest.

I must appeal to members not summarily to dismiss the
question from their thoughts. In these days, when the
electrical origin of all matter has been demonstrated, such
points come too near practical consideration to be scoffed
at. If what we know as the “inorganic ” is so “ forceful,”’
then life must be electricity in excelsis. Consequently, the
influencing of the magnetic forces of the growing fern-cell
by the concentrated power of such an organism as the human
brain must be admitted as a debatable theory.

In conclusion, I would emphasise the purely tentative
character of these views. They are advanced solely in the
hope that more competent persons may be induced to investi-
gate the theory, or, if already considered, will give the results
of such enquiry.

FRAS. W. THORRINGTON.

86
{‘‘Which of you, by taking thought, can add one cubit to
his stature ? ”’

It is true that the influence of mind over matter often
seems very dramatic. Cases of faith-healing (7.e., sudden
and apparently almost miraculous recovery) undoubtedly
occur, but in all these cases the influence of mind is first of
all over mind. The optimism of one person persuades the
mind of another that recovery can be attained and, this
being done, cure automatically follows since the disease
existed only in the imagination of the patient and therefore
as soon as he is persuaded that he is well the thing is done.
In less striking cases, however, a cheerful mind and a sanguine
outlook can do much to influence actual disease inasmuch
as this may be caused by a gloomy temperament. It is
well known, for instance, that bad temper and worry interfere
with digestion and bad digestion brings other evils in its
train. There is no reason to believe, however (pace the
spiritualists) that mind can influence matter except through
another mind which directs the latter. No amount of mental
concentration will cause a wheelbarrow to move of its own
accord or a motor car to travel without fuel. With regard
to persons who can persuade plants to grow better than others,
these are often people of the most stolid and matter-of-fact
character. They sympathise with their plants and look
after their needs, giving water at proper times, supplymg
suitable soil, and protecting their pets from insect and other
enemies. If a fern be smothered with green or black fly a
syringe-full of abol or nicotine soap solution will do more than
the sweetest smile upon the fern or the most malignant glare
upon the vermin to promote the health of the fern. The
man who loves ferns lives with them and is constantly on the
watch to supply their needs and to ward off enemies. He
cannot do it if he live in Birmingham while his ferns are in
Reading or Kendal, and the warmest sympathy will not
save Asplenium marinum if it be exposed to a temperature
of 0° Fahrenheit. EDITOR.]

87

A WOODLAND VILLANELLE.

In Woodland there is whispering
Of zephyrs, where, along the glade,
The ferns their verdant tresses fling.

The fronds in stealthy movement bring
A diaper of hght and shade.
In Woodland there is whispering,

As waving heads resilient spring, _
Where, in a gay fanfaronade,
The ferns their verdant tresses fling.

The sun gleams through each opening ;
Then flies, a very renegade.
In Woodland there is whispering :

Impulsive birds on airy wing
That shadowed harbourage pervade.
The ferns their verdant tresses fling.

Then join with me and gaily sing
The beauty of this sylvan trade :
In Woodland there is whispering,
The ferns their verdant tresses fling.

FRAS. W. THORRINGTON.

DECIDUOUS HARDY FERNS.

Ferns which are natives of cold and temperate climates, in
which the conditions of the winter are so rigorous that the
frondage is practically destroyed, have developed in large
measure the same deciduous or leaf-shedding character as is
possessed by the majority of trees. Comparatively few,
however, have developed the same capacity of throwing off
their fronds at a basal joint, and among our native Ferns
only one, Polypodiwm vulgare, or the common Polypody, has
this faculty, which, moreover, does not show itself at the

88

usual leaf-shedding season, the autumn, but only in the spring,
when the new fronds are rising to replace the old, and conse-
quently monopolise the root action. In the other species,
which are deciduous, the fronds in October or November, or
even earlier in some cases, commence without any obvious
reason to lose their fresh green tints and become first yellow
and finally brown, shrivelling eventually to feather-weight
débris, owing to the retraction of their sap and any contained
nourishment into the crown or root-stock. To many people
who do not understand this provision of Nature for a thorough
rest, the change is imputed to bad health, and the final
disappearance or death of the fronds is thought to mean the
death of the fern, the result being subsequent neglect, which
makes worse the error. It has so frequently happened in our
own experience, especially with lady friends to whom we have
given some of our seedlings, that their subsequent loss has
been owing to a mysterious disease in the autumn, though
every care was taken, that we deem a word of warning not
to be out of place in this connection at this season. Losses
occur, however, even with those who understand this
phenomenon, for where ferns are grown in pots in conserva-
tories the absence of any obvious plant for some months is
all too apt to lead to those pots being placed out of sight in
favour of more presentable occupants, the result being that
they are forgotten, left altogether unwatered, and thus either
perish outright or are greatly weakened by the drought to
which they have been unnaturally subjected.

In their natural habitats the sleeping ferns are saturated
through the winter beneath a thick blanket of fallen leaves,
and there is no doubt that, as with bulbs, the roots are at
work preparing for the spring growth long before the centres
of growth show any signs of activity. Hence one essential
to the well-being of ferns is that they be kept moist throughout
the winter, and a good plan is either to pack the pots in a
frame with cocoanut fibre or to bury them to their edges in

89

the garden, and mulch them well with dead leaves, thus
imitating as far as possible the natural conditions of existence
in the dormant period. Our native ferns belong really to
three categories, due probably to our comparatively mild
winter climate. Thus in the Lady Ferns, Bladder Ferns,
Oak and Beech Ferns, Mountain Lastrea, Marsh Fern, and
Royal Fern we have a class which, however we may treat
them, die down altogether in the autumn. Then we have
an intermediate section, represented by the Soft Male Fern
and Broad Buckler Fern, which only drop their fronds to the
ground, but under shelter retain their greenness. Finally,
in the Hard Male Fern, the Spleenworts, the Hart’s-tongue,
the Shield Ferns, and Blechnum we have thorough evergreens,
the fronds of which are retained well into the subsequent
season. In making and arranging fern collections it is
therefore well to bear these peculiarities in mind, especially
with planted out ferns, but, of course, when grown in pots
readjustment in the winter is possible, so as to give good
effect even in the dead season. The moral of this note is,
however, that dying fronds do not necessarily mean dying
ferns, at this period of the year, but that due precautions
must be taken as regards watering to ensure that sleep does
not culminate in death.—CHAS. T. DRUERY, F.LS.,
V.M.H., in The Garden.

AMATEUR FERN GROWING.
(Continued.)
(Reprinted from Irish Gardening.)
which we have so carefully kept lLme-free, and so kill our
plants. Sandstone, quartzite and granite should be used,
if all three can be obtained so much the better: they give
a varied appearance and colour to the mound. Sandstone
by itself is very excellent, absorbing moisture, it makes a
cool damp nestling place for the roots ; in its moist chinks

Spores germinate and cover it with green young growth.

90

Quartzite has not these attractions, but, especially if veined
with iron stain, the whites and reds make a very attractive
-ground work and background to the ferns. Granite has
none of the virtues of either, yet makes an excellent rock-work.

Good large stones should be obtained of slab form rather
than rounded, and of very irregular shape—as regularity
tends to formality, which we must endeavour to avoid.
The pockets when formed must be quite irregularly disposed,
and not made in formal lines all along the rockery. The
stones, too, should be placed so that water falling on
them is directed back to the soil and plant behind, not to
fall in a stream from the front, to wash away the soil from
the plant below.

We may now at last start the rockery. It may either be
placed in the centre of the floor with a path all round, or
built up against the wall. In either case, determine first
what height it will be—.e., what slope it will have. We
will suppose it to be against the wall. A long stick should
be cut which will reach from wall to ground giving the slope.
Two rows of vertical columns should be made of bricks, or
drain pipes set on end, which will afterwards serve as fixed
and solid steps for climbing up to attend to the plants, as,
if the rockery stones are used for this purpose, they will
gradually get displaced.and spoil the “ pockets ” and injure
the plants.

Next, at the middle of the wall space, a good heap of
large stones, bricks, etc., should be made. Over these a
good layer of smaller stones, etc. : over this a layer ot small
cinders and gravel which should extend down to the outer
edge. It is well to outline the outer edge of the rockery
with large blocks of stone, not too regularly laid, and such
as will lie firmly without rocking about on the concrete floor :
they should, further, be fixed in position by bits of cement
here and there to keep them from shifting. The central

(T'o be continued).

May, 1925.

EDITED BY

F. W. STANSFIELD, MLD.

(120, OXFORD ROAD, READING.)

PUBLISHED BY

: » Seoretary and Hon, Treasurer: Mr. Charles Henwood, 21, Clifton
Road, Maida Vale, London, W.9.)

KENDAL, WESTMORLAND.

HWE RMROWN pREGGe

THE

BRITISH FERN GAZETTE.

NEW SERIES.

Won. Ve MAY, 1925.

No.
CONTENTS.

PAGE
ASPLENIUM RUTA-MURARIA (Mr. F. W. Thorrington) 91
THE SEA SPLEENWoRT (Mr. F. W. Thorrington) 9]
THE AvuGuUst MEETING ae ds Z. of sa 92
OuR FRONTISPIECE: Polypodium vy. plumosum, Whilharris 93
MEDAL FoR FERNS IN OPEN COMPETITION AT IRISH SHow .. 93
THE Hon. F. G. Wywnn’s Ferns (Mr. H. Stansfield) 94
ASPLENIUM FONTANUM REFRACTUM (F.W.S.) a 99
POLYSTICHUM ANG. PULCHERRIMUMS FROM Spores (F.W.S.) 100
FERN Gossip (F.W.S.) ne = 102
AMATEUR FERN GRowING (Dr. H. C. Drury) 105

ASPLENIUM RUTA-MURARIA.

Embroidered on a churchyard wall :

‘Tis fitting there thy rue should be
To greet us when our spirits fall.
Embroidered on a churchyard wall,
Thou art an antidote to all

Our brooding on eternity.
Embroidered on a churchyard wall :

"Tis fitting there thy rue should be.

FRAS. W. THORRINGTON.,

THE SEA SPLEENWORT.

High around the ocean cave

Grows the seaside spleenwort well ;
Little recks when tempests rave
High around the ocean cave.
Beauty that can be so brave,

O’er our vision casts a spell :
High around the ocean cave

Grows the seaside spleenwort well.

FRAS, W. THORRINGTON,

92

THE AUGUST MEETING.

The Annual General Meeting of the Society will be held
on Monday, August 10th, at ‘“‘ Fairmead ” Private Hotel,
St. Austell, Cornwall (Mrs. Cocks, Manageress). It was
found impracticable to obtain suitable accommodation at
Rosstrevor, Co. Down, although application was made early
in April. Also Dr. Praeger, who is familiar with the county,
reported somewhat unfavourably upon the district as a
fern-hunting centre, although it is said to be a lovely and
picturesque spot. In consequence of the growing popularity
of holidays in August it is becoming increasingly difficult
to find accommodation for a party of indeterminate numbers
in that month, many of the hotels and other houses of resort
being booked up long beforehand, often from the previous
August. It may be desirable therefore for the Society to
consider the question of changing the date of the Annual
Meeting to some other month, say June cr September, in
which it may be possible to make arrangements for putting
up a party for a few days without giving notice a year or so
in advance. The Sub-Committee fixed upon Cornwall
(failing the Mourne Mountains) as a county which had not
vet been visited by the Society, and which has probably been
less ransacked for ferny treasures than any county in England.

The geological formation is mainly granite, which will
furnish a change of soil and physical basis. The formations
which have hitherto been explored by the Society are mainly
slate, limestone and chalk. The two latter have been most
fertile in varieties, but granite may vield some surprises.
St. Austell is a pleasant country town within easy reach of
the sea, and also of hilly country, so that visitors will have
abundance of choice in the matter both of direction and of
scenery, while we have good reason to believe that home
comforts will not be lacking at Fairmead. Members who

wish to attend the Meeting and Excursions should give

93

notice as early as possible to the Hon. Secretary. The
Editor regrets the delay in the appearance of The Gazette,
which has been caused by the difficulty in making the

arrangements for the Meeting.

OUR FRONTISPIECE.
POLYPODIUM V. PLUMOSUM, WHILHARRIS.

The picture, from a photograph, supplied by Mr. T. E.
Henwood, of a frond on his own plant, shows a very beautiful
form of the Cambricum Section. As will be seen it has
some resemblance to P. v. Preston, but is even more dense
than that splendid form, while the texture is also more
substantial. The lasting quality of the fronds is proved by
the excellence of a photograph, taken in May, of a frond
erown during the previous summer. We have not been able
to learn the exact history of this fern. Mr. Henwood had
it from the late Mr. Whitwell, who received it from the
Dublin Botanic Gardens, where it was said to have come
from the late Mr. E. J. Lowe. It was presumably a wild
find, but we have at present only the bare surname of the
finder, who may be still hving. If any of our readers can
throw new leht upon the subject we shall be pleased to

publish any additional information. The fern is certainly

one of the very finest forms of the species—possibly the best
of all. It seems to be a better grower than either Prestonii
or Hadwinw, both very lovely ferns, which are its nearest

allies.

MEDAL FOR FERNS IN OPEN COMPETITION AT IRISH
SHOW.

An event of interest and importance, which deserves to
be chronicled in our annals of the Fern World, was the
prominent position attained by native ferns at the Summer
Show of the Irish Roval Horticultural Society in 1924. For

94
“The best amateur exhibit of rare plants or flowers” The
Gardeners Chronicle offered a handsome silver-gilt medal.
Under the conditions the competition was open to a very
wide range of exhibitors, and was intended to form a principal
attraction of the Show. It is therefere highly satisfactory
to placed on record that the medal was won by our Vice-
President, the Rev. Canon Kingsmill Moore, D.D., with a
stand which The Gardeners Chronicle described as, “A
remarkable group of hardy native ferns, striking in every
way and reminiscent of the excellent exhibits of ferns seen
in former days.” Twenty-two ferns were shown ; nine of
them were novelties raised by the exhibitor. Of the novelties,
three have already received the Pteridological Society’s
Certificate. A complete list was published in the Chronicle.
We understand that among the competing «exhibits was
a very choice collection of flowering and other ornamental
shrubs. We congratulate the Canon on his enterprise and
the Society on the triumph for British Ferns which the

award represented.

THE HON. F. G. WYNN’S FERNS.

It has been the writer’s privilege many times during the
last twenty years to inspect the wonderful collection of ferns
belonging to The Hon. F. G. Wynn, whose estate in Wales
makes a very serious inroad into the whole County of
Carnarvonshire.

Under the skilful tutelage of his godfather, the late Mr.
Wilham Barnard Hankey, who found Polypod. v. Cambricum
on the Glynllivon estate, and whose fernery at Cranleigh,
Surrey, was at one time one of the best in the country, Mr.
Wynn acquired in early life an ardent and undying love for
ferns, which succeeding vears have tended only to intensity.

Carnarvonshire is very thinly populated. The rainfall is

above the general average, and, towards the South, where

95

the peninsula narrows down, so that the influence of the
sea is felt from both sides, the atmospheric moisture is exces-
sive, and frost is almost unknown except on the mountains
in the interior. Any snow falling on the low-lying portions
remains only a few hours. This smokeless moisture-laden
atmosphere is exceptionally favourable to the growth of
Conifers, and the large specimens of the golden and silver
varieties of Cupressus, Retinospora, Juniperus, Taxus and
Thuja, which have been extensively planted on this estate,
are as pure and unsullied as though growing under glass, or
on an island in mid-Pacific.

As might be expected, ferns abound on every hand, and
one may wander for days among breast-high specimens of
L. dilatata, which appear to have taken possession of certain
portions of the woods, to the exclusion of all other ferns.
On the other hand, the dingle at Glynllivon is garrisoned
by countless thousands of L. f. and p. mas. which here grow
with a luxuriance which the writer has never before
seen equalled. Specimens are to be found with stems
14 to 2 feet, real tree ferns. The dingle has in places been
converted into a series of dells, caves and grottoes. There
are fountains, rushing streams and cascades, and most
realistic effects have been produced by the introduction of
grotesquely attired fairies, threatening snakes, huge snails,
monstrous toads and gigantic fungi, which crop up unexpectedly
from among the tall graceful ferns, and are wonderfully
appropriate and quite in harmony with the general sylvan
surroundings. On ascending the dingle, a narrow and
well-defined zone of L. montana and Blechnum is encountered,
with occasional plants of L. dilatata and <Athyriwm, but
90 per cent. of the ferns appear to be L. f. mas.

The seven miles of walls enclosing the Glynllivon estate
are draped with Asp. trichomanes, Asp. ad. nigrum, Asp.
ruta-muraria and P. vulgare. The mansion at Glynllivon

96

iS a comparatively modern, but huge palatial building of
very imposing exterior, which replaces an older structure
which was destroyed by fire some time ago. The mansion
possesses its own private water supply, and also special plant
for the generation of gas and electricity.

The miniature fort (mounting 36 guns), which dominates
the landscape at Glynllivon, is to a considerable extent
naturally camouflaged by sheets of Aspleniums, mostly
trichomanes. <A close search would doubtless reveal varieties,
but although the writer has carefully scrutinised miles of
Asplenrums, those beautifully incised types (which may
confidently be presumed to exist) have always eluded him.

As evidence of the mildness of the climate, the writer
noticed Ad. capillus-Veneris with 9-inch fronds growing
near an old well in the open air! Hymenophyllum is nicely
established and is revelling in the spray from a waterfall.
Cystopteris sempervirens is thoroughly naturalized here, and
seedlings are appearing in hundreds. Cyrtomium faleatum,
Asp. dimorphum and L. oreopteris plumosa are all in robust
health. Ceterach has been planted and seems very happy,
rubbing shoulders with Allosorus and C. fragilis.

Many of the varieties of P. aculeatum are here doing well,
one plant of densum with 2ft. fronds being specially worthy
of note. The varieties of L. dilatata are exceptionally fine,
and square yards of P. phegopteris and dryopteris are carpeting
the ground, the former being better suited to the district
than the latter. Plants of Struthiopteris are so plentiful and
self assertive as to constitute themselves a standing menace
to the welfare of the smaller growing ferns. Osmunda in
several varieties, Onoclea, Lomaria, L. cemula and UL.
thelypteris are here revelling in the deep moist soil and under
these ideal conditions. The writer almost overlooked a
square yard of P. lonchitis, which was as healthy and vigorous
as any on Ben Lawers, although only 100 feet above sea-level.

on

The fernery above described at Glynllivon may be called
a natural fernery, a little judicious thinning out of the
stronger growing ferns being all that is attempted in the
way of cultivation. Under glass 7’. radicans, Todea superba
and pellucida, and a good representative collection of large
tree ferns are growing with a luxuriance suggestive of the
Islands of the blest. The writer was enchanted on seeing a
specimen of the now very rare T'odea Wilkesiana, which is
probably the only one in private hands in the country. An
attempt was being made to establish Dicksonia Antarctica
in the open air. As an augury of ultimate success it may be
mentioned that a plant of D. Antarctica stands out of doors

at Nanhoron in the same county, and not far distant.

The reader must now be transported in imagination to
another portion of the estate some 18 or 20 miles further
South, where is to be seen the main collection of ferns, passing
en route Cwm Gwarra with its sheets of Hymenophyllum.
His destination is Bodfean Hall, the immediate approach
to which is along a rather narrow but very tortuous and
serpentine drive, half-a-mile or more in length, which appears
to have been cut out of the primeval forest many centuries
ago. The mansion and grounds here are a perfect nest of
privacy and seclusion ; portions of the mansion date back
to the Twelfth Century. The altitude here is 180 feet,
and the grove of Palms and Camellias, the towering and
symmetrical specimens of Lawson’s golden Cypress, and the
10ft. leaves of Gunnera scabra afford ample evidence that
the climatic conditions leave little to be desired. All the
best varieties of Athyrium, Lastrea, Polystichum and Osmunda
are to be seen in such a state of perfection as one seldom
associates with one’s ideas of an outdoor fernery. Here,
where neither rust nor moth doth corrupt, may be seen the
plumose types of P. angulare with fronds 2 to 3 feet, and
every one perfect to the tip. L. decurrens, L. atrata, P.

98

acrostichoides and P. setosum appear to be equally at home.
Aff. Edwards and Ed. cristatum are twice the size one
generally sees them. A list of all the varieties here growing
would approximate too nearly to the dimensions of a large
catalogue. Scols and Polypods are the only ferns not
numerously represented, although P. calcareum, P. v.
Cambricum and P. v. Cornubiense are flourishing.

Not the least interesting feature in the wild fernery at
Bodfean is the large natural group of some 200 L. e@mula.
This fern is indigenous to the locality, the only attention
the plants receive being the removal of the large competing or
overhanging Lastreas and Athyriums. Seedlings of L. emula
are springing up in hundreds, and, if these are assisted, they
may be counted by the thousand in a short time. A few
P. angulare are to be met with in the wild garden, but the
species is by no means plentiful, and Scols appear to be quite
non-existent. Asp. viride has been introduced and is doing
well. Asp. lanceolatum is indigenous, but.is more or less
sporadic in its distribution. Ceterach has been introduced
and will probably spread.

Mr. Wynn informs the writer that Asp. marinum grows
in profusion on the rocks all along the South coast of Anglesey,
but is difficult to get. It grows where sea water can cover
it at certain tides, and revels in sand, gravel and broken
shells. No soil. Attempts have been made to establish it
on the walls of Fort Belan, contiguous to the Straits on the
Southern side. The fort is an immense enclosure, with
moat and drawbridge, scarp and counterscarp, glacis and
redan, its spacious dock and its 100 guns. The fort (in statu
quo as of yore) is a relic of medieval times, and is being care-
fully preserved by Mr. Wynn as an archelogical record of
the past.

An extensive nursery for the propagation and conservation
of rare trees and shrubs is maintained at Glynllivon, and

Oo

contains a collection of plants which probably has no equal
in the British Isles. In fact the uttermost parts of the
earth appear to have been ransacked and laid under contribu-
tion with a view to making this collection as interesting and
as complete as possible.

A most intricate and extensive labyrinth here also claims
attention, and the exuberant growth of box and yew under
the hands of a skilful topiarist has resulted in most wonderful
achievements, but the writer feels that he has already
exceeded his prescribed limits, and sees in imagination the
editorial blue pencil busily at its work of deletion. He must
therefore bring these notes to a close. |

H. STANSFIELD

ASPLENIUM ‘“‘ FONTANUM’’ REFRACTUM.

We have recently had a request, on behalf of a Swiss
Professor, for a specimen of this fern. Unfortunately it is
more than 50 years since the writer saw the plant alive, and
he has no knowledge of its present existence in a living state.
Probably dried specimens may be preserved at Kew and
in the British Museum and possibly in one or two other
collections. There is, however, in Lowes * Our Native
Ferns ” (1869), an excellent coloured plate of it which has
been reproduced on a somewhat reduced scale in Druery’s
last fern book. Lowe states that it was first known in 1851.
from the gardens at Peper Harrow Park, Surrey, having
been found by a Mr. Filden in Scotland. The finder died
shortly afterwards so that the history is obscure. It was
named A. fontanwm var. refractum by Moore and Hooker,
and A. fontanum proliferum (on account of its occasionally
bulbiferous character) by Wollaston. Lowe however con-
sidered it to be a variety of Aspleniwm ebeneum, Aiton (a
species of which the normal type has not been found in
Britain), and described it as such in his book in 1869. In

100

his later book (1891), however, he refers it to fontanum, but
observes :—** It is Just possible that A. fontanum is a variety
of the North American A. ebeneum. Both Mr. Moore and
Mr. Clapham held this view ; and this notion is strengthened
on examination of the variety refractum.” It is true that
refractum is, to some extent, intermediate in character between
fontanum and ebeneum, but, if it be a natural connecting
link, it is, we believe, the only one known. It may possibly
be a hybrid, but, whether a hybrid or a variety ofebeneum,
it is to the last degree unlikely that such a fern would be
found wild in Britain where ebenewm as a wild plant is unknown
and where fontanum, if wild at all, has always been extremely
rare. If really a hybrid it is probable that it was raised under
cultivation and planted where found (if it be true that it
really was found) either by the finder or by some other person.
We notice that the author of “ Britten’s European Ferns ”
says with regard to it :—“This is probably a plantof garden
origin : we have seen, when speaking of Adiantum Farleyense,
that ferns sometimes appear in a casual way, never having
been found in a wild state.” It would be an interesting
experiment to try to raise a hybrid between ebenewm and
fontanum. We commend the attempt to those who are
clever at raising ferns from spores.

F.WS.

P. ANGULARE PULCHERRIMUMS FROM SPORES.

The wild found angulare pulcherrimums were described
in No. 11, Vol. I., of The Gazette (March, 1912), and a hint
was then given as to pulcherrimums raised from spores.
At that time only one such was known, viz., Mr. H. Stansfield’s
pulcherrimum No.1. This is still in existence, but is woefully
scarce and difficult to grow. P. a. pulcherr. polydactylum,
F.W.S., has been discarded on account of its erratic behaviour

and indecision of character. Mr. H. Stansfield has raised

LOR

at least three others, which are still in existence in the collec-
tions of Mr. Cranfield, Canon Hawkins, Mr. Henwood and
Dr. Stansfield. Mr. Cranfield has raised several fine forms
directly from his plant (No. 2 H.8.). These seem more
robust than the parent, but it is doubtful whether they
are its superior as pulcherrimums. The present writer
raised at least three fine pulcherromums in one batch of
seedlings from spores supplied by Mr. Henwood of P. a. div.
plumosum foliosum, H.S. One of these died incontinently
before attaining the adult state although nursed with the
greatest care : another very promising one has almost died
several times in spite of every care. It still survives however
as does also the best of all, P. a. pulcherrimum, F.W.S., No. 1*,
which was awarded a Certificate by the Society in 1922,
and was figured in The Gazette of September that year. The
figure however gives a very inadequate idea of the plant's
real beauty, as, owing to the reduction of scale and the
difficulties of reproduction by photography,its details are
seen only very imperfectly in the final picture. The Rev.
Canon Kingsmill Moore and Mr. Sheldon have also raised
from the same source very fine seedlings which promise
pulcherromum character, but which have not yet attained
to adult life. We believe that all pulcherromums, so far
raised from spores, have come from the Jones-Fox strain.
It is probable however that they might be raised from other
good plumose-divisilobe forms such as the Pearson, Esplan
and. Perry strains. The important thing is to sow healthy
spores as soon as possible after they are ripe, to raise consider-
able batches, and to select and reselect from the offspring.
The best types may be picked out from the spore-pot at
a very early stage of growth—often, indeed, as soon as the
first fronds are developed. They are to be recognized by

* P.S.—Since the above was written, this tern seems likely to be
surpassed this year by P. a. pulcherrimum, H. 8. No. 4, of
which more anon. It isa real beauty,—F.W.S.

102

the curly and prothalloid appearance of the frondlets. The
selected ones will not all be pulcherrimums, but they may
be depended upon to be all something good. If not pulcher-
rumums they will be pellucidums or plumosissimums or very
fine plumose-divisilobes. In raising pulcherromums however
it is almost more difficult to keep them when obtained than
to raise them. Often the best of them die off or go blind
without any obvious reason, but no doubt really from that
innate delicacy of constitution which seems to be inseparable
from very highly bred organisms whether in the vegetable
or the animal kingdom. However, the best things are worth
the trouble involved both in producing and in keeping them.
We cannot attain to the fiery heights of perfection without
considerable exertion as well as some risk of disaster.

. EWS.

FERN GOSSIP.

Ferns have behaved rather erratically during the spring
of this vear. Although the winter was mild most ferns
have been later than usual in starting. A small plant of
P. ang. Baldwin on the contrary started in October and
continued to grow slowly all through the winter and spring
in a cold house which gets no sunshine during the winter.
It is now quite a nice well-fledged plant. On the other
hand Woodsia alpina, which usually starts growth in January
unless prevented by severe frost, did not move until the
middle of April, when it woke up a little drowsily and then
proceeded to business as usual. Adiantum venustum, Don
(the hardy Kashmir species), began to grow before Christmas,
and has continued without interruption until the present
time (end of April), when the fronds are practically fully
developed although still soft in texture. It has often been
exposed during growth to 12° or 14° degrees of frost, although

not for long periods. Whether the fronds would endure

103

exposure to prolonged frost, say for several weeks, while
in their most delicate state, is another matter. Cystopteris
montana, for many years a miffy and puny thing here, seems
to have become acclimatized and now shows something
approaching to the size and vigour of Polypodiwm dryopteris.
The treatment has been the same all along. Brachiatums
are queer things in whatever species this form of variation
may appear. It has been found in Sblechnum_ spicant,
frequently, in Athyrium (once), in Polypodium vulgare
(semilacerum), in Scolopendrium, and in Polystichum angulare
and P. aculeatum. In all cases it seems to be more or less
intermittent and unreliable. in its appearance. P. aculeatum
brachiatum, found on the Society’s Excursion at Chard in
1921, was characteristic and very fine when first discovered,
having great arms, which made the width of the frond about
equal to its length. The arms themselves were also very
deltoid with long basal pinnules. The plant had several
crowns, which were separated and dispersed. The following
season the main crown produced brachiate fronds although
not equal to those upon it when first seen. Since then
no truly brachiate fronds have appeared although the
character has been visible to some extent in the pinnae
and pinnules. A single small crown however is much more
brachiate than the main one. Spores were sown in 1922
and a small crop of seedlings resulted. These are now small
plants with fronds of 2 to 6 inches, and, though many of them
seem to be normal aculeatum, a few are very promising and
seem likely to surpass the parent in character if one may
judge from their behaviour in a small state. P. angulare
brachiatum, found at Totnes in 1913, has had a chequered
career, having once gone blind and once nearly died. It
is now represented by some dozen plants, all of which show
the brachiate character, but in varying degree in different

plants. In most cases the fronds are triradiate ; in one or

104

two the pinnae are one-armed, the fronds being otherwise
normal in outline, while in nearly all the pinnules are
decompound and show the peculiar cutting of typical
brachiatum. It was not until 1922, however, nine years
atter the plant was found, that a really satisfactory brachiate
plant was produced. One needs patience with brachiatums.
J found another one near Axminster in 1923, which was
in very bad condition at the time owing to the drought and
the attentions of the hedge-cutters, but which produced
a fine brachiate frond under cultivation late in the same
autumn. In 1924 it was a rough deltoid angulare, but it
is hoped that it may show more character during the coming
season. Mr. Cranfield, I hear, has some promising seedlings
from some of his Chard finds, but these I have not yet seen.
A P. ang. divisilobum of my own, found at Chardstock
in 1921, and another one, found by Dr. T. Stansfield in the
same year, have both produced seedlings apparently true
to the parental character, but Dr. T. Stansfield’s deorso-
pinnatum, found the same year, although a plant of quite
settled character, has produced seedlings of the most surprising
diversity—no two seem to be quite alike though they are
all evidently of the same blood and agree in inheriting the
deltoid outline of the parent. One—probably the best—
is a thoroughly good divisilobe : one or two are more or less
crested and several are multifid or polydactylous : many
are slightly irregular, although the parent is perfectly sym-
metrical and constant. It is doubtful whether there will
be one quite like the parent. Another find of my own (near
Chard in 1921) seemed, when found, to be angulare revolvens,
but had only a portion of a frond upon it. The same season
under cultivation it produced one frond, apparently angulare,
of the most thorough revolvens type. In 1922 it grew well
and all the fronds were more or less revolvent, but the plant

seemed to be more like aculeatum than angulare. The least

105

recurved fronds were thoroughly aculeatum, but others were
intermediate. In 1923 it came up in spring with perfectly
flat fronds and was again intermediate between angulare
and aculeatum. For want of space it was thrown away as
a rogue. Spores, however, had been sown in 1922 and had
germinated. In 1924 the contents of the spore-pot were
dumped out of doors with a bell glass over them, but were
given no other care or attention. I noticed this year that
some of the seedlings were alive and, although still small,
they seemed to be both quite revolvent and also definitely
aculeatum. These have been rescued and cared for, and
there seems ground for hope that a revolvens in aculeatum
may result. One should not be too precipitate in throwing

away things which may seem disappointing at first.

AMATEUR FERN GROWING.
(Continued.)
(Reprinted from Irish Gardening.)

heap of stones, etc., serves two very useful purposes—it
ensures good drainage, a sine qua non, and it saves a great
deal of soil.

The rockwork is now built from below up, laying a good
layer of prepared soil over the drainage, and then setting
the rocks so as to make good pockets filled up with more
soil. Large stones should be used so as to leave plenty of
room between each plant, for its future development, other-
wise they will become crowded and ineffective, the stronger
growing kinds smothering the weaker.

The upper parts of the rockwork should be occupied by
the larger growing ferns, so here the largest stones should
be used ; the tendency is to do just the opposite—viz., to
select the largest at the commencement of the work, that
is, the lower part, and find that we have nothing left for the
upper parts but small stones. Before the stones are set in

106

place, the soil in which they are to lie should be very firmly
stamped down with a heavy block of wood, so as to prevent
as far as possible the smking and settling down of the stones,
by which great displacement of the whole upper fabric would
occur. As the work of making the rockery will occupy
several days, it is a good plan to give it a good watering
every evening, the last thing before knocking off work. This
helps the soil to bind up and the stones to settle. Any
displacement of newly-laid rocks can be rectified next day,
and the soil will have drained enough during the night to
allow of work, without converting it into mud. Great care
must be taken not to make a mound with stones sticking
out of it, like the almonds in a plum-pudding, such as is
seen in many old-fashioned gardens, or in the front “ gardens ”
of many suburban houses. Real rock-gardens are now so
common, that the proper form can easily be studied by anyone,
in the various public parks and gardens; and, further, as
full instructions can be got In many publications, cheap and
dear, on rock-gardens, we will not go further into the matter
here.

We have already stored up the materials for the soil, or

>

“compost,” as the gardeners call it, in which the ferns are
to grow, and have taken care that it shall be lime-free. At
the same time, it will soon be found that some ferns not only
do not object to lime, but actually luxuriate in it. We
should therefore have a heap of old lime rubbish stored
somewhere well away from our main supples of soil, also a
few limestone rocks for special places. It is thus easy to
supply lime where needed, but impossible to get rid of it
once in the soil, hence the necessity of keeping it out of our
main supply.

To prepare the compost—With a sharp spade cut down
through the whole face of one end of the heap of loam sods,
previously built up into an oblong rectangular heap, a slice

107

about 3 inches thick. By this means we get samples of all
the sods, some of which may be more loamy, some more
fibrous or more sandy than others, the bits cut off are now
broken by hand into lumps about the size of a walnut, and
any worm, beetle or grub seen.is taken out and destroyed.
The same procedure is then adopted with the heap of peat
sods, and the same with the heap of leaf mould. It is now
seen why we advised the building of the sods carefully, a
proper mixture thus is obtained, and there is no waste.

The mixture of the compost is as follows :—Two parts
(say 2 buckets-full) of loam, one of peat, one of leaf-mould,
and one of sand, are all put together and thoroughly mixed
together by being turned over and over several times with
a spade. This is used for the general soil of the rockery,
and will suit nearly all ferns. Some few ferns require a
special soil; this is easily arranged afterwards by digging
out the soil from a “pocket ”’ and replacing it with the
special mixture. For instance, Maidenhair ferns (Adiantums)
will be found to do better without peat, so a special mixture
of loam two parts, leaf-mould one part, sand one part, is
made with which to replace that already in the pocket ;
once having a good start in that, the roots will roam farther
afield, and select the parts of the general compost they most
appreciate.

Again, Harts-tongue ferns (Scolopendriums) like lime,
broken and pulverised oyster shells for choice, or, if they are
not obtainable, lime rubbish. For these therefore we will
select the lower tiers of the rock-work, so that the limewater
from them will run away at once and not percolate into
the soil of other ferns, which may hate lime. All that is
needed here is to dig out a pocket, and add to the soil one
part of broken oyster shells—that is one-fifth of the whole
amount of compost.

108

The Spleenworts are a delightful family of ferns, and for
the most part, dainty and delicate. A special end of the
rockery, or, better still, a special rock work for themselves
in one corner of the house, will be found the most satisfactory.
Many of them are very hard to grow at all in a greenhouse
with other ferns. Their foliage abhors moisture lying on
it, or indeed even the moist stagnant atmosphere of the
house which other ferns luxuriate in. Their natural habitat
is old walls, ruins, rock fissures, where they can get free air
about them and plenty of moisture for their roots, which
wander far through the old mortar and decaying vegetation
of their home. These are the most difficult conditions to
obtain indoors, consequently many of the rarer and more
delicate ones “damp off” and disappear. The common
Wall-rue (Asplenium ruta muraria), for instance, has defied
our endeavours to keep it alive more than two seasons.
Ceterach officmarum, which enjoys the same conditions as
the spleenworts, soon pines and disappears in captivity.
These may be grown under glass in pots, but we are dealing
here with rock-work, and unless specially provided for, it
will be found extremely difficult to grow them. For these
the special rockwork should be made in the most airy part
of the house—say in one front corner, where ventilation
could be obtained at each side. The rock-work should
simulate an old ruin, built up of old bricks and slabs ofsand-
stone, leaving a little more space between them than is
usual in a proper building. Instead of real mortar, a quantity
of old mortar should be well broken and pulverized and
sifted through a coarse sieve ; to two parts of this, is added
one part of well rubbed-up peat and one part of leaf-mould,
the whole thoroughly mixed and then wetted till it gets
the consistence of ordinary mortar, and is used lke mortar
for building up the “ruin.” If the plants are available they
can be inserted between the bricks as the building progresses,
and in doing so you cannot put them in too firmly or press the

109

“mortar ” too closely about the roots. The whole thing
is watered from above, so that moisture trickles through
and permeates the structure completely, but never stagnates
and gets too wet. Then with air circulating about them
from the adjacent ventilators, they will luxuriate and show
a beauty never seen in pot-grown plants, nor indeed in any
other way.

At one end of the main rockery it may be desired to form
a cave, at the furthest back and darkest corner—this, for
the growth of Killarney and other filmy ferns. If so, do not
make the mistake of having it too low down. Build a breast-
work up from the floor 18 inches or 2 feet with rough stones
and old bricks, filling the interstices with very wet general
compost, spores of other ferns will soon settle on this and
cover it with beautiful verdure: fill the space behind up
to within a few inches of the top of the breastwork with
stones, broken crocks, &c., then a thin layer of fine cinders,
and next a layer of peat. Then get a large sod of peat, or
better, some of the outer fibrous husks of cocoanuts, if the
can be obtained : sink them in a tub of water by tying on a
brick, and leave them there for a week, at least, till they
are thoroughly soaked through, then get the rhizomes of
Killarney fern, pin them down close to the fibre with wire
(or hairpins) and lay them on the peat bed, filling the spaces
between the sods or husks with lumps of peat. Svringe
the whole two or three times a week. The roof of the cave
should be about 2 feet to 25 feet above the breastwork in
front. The ferns then can be seen and attended to without
much stooping, and no further protection or closing in is
needed. If sandstone sides and roof can be provided, the
rhizomes will soon creep all over it.

Nothing now remains but to select and plant our ferns,
and our future success will largely depend on the care with
which we have made all the preceding preparations for their

110

reception. We are apt to be in too great a hurry to get our
plants and have them growing, but it will be found that the
employment and interest entailed in providing for them
will be a great and real joy, and the after-care of them will
be carried on with the greater zest.

In selecting our plants we would suggest that, at first at
least, none but evergreen forms are chosen. If this advice is
taken, we think it will not be regretted. The appearance
of the house during the long winter months, bright and
brilliantly clothed throughout with graceful forms in all
shades of green, will excite wonder and admiration, far
beyond that which will be given to it in summer.

It is true that the exclusion of deciduous forms will! deprive
us of many very beautiful things; but then their time of
beauty is soon succeeded by a period of decay, and then a
longer period in which they are entirely lacking of interest.
The space they occupied in all their glory is now vacant
and unsightly, and nothing can be done in the meantime
to improve it. There are plenty of others one would then
like to have in their places, but we remember what they
were, and think of what they will be, so cannot bear to root
them up, and so endure them still longer.

Again, avoid introducing the common forms to our larger
erowing native ferns ; they are easy to obtain, so the tempta-
tion is great to gather them ourselves and rapidly furnish
our house. Later on you may find an odd corner to be
filled up where you may place one, but it will be soon found
that space is too precious, and that we have no room for
them.

Also be content with one specimen of each kind, thus
you will become familiar with a large range of varieties,
though you may not have great space at your disposal.

When planting, intersperse those with light featherly
folhage amongst those with heavy foliage, the effect will be

pet

much better; also, as mentioned before, select small and
low-growing forms for the lower spaces in the rockery, the
larger-growing ones being reserved for the higher places,
otherwise the smaller kinds will be smothered and obscured
from sight. This makes it unnecessary, and indeed inadvis-
able, to have the slope of the rockery steep; the lower the
back part can be kept the better, as the higher the ferns are
the less is their beauty seen. If you have the opportunity,
visit a nursery where ferns are made a special feature, make
a note of the type of growth of the various forms, both as
to size and density of the foliage, for the plants you buy will
probably be quite small, but may grow to a very large size
in a couple of years. For instance, the Royal Fern (Osmunda
regalis) may be bought in a small “thumb pot,” but unless
you have almost unlimited room, it is quite unsuited for
your rockery, beautiful though it is. It will grow to such
an immense size that it will overshadow everything within
a couple of yards of its centre, and not only so, but its roots
will spread so far that they will rob and kill every plant
even further away: then, if you decide to remove it, you
will find a hard day’s job before vou, and will have pulled
down a large part of the rockery before your object is
accomplished

We will now indicate some ferns suitable for an unheated
_fernery, with a rockery. We say advisedly for a rockery,
for we are conscious that some will survive a frost there
that would perish in pots. Pots will be penetrated by frost,
when they are standing on shelves, that would not reach
the roots in the rockery. Here they are protected by the
fohage covering the whole mound, by the large mass of
soil, and by the rocks themselves under which the roots lie
far out of its reach. All the ferns we select will be evergreen
forms, and will be roughly classified as to their habit of

growth into low, medium and tall. Many others will remain

112

that may be tried when more experience is gained, but a

sufficient number will be here given to make a good start,

and all have been tried under the conditions laid down.
LOW GROWING FORMS.

Adiantum capillus veneris, Asplenium fontanum, A.
adiantum nigrum, A. lanceolatum, A. marinum, A. ruta
muraria, A. septentrionale, A. trichomanes, A. ad. nigrum, A.
viride, A. flabellifolium, Blechnum spicant, Camptosorus
rhizophyllus, Ceterach officinarum, Cystopteris fragilis (this,
though deciduous, is included, as under glass it is almost
evergreen, and is invaluable, as its dainty seedlings appear
everywhere) : Davallia bullata (good for the wall): Doodia
aspera, D. caudata, Gymnogramma triangularis, Hymeno-
phylum tunbridgense (for cave) : Lomaria alpina, Polypodium
dryopteris, P. phegopteris, P. calcareum (these also are
deciduous, but are included as they will suit the wall and
will creep about the rock work, so need not leave bare spaces) ;

P. vulgare, P. v. Cambricum (also good for wall).

MEDIUM FORMS.

Adiantum chilense, A. cuneatum, A. Williamsi, Asplenium
lucidum, Allosorus achrostichoides, Cyrtomium caryotideum,
Dictyogramma japonica variegata, lLastrea recurva, L.
montana, L. fragrans, L. erythrosora, Niphobolus lingua,
Polystichum triangulum laxum, P. lonchitis, Pteris cretica
alba-lineata, P. serrulata, Scolopendrivm . vulgare, 8S. v.
crispum, Todea pellucida, T. superba, Trichomanes radicans
(these three for cave).

TALL FORMS.

Adiantum pedatum, Cyrtomium falcatum, C. Fortuneii,
Dicksonia antarctica (this is a tree fern, and should be planted
amongst those of medium height, so as to give it head room
later) ; Lastrea dilatata, L. rigida, L. aristata, L.a. variegata,

L. opaca, L. Goldieana, Lygodium japonica (scandens—

113

climber); Polystichum munitum, P. setosum, P. -angulare,
P. achrostichoides, P. proliferum, Pteris crispa, P. argyren,
Woodwardia radicans. (This splendid fern is almost too large
for a modest house. Its fronds shoot up and then bend over
till their tips are far below the level of the crown : it should
therefore when quite small be planted, the crown pointing
down, in the wall : only some of the fronds will arch outwards ;
they may attain a length of 9 feet. Young plants will form
near the tip of each frond).

As the back wall is not prepared for the real cultivation
of ferns, but only as a means of furnishing the house, our
rule as to growing one of each kind does not hold good for this
situation. Many common evergreen kinds can be got to
furnish the wall. Numerous * ribbon ferns ” (Pteris serrulata )
some very narrow, others broad, plain or tasseled and varie-
gated, are very suitable for this situation. ~‘* Hart’s-tongues”’
(Scolopendriums) in almost endless variety may be had
very cheaply. Polypodies in many varieties will creep about.
Maidenhairs, too, will thrive and charm with their fairy
leaflets. Many others can be obtained. All should be
purchased quite small. Some of the soil is picked away
from the roots, then the finger, inserted through the rabbit
netting, is moved about to form a space in the soil, the roots
are then carefully pushed into this till the crown is just
level with the wire, then the finger is inserted a httle higher
up and soil pushed down on the roots and the space filled
up ; this second hole is now plugged with some fresh soil, a
piece of moss put in, and the planting is done. A few squirts
from a syringe just above the level of the plant, and you may
leave it, confident that it will grow.

The plants having been given their chosen places in the
rockery should be carefully planted. Jf they are in small
pots they should be watered the evening before planting.

Turn the plant out of the pot, and be careful in the subsequent

114

handling not to injure the roots. If the pot is very full of
roots, Just slightly loosen, or round off, the upper edge of
soil where the surface was in contact with the pot ; do not
disturb or try to pick out the drainage crocks that were at
the bottom. If the pot was not very full of roots, this drainage
material may be carefully picked out. The ball of roots
is then placed in a hole made with the fingers, in the centre
of the “pecket ”’ full of compost, which is then filled in
around the plant and very firmly pressed in with both hands,
one on each side, all round, more compost being added as it
is pressed in till it is level, or very shghtly higher than the
surface that was in the pot. The whole pocket is given then
a thoroughly good soaking with water, and left alone for

three or four days, before any more water is given.

On the proper watering of ferns, a good deal of your success
will depend. Never forget the very simple and common-
sense fact that when they are actively growing—that is,
making and throwing up and developing new fronds—they
require much more water than when resting, that is, after
the fronds are mature and they simply want to live, and
not grow any more. Also, that they require more water
in hot weather than in cold weather, and more also in dry —
weather than in damp or wet weather. So true is this,
that my rockery gets no water from the beginning of November
till the end of January, or if there is frost and hard weather, _
till the middle or end of February. Some people will hardly
credit this, but to my mind it is the most important element
in successfully growing ferns in an unheated house, and saving
them through the winter. It must not be forgotten that we
are dealing here with a rockery and not with pot plants—
for them some water is necessary now and then, or they
will certainly die, and if just after watering them frost appears.
they will likely die, so the position with them is different and

(T’'o be continued).

Gazette.

3 December, 1925.

EDITED BY

F. W. STANSFIELD, M.D.

(120, OXFORD ROAD, READING.)

Sk NSS SE gir Sees
as opis; 1

———
Seip oe rs A

he | PUBLISHED BY |
| THE BRITISH PTERIDOLOGICAL SOCIETY

| (President: Mr. W. B. Cranfield, East Lodge, Enfield Chase, Middlesex.)

e (Hon. Secretary and Hon. Treasurer: Mr. Charles Henwood, 21, Clifton
Road, Maida Vale, London, W.9.)

“ ”
_ BRADLEY & SON, LTD., THE CROWN PRESS, CAXTON STREBT, READING.

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“LIGIHXA NYA S.GIWIANVYUO “YW

THE
BRITISH BER Ne GAZE TLE.

NEW SERIES.

More Ve. DECEMBER, 1925. No. 6

CONTENTS.
PAGE
FRONTISPIECE : Part of Mr. Cranfield’s Exhibit at R.H.S. Show,
June 30th, 1925

EDITORIAL NOTES .. as ae 56% a oe oe BUS
THE AUGUST MEETING $6 on! Ae — a = 117
OFFICERS FOR 1925-6 od oP ine 3 me if 120
BALANCE SHEET FOR 1925 a ba es ie al
BritTisH FERNS aT R.H.S. AMATEUR Suow, JUNE 30th, 1925.. L222,
THE KEW COLLECTION OF BRITISH FERNS aE ae aie 123
THE Rock Brake (Mr. F. W. Thorrington) .. ee Are 125
CORRESPONDENCE WITH PROFESSOR Scott (Mr. F. W. Thor-
rington) .. : 3 a 125
AN UNPUBLISHED PAPER BY THE LATE Mr. Ge B. W OLLASTON 128
NATURAL HYBRIDS = : ahs ap Be 2 130
On “FINDS” (Canon Kingsmill Moore) 5A . x 1s!
ON THE PROPAGATION OF ae F.F. UNCO- GLOMERATUM (Mr. HH:
Stansfield) ae ut ee cf es ae - 1533)
Two Cutturat Notes (Dr. 8. P. Rowlands) .. ig a 135

AMATEUR FERN GROWING (Dr. H. C. Drury) .. dye on hse

EDITORIAL NOTES.

We have received from Mr. W. Wilson, of Kendal, who
has been examining the papers of our late friend Mr. Whitwell,
a paper by the late Mr. G. B. Wollaston which was presumably
read at one of the Society’s earlier meetings, but apparently
never published. We print it in this issue. [f this be
compared with the article by our Vice-President, Canon
Kingsmill Moore, on “ Finds,” it will be seen that the
enthusiasm of the present day fern hunters has not fallen off
from the time, half-a-century or more ago, when Wollaston,
Padley and Jackson were in their prime. Mr. Wollaston
also gives a system of nomenclature for British ferns which
he proposed as a substitute for the one then in vogue. Some
of his names have since been adopted and others are not
likely to be, but interest attaches to his list of natural hybrid

116

ferns which we publish because there is still controversy
as to the parentage of these and, in regard to some, as to
whether they are hybrids at all. We have received from
Dr. 8. P. Rowlands of Cardiff a plant of a Blechnum which
he has found during this year in Pembrokeshire. It has
small, but neat and compact, terminal crests to the fronds,
but, what is more important, all the pinnae are trying to
be crested as well. This feature is new among wild finds
of Blechnum, and, if it should prove to be permanent on
cultivation, the variety will have some claim to be considered
a percristatum in this species. Mr. F. Burton, of Hulden-
borough, Kent, sends us fronds of an Athyriwm which he
found last August in a wood in WestYorkshire. It is evidently
a seedling of the persistent A. f.f. Craigii and is probably
the result of a spore from a cultivated specimen, carried by
the wind possibly for many miles. While on a visit recently
to our esteemed friend Canon Hawkins of Stroud we noticed
a plant of P. angulare percristatum which had been raised,
among others, by Mr. Cranfield from Canon Hawkins’s Irish
cristatum. It is a very beautiful fern—better even, we
think, than the one which our President exhibited at one
of the Axminster meetings, Inasmuch as this one seemed
to have been crossed with an acutilobe form, the result being
an acutilobum percristatum very perfect and symmetrical in
outline and having beautiful round and mossy crests upon
the fronds and pinnae, as well as neat crests upon the pinnules.
This variety will be a favourite when better known. Professor
MacFarland of Kentucky University is anxious to have a
complete set of The British Fern Gazette, but as several
of the earlier numbers are out of print the Hon. Secretary
will be obliged if any member having spare copies of these
will communicate with him. The numbers specially wanted
are Vol. I., No. 2, and Vol. II., Nos. 23 and 24, but any spare
numbers belonging to these volumes will be useful. The

wry

Hon. Treasurer will be glad to receive any unpaid
subscriptions.

THE AUGUST MEETING AND EXCURSIONS.

The 30th Annual Meeting of the Society was held on
Monday, August 10th, at the Fairmead Private Hotel,
St. Austell, Cornwall, the President, Mr. W. B. Cranfield,
occupying the Chair. Members were present from Enfield,
Reading, Great Bookham, Horsham, Welwyn, Dublin and
Belfast. The Minutes of the meeting held at Axminster on
August 11th, 1924, were read and confirmed. The President,
Vice-Presidents, Hon. Secretary and Treasurer, Auditor and
Editor were re-elected. The old members of the Committee
were also re-elected, two vacancies being filled by the election
of Mr. T. Brown, J.P., of Belfast, and Mr. T. Blow, of Welwyn,
Herts.

The financial statement was passed subject to audit.

There was considerable discussion as to the date and place
of meeting for 1926, and it was eventually resolved that
the date should be fixed for the first Monday in September
and that the place should be left to a Sub-Committee
consisting of the President, Hon. Secretary and Editor.

Fronds were exhibited by the President, Mr. T. E. Henwood,
Dr. Stansfield, Rev. Canon Kingsmill Moore and Mr. Blow.
Mr. Cranfield’s exhibits included some five or six seedlings
which he had raised from Polyst. angulare pulcherrimum,
H. Stansfield No. 2. All these were exceedingly fine things,
Nos. 1 and 3 being considered the best. P. ang. pulcherriemum,
Cranfield No. 1, was of true pulcherrimum type with long
pendulous and falcate pinnules, and for this Mr. Cranfield
was awarded the Society’s Certificate. No. 3 had also very
long pinnules, but of less falcate and less finely cut character.
Nos. 2,4, 5 and 6 were similar, but slightly inferior to the
- other two. The whole series had a general resemblance to

118

the rarefactum type of plumosum, and it was suggested that
the parent was from the same source as this strain. ©

Mr. Henwood exhibited fronds of P. aculeatum pulcher-
rumum, Druery, in fine form; P. ang. pluma-Struthionis
No. 2; and a new seedling of the rarefactum strain very
finely dissected and mossy, but not yet fully developed ;
also P. ang. divisilobum, Bland, in fine condition.

Dr. Stansfield exhibited P. angulare pulcherrimum, HS.
No. 4, which he had received as a small seedling half-a-dozen
or more years ago from Mr. H. Stansfield, but which had
only this year come out in its adult plumage. It is an exceed-
ingly beautiful form, unsurpassed by any angulare pulcher-
rumum at present known. He was awarded the Certificate
of the Society for it.

Mr. J. Meade, of Old Connaught, Bray, Co. Wicklow, sent
a frond of P. ang. tripinnatum, Meade, which he had found
wild in Ireland some years ago. This was a fine form, and,
although not superior to older forms such as tripinnatum,
Gillett, and tripinnatum, Padley, it was awarded a Certificate
as a new wild find.

The Rev. Canon Kingsmill Moore exhibited some cruciate
and crested seedling lady ferns, apparently derivations of
Victoriae, and also a few neatly crested fronds of the formoso-
cristatum or gemmatum type. These were not considered
to have attained their ultimate development.

Mr. T. Blow showed a large bunch of fronds, of normal
types but very luxuriant, which he had picked up in various
places on his way from Welwyn by motor.

A hearty vote of congratulation was accorded to the
President for his magnificent display of British Ferns at the
Royal Horticultural Society’s Amateur Show on June 30th,
1925, for which he was awarded a gold medal. Also to
Canon Kingsmill Moore for his fine exhibit of British Ferns
at the Irish R.H.S. Show in 1924, for which he was awarded

Eg

a silver-gilt medal presented by The Gardeners’ Chronicle
for the best amateur exhibit of rare plants of any kind.
Mr. C. Henwood, Hon. Secretary and Treasurer, was
congratulated upon his success at the R.H.S. Amateur
Show in June, when he obtained the first prize with six
British Ferns in competition against ferns of any kind.
During the six or seven days that the members remained
at St. Austell the country was sedulously hunted for ferns,
but the immediate neighbourhood proved disappointing,
only a single find being made (by Mr. Henwood), viz., a
ramose form of Aspleniwm Adiantum-nigrum. Excursions
further afield proved that Cornwall is by no means deficient
in ferns, the following species being observed :—Aspleniums
Ad.-nigrum, lanceolatum, ruta-muraria, and trichomanes ;
Athyrium filix-femina, Blechnum spicant: Lastrea emula,
L. dilatata, L. filix-mas, L. pseudo-mas, L. montana and
L. spinulosa ; Osmunda regalis ; Polypodiwm vulgare ; Poly-
stichum angulare ; P. aculeatum ; and Scolopendrium vulgare.
The beautiful Luxulyan Valley and the Glyn Vailey proved
very rich in species, and the scenery was much enjoyed, but
no further discovery of a variety was made, although attempts
at variation were here and there observed. The members
were delighted with the sight of Osmunda regalis and Lastrea
emula in great luxuriance and profusion. Lastrea montana
and Blechnum spicant were also more luxuriant than they
are usually to be seen in the north.
~The hospitality of Miss Cocks at Fairmead conduced
greatly to the comfort of the members during their stay
at St. Austell, and her garden contained many fine specimens
of rare and beautiful shrubs such as Magnolia grandiflora,
Desfontainea spinosa, Skimmia japonica, Romneya Coulterit
and the finest myrtle tree (in full flower) that we have seen
anywhere.

120

OFFICERS FOR 1925-26. -

President :
Mr. W. B. Cranfield.

Vice-Presidents :

Mr. A. Cowan, Mr. J. J. Smithies,

Dr. F. W. Stansfield, Mr. T. E. Henwood,

Rev. Canon H. Kingsmill Mr. G. E. Stephens,
Moore, Mr. J.J. Sheldon.

Committee :
Mr. R. Whiteside, Mrs. Groves,
Mr. W. Wilson, Mr. T. Blow,
Mr. H. Relton, Mr. P. Greenfield,
Mr. T. Brown.

Hon. Secretary and Treasurer :

Mr. C. Henwood.
Editor :
Dr. F. W. Stansfield.
Auditor :
Mr. J. J. Sheldon.

121

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BRITISH FERNS AT THE R.H.S. AMATEUR SHOW,
JUNE 30th, 1925.

At this important exhibition our Hon. Secretary, Mr. C.
Henwood, obtained the first prize for “Six Ferns grown
under glass.” It will be noticed that competition was not
limited to British, nor, indeed, to hardy ferns, but was open
to all ferns from whatever clime or of any origin. Mr.
Henwood exhibited six British fern varieties, viz., Asplenivwm
trichomanes T'rogyense, Athyrium f.f acrocladon densum,
Blechnum sp. trinervium coronans, Lastrea f. mas fluctuosa
cristata, Polys. angulare divisilobum nitescens, and Scol. v.
crispum fimbriatum, and was opposed by a collection of
exotics. His victory is significant of the decorative value
of British ferns.

At the same exhibition our President, Mr. W. B. Cranfield,
exhibited (not for competition) a very comprehensive and
important group of British ferns, for which he was awarded
the Gold Medal of the Society. The group consisted of
150 plants, mostly large and all well developed, of the very
choicest varieties of British ferns, but included also some
normal species for the sake of effect. Among the plants shown
were 13 different seedlings of P. aculeatum gracillimum,
ten of them. being Mr. Cranfield’s own raising, two the late
C. B. Green’s, and one the late C. T'. Druery’s; Pang:
acutilobum proliferum, Wollaston; P. a. hirondelle, Moly ;
five different types of P. a. divisilobum plumosum ; Osmunda
regalis cristata ; Lastrea montana cristata-gracilis, Druery ;
L. pseudo-mas fimbriata-cristata ; L. p. m. eristata angustata,
polydactyla, Wills, etc. ; L. filix-mas linearis polydactyla,
L. f. m. grandiceps, and cristata, Troughton ; Scolopendriwm
vulgare crispum in thirteen distinct forms; Athyrium f.f.
plumosum, twelve distinct types; A. f.f. Clarissimum, Jones :
A. f.f. cl., Bolton, and clariss. cristatum, Garnet; A. f-f.
Victoria, etc. Many of the plants were lifted from the

123

open, bagged, and replanted on return. They were too
large to pot. It is interesting that few of them suffered
from the removal, while some were actually benefited, the
soil they had occupied having been stirred and renovated
before they were replaced. The group was probably the
finest and choicest exhibit of British ferns ever shown in
London, and attracted great attention and admiration.
It was photographed, but was so large that this had to be
done in three sections. We are enabled to reproduce one
of the sections, which is chosen not because it was choicer
or better than the others, but because the Scolopendriums,
of which it was largely made up, form a picture which is
more suitable for reproduction than the other two.

THE KEW COLLECTION OF BRITISH FERNS.

Upon the invitation of the Director, Dr. A. W. Hill, F.RS.,
a small Sub-Committee of the British Pteridological Society
visited Kew Gardens on September 23rd and October 7th
for the purpose of overhauling the collection of British ferns
which it is proposed to reorganize. The visitors, consisting
of Mr. W. B. Cranfield (President), Mr. T. E. Henwood and
Dr. Stansfield, were met by the Director, Dr. Hill, the Curator,
Mr. Bean, and Mr. Irving, the Hardy Plant Foreman, and
were conducted to the ground proposed to be devoted to
British ferns under the new arrangement. The site seemed
to be admirably adapted for the purpose, being shaded and
sheltered by large trees, which, however, were not so thick
as completely to occupy the ground with their root-systems.
The present collection was found to consist of a considerable
number of plants mainly contributed by the late Colonel
A.M. Jones, Mr. W.C. Carbonell and Mr. E. J. Lowe. There
were however many duplicates of angulare forms, and a
a large number of somewhat indefinite acutilobe and divisilobe

124

varieties, probably seedlings from the Carbonell collection.
A few good old standard varieties were to be seen, some of
which are now comparatively rare, e.g., P. angulare tripin-
natum, Padley, P. a. latifolium, Moly, P. a. setoso-cuneatum,
Phillips, revolvens, Wills, grandiceps, Talbot, grandiceps,
Abbott, cruciatum (a very fine and thoroughly characteristic
plant), venustum, Padley, and multilobum ovale, Padley.
A striking plant was a magnificent P. ang. divisilobum some-
what resembling, but not identical with, P. a. divisilobum,
Bland. It was not identified with any special named form,
but was probably one of the Jones-Fox or Carbonell seedlings.
Not a single plant of the angulare plumose-divisilobe section
was seen although there was a foliose-divisilobe form.
Varieties of P. aculeatum were few and far between, almost
the only one of much interest being P. ac. pulcherrimum,
Bevis, of which several plants were found. The collection
of varieties of Scolopendrium vulgare was very meagre and
poor, and the plants were evidently rather unhappy. In
all probability many varieties of this species had died out.
The collection of Polypodies (vulgare) was equally poor
although one or two good forms were in evidence. There was
a fair collection of the older forms of Lastrea filix-mas, L.
propinqua and L. pseudo-mas, including a fine patch of
L. f.-mas Bollandiea. L. dilatata (aristata) was but poorly
represented and the lady fern not much better. Only one
plant of Lastrea montana was seen and this was the normal
form. Our President and other members propose to
contribute plants of some of the standard varieties of ferns so
as to fill in some of the gaps in the collection, and it is hoped
that, in this way, the collection may become a representative
one and worthy of the premier national collection of plants
in Great Britain. It must be admitted that the climate of
Kew, which has greatly deteriorated during the last forty
years owing to the smoke of the ever-encroaching population
of Greater London, is not an ideal one for ferns, and it will

125

be difficult to maintain, in the open air and in their real
beauty, some of the more exacting varieties of British ferns,
such as the angulare pulcherrimums, the gracillimum forms of
aculeatum, and some of the more delicate lady ferns and
Aspleniums. With a little glass shelter however there is
no reason why such ferns as these, and the choicer varieties
of Polypodium vulgare and Blechnum spicant should not be
successfully cultivated.

THE ROCK BRAKE (CRYPTOGRAMME CRISPA),

Where falls a cruel storm of riven slate

Below the mountain crag, the Parsley Fern
Ventures its tender leafage, dares its fate ;

And lives serene though all is grim and stern.
The fusilade that threatens its eclipse

This modest herb transmutes into a gain ;

Aye stronger with each searching rootlet grips ;
While fronds renew to joy in sun and rain.
Shall we who view this conquest ever fear

To challenge all the evil in our way,

All undismayed gaze on a prospect drear,

And win success from that which came to slay ?
So may endurance ever smiling rise

Through fell misfortune to a worthy prize.

FRAS. W. THORRINGTON.
22nd November, 1925.

NOTES. .

Quite recently I have been engaged in correspondence
with Professor D. H. Scott, M.A., F.RS., etc., on fern topics
suggested by his book “ Extinct Plants, and Problems of
Evolution.” In this work, he practically recants the views
he expressed formerly in The Evolution of Plants,” viz.,
that ferns such as the Palseozoic * Primofilices’”’ were the

126

probable ancestors of Marattiacez ; while the latter, in their
turn, gave rise to the Pteridosperms, and so on to the Cycads
and our modern flowering plants. These opinions seem to
have been much modified by two facts of recent research.
Firstly, then, the Pteridosperms are now known from such
very early rocks that it really looks as if they ante-dated

¢

the Marattiacez in time. Dr. Scott even quotes as “ very
likely ” to be correct, the American observations of a fossil
known as EKospermatopteris, which they consider a Pterido-
sperm, from the Middle Devonian age. He also stresses the
fact of the high organization of Upper Devonian Gymnosperms
Secondly, “ the Marattiacez,’’ he says, “‘ according to present
knowledge, appear on the scene far too late to be in the

a4

ancestry. Moreover, even in the Lower Carboniferous,
no Ferns except Primofilices are as yet known, while
Pteridosperms were abundant.’ His latest conclusion is,
* T still think the Cycad line is best derived from the Pterido-
sperms of the preceding age, but suspect that the
Pteridosperms and Gymnosperms generally were a parallel
development to the Ferns (Italics mine.—F.W.T.) springing
from some unknown early race.”

A revised edition of his * shillingsworth of 14 years ago,”
the “‘ Evolution of Plants,” has just been passed for the
Press, so we shall soon have an opportunity of comparing the
older theories with the latest deductions, seriatim.

Among Fernists, | need make no attempt to provoke interest
in these topics. All true Pteridologists will be eager to
keep track of any revised views on fern phylogeny. Frankly,
at first, | was somewhat disappointed with the newer evidence.
The case formerly stated seemed such a very clear piece of
reasoning. It was quite disheartening, at first, to gather
that the Marattiaceze may even prove to be derived from
some Pteridosperm-like ancestors. On reflection, one becomes
consoled. There is, evidently, still a case to be made out,

127

perhaps—on future evidence—for at least a possible rise of
-seed-plants (Angiosperms) from fern-like ancestors. After
all, there remain those incredibly long ages of Cambrian
and Silurian rocks. Who can say what data may ultimately
emerge from those dim epochs, so remote, yet quite possibly
guarding fossils of paramount import to our conceptions
-of the rise of the higher plants? Quite recently, have we
not the revelations, under the microscope, from the Rhynie
chert of the Devonian age? Similar evidence, from even
earlier strata, may prove equally interesting on fern phylogeny.
“So mote it be.”
FRAS. W. THORRINGTON.

NOTE.—On September 26th, at the London Day Training College,
Southampton Row, London, by request of the School Nature Study
Union, I again gave a demonstration with a series of fronds of British
Varietal Ferns. As on previous Annual Exhibitions, these fronds
were much admired. Perhaps some of our Pteridological members
might like to join the School Nature Study Union (4s. Od. annually—
Hon. Secretary, Mr. H. E. Turner, 1, Grosvenor Park, Camberwell,
S.E.5) and reinforce my poor attempts to impress that body with
our unique fern heritage. In any case, “School Nature Study,”

their journal, is well worth keeping in touch with.
FRAS. W. THORRINGTON.

NOTES.

An account of the Zygopterids is given in Dr. Scott’s book,
“ Extinct Plants, and Problems of Evolution.’ These
strange primitive ferns appear to have had no less than
four distinct lines of pinnz on their fronds, and Professor
Scott remarked that no similar case is known in any other
plants, Living or dead.

Well, [ am no palzeobotanist, and know nothing of the
Zygopterids, but, in my letter, I seem to have interested
Dr. Scott by narrating the instances of abnormal pinnz
amongst British varietal ferns, and suggesting that this may
even throw some light on these fossil marvels. He says,

128

“T wish you would work this out,” but I can only plead
that my ignorance of the Zygopterids rather unfits me for
the task. I had quoted, especially, Blechnum spicant, var.
paradoxum ,; and also mentioned the cruciate pinne of
such forms as Athyrium f.f. Victorie and Fieldia, and the

?

“setting ” of pinne in Lastrea montana, var. Barnesit.

Perhaps our Editor, from the treasures of his memories,
can say whether photographs were taken of the Blechnum,.
as evidence such as that is most desirable ? Also, can he,
or any other member, supplement our existing knowledge
of such peculiar pinne amongst our varietal ferns? I can
foresee, very clearly, that, as the late Mr. Druery frequently
said, our ““B.P.S8.” data are going to prove of very great.
interest to the scientific world.

FRAS. W. THORRINGTON.

THE NORTHERN BRITISH PTERIDOLOGICAL SOCIETY..
My dear Friends, |

You have done me the honour to ask me to read you a
Paper on “‘ Our British Ferns and their Varieties.” This
I am grieved to say that circumstances prevent me doing,
but I will write down a few memoranda that I have collected
from time to time, which I hope may be interesting to you,
and which I will ask our Honorary Secretary to read in my
place. .

Our British Ferns are divided into eighteen genera and
fifty species, Inclusive of four doubtful, and seven natural
hybrids. Their varieties are innumerable, reaching already
nearly two thousand.

The search after them is the most interesting and highly
fascinating occupation that can profitably be entered into,
and when understood is all absorbing, so that those who
pursue it have acquired the nickname of Pteridomaniacs.
Nothing can give greater pleasure, or be more agreeable

129

than to wander amongst the Somersetshire, Dorsetshire, and
Devonshire lanes, or on the mountains of England, Scotland,
and Ireland, with a few real friends of similar pursuits ;
nothing so interesting, nothing so invigorating or exciting
as to hear one of your party call out that he has made a
new find, and that it has got three crowns, so that all may
participate. I know no such pleasure.

Then again, the interest and delight of sowing spores, and
noting and watching their growth ; still more the crossing of
varieties (I may by way of instruction mention whilst on
the subject of hybridisation, that no one has yet hybridised.
two species).

The cross-bred varieties are just as numerous as the varieties
of roses, fuchsias, etc., and it should be the aim of every
grower of ferns to keep, show and name the best, and throw
away or leave unnamed the worst, for, if not, very shortly
there will be a glut in the market.

To all collectors of ferns I should strongly advise them
to study the characteristics of each genus, and the reason.
why certain names are given, such as Polypody, which means
many-footed ; Polystichum, many ranks, in allusion to the
position of the spores on the back of the frond being in ranks
like soldiers; Adiantum, from ‘* adiaino,”’ to throw off wet
like a duck’s back, etc., etc. The shape and position of the
indusium or the covering of the spores ; some are peltate or
shieldike, as in Polystichum ; others kidney shaped as in
Lastrea ; some with a cyst or sack like Cystopteris ; Botry-
chium, which has the spore cases like a bunch of grapes, from

?

“ botrus,’ a bunch ; and in this way through all the genera.

When they have mastered the nomenclature of the genera,
then let them study the diagnostics of the species. Take
mine of Lastrea filix-mas, L. pseudo-mas, and L. propinqua :
L. filix-mas section of frond in early growth recurved ;

L. pseudo-mas, plane ; and L. propingua, concave.

130

Then take Lastrea dilatata and its allies, which are distin-
guished by the scales on the stipes : L. dilatata has them long
pointed with a dark centre ; L. spinulosa has them oval and
concolorous. In L. @mula they are laciniate with dark
centre.

In this way anyone may soon make himself master of the
species.

The varieties, as I formerly mentioned, are positively
endless, and their names are of no scientific importance ;
they may eventually require trivial names, such as Mrs. H.
or Mr. John ; but I myself should greatly prefer to give them
such characteristic names as would describe the particular
variety as long as possible, in fact such as they are known
by at present.

Thanking you all for your courtesy,

I remain,
Your Honorary Member,
GEO. B. WOLLASTON.

NATURAL HYBRIDS.
2 (G. B. WOLLASTON).

Lastrea pseudo-mas (Wol.) x LZ. spinulosa (Presl.).
Now called ZL. remota (Moore).
Asplenium marinum (Linn.)< A. lanceolatwm (Hudson)
Now called A. marinum, var. microdon (Moore).
Asplenium marinum (Linn.)< A. Adiantum nigrum (Linn.).
Now called A. Adiantum nigrum, var. microdon (Moore).
Asplenium trichomanes (Linn.) x A. viride (Hudson).
Now called A. refractuwm (Moore).
Asplenium trichomanes (Linn.) x A. Adiantum nigrum (Linn.).
Now called A. trichomanes, var. confluens (Moore).
Asplenium trichomanes (Linn.)x A. ruta-muraria (Linn.).
Exotic.
Asplenium septentrionale (Hoffman) x A. ruta-muraria (Linn.).
Now called A. Germanicum (Weis).

131

ON ‘“ FINDS.”’’

“A good find.” The mere thought of it quickens the
blood of the initiated. As for those outside, they may be
cold, even contemptuous at our enthusiasm, but bring them
in, and new joys will dawn quickly on their lives. The
“finds ’’ which stir us of the British Pteridological Society
are of course ferns. We are prepared to allow the joy of
‘“ finds ’’ in other walks, but with us it is ferns, British ferns,
that fill the horizon. No country ramble without the hope
of something never got before! There sounds the keynote
of our thoughts ; and, though it be true that “a good find ”
is rare, such is the inexhasutible variety of British ferns that
every walk will yield the skilled eye something which varies
from the normal.

Anyone who seeks rapid schooling in the way “ finds ”’
are made should join the Society, and make sure of attending
the Annual Meeting. Of a celebrated hotel it is said that
no one need seek admission who cannot play, or at least
talk golf. Certainly our annual meetings are crowded with
fern lore to an astonishing degree, and naturally “ finds ”’
and where to find them are prominent. How this well-known
variety was got; where that grand form originated ; who
was the chief hunter, and what were his methods. Topics
such as these run riot at every turn, and they take life often
from the presence of the “ finds ”’ themselves, which members
have brought for exhibition. Not infrequently, too, the
finders are there in person, exchanging reminiscences : *‘ Ah,
you remember where that Scolopendrium grew.” “* Yes, and
this Polypodium. You and I espied it together, the rest
somehow passed it by.”

A fern hunt, no doubt, shows little to excite the envy or
the emulation of him who knows nothing about ferns ; but
that is so with all specialised sport. Things absolutely
strange are commonly confronted with indifference. There

132

was a wide gap between the genius who devoted himself to
picturing the angler a “‘compleat’’ and the other genius
who described his craft as a worm at one end of a rod, and
a fool at the other.

To see our Society at sport the casual onlooker might
think a number of middle-aged gentlemen had gone hedge-
mad. A thin line at each side of the road stepping slowly
and peering intently into—well, the onlooker might say
into nothing ; but the fernists know better. They find those
leafy hedgerows stored with wealth. The place has been
chosen because it abounds with ferns, and presents ferns
everywhere. What those thin lines are searching for is of
course some choice and hitherto undiscovered treasures, and
the quest is not wholly a simple matter. The untrained
would pass “‘a good find” daily, as a bushman might pass

a diamond. Observe the care with which eyes range up and

down ; see the sticks, if they have iron hooks all the better,
moving away this obstacle or that, for better view. Someone
has said that a gardener would need a cast iron back with a
hinge ; the complete fernist would be helped by an eye both
microscopic and telescopic. One searcher bends down to
examine a find at his feet, the next inspects the centre of
the bank ; they will both miss a rare specimen growing high
up. So itis always; the most skilled searcher will miss where
a tyro may find. This gives inexhaustible variety to the
sport, and an unlimited stock of hope, for no one can foretell
the site where *‘ a good find ” has started into existence : the
top of a high wall, the side of a steep cliff, the roof of a cave,
the outer wall of a bridge ; these and many other unexpected
homes have been chosen by * good things.” Perhaps the
best “find” that ever came the writer's way was a
Scolopendrium which grew where a stream beside a mountain
road had carved itself a channel from four to eight feet deep.
Over the gulley thick brambles had closed, and the “ find ”’
meant a crawl through the tunnel thus formed.

ye

133

Next to the thrill of discovery the excitement of the evening
inspection takes rank. Even a solitary hunter examines
his discoveries with some trepidation, when he returns to
them in cold blood. But when a party have been at work,
and scattered here and there to enlarge the process, then
indeed the opening of the botanical cases is an engrossing
event. From every side keen eyes look on. They are
always critical, kindly but keen. There is full appreciation
of even minor points of interest, full praise for anything that
promises to be of some permanent value ; but if the eager
and tremulous finder has indeed brought in a treasure, even
though it may not quite be “that pulcherrumum” for which
all long, he may count on rich reward in congratulations as
sincere as they are loud, and also a fame among fern lovers
which will not easily die.

H. KINGSMILL MOORE.

THE PROPAGATION OF A.F.F. UNCO-GLOMERATUM.

In accordance with his usual custom the writer, last
autumn, laid down three large pans of detached fronds of
A.f.f. unco-glomeratum with a view to the propagation of
plants by apospory. These were kept in a cold-house, and
the tips of the fronds continued to grow more or less all
through the winter, which, fortunately, was a mild one.
When frosty nights were anticipated, several sheets of paper
were placed over the glass covers, and were removed the
following morning if the outdoor temperature was above
freezing point. Prothalli were expected as a natural sequence
in 12 to 18 months, and fronds a year later, say 24 years
from the start. The conditions must have been unfavourable
as all the fronds eventually became brown and to all appear-
ances dead or moribund. The stems however must have
retained a certain amount of vitality, for, by the beginning
of April (five months from laying down), plants began to

134

appear and are still appearing, 36 having been counted.
up to this date (September 12th). The plants appear to
spring either from the half-decomposed stems or from the
hardened unfurled terminal tip of the fronds. Although a
daily microscopic examination has been made from start
to finish, the writer is unable to say definitely from whence
the plants spring.

In another case some half-developed fronds were accidentally
broken during last May. These were pulled to pieces and
laid flat, in close contact with moist sterilized soil, and kept.
under close culture. One piece about an inch long was
stuck in the ground like an ordinary geranium cutting (there
being insufficient room in the pot to accommodate it if laid
flat. Nothing was expected from this. However, the frond
appeared to be overflowing with vitality, and, instead of
damping off and rotting from the base upwards, it retained
its healthy green colour, continued to unfurl, and eventually
built up a sort of crown flush with the ground, and now is.
a thriving plant, and perfectly safe. One can only assume
that a bulbil has existed on the cutting, and that the bulbil
must have been flush with the surface of the soil when the
cutting was inserted. Anyhow, a plump crown has been
formed, of this there can be no question. The cutting being
only a partially developed frond continued to unfurl for
weeks after being planted, but strong fronds are now being
sent up, and the plant is well rooted.

There are several instances on record by very reliable
cultivators (Mr. Leighton of Kilmarnock, and the late Mr.
Edwards of Moston) of cuttings of this fern rooting and
making plants straight away without the formation of
prothalli, and the solution undoubtedly hes in the plant's
bulbil-bearing capacity. In confirmation of the above the
writer announces that he has succeeded in inducing a bulbi-
ferous condition in wnco-glomeratum by close culture, a correct

135

regulation of the conditions of soil moisture by subterranean
watering, so that the soil surface is always drier than the

atmosphere almost at saturation point. True bulbils have been
formed, some having roots an inch long. The earliest fronds
on very young this year’s plants (especially the fronds trailing
along close to the ground) are the ones in buibiferous condition.
Many of the bulbils are quite microscopic and in 99 cases
out of 100 would be almost invisible without the help of
a microscope. It. can readily be understood that cuttings
inserted from fronds swarming with almost invisible bulbils
would be likely to deceive even the very elect among fern
enthusiasts, and would convey the idea that fronds had
actually struck root. It may be mentioned that A.f.f. wuncum
(one of the presumed parents of wnco-glomeratum) has been
known to produce bulbils when plants have been grown
under close and crowded conditions so as to ensure a more
uniform degree of atmospheric moisture.

H. STANSFIELD.

TWO CULTURAL NOTES.

The local supply of thumb pots having given out, and a
batch of sporelings an inch or so high awaiting replanting,
it was decided to make use of some of Harvey's Fibrex Pots
which were ready at hand. These “ pots,” which are adver-
tised in the Gardening papers, may be described as cubes of
dried fertile mud, each with a space hollowed out to contain
a small plant. The roots are carefully inserted into the
hollow, the remaining space being filled with a little fine
soil which is gently pressed in. A little water is given, and
the deed is done. The tiny ferns planted out in this way
have grown quite nicely, and while it is not claimed that the
method is superior to ordinary potting, it has several advan-
tages which make it worth bearing in mind. The pots are

136

cheap, easily stored in the dried state, and do not take up
much room in use. The little cubes can be stood, with a
small space between each, in any shallow box containing
some sand or fine ashes at the bottom, or they may be placed
on the ordinary greenhouse staging. Watering must be
carefully done from above (a feeding cup with spout, or
even a fountain pen filler will do '), until the plants are well
settled. Over-watering makes the mud pots sodden and
soft. As growth proceeds, the roots invade the walls of the
pot, and when desired the whole affair, pot and all, can be
planted out into the open ground, or into an ordinary earthen-
ware pot. These Fibrex specialities are sold in three sizes,
but the smallest—No. l—is big enough for most small
sporelings at a stage when pricking out is needful.

Small pots of the ordinary variety often give a good deal
of trouble owing to their tendency to dry out quickly. This
creates considerable labour in watering, especially when a
large batch is being dealt with. In nurseries, this problem
is partially solved by plunging the pots up to their brims
in sand or fine ashes. I have found old fibre in which bulbs
have been grown, very useful for this purpose. But bulb
fibre cannot always be obtained in sufficient quantity, and
so another experiment was made, and a supply obtained
of the material in which foreign potatoes and tomatoes are
packed for export. This can be obtained in large quantities
at certain seasons from the fruiterer, who is usually glad to
get rid of it, and enough is readily procured to fill a large
garden frame. The material must first be well moistened
—this being the only troublesome task—before the pots are
embedded in it. The mass is afterwards easily kept moist.
but being porous does not retain too much water. If some
coarse sand or gravel is available, this may well be mixed
with it. One disadvantage it has, in common with other
plunging material, is that worms are rather fond of it. I
have tried a sprinkling of soil fumigant below, but the effect

137

is probably short-lived. Incidentally, this material being
apparently peaty in character, is suitable when partially
decayed for mixing with soil for fern compost in the open
garden, and is in any state useful as a mulch during hot
weather.

Ss. P. ROWLANDS.

AMATEUR FERN GROWING.
(Continued.)
(Reprinted from Irish Gardening.)

difficult. In the rockery, however, the soil never gets, during
the three winter months, so dry that the plants will suffer:
their roots are tucked away under the stones in damp cool
earth, there is little evaporation, and the plants are not
actively growing. Extra water at this time will make the
soil cold and sour, will induce an _ over-moisture-laden
atmosphere, and damping or mildew of the foliage will be
the result ; besides, if frost penetrates, it will have a much
more serious effect on the wet earth than it would on dry,
killing the roots where it penetrated.

The next, perhaps startling, proposition is, do not water
your ferns overhead—that is, do not sprinkle or wet the
foliage. The only exception to this rule is in the case of
filmy ferns (e.g., Killarney fern). These, on the other hand,
must be constantly watered overhead, so as to keep the
fronds damp. Some few ferns make such an abundance
of spores, that these and the spore cases when shed cover
the foliage with thick brown dust which may be objected
to; some of this may be removed with a feather brush, or
it may be syringed off—in that case a dry airy day, without
cold wind, should be selected, the plant or plants syringed,
the excess moisture shaken off, the door and ventilators all
opened wide, so that free dry air circulates and dries the foliage
rapidly. Then the doors and ventilators are closed again,

ee a 7
3

and the still moist atmosphere again maintained. - Many

188

people think that the more water you give terns the-better,
and that they specially enjoy being syringed. This is not
so. They undoubtedly like an unfailing supply of moisture,
but not too much of it, and though plenty of rain has no
ill effect, but rather the reverse, in their wild habitat, that
is because the water is being constantly changed, and as soon
as the rain ceases the breeze shakes superfluous moisture off
them and evaporation in the open air soon completely dries
them.- Under glass these conditions do not obtain. Your
syringe leaves a superfluity of water in the fronds, for there |
is no breeze to shake it off, so it soaks into the leaflets and
stagnates. The close atmosphere of the glass-house is
saturated with moisture, so there is little or no evaporation,
the consequence is that rotting or damping occurs, not
perhaps in the most prominent or vigorous fronds, but in
those of weaker growth, low and deep in the plant, crowded
and shaded by stronger fronds or by those of adjoining
plants, and once it starts in the weaker it may soon spread
to the stronger ; or a mouldy leaflet comes in contact with
a fresh strong young frond just starting up, soft and full
of sap, it at once becomes infected, the mould penetrates
through it, and it falls over destroyed. This is not the only
ill-result of over-head watering, for many ferns, though they
will not easily “damp,” become greatly discoloured, getting
black or brown if water lies on them for even a very short
time. This is most true of those whose foliage has a rough or
dull surface. Those with a shiny surface stand water best as a
rule.

The water then must be given to the individual plants,
not poured or sprayed promiscuously over the whole lot.
It should be given through the pipe of the watering pot
without any “rose” on it, and given carefully so as not

(T'o be continued).

| British Fern

Gasctte.

EDITED BY

F. W. STANSFIELD, M.D.

(1220, OXFORD ROAD, READING.)

|| THE BRITISH PTERIDOLOGICAL SOCIETY

(President: Mr. W. B. Cranfield, Hast Lodge, Enfield Chase, Middlesex.)

(Hon. Secretary and Hon. Treasurer: Mr. Charles Henwood, 21, Clufion
Road, Maida Vale, London, W. ®.)

ee roa cs 6 ds
_ BRADLEY & SON, LTD., THE CROWN PRESS, CAXTON STREET, READING.

ie : \
we

ATHYRIUM F.F. CLARISSIMA APOSPOROUS CULTURE,

Q____G4G[GCo

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WS

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TRANSPLANTED _ INDIVIDUALS eS

THE
bRITISH FERN GAZETTE.

NEW SERIES.

7 VoL. V. DECEMBER, 1926. No. 7
CONTENTS.

PAGE
FRONTISPIECE : Aposporous Culture of Athyrium f.f. Clarissima
EDITORIAL NOTES .. e: a% ik ae oe Se 140
OuR FRONTISPIECE .. ae, os Be OF ee a 141
THE ANNUAL MEETING ae eae bee ee J re 142
BALANCE SHEET mA ys a a i te ee su 143
OFFICERS FOR 1926-27 ae ie as ae ae =e 144
FERNS IN Norway (Canon Kingsmill Moore) .. ois ae 146
POLYSTICHUM ACULEATUM AND ITS VARIETIES (F.W.S.) are 147
FERN HUNTING IN NorTH WALES (Dr. 8S. P. Rowlands).. + 151
Our DuTY TOWARDS FERNS (F.W.S.) .. ay ee 3 155
AMATEUR FERN GROWING (Dr. H. C. Drury) .. af es 158

EDITORIAL NOTES.

The Editor regrets that the regular sequence of publication
of The Gazette has been interrupted by circumstances over
which he had no control. The late Hon. Secretary’s affairs
being in bankruptcy the Society had no available funds for
publication of the number due in May. As the bankruptcy
proceedings are not yet closed it is premature to make any
definite financial statement. At a Meeting of the Com-
mittee, held in London on June 28th, 1926, Dr. Stansfield
was appointed Hon. Secretary and Treasurer pro tem., and
it was decided to issue a circular to all members of the Society
asking for payment of all due and overdue subscriptions.
A fairly good response has been made to this appeal and
the Treasurer has funds in hand to carry on the work of the
Society for the present. A considerable proportion of
members, nevertheless, has failed to reply, and it is still
uncertain upon how many paying members the Society can
rely. It is quite clear, however, that if the work is to be
carried on successfully more members must be obtained,

140

since the cost of printing remains approximately the same
for a small or large number of members. There are signs
in the horticultural press, at exhibitions, and elsewhere,
that an increased interest is being taken in British Ferns ;
and if only this interest can be transmuted into active member-
ship the future of the Society is assured. We appeal, then,
to our loyal members to endeavour to secure recruits whenever
possible, and if only each member can secure one additional
subscriber the Society can go on to increased usefulness
and prosperity, The Gazette can be published regularly and
more frequently, and can be increased in size; also it may
be possible to reduce the subscription to its former level.

Subscriptions for the year 1926-7 are now due and should
be sent to the Treasurer, Mr. J. J. Sheldon, “‘ Monkhams,”’
Lower Road, Great Bookham, Surrey.

We have received from Dr. 8. P. Rowlands another crested
form of Blechnum spicant, which he has found as a small
plant in the Pass of Llanberis this summer. It is a curious
coincidence that the same hunter found a distinct crested
Blechnum in Pembrokeshire in 1925. The latter is referred
to in the report of the Annual Meeting this season. The
new find seems to be on similar lines to the older one, but
is too small as yet for a final verdict to be pronounced upon
its character. A very important find was made in 1924, by
Major Orme of Budleigh Sutherton, near that town. A
frond was sent, through Dr. Druce of Oxford, in 1925, to
the present writer, who identified it as Asplentum marinum
plumosum, the most beautiful and distinct variety of that
species. The plant is at present in the possession of the
Editor, who was enabled to collect it in situ this year by the
permission of Major Orme and with the help of Mr. J. Stuart
Edwards : it will be carefully cultivated and preserved until
fully developed. It is at present uncertain whether it will

’

14]

differ perceptibly from previous finds of the variety, the
first of which was made in Guernsey by Mr. C. Jackson
more than fifty years ago. Similar forms have since been
found in Devonshire by Mr. Jackson and Miss Price, but
none has been recorded for many years before the present
one. The species itself being a comparatively rare fern
it is obvious that varieties of any importance must be regarded
as greater treasures than those of species of more general
distribution. Unfortunately marinum does not thrive under
cultivation except in rather special circumstances, and there
are very few collections of varieties of this Asplenium. It
is hoped that plumosum may be preserved so that future
generations may admire its beauty.

We have recently received from Mr. H. Stansfield some
half-a-dozen very fine seedling angulares of promising
pulcherromum character. There are rumours of pulcherriomums
in batches of seedings in other collections. If these beautiful
ferns cannot now be found wild it is evident that they are
being raised from spores.

We have received a copy of The Irish Times for August
9th last, containing a report of the Flower Show in the Royal
Dublin Society’s Grounds in which occurs the following
reference to British ferns :—‘‘ The group of fifty hardy ferns,
for which a silver-gilt medal was awarded to the Rev. Canon
Kingsmill Moore, D.D., including some of the rarest and most
beautiful kinds, was generally conceded to be the best collec-
tion ever staged at a Dublin Show, a further six specimens
in competition winning the medal presented by the proprietors
of Gardening Illustrated.”

OUR FRONTISPIECE,
The Society is indebted to Mr. T. B. Blow, the successful
cultivator, not only for the photographs but also for the
cost of their reproduction.

142

THE SEPTEMBER MEETING.

The 31st Annual Meeting of the Society was held on Monday,
September 6th, at the Bull Hotel, Bridport, Dorset, the
President, Mr. W. B. Cranfield occupying the Chair. The
postponement of the date of meeting from August to
September was found: to conduce greatly to the convenience
of members in travelling and in obtaining accommodation.
The weather was good and the ferns in excellent condition.
Members were present from Enfield, London, Welwyn,
Reading, Horsham, Great Bookham, Warlingham and
Canterbury.

The President made an opening statement with regard
to the bankruptcy and resignation of the Hon. Secretary
and Treasurer, Mr. C. Henwood, which had left the Society’s
financial afiairs in an unsettled condition. The whole of
the Society’s funds up to June, 1926, were involved in the
bankruptcy, amounting to £42 10s. lld. A claim had been
sent in for this amount to the Official Receiver. Mr. C.
Henwood was confident that the Society’s funds, being trust
money, would have preference over the claims of other
creditors, but this had not been officially confirmed. It
remained to be seen how much would be recovered when
the bankruptcy proceedings were closed. Dr. Stansfield had
been elected by the Committee, Hon. Secretary and Treasurer
pro tem. The President then referred to the work which
had been done at Kew Gardens by a Sub-Committee of the
Society (consisting of himself, Dr. Stansfield and Mr. T. E.
Henwood) in reorganizing and naming the collection of
British Ferns in the Royal Gardens. He had himself con-
tributed to the Gardens a collection of British Ferns consisting
of 237 species and varieties of the genera Aspidium, Asplenium,
Blechnum, Nephrodium, Osmunda, Polypodium and Scolo-
pendrium, which had been officially acknowledged by the

143

Director of Kew Gardens (Dr. Arthur W. Hill) on behalf
of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. The Royal
Horticultural Society had also put forward a request that
the collection of British Ferns in the Society’s Gardens at
Wisley should be similarly overhauled and reorganized, and
this would be done as soon as practicable.

Dr. Stansfield made a statement with regard to the Society's
affairs since the books had come into his hands in June,
1926. The gross list of members then numbered 78. By
direction of the Committee a circular had been sent out to
every member of the Society inviting payment of all subscrip-
tions due and all arrears. Forty-one members had paid their
subscriptions up to the present time, but of these five had
resigned their membership. Two members had died, leaving
35 who had neither resigned or paid. Several members had
paid their subscriptions for the coming year. The members
who had died were Mr. H. Relton and Miss A. Knox-Gore.

BALANCE SHEET.

F. W. STANSFIELD, T'reasurer, June 25th, 1926, to September 6th, 1926.

RECEIPTS. ee TRIS PAYMENTS. 5 (S20.
Subscriptions .. 2412 6 | Printingand Postages 2 3 9$
| Balanceinhand .. 22 8 81

£24:12 6 | £24 12 6

BANKING ACCOUNT.

eS SO.

Balance in Bank .. ae re Mates ae
Cash in Treasurer’s hands ae a 1 6 94
£22 8 83

Audited and found correct this 3lst day of August, 1926.
(Signed) J. J. SHELDON, Auditor.
The sum of £38 17s. Od. was subscribed by the members
present against the estimated loss to the Society.

144
OFFICERS FOR 1926-27.

President :
Mr. W. B. Cranfield.

Vice-Presidents :
Mr. Alex. Cowan, Mr. J. J. Smithies,
Dr. F. W. Stansfield, Mr. T. E. Henwood,
Rev. Canon Kingsmill Moore, Mr. G. E. Stephens,
Rev. Canon Hawkins.

Committee :
Mr. T. Brown, J.P., Belfast, Mr. R. Whiteside, Lancaster.
Mr. T. B. Blow, Welwyn, Mr. W. Wilson, Kendal.
Mr. P. Greenfield, Dr.S. P. Rowlands, Doncaster.

Warlingham, Dr. T. Stansfield, Reading.

Hon. Secretary and Editor of the Gazette :
Dr. F. W. Stansfield, Reading.

Auditor :
Mr. Percy Greenfield.

It was resolved that the next Annual Meeting be held on
the first Monday in September, 1927, the place of meeting
to be decided by the Committee.

Mr. T. B. Blow exhibited a remarkably successful culture
of Athyrium f.f. Clarissima which he had raised by apospory,
and kindly presented the plants raised to the members present
at the meeting. Mr. Blow said that the aposporous frond
had been given to him by Mr. T. E. Henwood, while Mr.
Henry Mount had laid it down for him. The laying down
of the frond so as to bring the pseudo-sori into contract
with the soil without injury to any part was a piece of work
involving great skill and patience on the part of the operator,
and occupying many hours of careful work. A vote of
thanks and of cultural commendation was passed to Mr.

145

Blow coupled with the names of Mr. T. E. Henwood and
Mr. Henry Mount, who had contributed to the wonderful
final result of the culture. Mr. Blow promised to contribute
a picture of the culture as a frontispiece for the next Gazette.

Messrs. Perry of Enfield sent a collection of fern fronds
for exhibition and were awarded Certificates for (1) Poly-
stichum angulare decompositum dissectum, Perry, and (2)
Scolopendrium vulgare sagittato-crispum cristatum, Perry,
both very good things. The angulare was the finest form
of decompositum we have yet seen and it will be difficult
to surpass in the future. The Scolopendriwm was also a neat
and distinct variety.

Dr. F. W. Stansfield was awarded Certificates for (1)
Polystichum ang. pluma-Struthionis, F.W.S., a seedling of
his own from the rarefactwm strain, and for (2) Polypodium
vulgare bipinnatum, found by him at Dunsterin 1914. Neither
of these had previously been brought before the Society.
P. a. pluma-Struthionis is, by some members, considered to
surpass Baldwinii in fineness of sub-division as well as in
depth and mossiness.

Dr.S. P. Rowlands was awarded a Certificate for Blechnum
spicant percristatum found by him in Pembrokeshire in 1925.
In this fern the terminal crests are small but neat and well
formed, but the peculiarity is that the pinnae of both barren
and fertile fronds are also furnished with small crests. This
is a new feature in wild finds of Blechnum.

Most of the members stayed at Bridport from September 3rd
to September 10th, and the surrounding country was scoured
for varieties. Mr. Sheldon found, at Powerstock, a very
promising crested form of Lastrea filix-mas (which may develop
into a grandiceps), and, afterwards, near Beaminster, a
very fine angulare decompositum, a large plant with several

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crowns which involved a good deal of muscular exertion
as well as considerable time before it could be removed.
This plant was growing in a lane near a dwelling-house and
was nearly buried in a heap of rubbish when found. Dr.
Stansfield found a small ramo-digitate Scolopendrium, while
Mr. Blow crowned the last day of our stay by bringing in,
from the Axminster district, a very fine large-headed ramulose
Blechnum of distinct character. Several other finds of minor
importance were made, almost every member taking home
some souvenir of his stay in the neighbourhood.

FERNS IN NORWAY.

In August, 1925, I had the pleasure of visiting Norway, in
that splendid ocean yacht The Arcadian. Fern-hunting formed
no part of the programme, but a ruling passion will assert
itself, no matter what the foreground may be; and so it
happened that, though I planned no fern hunts, I found a
good many ferns. Wherever we landed, as we did in many
places, from Molde nearly as far north as the South of Iceland,
to Northeimsund, whose latitude is the same as that of
the Shetlands, the ferns seemed to be welcoming me; they
smiled up as we motored or drove, they greeted me as we
walked.

Owing to the conditions of the cruise, my introduction
to Norway and its ferns was fleeting and superficial, so much
so that such observations as I made scarcely seem worthy
of a place in The Gazette ; but our Editor has commandeered
my notes, and they must be placed at his disposal.

Quite surprising were the Polypodiwms: not so much
P. vulgare, which, though plentiful, was not especially
vigorous ; but it was sheer delight to wander at Aandalsnaes
through woods where P. phegopteris, P. dryopteris and P.

calcareum rose above the ankles, and, in some eases,

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halfway to the knees. I have found these Polypodies often
in Switzerland and Wales, but have never seen anything
to approach their profusion in Norway.

Of Pteris aquilina there was plenty, and the same may
be said of Athyrium filix-femina. Blechnum spicant also was
common ; but, so far as my observation went, none of these
three species luxuriated as they doin our Islands. Aspleniwms
were rather scarce. <A. trichomanes and A. septentrionale
were found, but curiously enough not A. ruta-muraria, nor
A. Adiantum-nigrum. Scolopendrium vulgare, | believe, I
saw from a motor, but undoubtedly it was scarce; I met
some Lastrea oreopteris and was shown Woodsia Ilvensis,
which a lady member of the party found. No Polystichums
crossed my path ; but Lastrea filix-mas was plentiful.

Notice has often been taken of the absence of ** Varieties ”
on the Continent. Possibly the absence of searchers may
explain this. At any rate I can claim to have found a forked
Lastrea filix-mas. It was a poor form, one which would not
attract a second glance at home; but it was certainly
sufficiently “‘in character ” to prove that the Continent does
produce “ Varieties.”

On the whole Norway impressed me as a land which offered
good fern hunting. My searches were of so perfunctory a
kind that, if ferns had not abounded, I should not have made

“finds ” in any sense of the word.

H. KINGSMILL MOORE.

POLYSTICHUM ACULEATUM AND ITS VARIETIES.

The prickly shield fern, in its normal form, is certainly
one of our handsomest species. Its glossy dark green fronds
are quite distinct from those of any other British fern, and
it is frequently collected and grown in cottage gardens, etc..,

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by people who have otherwise very little discrimination
among ferns. Its thoroughly evergreen character makes it
a handsome object in the winter when most other outdoor
ferns have either disappeared or are seen only as unhappy

draggled objects. It has a wider range of distribution than

P. angulare, being found both further north and further
east than its softer ally. Notwithstanding its almost general
distribution in the British Islands it has been much less
prolific in varieties than its relative angulare, the wild finds
in the latter species outnumbering those in aculeatum by
hundreds to tens. We well remember the time when
practically the only aculeatum varieties known were acrocladon,
densum, “‘ proliferum”’ and “ cristatum.” Of these the last
was not a cristatum at all, but only very slightly forked
(not always even that); proliferum was not proliferous or
only very rarely so, but was a decent acutilobe ; acrocladon
was really a grandiceps and came rather near to angulare ;
densum was a fine bold form like a normal aculeatum with
larger pinnules. It is still well worthy of a place as a garden
fern. The first really crested aculeatum (apart from
acrocladon) was cristato-gracile, found by the late Mr. T.
Bolton, Senior, in 1865. From this some quite gocd crested
forms were raised by Mr. Bolton and others. It was not
until 1876 however that the great find in aculeatum was made,
i.e. P. a. pulcherrimum, Bevis. This was really an epoch-
making fern, although it was not until long afterwards that
the splendid gracillimums and improved pulcherrimums
appeared as its glorified offspring in the hands of Mr. Druery
and Mr. Green. It was for many years supposed to be
entirely barren. The present writer and the late Mr. 8.
Cropper were the first to find spores (two or three so7i only)
on pulcherrimum—about 1882 I think—but from them
nothing was raised superior, or even equal, to the parent.
Sometime in the late nineties of the last century, however,

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149

Mr. Green of Acton had a very fine plant of pulcherramum
which produced a large crop of spores, and from them both
Mr. Green and Mr. Druery raised gracillimums. Mr. Druery
was first in the field with gracillimum and received a First
Class Certificate from the R.H.S. for his plant. Mr. Green
shortly followed with his pulcherrimum plumosum which,
although really a finer thing than gracillimum, only received
an Award of Merit. The gracillimums are still exceedingly
beautiful things and very valuable for culture under glass,
but unfortunately in most places they are failures as outdoor
ferns ; in fact we do not remember to have ever seen a plant
doing really satisfactorily in the open air. Green’s plumosum,
however, although it is much richer and more developed
in character than gracillimum, does well in the open air.
Another of Druery’s seedlings was his pulcherrumum (which
at first he called dimorphum). This is second only in beauty
to Green’s plumosum and is also a good grower in the open
air. It is thicker in texture than the original Bevis and
has more of the glossy surface and rich green colour of
aculeatum. It is certainly one of the very finest and most
effective of British ferns. It was never submitted to the
judgment of the R.H.,S. but has been awarded a Certificate by
the British Pteridological Society and has been figured, some-
what inadequately, in The Gazette—Vol. III., p. 123. More
recent than pulcherrimum, although a long way behind it
in quality, are two forms of aculeatum, both found in the
same district as pulcherrimum, and both on one excursion
of the Society in 1921, viz., revolvens and brachiatum.
Revolvens was much withered when found (in a very dry
year), had only part of a frond, and was at first supposed
to be angulare, but on cultivation turned out to be aculeatum.
After a year’s growth it apparently dropped the revolvens
character and was consigned to the rubbish heap as a rogue.
Fortunately spores had been sown the previous year and the

150

seedlings were accidentally preserved although given no
care. In the spring of this year they made plants and seemed
to be all of true revolvens type. The leading plant up to
June, then bearing fronds of 12 inches in length, showed the
character better than we remember to have seen it in any
species. The later summer fronds were flat, or nearly so,
and it seemed likely to be another disappointment. It is,
in autumn, again producing revolvent fronds. Several of
the other plants, however, have retained the character all
through the season, and we hope that some, if not all, will
be true revolvens next year. P. aculeatum brachiatum was
very fine when first found, having great basal pinnae making
the width of the frond at the base almost equal to its length.
The following year, too, the main crown sent up fronds of
true brachiate character, but since then it has produced
no really characteristic fronds although the pinnules show
the peculiar cutting of a brachiatum and an occasional pinna
is “‘armed.” It remains tobe seen whether it will return
to its original character when really established, as frequently
happens among the brachiate angulares. Probably the air
of Dorset or Devon would be a help. Seedlings raised from
it are quite deltoid even in a very small state, and have
also the finely cut pinnules of a brachiatum, but so far they
are not ‘“‘armed.’’ The late Mr. E.J.Lowe and Mr. E. F. Fox
raised some very fine forms of aculeatum by crossing varieties
of angulare with aculeatum densum. Mr. Lowe thus raised
aculeatum cruciatum and Mr. Fox aculeatum capitatum and
polydactylum. Mr. J. Edwards also raised a plumosum
from pulcherrymum, Bevis, which, in his hands, sported in
the opposite direction from that taken in the hands of Mr.
Druery and Mr. Green. In 1924 Mr. T. E. Henwood found,
near Axminster, a crested Polystichum which, although it
had only one frond and was severely punished by drought,
was supposed to be rather a catch in angulare. In 1925 it

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came up rather freakish in character, with the cresting very
unequally disposed, but was evidently an aculeatum. This
year it has settled down into more regular habits and promises
to be quite a good crested aculeatum of a new type. Spores
were sown in 1925, from which seedlings are now producing
fronds, and there is hope that they may show some variation
from the parent, so that possibly a new strain of crested
aculeatum may result from this find.

There is still room for new varieties in this species; for
instance a really good divisilobe would be an acquisition
of great value. No doubt this and others will arise sooner or
later —F.W.S.

FERN HUNTING IN NORTH WALES.

After having spent numerous holidays in South Wales,
where ferns are abundant but somewhat restricted in variety,
it was a pleasant change to visit North Wales and to see
some of the less common species.

A late arrival at Chester, at 9 p.m., was followed by an
exhilarating pillion ride to Llansannan, a village tucked
away in the heart of Northern Denbighshire, some nine
miles west of the quaint old town of Denbigh. The mountain
roads in these parts are none too good, but hold no terrors
for the modern, highty efficient motor cycle, and we covered
| the forty odd miles in less than two hours.

My friend and I began our holiday by exploring suitable
places near at hand, and surely there are few more pleasant
spots, or more deserving of the term “ Fern Paradise,” than
the Valley of the Aled. This, in its upper and more interesting
part, extends southwards from Liansannan for some four
miles. It ends, or rather begins, at a magnificent waterfall,
known in the pleasant Welsh language as Rhaiadyr-y-Bedd,
where the stream from a mountain lake, the Llyn Aled,

152

rushes down a precipice into a pool below. The small river
is continued down a heavily wocded gorge in a northerly
direction, winding its way between dripping rocks, past
moss laden trees, and so beyond Llansannan till it joins the
Elwy on its way to the sea. Among the ideal conditions cf
this valley, Broad Bucklers and Lady Ferns attained their
utmost development, and it was among these beauties, at
the foot of the watertall, that we boiled our kettle and ate
our meal, forgetting the troubles of life.

No, we did not find Trichomanes radicans here, nor even
Hymenophyllum, though a spot more suited to both can
hardly be imagined. The former, needless to say, was not
found at all, but the Filmy Fern turned up another day,
in the southern part of the County, growing in its favourite
situation on damp rocks just above the river bed, often
in company with mosses, with Aspleniwm viride near by.
Hymenophyllum wnilaterale was the only species seen, though
doubtless further search would give Tunbridgense as well.

The prevailing formation in the Llansannan area is a
sort of slate, known geologically as the Wenlock Shale. This
is varied in parts of the County by masses of lmestone, as
in the case of the Cefn Rocks in the Elwy Valley, and the
Llysfaen Rocks on the North Coast. The Hart’s tongue
is not abundant in the slaty areas, even on mortared walls,
but is of course more plentiful in the limestone region. In
one spot, especially, this fern was particularly plentiful and
luxuriant, some of the fronds being little short of a yard long
In one restricted area, along a small stream, Polystichum
angulare was found growing in large numbers for about
half-a-mile. Immediately above and below this area angulare
was abruptly replaced by typical aculeatum, and in no place
did I find the two species mixed. The geological formation
and the surrounding conditions were apparently similar

153

all along, and I am personally unable to account for this
sharp demarcation in the habitats of the two species. Among
the interesting flowering plants that we met with were Litho-
spermum purpureo-caeruleum, and masses of the rare Veronica
hybrida of Linnaeus, a plant differing in small details from
the very rare Eastern form, Veronica spicata.

A particularly interesting day was spent on Snowdon.
The weather was perfect, and the crowds waiting at the
mountain station at Llanberis made it useless to try and
ascend by train. So we rode back two or three miles to
the top of the Llanberis Pass, in order to climb the mountain
from the Capel Curig, or eastern, side. It was as well,
perhaps, that we did this, for on the way up the Pass I found,
almost smothered by a clump of Parsley Fern, a neatly
crested Blechnum, again showing some signs of percristation
and thus resembling my North Pembrokeshire find of last
year. Some three hours was spent in the ascent of Snowdon,
varied by a meal halfway up, and frequent deviations from
the pig track in search of botanical treasures. Fern species
became fewer as we ascended. The Blechnum, etc., of the
lower slopes was soon almost replaced by the Parsley Fern,
which was particularly abundant, but the Beech Fern and
Asplenium viride were also found, while it was our fortune
to see one splendid plant of Polystichwm lonchitis, which
solitary find was allowed to remain to carry on the good
work of scattering its spores. Long may it be allowed to
stay there.

The Fern Allies were represented by Selaginella, Lycopodium
alpinum, L. clavatum and L. Selago. Jsoetes and Pilularia
are reported from the lakes below, but we had no time to
search for them.

Perhaps the tit-bit of the whole holiday was Lastrea rigida.
It is not apparently generally known that this fern occurs

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in Wales, but through the kindness of a friend, we were
able to see it in its Welsh habitat. Here, on an exposed
hillside, it grew freely in company with Polypodium
Robertianum, and, judging by the original description, it
had apparently more than held its own during the sixty
vears that have elapsed since its discovery. Its area was
very restricted, and this was at first somewhat puzzling,
till one saw a sphagnum covered area immediately below,
where water oozed out of the cliff. The ferns were, in fact,
growing on a miniature “ Moraine,” with a fairly constant
supply of moisture not far below the roots. This would
obviously explain the fern’s survival on scorching rocks
facing west, and its absence from the dry areas on either

side.

In some of the deep, shady ravines the Oak and Beech
Ferns were found in plenty, along with lesser quantities
of Cystopteris fragilis and Asplenium viride. These are all
scarce ferns in the Southern Counties of Wales, as is Crypto-
gramme crispa, so plentiful on the slaty rocks of Snowdonia
and elsewhere. Polypodium vulgare grew in hundreds on
some of the hedges, but by far the commonest hedge fern
was Lastrea filix-mas, although a good deal of the pseudo-mas
form was also seen in places. Athyrium, Blechnum, Lastrea
dilatata and L. montana were often abundant. L. aemula
and L. spinulosa were looked for in vain, but of course occur,
more especially perhaps in Carnarvonshire. Scolopendrium
and Polystichum angulare, which monopolise the hedges
in some parts further South, were conspicuous for their
absence in most of the areas we explored, being only
very locally abundant, although P. aculeatum was somewhat
more plentiful. Aspleniwm lanceolatum we hardly expected
to find, and did not, though it certainly occurs in Carnarvon-
shire if not in Denbighshire as well. Our only real

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155

disappointment was the failure to find Asplenium septen-
trionale. A strenuous day was spent hunting for it in one
of its Carnarvonshire localities, but the only result, as far
as I personally was concerned, was a sting, after falling
into an angry swarm of wild bees. The lesser wall ferns
were not as abundant as I should have expected. The
Ceterach was only seen in plenty once, and Aspleniwm tricho-
manes was not nearly as abundant in Denbighshire as I
have seen it elsewhere. The commonest was undoubtedly
ruta-muraria, plentiful on most walls and even on the hillsides,
apparently indifferent as to whether it grew on lime or slate.

A fortnight is obviously too short a time to make any but
a superficial survey of the fern beauties of so large an area,
but every minute was enjoyed to the full, and we left with
a determination to visit North Wales again in the near future.
In the meantime, we must be content with dreaming of
Woodsia and Asplenium germanicum and other treasures,
leaving the finding of them for that pleasant time to come !

OUR DUTY TOWARDS FERNS.

The refinding of Asplenium marinum plumosum by Major
Orme is a reminder that we owe something to the choice
things which come into existence apparently for our edification
and pleasure. If this be not their purpose it is difficult to
imagine any other since the more extreme developments of
variation have little chance of continued life unless they
are given shelter from the fierce struggle for existence which
obtains in wild nature. This is more especially true with
regard to those ferns which have lost that faculty of propaga-
tion by spores which gives the normal species their power
of colonization. A barren fern obviously cannot spread
except by vegetative growth, which is so slow and difficult
a method that it is clearly only a matter of time before any

156

individual plant will cease to exist. It may be devoured
by slugs, snails, wood lice, weevils, ants, mice, rabbits or
cattle. It may be pulled up by birds, to be used as nesting
material, or it may be overwhelmed by a fall of rock or
landslide, or be washed away by a flood. It may very easily
be destroyed by drought in a dry season. If growing in
a hedge it may be chopped to pieces by the hedge-cutters,
or its very site may be wiped out by the “improvement ”
of aroad. We have in mind quite a number of finds which
were on the verge of extinction when discovered. One,
for instance, was hanging, head downwards, from a bank,
its crown being in the air, and the plant only anchored by
the tips of a few roots in the soil above. Several have been
so punished by drought, competition and accidents thatit
was a difficult matter to revive them even with all the resources
of cultivation. The late Mr. Moly wrote to Col. A. M. Jones :
“T found the first (angulare pulcherrimum) in 1862, and,
on the same day, I found another of which (as the first was
a far better specimen) I contented myself with taking only
a frond, but, on cogitation at home, I found so much beauty
in it that, a week or two afterwards, I railed again to the
town, and, on reaching the spot, my nerves received a shock
on perceiving that the vandals had removed all the soil from
the hedge where I had left it: Every year since I have made
a pilgrimage to the neighbourhocd in the hope of securing
a specimen (for the original plant I had given to Mr. Wollaston
and it had died); my efforts were, however, unrewarded
until the summer of 1876, when I found the one I now possess.””
It is to the efforts of that mighty hunter and skilful cultivator
that those two magnificent ferns, ‘‘Moly’s Green” and
“ Moly’s Variegated ” pulcherrimum—still almost supreme
ornaments in the choicest collection—owe their continued
existence. Not only these, but scores of other beautiful
things which enrich our gardens, are the outcome of many

157

years’ work by “queer old Moly ” as some people called
him. Moly was therefore a benefactor not only to ferns
but to fern lovers. We owe a deep debt of gratitude to
Moly, Padley, Wills, Jackson, Wollaston, Jones, Barnes,
Smithies, Forster, Whitwell and many other workers of the
past and some of the present day. There is much to be said
for the practice of attaching to a variety the name of the
finder, or raiser, which is prevalent among fern lovers more
than in any other section of botanists.

We owe also a debt of gratitude to the ferns themselves
which have put on their superior attire for our special gratifica-
tion, and the least we can do is to give them a good time and
enable them to display their plumes to the best advantage.
This they can rarely do except as the result of cultivation
and, indeed, the difference between a “ find ’’ when growing
wild and the same plant under good cultivation is often
a revelation even to the finder. This is markedly the case
among the plumose section of varieties, which require
abundant nutrition and freedom from worries to attain their
full development. Lastly, we have a duty to posterity to
preserve intact the heritage of beauty which has come down
to us from the efforts of past workers as well as that which
we ourselves had a part in saving from destruction. Let us
then strive to do our ferns full justice as far as possible.
We cannot all grow full collections of beauties: that must
be reserved for the comparatively wealthy and for public
gardens such as Kew and Wisley. The very poorest can,
however, grow at least one fern in some corner or other,
and, if we can only grow a single plant, let us see to it that
it has the opportunity to grow to its highest development
and to show its full beauty.

158

AMATEUR FERN GROWING
(Continued).
(Reprinted from Irish Gardening).

to wash the soil away from the plant. The best way is to
water, not the plants, but the rocks—the force of the flow is
thus broken, the soil is not disturbed, and the plants are
watered just as well as if it was poured direct into the
*“ pocket.”” This saves time too, for the same care is not
required—the water flows all over the stone and waters all
the pockets that surround it.

Again, when watering do it liberally, give a good saturating,
and then leave it alone for a few days. In very hot mid-
summer weather it will be all the better to water every
evening, but if for any reason it is inconvenient or impossible
to do so, no harm will result, they will go for three or four
days even, at that time, without suffering. In spring, when
growth is commencing, a good watering once or twice a
week is enough. In autumn once a week or ten days is
plenty, unless there is some very hot dry weather, when they
should be watered about three times a fortnight.

It will be seen therefore that the labour of watering is
not very deadly.

In one corner of the house a dipping tub should be provided,
not only for the convenience of dipping the can to fill it, but
in order that, being kept full, you have a supply of water
near the temperature of the house, so that the plants are
not chilled by the cold water fresh from the supply pipe.
If the supply laid on to the house is “ soft ” like the Vartry
water supplied to Dublin, it may be freely used for all purposes ;
but if it is ““ hard ’’—that is, contains a quantity of dissolved
lime—it should not be used. It will be necessary then to
make provision for catching the rain-water from the roof,

159

either in a series of tubs or in a large cistern, made by sinking
a hole in the floor and lining it with cement. This is a
laborious and costly job, and keeps the water really cooler
than we would like it. A couple of paraffin barrels cut in
half will make four serviceable tubs, which will give a sufficient
supply. These may be all connected together, either near
the bottom, by a short straight piece of lead pipe, or, better,
near the overflow level at top by a bent lead pipe which
reaches from the bottom of one to the bottom of the other.
This acts as a syphon and keeps the water level the same
in all four tubs. It is better than the former method, as
there it is very difficult to prevent a leak, which will drain
the tubs ; where the connection is made above, a small leak
is no harm, as it can only occur when the tubs are already
full. If the syphon gets air-blocked, an awl hole at the
upper part of the bend will at once correct this, the hole being
then plugged by a bit of wood.

Ventilation is the next consideration. The first general
principle is that ferns dislike a draught, but rejoice in still
air. Second, they dislike dry air and rejoice in a moist
atmosphere. Third, they dislike changes of temperature :
the greater these are, and the more rapid, the worse. Fourth,
that these likes and dislikes are much more pronounced in
the “‘ growing’ period of the year—that is, when the ferns
are making fresh new fronds, than in the “ resting” period,
when the fronds are fully developed. With these four
principles understood and kept in mind, the whole question
becomes simple.

About the middle of February, especially in open seasons,
the ferns begin to make their new roots, but nothing is yet
to be seen in the crown growth. Early in March some
loosening will be seen in the crown of curled-up young fronds,
which soon then begin to unfold. Just at this time we fre-

160

quently have a clear sky and bright sun, but cold, dry east
wind. Some glints of the sun reach portions of the glass-
house, heat rays as well as light rays pass through the glass,
but heat rays cannot pass out again, and the atmosphere
within rapidly warms. The day is, however, still short, and
the evening, night and early morning, are bitterly cold. If
we are not careful the temperature will rise rapidly every
sunny day, but every night will fall as low as that outside.
The warmth induces the ferns to start into growth, and once
started they tend to continue growing, but the young delicate
succulent fronds will be perished and distorted if subjected
to the cold at night. If we open wide the ventilators during
the sunny hours, the cold wind entering will cause worse
havoc. How can we get rid of these dangers? First, do not
start the ferns too early—by premature watering and getting
the temperature up too early. Second, when the season is
more advanced, endeavour to keep the temperature moderate
during sunny hours, and box up the heat for the other hours.
To do this, keep all the lower ventilators tightly closed day
and night; during the sunny hours keep the top (roof)
ventilators open about one inch. Heated air tends to rise,
and so it rushes out through the small apertures you have
given it at the ventilators, through which little, if any, draught
will make its way in to cause damage. The heated air which
rushes out is replaced by cool air filtered in through in-
numerable chinks under and over the door and ventilators,
between the panes of glass, etc., so no draught is caused, but
the temperature is kept moderate. As soon as the sun is
going off the glass the top ventilators are closed, and the
heat bottled up as much as possible. Though it falls appre-
ciably, it remains above that outside, for a long time, probably,
unless there is cold high wind, till the sun of next day warms
it up again. Even on a dull day, it will be found that the
temperature inside the house will rise, for still some heat-rays

161

make their way in, though they are much enfeebled, the
temperature in consequence does not tend to become excessive,
therefore on a dull day we keep all ventilators closed, and
bottle up all the heat we can. This course is adopted all the
time of active growth, and as the sun grows stronger, we
further moderate the heat by frequent wetting of the floor,
which promotes evaporation, and evaporation always means
cooling. Before midsummer it may be necessary to further
prevent overheating by shading. This must be done on the
outside of the glass, and if the house has a north aspect, the
roof alone requires to be done. Do not use an oi! paint—
that is, a permanent shading, as it is unnecessary, and becomes

dirty and opaque.

When the growth has become mature, the days have
become long and the nights short, the top ventilators may
be left open one inch day and night, and during the hottest
part of the day the lower ventilators may be opened pretty
freely on the sheltered or non-windy side of the house, and
the floor still kept wet. As the days shorten in autumn we
give less water, and so gradually get the house drier, the
floor water is given up, air still given and left on longer, to
harden the foliage against the winter struggle. By the time
November has arrived we have given up watering altogether,
the lower ventilators are kept closed day and night. The
upper ventilators remain open about half an inch day and
night. This is not for the purpose of regulating temperature,
which keeps practically the same as that outside, but to
promote further drying and so diminish the tendency for
moisture to condense on the cold glass, and drip down on the
ferns, where it would at once set up decay. By this time,
if we desire, we can take a trip ourselves to sunny climes and
revel in their warmth. The ferns will look after themselves
and be quite contented and happy till we come back at the

162

end of January. But if instead we spend Xmas at home,
and wish to deck our dinner table with something of fairy
lightness, to relieve the customary holly and ivy, we go to the
greenhouse, as we have often done in other winters, and pluck
a handful of maidenhair, fresh and green and dainty.

A word may be said about artificial nourishment. If the
directions as to furnishing good soil for the plants have been
followed, they will continue to flourish for many years without
any additional nourishment. If, however, it is seen that _
here and there the soil has become washed away, or the roots
are exposed by the upward growth of the rootstock, a top-
dressing of one part loam and two parts leaf-mould, will be
advisable. In the case of strong vigorous growing kinds, a
few waterings once a week during the growing season with
water to which some Clay’s Fertiliser has been added over-
night, in the proportion of a small teaspoonful to a gallon of
water—that is, a very weak application—will give great
stimulus to growth, and will diminish the robbery of nourish-
ment by this strong grower from its weaker neighbours.
But if the plan for collecting rain-water from the roof is
adopted, no additional artificial stimulant will ever be
required. The soot and dirt washed from the roof will supply
all that is necessary ; it 1s given constantly in very weak
solution, and will cause a healthy vigorous growth, and rich
green in the foliage, that cannot be surpassed by any other
line of treatment. If, however, the supply pipe is depended
on rather than the roof-water, then fill a bag with seot, tie
a brick to it, to sink it, and put it into the dipping tub. Renew
it every six months or so. This is the finest of all ‘manures ~
for ferns.

We now have our fernery going splendidly, and there
seems little to do except to go and admire the plants, and

(To be continued).

ritish jfern
~Gasette..

Sune, 1927.

EDITED BY

F. W. STANSFIELD, M.D.

(120, OXFORD ROAD, READING.)

ee

a PUBLISHED BY

| - THE BRITISH PTERIDOLOGICAL SOCIETY

| President : Mr. W. B. Cranfield, Hast Lodge, Enfield Chase, Middlesex.
oa | Hon. Secretary: Dr. F. W . Stansfield.

, on. Treasurer: Mr. J. J. Sheldon, ‘‘ Monkhams,’ Lower Road,
; Great Bookham, Surrey.

pat Te, : = =
ADLEY & SON, LTD., THE CROWN PRESS, CAXTON STREET, READING.

THE
BRITISH FERN GAZETTE.

NEW SERIES.

Vou. V. JUNE, 1927. No. 8
CONTENTS.
EDITORIAL NOTES .. oY Ls ae =, is bid 163
THE SEPTEMBER MEETING ee: a au s, oa 164
OBITUARY—STANSFIELD: Porm, “‘ SHE WAS MINE” (Coventry
Patmore) S m xe if *: = as 165
MENDELISM IN FERNS AT THE JOHN INNES INSTITUTION (F.W.S.) 165
LASTREA F. MAS VARIEGATA, PHILLIPS .. ats oe rte 170
ALPINE FERNS (Mr. H. Stansfield) sis ce ae i 172
ASPLENIUM TRICHOMANES AND ITS VARIETIES .. a be 174
THE PRESIDENT’S LECTURE ON FERNS .. A NC Ae 7
AMATEUR FERN GROWING (continued) (Dr. H.C. Drury) as V9

EDITORIAL NOTES.

The President of the Society and the Editor of The
Gazette have been elected Fellows of the Linnzan Society
on the initiative of our member Mr. T. B. Blow, who is himself
one of the oldest Fellows. Two more or less public lectures
on British Ferns have been given by members of our Society
during the winter and spring. We give, on another page,
a short resumé of our President’s address to the Horticultural
Club. The other lecture was delivered by Dr. 8. P. Rowlands
to the Doncaster Scientific Society early in December, and
was also illustrated by lantern slides lent by our President,
whose kindness in the matter was suitably acknowledged.
The lecture was briefly reported in the local press. Several
new members have joined the Society since our last issue,
but there is still need for the activity of the “ Recruiting

py)

Sergeant ” as our circle of members is very small compared
with that of societies of specialists in other branches of

horticulture and botany, such as roses, carnations, irises, etc.

164

The Treasurer, Mr. J. J. Sheldon, will be glad to receive
payment of all due and overdue subscriptions. The Editor
will also be glad to receive literary contributions from members
for the next number of The Gazette: the greater the variety
of contributions, the better is the general flavour of the
issue.

THE SEPTEMBER MEETING.

The Annual Meeting of the Society will be held at the
Peerless Hotel, Tenby, Pembrokeshire, on Monday, September
5th, at 10 a.m. Accommodation may be had at the Royal
Gate House Hotel (6 guineas per week per head), at the
Peerless Hotel (34 to 54 guineas) and with Mrs. Arnett, 7
Norton, Tenby (from 34 guineas per week). Members who
intend to be present are advised to write and secure rooms
at the earliest possible moment as otherwise it may be difficult
to obtain suitable accommodation. The County of Pembroke
should afford good ground for our purpose as, although it has
been very little hunted in the past, several good things have
been found there, e.g. Polystichum ang. grandiceps, Jones,
and, as recently as 1925, Dr. Rowland’s Blechnum sp.
percristatum. The southern half of the County is on the
limestone and abounds in Polystichums (both angulare and
aculeatum), Scolopendriums and other lime lovers, while the
northern part is on the millstone grit and coal measures
and contains Blechnums and other calcifuge species. The
general botany of the County is interesting and the Society
will have the advantage of the advice and assistance of
Mr. J. E. Arnett, who is the local authority on botany. We
look forward to a pleasant time and hope to have a good
attendance of members,

165

OBITUARY.
On November 19th, 1926, very suddenly, at Reading,
Jane, the beloved wife of Frederic Wilson Stansfield.

“SHE WAS MINE.”

“Thy tears o’erprize thy loss! Thy wife,

In what was she particular 4

Others of comely face and life,
Others as chaste and warm there are,

And when they speak they seem to sing ;
Beyond her sex she was not wise,

And there is no more common thing
Than kindness in a woman’s eyes.

Then wherefore weep so long and fast,
Why so exceedingly repine !

Say, how has thy Beloved surpass’d
So much all others ?”’ “‘ She was mine.”

[From “ Florilegium Amantis,’’ Coventry Patmore, by special
permission of Messrs. George Bell & Sons, London. |

MENDELISM IN FERNS AT THE JOHN INNES
INSTITUTION.

We have received a copy of a paper (reprinted from
‘“* Hereditas,” an international scientific journal. published
in Sweden) by Miss Irma Andersson of the John Innes Horti-
cultural Institution, Merton, Surrey, which will be of interest
to fern growers both from the scientific point of view and,
perhaps still more, as an illustration of the cultural methods
employed by Miss Andersson. There is nothing unexpected
in the fact that the characters of British fern varieties are
inherited on Mendelian lines as are the characteristics of
practically all the higher plants and animals so far as has
yet been investigated. Some of the facts brought out in

166
the course of Miss Andersson’s experiments will, however,
be a little surprising to some of our readers. First of all,
with regard to methods of culture :—The spores are sown not,
as a rule, on soil, but on a thin layer of agar-agar jelly
moistened with Knop’s solution in petri dishes. These
petri dishes are small flat glass dishes about half-an-inch
deep and two or three inches in diameter, having closely
fitting flat glass lids. The sowing is done in a small special
room, with glass walls and closely fitting glass doors, which is
regularly sterilized every day. The tables are glass covered
and kept scrupulously clean, while all instruments are
sterilized before being used. The agar jelly has the advantage
over soil that it is transparent, and therefore the whole
dish and its contents can be examined under the microscope
and every detail of structure and development can be kept
under close observation. We have visited the Institution
and inspected the processes of culture. Some petri dishes,
said to be ‘“‘ very old,” were examined and found to be full
of prothallia mostly showing primary fronds of the sporophyte
generation. There was not a trace to be seen of conferve,
protococcus, protonema of mosses, hyphze of moulds, nor
foreign growths of any kind—nothing but fern prothallia with
incipient fronds growing upon the clear transparent jelly-
We quote now from the pamphlet :—‘‘ In order to ensure
cross fertilization each single prothallium is transferred to a
separate petri dish and it can, of course, be seen when the
archegonia are ready for fertilization. The petri dish is
then filled with Knop’s solution and prothallia with antheridia
of the proposed male parent are added. Twelve hours is
usually long enough to effect fertilization. The solution
with the male prothallia is then removed. The hybrid usually
appears a week or two after, and, when the roots and cotyledon
are well developed, it is transferred to soil. The prothallium
of Polystichum angulare and Scolopendrium vulgare is, at

167

first, either male or asexual. This stage is followed by a
period of growth, after which the archegonia appear at the
usual place. When the archegonia are ready for fertilization
the antheridia are, as a rule, empty. This applies to the
normal, regularly formed, more or less heart-shaped
prothallium. It is, therefore, often necessary to keep a
prothallium for a considerable time in order to secure self-
fertilization as new lobes or outgrowths must develop which

are covered with antheridia.”’
Experiments with Polystichum angulare.

Spores were sown from a plant of P. a. in@quale variegatum,
the object being to investigate the phenomena of inheritance
of variegation. In the first instance the spores were sown on
soil and a family was raised consisting of 158 plants of inequale
variegatum, 50 plants of P. a. congestum, 63 plants of P. a.
grandidens, and 14 of P. a. grandidens congestum. These
numbers correspond closely to those which would be expected
upon Mendelian principles supposing the spores sown to
have been from a cross-bred plant in which the variegatum
character, with normal outline, was dominant, and the
congestum and grandidens characters recessive and conse-
quently concealed. The ordinary amateur or commercial
raiser of ferns for garden purposes would at once suspect
that stray spores had somehow got into the sowing, and
this was our own idea upon first reading the account of the
experiment. We all know how readily stray spores’ will
filter in, apparently from nowhere, often of other species
than the one sown and not unfrequently when no _ plant
of the kind is known to be in the neighbourhood. Almost
every raiser of ferns from spores has met with perplexing
experiences of this kind. In the experiment in question
however no other species than the one sown appeared and
there were no *‘ weeds ”’ such as conferve, mosses or moulds,

168°

which was strong evidence that the precautions taken to
exclude foreign spores had been effective. The Mendelian
proportion of numbers was also significant. In order to
make assurance doubly sure another experiment was made,
in which one sorus at a time was picked off the frond under
a microscope. Then one single sporangium, unopened. at
the time, was dissected out by using absolutely sterile needles,
The single spore-case was then transferred with the needle
to a sterile hollow glass slide and was immediately scrutinized
on all surfaces to ascertain that no spores from other sporangia
adhered to the wall or the stalk. A sterile glass ring was
then put round the sporangium and a sterile cover-slip
was put over the ring. The cover-slip was slightly
heated so as to induce rapid bursting of the sporangium.
When this had taken place the giass ring and cover-slip
were carefully removed and the, now free, spores transferred
to dishes of agar. The whole procedure took place in an
otherwise empty room which is regularly disinfected and
affords absolutely sterile conditions. Afterwards the agar
dishes were kept in a greenhouse on a table isolated by strong
disinfectant, the dishes being kept shut. In this experiment
the spores from 24 sporangia were sown on agar, the contents
of each sporangium in a separate dish, and the prothallia
were allowed to fertilize among themselves. Each
sporangium, so prepared, gave the four types of ferns as
in experiment I, and in similar proportions. When the
spores from these four types were sown separately and
allowed to fertilize themselves it was found that the dominant
type (inequale variegatum) again gave rise to a smaller
proportion of types 2, 3 and 4, but when the recessives
congestum and grandidens were sown they either bred true
or gave type 4, i.e. grandidens congestum, the dominant being
entirely eliminated. All this is again exactly what would
be expected on Mendelian principles. The only possible

ilfo})

explanation of these results is that the spores originally
sown were from a cross-bred plant in which the variegatum
character and normal outline were dominant, while congestum
and grandidens were recessive and therefore concealed.
Had spores from the original wild-found plant of inequale
variegatum been sown they would, doubtless, have either
bred true or have given a proportion of normal angulare.
A number of experiments were made by crossing different
varieties of Scolopendrium vulgare, most awful-looking
mongrels being produced in some cases (especially where
peraferens was one of the parents), but always the results
were on Mendelian lines and the most complicated mongrels
could be resolved into their constitutent varieties by breeding
and selection. It is found in this species that branching is
recessive to non-branching, dwariness is recessive to tallness,
undulation is recessive to flatness; but murication of the
upper surface is dominant over the smooth surface. Margina-
tion (of the under surface) is also dominant to smoothness.

In Athyrium filix-femina, apparently, a cross-bred parent,
containing the elements of kalothrix, but not showing any
kalothrix character, had been obtained, since, from a ragged-
looking laciniatum, the forms kalothrix laciniatum, kalothrix
cristatum and kalothrix-Craigii had been obtained. It is
evident that the thin translucent kalothrix character is
recessive to the thicker texture of other varieties. The
late Mr. Druery had a similar experience when, in trying
to obtain a crested kalothrix by sowing together kalothrix and
percristatum, Cousins, he obtained, apparently, nothing but
percristatum. Afterwards however a seedling kalothrix crista-
tum came up self sown in his fernery, and_ he logically
concluded that at least one of percristatum seedlings must
have contained kalothrix “ blood,”’ or more properly, kalothrix
determinants in the germ plasm.

170

The common or garden raiser of ferns will be able to learn
several valuable lessons from Miss Andersson’s experiments,
and, perhaps still more, from her methods of working. It
is obvious that, by using precise scientific methods and with
the assistance of the microscope, it will be possible to exclude
weeds and stray spores from sowings. Also it will be
practicable to obtain fertilization of the archegonia and
production of fronds from prothallia more quickly and more
certainly. The crossing of varieties and the hybridization
of species will become almost as easy as in the case of orchids
and other flowering plants, and it may become possible
to raise from spores varieties and species which have hitherto
resisted this method of propagation, such as Lastrea remota,
Asplenium, Ad.-nigrum microdon and Asp. trichomanes
confluens. In short, in all cases of difficulty of propagation
it will be easier to ascertain the cause and consequently to
surmount the difficulty.

Readers who are unfamiliar with the work of Gregor Mendel
may with advantage read a little book on “* Heredity in the
light of recent research,” by L. Doncaster, M.A., published
by the Cambridge University Press, in which the subject

is succinctly explained.

F.W.S.

LASTREA F. MAS VARIEGATA, PHILLIPS.

The history of this fern is somewhat obscure. It is
presumably the same variety which is referred to in Lowe's
small book on British Ferns as ‘‘ Nephrodium f. mas
argenteum, Phillips, a white-variegated variety found in
Ulster by Mr. Phillips.” It is not mentioned in any other
book on British ferns to which I have access. A small
plant of it was given to the writer when he was on a visit
to Mr. Phillips at Holywood in 1912. Mr. Phillips had
forgotten the circumstances of its origin, but supposed it

171

to be a wild find of his own. The little plant, at the time,
was not in good health and was rather indistinctly variegated
with dull greenish yellow. It showed no other abnormal
character than variegation. On cultivation, however, it
turned out next year to be polydactylous as well as variegated
and the variegation assumed a more definite character.
It is exceedingly unlikely that a fern having both these
abnormal characters would be found wild. From _ its
appearance I judge it to be a cross between Miss Wright's
lux-lune and polydactyla, Dadds. The coloration is exactly
of the same moonlight shade as in the former fern, but it
is more evenly distributed than in the supposed parent, for,
whereas in lux-lune there are splashes of moonlight over
the fern (as if the moon were shining through drifting clouds),
in variegata the moonshine is fairly regularly distributed
around the margins of the pinne and pinnules, these being
green in their central parts. As in the case of lux-lune,
if the fern be grown in full sunlight the variegation quickly
burns to brown and the plant looks shabby and miserable.
If grown in deep shade, on the other hand, the ** moonlight ”’
does not develop and the plant only shows rather indistinctly
two shades of green. If planted where direct sunlight does
not reach it, however, but where there is plenty of light
from an open sky, the colour-scheme is striking and handsome
and the fern retains its beauty all through the season.

Probably on account of their fastidiousness in the matter
of ight and shade both lux-lune and variegata have been
but little grown and are rarely to be seen in collections. I
had myself given away or lost my original plant of variegata
some years ago (during the war), but, in 1925, a self-sown
seedling came up in my fernery, doubtless from a long dormant
spore. This year it is a charming and beautiful plant, the
colour being, I think, a little brighter than the original.

172

The polydactylous character is elegant and characteristic
as in polydactyla, Dadds, which is well known, and which
the late Colonel Jones considered to be the most beautiful
of the fingered male ferns. Of course it is possible that
Mr. Philips may have found a variegata which may have
been crossed with polydactyla and the original plant lost.
The plant given to me was however supposed to be “a bit

of the original.”’
F.W.S.

ALPINE FERNS.

Under the above heading are classed, Allosorus, most of
the Aspleniwms, Blechnum, Cystopteris montana, Lastrea
montana, P. lonchitis and Woodsia. These ferns are at home
in cloudland and are grown only with difficulty in flat low
lying districts. They suffer by exposure to hot dry summer
temperatures, and thrive only when under the influence of
conditions prevailing at altitudes of 500 to 2,000 feet. The
cultivator who is located at an altitude of less than 200 feet
above sea-level, and at a considerable distance from the
sea or other large body of water, will be well advised (if he
values his peace of mind) to leave these Alpine ferns severely
and smartly alone. Occasional successes may be scored by
enthusiasts who are prepared to go to any lengths in order
to satisfy the requirements of this class of fern, but generally
speaking we lowlanders must yield the palm to our Scotch
friends and others enjoying an altitude of 500 to 1,000 feet.
Blechnums may be successfully grown in low lying districts
provided the land is boggy, so that artificial watering is
never necessary at any time of the year, but the writer suggests
that in selecting a site for Blechnum culture, the cultivator
must be not less than 800 feet above sea-level, in which
case (given a north aspect and peaty soil) nature will do
the rest, and in a very efficient and satisfactory manner.

173

In case the cultivator is compelled to operate at much
lower levels, wet bog land is a sine qua non, with shade,
shelter, a north aspect and other details in order to attain
a reasonable measure of success. There is however a certain
gloss on the foliage of Blechnums when grown under Alpine
conditions (rendering them almost immune to discoloration
by the vicissitudes of the weather) which is seldom if ever
seen on plants grown at lower levels.

Asplenium marinum and lanceolatum are not alpine. ‘These
must have warmth, in fact a stove temperature suits the
former quite well. The rest of the Aspleniums are either
Alpine of sub-Alpine and prefer cool summer conditions.
C. fragilis is less fastidious in its requirements than is C.
montana, which is a true Alpine type, and cannot long exist
above ground with the thermometer at summer heat.

Lastrea montana is one of the commonest ferns in the
Lake District, where the summer temperature is cooler and
more moisture-laden than in Cheshire and the Midlands.
P. lonchitis is more Alpine in its requirements even than
L. montana. The writer has seen only one permanently
thriving lonchitis anywhere near sea-level, and that was
grown under exceptionally favourable outdoor conditions in
Carnarvonshire, and repeated attempts to establish it else-
where in its immediate vicinity have all ended in failure.
Woodsias are now almost extinct as wild plants in the British
Isles ; 2,000 feet is about the correct altitude for these ferns,
and specimens brought down to much lower levels survive
only a few years at most.

H. STANSFIELD.

[The Blechnum grows to a stature of two feet in the New Forest
and in our Berkshire woods. Lastrea montana grows finer in Devon-
shire and Cornwall than we have seen it in the north. At Woody Bay
(Devon) near the sea-level it rivals Osmunda cinnamomea in stoutness
of stem and vigor of growth.— Hd. |

174

ASPLENIUM TRICHOMANES AND ITS VARIETIES.

This spleenwort is certainly one of the prettiest of our
native ferns. When seen growing on a mossy wall its vivid
green fronds with their shining black or dark brown stems
are most striking, and invariably appeal even to the non-
botanical observer who has an eye for the picturesque. Its
habitat on walls and rocks, almost invariably on a limestone
soil, indicates its requirements for cultivation, l.e., 1t must
have a well drained and well aerated, but not dry, soil and
a liberal allowance of chalk, limestone or old mortar.
Although some of the older varieties have been lost to cultiva-
tion there are still many left and, as the plants do not occupy
much space, a small house or frame will accommodate a
very pleasing and interesting collection which can be examined
at close range at any time of the year. Of the varieties,
meium is certainly the most beautiful, corresponding to
plumosum in other species. It is also the oldest on record,
having been noted and collected by Ray more than 200 years
ago. Many sub-varieties of anciswm have been found, and of
these Clementii, one of the latest, is probably the best for,
although less deeply cut than some of the other forms, it
has a foliose and crispate character which is very telling.
In order to see it at its best however it must be well and
liberally cultivated, as otherwise it is often hardly distinguish -
able from other forms of incisum. Clementii was figured
at p. 25, Vol. I, of The Gazette in 1910. The photograph
shows the foliose and congested character very well, but
does not adequately display the imciswm form and cannot
be said to do the variety full justice. Other specially good
forms were Claphami, triangulare and laciniatum, but it is
doubtful whether any of them is now in cultivation. Any
form of zncisum however is beautiful and well worthy of
being cultivated. All the above three forms were figured in
Lowe’s “Our Nature Ferns,” published in 1869. The cut

175

of Claphami is only a fragment, but shows the character
well. The other two however are mere caricatures and must
have been from very poor and ill-developed specimens.

After the incisums, bipinnatum, Ellis Roberts, is perhaps
the most striking variety, being of large size with pinne like
small fronds of the species. We well remember a frond
being sent to the late Mr. Druery with the suggestion that
it was a hybrid between trichomanes and’ Athyriwm filix-
femina. As the frond was fully 15 inches long and some
six inches wide, its size gave some excuse for the idea, but
there was otherwise nothing of the character of filix-femina
about it. I have never since seen it grown to anything
like these dimensions, although Mr. Henwood and the late
Mr. Whitwell have both grown very well-developed and
characteristic plants. The variety produces plenty of
spores which give rise to more or less characteristic seedlings,
but, unfortunately, a large proportion of these seem incapable
of growing to the size of the original, and, consequently,
instead of being bipinnate, are only imperfectly bipinnatifid.
They all however have elongated pinne, generally more
or less divided, and this gives distinct indications of their
origin. The best forms, when well grown, are very striking.
Another very fine variety is Mr. Cowan’s Italian folioswm,
which is a vigorous grower and very handsome when well
developed. It is moderately deeply incised and abundantly
fertile, so that it never takes on the really plumose character
of the true incisums.

Confluens is a variety which has given rise to much
controversy, the late Mr. Wollaston and Mr. Lowe both
having believed it to be a hybrid with A. marinum, although
Mr. Lowe limited this theory to the plant found by Mr. G.
Stabler in Levens Park in 1870. When grown by Mr. J. M.
Barnes this plant was very remarkable, having a much thicker

176

stem than any other form of trichomanes, and it was chiefly
this peculiarity, combined with its apparently barren
character, which gave rise to the theory of hybridity. The
plant is still in cultivation, but rarely now produces the stout
rachis of former times—indeed it is hardly distinguishable
from the other plants of confluens which have been found by
Messrs. Willison, Neill Fraser and J. J. Smithies, but the
rachis in all these is somewhat stouter than that of other
forms of trichomanes. The hybridity theory is now regarded
with scepticism by most fern growers and botanists although
the fact remains that no one has succeeded in raising it
in quantity from spores; the present writer and Mr. H.
Stansfield have each succeeded in obtaining a single plant
from sowings of it. Our own seedling was very feeble and
soon died. There is still hope however that seedlings may
yet be. raised as prothallia have several times been produced
without getting beyond that stage. I have some now.
Whatever may be its origin confluens is a very distinct and
ornamental fern. The confluent tip of the frond, when well
grown, rather suggests Scolopendrium, and a year or two
ago Mr. Henwood had a plant which produced several entirely
simple, strap-shaped fronds. Confluens is now the only
imbricate variety (if we except Clementii), but there was
formerly a very pretty dwarf one called imbricatum, which
was found by Mr. Clapham in 1863. It has been apparently
lost for many years, but may be found again. Of crested
forms quite a number have been found at various times, viz.,
cristatum, corymbiferum, ramosum,ramo-cristatum, dendroideum,
etc. One found in 1924 on Dartmoor by Mrs. Rowlands,
wife of our member, Dr. 8S. P. Rowlands, is about the neatest in
the lot ; although closely resembling Wollaston’s crzstatum (see
Druery’s latest book on ferns, p. 264) it differs from it in
the absence of any depauperation below the crest and in this
is superior. It is still flourishing and has recently produced

swe

seedlings true to type. Some of the other crested forms have
been lost so far as is known at present, but cristatwm and ramo-
cristatum are still extant. Tvrogyense and velum, both found
by the late Mr. EK. J. Lowe, are handsome forms very much
alike both having broad slightly incised fronds and triangular
pinne and being abundantly fertile. They are dwarfer than
Mr. Cowan’s Italian form. Moule, found in Devon many
years ago, is a pretty dentate variety and is still in cultivation.
A very similar form was found more recently by Mr. Gott
in Westmorland. Serrato-constrictum, Smithies, was found
in Westmorland on one of the Society’s earlier excursions and
is a very distinct type. The pinne are narrow, acutely
saw-toothed, and stand up almost parallel to the rachis
giving the fronds a singular combed appearance. The
variety comes freely from spores, but only a proportion of
the offspring are equal to the parent. When first found a
wall was seen almost covered with plants having this combed
appearance, but in very varying degrees of excellence. All
the members present secured plants, but Mr. Smithies was
fortunate in picking out the best, and from this one seedlings

have been raised. FE.W.S.

THE PRESIDENT’S LECTURE ON FERNS.

On April 5th Mr. W. B. Cranfield gave a lecture on British
ferns and their varieties to the members of the Horticultural
Club at the Trocadero Restaurant, London, Mr. Gerald Loder
occupying the Chair. The lecture proper was preceded by
the exhibition of a number of fronds from the lecturer’s
own garden, most of them having been grown and wintered
in the open air. These, being shown at the deadest time
of the year (for ferns), were intended partly to illustrate
the evergreen character and garden usefulness, even in
winter, of the ferns of the genera Scolopendrium and

178

Polystichum. 'The forms of Scolopendrium exhibited included
S. crispum speciosum, crispum nobile, Bolton, crispum
fimbriatum muricatum, ramo-cristatum, grandiceps and other
well marked forms, while the Polystichwms included forms
of divisilobum. such as div. Bland, divis. falcatum, div. falcato-
prnnulum, and of divisilobum plumosum the forms laxum,
Grimmondia, Baldwinii, etc. P. aculeatum was represented by
pulcherrimum, Bevis, pulcherromum, Druery, various types of
gracillimum, pulcherrimum plumosum, Green, P. acul. densum,
etc. The lecture was accompanied and illustrated by a fine
series of lantern slides, including some prepared by the late
Mr. Druery, but the majority by Mr. Cranfield himself.
Among the Druery series were slides showing the evolution
of the superbum strain of A. f.f. plumosum from the normal
through the Axminster variety and dissectum of Parsons
to plumosum cristatum superbum, and, finally, to plumosum,
Druery, the uncrested and culminating form. Mr. Cranfield’s
own slides included several of the aculeatum graciliomums,
one of his own being particularly striking with its splendid
pendulous habit and dilated extremities of the pinnules.
Others which attracted particular attention were examples
of photography in colours, such as Polypodium dryopteris
plumosum (growing in a cave), P. angulare divis. plumosum
variegatum (very striking) and Scol. v. crispum speciosum
growing in quantity along the sides of a ditch in the lecturer’s
garden. After a short resumé of the geological history and
general biology of ferns the lecturer descanted on their value
as decorative objects in the garden, pointed out their very
simple requirements—shade, moisture and _ shelter—and
pleaded for their more general cultivation. A vote of thanks
to the lecturer was proposed by Dr. Stansfield (who was
present as an invited guest) and seconded by Mr. Tinley
of the Gardeners’ Chronicle. Mr. Tinley and other members
referred in appreciative terms to a former visit to Mr.

179

Cranfield’s garden by the Fellows of the R.H.S. It appeared
that although the ferns had been seen and admired, there
were Other objects of interest as well as ferns, and even
flowers, to be enjoyed. The vote of thanks was unanimously
carried and a very pleasant evening was brought to a close.

AMATEUR FERN GROWING
(Continued).
(Reprinted from Irish Gardening).

wish them to grow more quickly. But there are things to be
done. Every bit of withered foliage should be snipped off
with a scissors as soon as seen, and deposited always outside
the house. Do not try to pull it off. Some withered stalks
are very tough, and the attempt may disturb the plant in the
soil, or even partly root it up. Keep down growths of every-
thing that is not a fern. When you plant the rock-work
first it looks bare, and one thinks of furnishing it, by planting
creeping or carpeting plants. The advice is, don’t. The
ferns themselves will soon grow up and do the furnishing.
Two plants especially are liable to get in, or be deliberately
introduced, and undoubtedly look pretty, but should be
rigorously excluded. One is the small-leaved yellow-flowered
sorrel: it is dainty and spreading and attractive, but it
greatly encourages greenfly, a very troublesome enemy.
Another, the larger-leaved white-flowered wood-sorrel, is
also most attractive, but becomes intolerable, and then
ineradicable ; it creeps under ground, pushes into every
cranny between stones, insinuates itself into the very crowns
and rootstock of the ferns, and forms such a mass of luxuriant
growth, that it smothers the smaller plants, and draws no
little nourishment from all. Both these plants have exploding
seed capsules, which scatter the seeds far and near, so that

180

when you attempt to clear them from a space, it soon appears
green with innumerable seedlings. _

The common mossy Selaginella is another plant pest to be
avoided. It grows rankly and smothers things in summer,
spores itself freely, and so appears in most unexpected places.
In winter it with difficulty survives. Masses of it die and
get mouldy, starting decay all around and spreading it over
the house ; as it decays it is almost impossible to gather and
throw it out, as at the slightest touch it breaks up and floats
away to spread decay elsewhere. The only one we would
admit is Sibthorpia, but even it runs and grows rankly in the
moist warmth, so should not be planted near any small-
growing forms, or it will smother them. It also seeds itself
about freely. It is a most beautiful creeper, but should be
strictly kept in bounds ; this is very much easier than is the
case of the other two, and it has no fault except that named.

Now concerning some animal pests. If our advice has
been followed about the construction and preparation for
the fernery, there will be surprisingly little trouble experienced
with either slugs, snails or worms. ‘This is a most comforting
assurance. An odd slug or snail may have got in; if its
traces are seen, either in an eaten plant or a slimy streak,
seek assiduously for it, and if not found, set traps of orange-
peel or potato slices, or damp bran with a drop of vinegar
in it, and examine the traps both by night and day till it is
caught, fearing not only the depredations it may cause, but
the eggs it may lay, which would let loose a horde of spoilers
on your preserves. Worms you need not trouble about,
except that when you see one secure it and get it outside the
house ; we will deal with them otherwise later on.

Woodlice (or “‘ slaters ’’) will certainly make their appear-
ance, and increase to enormous numbers. Their natural food
is really dead or decaying vegetable matter, but in your

a

181

a

anxiety to clear this all away, you leave the rapidly-increasing
host too little food to subsist on, and so they will soon take
to the ereen fronds, and cause alarming destruction. They
creep up the mid-rib of a frond, attack the base of a leaflet,
eating it through it soon falls to the ground, and they proceed
to the next. Soon you will have the ragged mid-rib and
secondary ribs standing gaunt and bare, and will find the
ground below covered with curled up withered leaflets. We
will also deal with these gentry later.

Greenfly are very likely to appear, especially on some ferns,
such as Polypodies and Maidenhairs. They are not likely
to be troublesome if other plants than ferns are excluded
from the house. Fumigation will get rid of them easily ;
two, or at most three, fumigations in the season will suffice.
Several excellent (!) materials for this purpose may be obtained
from garden-supply firms, and the directions for their use
followed—so no more need be said here.

Thrips is a bad pest, but should not appear. It affects
mostly ferns with hard or firm texture of leaf, such as Harts-
tongues, Cyrtomiums, &c. A grey appearance will be seen
on the leaf in diffused patches ; on turning it over there will
be seen small black insects about ;th of an inch long,
generally lying close to the veins of the leaflet, some immature
forms may be seen, smaller and pale yellow, almost white in
colour. These will appear and spread rapidly through the
house, making every plant attacked look shabby and feel
sickly, if the house is allowed to become too dry in summer.
If, however, not only are the plants well watered, but the
floor kept well watered, and so the whole air of the house
thoroughly saturated with moisture, thrips is not likely to
appear. If it does, fumigate twice in one week, and ply
the water-can.

182

Scale (or bug) is another common scourge. It again tends
to affect the same kinds of plants as thrips. To the inex-
perienced it may easily escape detection, being mistaken for
natural scales on the plant. They are like limpets that we
see on seashore rocks, but only about the size of a millet
seed. They will be found stuck along the leafstem and back
of the mid-rib and main veins. If a plant is found badly
affected, the best treatment is to pull it up and put it in the
fire. If lightly affected the only way of clearing it is to
sponge and rub off the scales with water and soft soap. This
is a most laborious process, and is likely not to be accomplished
without considerable injury to the plant. So as we are out
for pleasure, we will pull up and burn this lightly affected
plant also.

Another enemy may be mentioned—namely, caterpillars.
Either by night a moth may make its way in through the
inch-open roof ventilator, or another ventilator if forgotten ;
or a butterfly may get in by day. It may then deposit eggs
on a fern or ferns, and you know nothing about it till some
day a fern is found terribly mutilated, and on examination
a whole drove of caterpillars is found. There is nothing for
it then but to pick them off and destroy them, watching for
them day after day, for it is hardly likely that all will be
found at the first search. To guard against this it might be
well to cover the space of each ventilator with a sheet of
perforated zinc. This has an additional advantage in that
it breaks up the air coming in and prevents a draught, which
is so hurtful to the plants in their growing stage.

The last enemy we will consider is reserved as the bonne-
bouche. The Hun enemy of fern growers, whose method is
frightfulness, whom we cannot beat alone, but will require
faithful co-operation from allies, to even keep him in any
sort of control. Sinn Fein is his watchword, and if you do
not look out he will win and have the rockery to himself,

~ 183

devastate your most treasured places, ruin your most cherished
objects, and drive you, in despair, to leave him undisputed
master. This is the character of the Fern Weevil. It is a
small dirty-black or brownish beetle (or weevil), about
}-inch long, with faint greyish marking on the back, and
the head prolonged into a pointed beak or snout (character-
istic of weevils generally); its outer covering is very hard,
so that if it falls, say on a stone or the cement floor, it bounds
away like a marble. Its progression is slow. By day it
lies hidden amongst the scales on the crown of the plant, or
in loose earth near the plant, or small plants growing close
to it, and is then almost impossible to find. By night it
creeps up the frond and eats a semi-circular piece out of the
edge of a leaflet. When, soon, a number of these pieces are
cut out, the disfigurement is great, the whole appearance
of a frond is destroyed. Added to this, the excrement voided
scalds and discolours the leaf wherever it falls. It prefers
to all others, fronds of good strong texture, such as Harts-
tongues, Polypodies, Cyrtomiums, and suchlike; as a rule
it avoids Maidenhairs, and will not touch filmy ferns—probably
because it does not like wet and damp. If, hoping to catch
the marauder, you go out at night with a light, you can see
him busy at work if you approach cautiously, but on attempt-
ing to secure him, your breath even shaking the leaf, down
he drops like a stone, and hops off any hard object he may
strike, and so may come to rest a yard away from where you
thought he fell. There he will lie absolutely motionless for
about a quarter of an hour before he ventures to stir, and
sneak off very quietly and slowly to shelter. Your night
hunt will be successful if, having seen ten or a dozen, you
secure one. Usually you will not have even one for your
trouble. Sometimes an odd one comes out to feed by day
or towards evening, and these you have more chance of
securing: even then the chances are in his favour. But

184

worse is yet to come. ‘The female deposits her eggs in the
soil at the base of the crown, amongst the fern roots, grubs
hatch out from these and proceed to live entirely on the fern
roots, eating them away, up to the very rootstock ; as many
as ten or a dozen may be found under one fern. Naturally
the plant dies, unless it is a particularly large specimen and
strong sturdy grower ; the result is that all our more delicate
and small-growing forms soon succumb, and none are left
to us but the commoner sturdy kinds, which can grow quicker
than the weevils can eat. These grubs grow to about 4-inch
long, rather fat and rounded, pure white, with little pale
yellow heads, and are hardly seen to move. On one occasion
we had a large Polystichum which formed a specially fine
crown of folded fronds, giving great promise of a splendid
plant next season. Being evergreen no fronds were removed.
In the spring we watched for the unfolding and wondered
that they were so late, other ferns had put up young fresh
green all around, and the old fronds of this particular fern
were gradually dying and looking the more shabby beside
the others. We stooped to pull off a particularly faded frond,
instead of cutting it, when, lo! the whole big plant came up
in our hand. There was not a root left remaining on it.
We had before contemplated moving it to another more roomy
position, but did not do so, as it would have necessitated
taking down several rocks and a very large mass of soil,
on account of its immense spread of roots. Yet now the
weevil grubs had shorn it of every one. On searching through
the soil underneath where it had stood we found about
twenty grubs. |

The adult weevils may be caught and destroyed if the
ferns are in pots, by standing the pot in a bucket of water
which covers the soil. Up comes the weevil in a few moments,
climbing in, for him, a great hurry up a leaf stem or anything
that is above water, then we can secure him with certainty

~ 185

and stamp on him with grim satisfaction. But this method
requires constant unremitting application. We could hardly
plunge all the plants in a house on one day ; even if we did,
some grubs might remain, which could not come up; they
would soon mature and continue their evil customs. If we
decided to do six plants every day till the whole collection
was gone over, we would find that of the six we did on Monday
some were visited on Monday night by weevils from adjoining
plants, who had wandered round for a change of diet, or
who, having observed what you had been at during the day,
considered that their locality was unhealthy, and had moved
to the fresh fields you had left untenanted for them. Besides
all this our fernery has no pots, and one cannot sink a whole
rockery in a bucket of water, so friend weevil laughs, and
fares sumptuously. | a

Again, a hunt for the grubs may be quite successful, but
one cannot root up every plant now and then to look for
them. The only satisfactory solution is not to introduce
them. Get young plants, examine every plant carefully ; if
semi-circular notches appear on the sides of the leaves of any,
suspect the whole lot. Do not bring one into the house till
you have first plunged every one to see if any adult weevils
are present. Then, still working outside the house, turn
every plant out of its pot, and even at the risk of the in-
evitable injury to the roots, pick out every bit of soil from
the roots with a pointed stick, and even then wash them in a
bucket of water. Plant the ferns at once. They will receive
a severe check, and you may lose some, but these are very
minor evils compared to that of introducing the weevil.
Burn the soil that was shaken out of the roots.

This is the last of the enemies we will discuss, and. will
turn to consider the friends.

186

Frogs are the first. They are indispensable. They do
no harm of any kind. They will keep the woodlice in check,
and also the worms; that is their business ; they will keep
at it day and night, and so beat you atit. Get around dozen
of them, and in the late spring add another dozen of small
little fellows in their first spring of youth ; they will go for
young woodlice and other small deer that would be beneath
the notice of their more sober elders, besides they are more
active, and it is surprising where they will climb. On fine
days they may be found perched amongst plants on the
highest part of the back wall. Their environment being so
curtailed, and, possibly, their diet being so unvaried, they
retain their diminutive size for several years, but are quite
happy. If the drainage hole in the floor is not trapped as
recommended, they will infallibly find the one way out, and
rejoice and grow enormously fat in the free and varied living
to be found in a town garden. Huge lob-worms, that one
would not think there was room for, go down their throats
with certainty, to be followed by as many more as present
themselves, till froggie becomes so helplessly distended that
he can scarcely move. It is good, therefore, to catch one
in the greenhouse now and then, and let him out in the garden
for fresh air, exercise and varied diet ; after a week or so,
when you see one in the garden looking sleek and fat, he is
again transferred to the greenhouse. In the spring they will
revel in and spawn in a pan of water, if it is left for them, at
other times they do not want it. Toads would serve an
equal purpose, but we have not got them in Ireland. Lizards
are an excellent help, but they are rare here and hard to get.
They are very lively, attractive, and active hunters.

These, unless you have weevils, are all the pets you need
accommodate in the fern house. If weevils are present the
frogs will take toll of them, but will not be able to keep them

(Z'o be continued).

Writish fern
Gasette.

December, 1927.

EDITED BY

F. W. STANSFIELD, MD., F.LS.

(120, OXFORD ROAD, READING.)

THE BRITISH PTERIDOLOGICAL SOCIETY

President : Mr. W. B. Cranfield, F.R.AS., F.LS., East Lodge, Enfield
Chase, Middlesex.

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

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

“ae ”
BRADLEY & SON, LTD., THE CROWN PRESS, CAXTON STREET, READING.

Polystichum angulure prothalliferum superbum,
H. Stansfield.

THE
BRITISH FERN GAZETTE.

NEW SERIES.

VoL: V. DECEMBER, 1927. No. 9
CONTENTS.
ENCLOSURE: Foreword by the President .. ae a
EDITORIAL NOTES .. :4 a a ee a ea 187
OuR FRONTISPIECE: Polystichum angulare prothalliferum
superbum : 7 eS Fe
THE ANNUAL MEETING AND EXcURSIONS Pe 5 ee 190
A New Harpy Apiantum (F.W.S.) : ve ra 195
FERN HUNTING IN TEESDALE (Dr. S. P. ‘Rowlands) a ; 196
THE GARDENER, THE PHYSICIAN AND THE FARMER (F.W.S. Me To
FERNS As PET PLANTS (the late Mr.C.T.Druery) .. ae 203
AMATEUR FERN GROWING (concluded) oa Hees Drury). 4 fer. 209
List oF MEMBERS .. : we 212
THE BRITISH PTERIDOLOGICAL SocrEry . a Third page of cover

EDITORIAL NOTES.

The Editor congratulates the Society, firstly upon a sound
financial position as shown by the Treasurer’s Report in the
present issue, and secondly upon what is even more important,
viz., a substantial rise in the membership. This latter
development is due to the activity of a number of members,
but principally to the energy and social force of the President,
from whom we enclose a recruiting proclamation. Several
of the new members—notably Sir William Lawrence and
Miss Willmott—have themselves taken part in the recruiting
campaign, and so the snowball grows. A snowball, however,
does not grow unless it is pushed and we hope that all members
will join in the work of rolling it along and attracting still
more members. We welcome all the new members and hope
that fresh fields in gardening and botany may be opened to
them.

Messrs. Perry, of Enfield, have sent us some fronds of
ferns which are the result of a mixed sowing of Polystichum
aculeatum and P. munitum. Although P. aculeatum appears

188

to be the dominant parent there is, we think, indubitable
evidence of the influence of munitwm and we believe the
plants to be true hybrids. Along with them is a frond of
P. aculeatum from Austria, which is thicker in texture and
more coriaceous than the British type and the rachis is also
much more furfuraceous. These characters, while not
sufficient to constitute a specific difference, give the fern
a distinct appearance and mark it as a different geographical
type.

Mr. F. J. Hanbury, F.L.S.—who was invited to become an
honorary member, but preferred to be an ordinary member—
has kindly invited the members “ individually or collectively ”
to visit his charming garden at Brockhurst, East Grinstead.
We propose to get up a party for a visit in the spring or early
summer and anticipate a great treat on the occasion. Will
members who would like to join please communicate with the
Hon. Secretary.

The comprehensive article on “Amateur Fern Growing ”
by Dr. H. C. Drury, is concluded in the present number.
It contains much that will be useful, not only to the beginner,
but also to the experienced grower. We regret having had
to serve it up in so many fragments. Readers who would

>

like to have it “all in one piece ” can probably obtain the
number of Irish Gardening, January-April, 1919, in which

it originally appeared.

We have received from Mr. W. H. Coverdale, of Ripon,
two fronds and a photograph of a crispate form of Osmunda
regalis under the name of O.r. crispa, Coverdale. Mr. Cover-
dale acquired the plant about 1888, but it was supposed to
have been found, some years before, by a man named Dowson
in company with another, on the moors near Kirkby Moorside,
Yorks. It is quite a fine form, but, so far as we can judge
from the dried pinnae and photographs, does not appear to be

189

distinguishable from O.r. undulata found by the late George
Brown in the island of St. Michael’s, Azores, and sent by
him about 1875 to Messrs. Stansfield, of Todmorden, and by
them distributed. Of course, Mr. Coverdale’s piant may have
been an independent wild find and, as such, would be interest- ~
ing as “ truly British,’ but as the supposed finders have both
been dead for some years it is now probably impossible to
obtain satisfactory evidence of this. Messrs. Perry, of
Enfield, have a stock of undulata, Brown, for sale, and we are
indebted to them for a plant. Mr. H. Stansfield also has
plants.

The Hon. Treasurer, Mr. J. J. Sheldon, will be glad to
receive payment of all due subscriptions for the current year.

OUR FRONTISPIECE.
Polystichum angulare prothalliferum superbum, H. Stansfield.

The illustration is from a photograph of a plant grown by
Mr. T. E. Henwood of a fern raised by Mr. H. Stansfield.
Its parentage is the Jones-Fox strain of plumose divisilobes
and no doubt the fern, when it puts on its adult plumage,
will be a typical plumose divisilobe. The “ prothalliferum ”’
is a temporary character as it was in the prototype plumosissi-
mum of Birkenhead and in the pellucidums previously raised
by Mr. H. Stansfield. Nevertheless, as the photograph
testifies, the phase is exceedingly beautiful and is also of
great biological interest. The little tails of semi-pellucid
tissue in which the ultimate divisions terminate are not yet
prothallia in the full sense of the word, but they are readily
capable of becoming prothallia in an atmosphere saturated
with moisture. If pinned down on the soil they will develop
root-hairs, archegonia and antheridia and become real pro-
thallia, giving rise to new plants. If they would do this
while still attached to the parent frond (which probably

190

they would under favourable circumstances) they might be
considered as functionally flowers and as bridging the gap
between cryptogams and phanerogams. The fern is certainly
lovely in its kitten stage, but it must be remembered that
kittens will grow into cats, thereby losing some of their
attractiveness. Messrs. Birkenhead killed their original
plumosissimum in trying to keep it a kitten by growing it
constantly in a warm, moist atmosphere, but fresh kittens
were raised and plumosissimum still exists, though it is
many years since we saw it in the kitten stage. No doubt
fresh relays of prothalliferum can be produced by raising
plants from the aposporous tips, but these, in turn, musi be
allowed to develop into the adult form or they will soon
lose their vigour and die. Youth is a precious thing, but
fugitive in ferns as in human life—only more so.

THE ANNUAL MEETING,

The Thirty-second Annual Meeting of the Society was
held on Monday, September 5th, 1927, at the Peerless Hotel,
Tenby, Pembrokeshire, the President, Mr. W. B. Cranfield,
occupying the Chair. There were present members from
Enfield, Welwyn, Great Bookham, Warlingham, Canterbury
and Reading. The minutes of the previous meeting were
read, confirmed, and signed. It was resolved that the
President, Mr. Henwood and Dr. Stansfield be a Sub-Com-
mittee to negotiate with persons of eminence in the fern
world with a view to the election of honorary members of the
Society. It was also resolved that the degrees and titles
(if any) of all members be published in the general list.

The Hon. Secretary reported that the number of members
of the Society was now 73, six having resigned during the
year and one, Mr. F. Silva, of Lyme Regis, having died.
Two members were elected at the last Annual Meeting and

191

five had joined since. Sir Archibald Buchan-Hepburn and
Canon Hawkins, of Stroud, had each made special contribu-
tions to the funds of the Society, of two guineas, making up,
with the donations of members present at the last Meeting,
the sum of £43 ls. O0d.—slghtly more than the deficiency
in the funds of the Society.

The Hon. Treasurer, Mr. J. J. Sheldon, presented his report

as below :—
BALANCE SHEET.

INCOME. ase.“ EXPENDITURE. = | ‘S290
Balance from 1926... 22 8 8 Affiliation Fee to
Subscriptions and | RAS... ee | (OS RG

Donations Pe oo 14. 6 « Gazette,’’ Dec., 1926 12 17 0
Sale of ** Gazette’ .. 5 0 | = June,1927 10 10 O
Advertisement a 2 2 0 | Hire of Committee
Plate for December | Room a Ss 5 0

“ Gazette” (given Purchase of 2 Vols. of

by Mr. T. B. Blow) 112 6 Gazette ”’ ce 10 0

| Stationery & Postages 210 7
| Balance at Bank .. 34 7 7
Soa 2 02 | £63 2 2

|
Balance at Baas fot Ts aoe
Audited and found correct, September 5th, 1927.
(Signed) PERCY GREENFIELD, Auditor.

It was resolved that the Hon. Secretary’s and Hon.
Treasurer’s Reports be received and adopted.

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

192

Hon. Treasurer :
Mr. J. J. Sheldon.
Hon. Secretary and Editor of Gazette :
Dr. F. W. Stansfield.
Hon. Auditor :
Mr. P. Greenfield.

Committee :
Mr. T. B. Blow, Welwyn, Dr. T. Stansfield, Reading,
Mr. T. Brown, Belfast, Mr. F. W. Thorrington,
Mr. P. Greenfield, Warlingham, Little Baddow,

Dr. 8. P. Rowlands, Doncaster, Mr. R. Whiteside, Lancaster.

The following new members were elected :—
Mr. Mark Fenwick, J.P., Stow-on-the-Wold.
Mr. A. J. MacSelf, Reading, Editor of Amateur Gardening.
Mr. J. J. Parkinson, Enfield Chase.
Mr. W. B. Walker, Enfield.

It was resolved that the President, Hon. Secretary and
Mr. Henwood be a Sub-Committee to decide upon the place
of meeting for next year.

Mr. T. B. Blow exhibited fronds of Blechnum spicant ramo-
cristatum, Blow (wild find in 1926) and was awarded the

Society's Certificate for the same.

The President exhibited a large series of fronds grown by
himself, all in very fine condition and character, and was
awarded Certificates for the following :—

(i) Scolopendrium v. crispum splendens, Moly, a magnificent
broad form found wild by the late Mr. Moly. This form
is very similar to crispum grande, Wills, but is, if possible,
a little wider and more curly.

(ii) Polystichum aculeatum pulcherrimum, Cranfield, a seedling
on the lines of pulcherrimum, Druery, but having longer
and more drooping pinnules.

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(iii) P. aculeatum divisilobum, Cranfield, wild find at Chard-
stock in 1921 ; a large growing form, not to be compared
with the best divisilobes in angulare, but the only one,
so far, in aculeatum and perhaps the parent of a new
race.

(iv) P. angulare foliosum, Moly, wild find by Mr. Moly.

(v) P. ang. multilobum rotundatum, Benbow, a seedling by
Mr. Cranfield from a wild find of the late Mr. Benbow.
A very distinct thing.

(vi) P. ang. percristatum grande, Cranfield : a seedling from
Canon Hawkins’s wild find cristatum No. 1. A _ per-
cristatum with large heads.

Mr. T. E. Henwood was awarded Certificates for :—

(i) Polypodium vulgare plumosum, Whilharris, received from
the late Mr. Whitwell and, by him, from Glasnevin
Botanic Gardens. History unknown. Perhaps the
finest, so far, in the Cambricum section. It was effec-
tively figured in The Gazette, Vol. V., No. 5.

(ii) Polystichum aculeatum cristatum, Henwood, wild find
near Axminster in 1924. Very distinct and good.

Mr. Sheldon was awarded a Certificate for :—
Scolopendrium v. crispum cristatum, John Cousins, wild find.

Dr. Stansfield was awarded Certificates for :—

(i) P. angulare pulcherrimum, Moly’s green (corrected plant).
This is a bud or crown sport from Moly’s original find,
which latter produces a proportion of normal fronds
and pinnae, while the “corrected ” plant is true through-
out.

(ii) P. angulare acutilobum, Stansfield, wild find at Howley,
Devon, in 1914. Frond exhibited and grown by Mr.
T. E. Henwood.

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The party remained at Tenby, in diminishing numbers,
for about ten days, during which the surrounding neighbour-
hood was fairly well explored for ferns. The County of
Pembroke is divided into two parts by a line running almost
directly west from Tenby and corresponding roughly to the
“ Ridgeway,” the main road to Pembroke and Milford Haven.
South of this line the geological formation is mainly limestone,
while on the north it is largely coal measures and millstone
grit. Our explorations were mostly on the limestone,
experience having shown this to be usually more fertile in
varieties than the other formations. On the limestone the
species found were Scolopendrium vulgare, Polystichum
angulare and P. aculeatum (the latter only very sparingly),
Polypodium vulgare, Asplenium ruta-muraria (plentiful),
A, Adiantum-nigrum, A. trichomanes and Ceterach, Lastrea
filix-mas and L. paleacea, while the marshes contained Lastrea
thelypteris and Asplenum marinum was found on the rocks
by the sea. On the non-calcareous formations were found
also a sprinkling of the same species, spores having been
carried across the dividing line by the prevailing winds.
Other species, not found on the lime, were Blechnum spicant,
Athyrium filix-foemina, Lastrea dilatata and L. montana with
L. filix-mas and L. paleacea all very flourishing. Pteris
aquilina was, of course, found on both sides of the line, but
Osmunda, which was formerly not uncommon in the district,
was not found except occasionally in cottage gardens in
which it had survived for a time after removal. Another
fern expected, but not found, was Aspleniwm lanceolatum.
Lastrea emula was not seen, although known to exist in at
least one station in the county. Of varieties a number of
crested Hart’s tongues were found, Mr. Cranfield securing
the best although he had only one day’s hunting, and Mr.
Sheldon having another. Several multifid forms of Aspleniwm
trichomanes were also found. Myr. Sheldon and Mr. Greenfield

195

found several P. vulgare semilacerums, while Mr. Greenfield,
hunting with Mr. Henwood, found and shared with him a
pretty crispate form of P. angulare in the way of Colonel
Jones’s Hale crispatum. Mr. Henwood also found a couple
of possible angulare brachiatums, both small plants requiring,
and deserving, to be tried under cultivation. Mr. Sheldon
found several promising angulare tripinnatums and Dr.
Stansfield found a good angulare acutilobum and a tripinnatum
resembling Padley’s. All the above were found on the
limestone, while the coal measures, although ferns were
exceedingly fine and abundant, yielded no varieties. No one
however, went home quite empty-handed. The total number
of ferns, collected by the whole party, could probably have
been packed into one moderately sized vasculum, so the
flora of the County was not seriously impoverished.

A NEW HARDY ADIANTUM.

Messrs. Perry, of Enfield, have sent out a new hardy
Adiantum, which they have received from America and
which was supposed to be of hybrid origin—possibly a cross
between A. pedatum and A. Capillus-Veneris, and conse-
quently a sort of British-American hybrid. A frond from
a plant in the possession of Mr. T. E. Henwood has been
submitted to our Hon. Member, Mr. C. H. Wright, A.L.S.,
the fern expert of the Kew herbarium, and has, by him,
been identified as A. flabellulatum, Linnzeus, a species new
to cultivation in this country. This fern is not to be confused
with A. flabellulatum, Wallich, which has been in cultivation
for many years and is mentioned in Lowe’s “ Ferns, British
and Exotic.”” We have paid a visit to the herbarium of the
Linnaean Society in order to compare Messrs. Perry’s fern with
the original Linnaean specimen of A. flabellulatum. We found

196

that while the two correspond in outline of frond and shape
of pinnules, the Linnaean plant has a hispid or glandular
pubescence upon the stalklets of the pinnules, while Messrs.
Perry’s fern is smooth throughout with the exception of a
few linear scales near the base of the stipes. Mr. Wright
reports that the Kew specimens also have this character,
but that it varies in amount, not only upon different fronds,
but upon different parts of the same frond. It is quite
likely, therefore, that there may be entirely glabrous forms
like the Perry plant. The Linnaean plant is found from
the Himalayas to the Malay Islands and so, as Mr. Wright
says, ““may well be hardy in a cold house in this country.”
The new fern is similar in habit to A. pedatum, but the rhizome
is less wide-creeping and it has the advantage over pedatum
of being thoroughly evergreen. It will be a useful addition
to our not too long list of hardy Adiantums. It still remains
to be tested in the open air, but there seems no reason why
it should not succeed in sheltered positions.

F.W.S.

FERN HUNTING IN TEESDALE.

Upper Teesdale has justly been called the Botanist’s
Paradise, for within a very few square miles there are to be
found a number of rare and interesting plants such as can
hardly be equalled in any other area of the same size in the
whole country. Some of them, in fact, are found nowhere
else in the British Isles. There, in early summer, the meadows
are gay with Trollius and Mountain Pansy, while many a
stream-side is lit by the dazzling blue of Gentiana verna,
or the soft purple haze of myriads of Primula farinosa. Later,
these same streams are adorned with the rich orange of
Saxifraga aizoides, interspersed with Pinguicula, Sedum

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villosum and the dainty Grass of Parnassus. The area in
question, having as a convenient centre the Langdon Beck
Hotel, lies on either side of the river Tees, a few miles below
its source on Cross Fell. It is at the meeting of three counties
—Yorkshire, Westmoreland and Durham, and in a short
walk one can put foot in all three. Middleton-in-Teesdale,
on a branch line from Barnard Castle, is the nearest railway
station and is seven miles from the Langdon Beck Hotel.

Geologically, the area is of considerable interest, consisting
of limestone, with a great intruded mass of volcanic material
known as the “ Whin Sill.” This is exposed in many places
along the river in the form of huge basaltic boulders, in
places forming high cliffs, as at Cronkley Scar and the Falcoin
Clints. Where, in bygone ages, the molten lava came in
contact with the limestone, this latter became altered and
crystallised into a form known as “sugar limestone.” In
places this is exposed, and .on its soft-weathering, granular
surface are found such rarities as Dryas octopetala and Viola
arenaria.

Owing to the abundance of the volcanic rocks, coupled
with the fact that vast areas are covered with moorland bogs,
lime-loving ferns are not as abundant as one might expect.
Only one small Hart’s tongue was seen, during the ascent
of Mickle Fell, Yorkshire’s highest mountain, but I understand
there is another plant in the district ! Polystichum aculeatum
is sparingly distributed in suitable places and we found one
plant approaching angulare. Ceterach was not seen. Asple-
mum Ruta-muraria was occasionally met with on the few
old walls that were mortared, while A. Trichomanes was met
with mainly along the river, growing luxuriantly where it
did occur. Asplenium viride was far more abundant, especi-
ally near the waterfalls and in rocky hollows near the
mountain tops. All three forms of the Male Fern were

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seen in abundance*, and Lastrea montana less plentifully.
Above the waterfall of High Force, the Teesdale area is
almost treeless except for a few small fir plantations, but
towards Middleton are some fine woods, in which Lastrea
dilatata is by far the commonest fern. The Lady Fern
apparently preferred more open and even exposed situations.
Cystopteris fragilis, with its variety dentata, was very plentiful
on old walls and under boulders everywhere ; so was Blechnum
spicant, especially on the wet moorlands and moist hillsides.
‘percristatum ” failed

¢

In spite of this, our usual annual
to turn up! Splendid clumps of the elegant Parsley Fern
were frequently to be seen in rocky places, while the Oak
and Beech Ferns were met with daily.

Our main hunting, however, concerned three rare species
—Woodsia ilvensis, Cystopteris regia (alpina) and Polystichum
lonchitis. All these three have been found on those imposing
basaltic cliffs called Falcoln Clints, on the Durham side of the
river. The Tees, having pursued a sluggish course for some
miles, suddenly comes tumbling down a basaltic staircase
at Cauldron Snout, passes in a curve round the foot of Falcoln
Clints, winds round Cronkley Scar, falls down the wonderful
waterfall of High Force and then continues between wooded
banks down to Middleton and Barnard Castle.

Falcoln Clints forms a wonderful hunting ground and it
was here, many years ago, that that wonderful man, James
Backhouse, found both Woodsia and the Alpine Bladder
Fern. The Woodsia, however, has not been seen in recent
years, and in Mr. Druce’s opinion, it is probably extinct.

* Under Lastrea propinqua I include what I presume is called
by Lowe var. abbreviata, which is characterised by a dwarf stature,
crispy pinnules and a marked tendency to the formation of a number
of small crowns on each plant. In “Our Native Ferns” (Vol. L,
p. 237) Lowe puts this under pseudo-mas, but in his little book in the
Young Collectors’ Series, it is transferred to propinqua. This form is
abundant on the rocky gorges above the High Force Waterfall.

eh)

Probably the same can be said about Cystopteris regia. We
spent two whole days exploring a mile or two of cliffs, peeping
into every accessible crevice and looking under as many as
we could of the thousands of boulders that lie about their
feet. We examined some hundreds of plants of Cystopteris,
of all sizes, but failed to find anything approaching what we
conceived Cystopteris regia should be like. This is rather a
mysterious fern, practically unknown to the average botanist
and not easy to obtain for cultivation. Polystichum Lonchitis
is, of course, a much less rare fern, and it should have turned
up somewhere on Falcoln Clints, but we had to register
another failure in this case. The neighbouring plateau of
Cronkley Fell was more hopeful ground, but owing to un-
fortunate weather and the counter-attractions of the floral
treasures of that area, we perhaps did not search as thoroughly
as we should and were duly rewarded by not finding it. A
small sporeling with fronds an inch long, which might be a
young Holly Fern, was found on the eastern end of Cronkley,
and we succumbed to the temptation of taking it home to
see how it would turn out. Thanks to information given by
a friendly farmer, however, we were able on our last day
to see a dozen good plants on a neighbouring mountain on the
Westmoreland side and managed to get a good photograph
of one of them. No varieties of any importance were found,
but we were well repaid for our strenuous exertions by seeing
many of the less common species growing under ideal condi-
tions. Upper Teesdale can be recommended to the fern
lover in search of an ideal holiday.

S. P. ROWLANDS.

THE PHYSICIAN, THE GARDENER, AND THE FARMER.

It has often occurred to the writer that there is a striking
parallelism between the work of the gardener and that of the
physician. It is not without significance that so many

200

eminent gardeners and botanists have been medical men:
for instance, among the last five directors of Kew Gardens,
there have been three medicos, Sir Wm. J. Hooker, Sir J. D.
Hooker and Sir David Prain, while other names that im-
mediately occur to one are the late Sir Trevor Lawrence and
Dr. Maxwell T. Masters of the Gardeners’ Chronicle. The
great Linnaeus himself and the celebrated Boerhaave were
also shining, if less recent, examples of dual eminence. Among
British fern specialists we may recall the names of Clowes
of Windermere (finder of JLastrea remota), Allchin, Lyell,
Wills and Fox, while among present members of our Society
are two or three medical men who are not infrequent con-
tributors to The Gazette. The gardener is, in fact, both
doctor and nurse to his vegetable patients and the qualities
required for a successful gardener are the same as those
needed by a physician, viz., patient observation, unremitting
diligence and, most of all, a love for the patients themselves
and a desire to see them well and flourishing. While it is
probable that many eminent gardeners have been helped
by their knowledge of medicine the present writer at least
has been helped in his medical work by his knowledge of
gardening. The real amateur gardener (we use the term in
its literal sense, not as excluding professionals, but as meaning
all those who are gardeners because they like it) hates to
see a plant doing badly and feels humiliated and sad if one
of his patients dies. He gives his best attention and the
choicest positions, not necessarily to the most valuable plants,
but to those which seem most to need it. He looks upon his
plants as individuals and cares for each of them as a friend.
When a plant is doing badly he, first of all, tries to discover
why it is so, and, having done this, immediately proceeds
to remove the cause of the trouble and to provide better
conditions. Above all, he must have patience. A dying
plant cannot be revived by strong stimulants such as manures

201

and ‘* bottom heat,’’ but must be placed in the conditions
necessary to preserve what vitality is left and must be nursed
back to health by plain and wholesome fare and prompt and
regular attention to its immediate needs. Nature will then
proceed to repair the damage if there be sufficient vital energy
left to do so. As the old surgeon said, “ I dressed his wound
and God healed him.’’ In the spring of the present year we
received from a friend a crown of a valuable fern without
either roots or fronds. Being a Polystichum it was potted in
pure fibrous loam, placed on the floor of a cool house and
watered very sparingly. New fronds soon began to develop
and these were carefully sheltered from drought, winds and
sun, any of which would have quickly destroyed them and,
with them, the life of the plant. When the fronds, already
formed in the crown, had expanded, growth came to a stop,
but roots were beginning to form and were soon sufficient
to support the fronds. By the autumn the plant was furn-
ished with both roots and fronds, and a new crown was in
process of being built up for next year. Next spring it will
be planted in the open ground and should go on from then
without a check. Perhaps the most difficult fern to deal
with is one having an exhausted crown or which has become
“ blind.” Should there be living fronds, whether few or
many, these must be sedulously preserved and protected
by a bell-glass or otherwise until a new crown can be built
up. Even should there be no roots these will form if the
fronds can be kept alive. Should there be roots but no fronds
sometimes a new bud will form either in the centre or at the
side of the old crown and a fresh start will be made on a small
scale. Should the exhausted crown have neither roots nor
fronds its case is parlous indeed, although even then it is
not quite hopeless. The only treatment is to cut away all
dead and moribund material and get down to living tissue.
The remnant of life is then dropped into a wide-mouthed

202

bottle or jar, containing wet silver sand, which is then tightly
corked up and put in a shady place, but preferably in a little
gentle warmth. In many cases tiny buds will form upon the
surface of the pieces of caudex, and in time these will grow
into small crowns and eventually into plants. Mr. Cranfield
has described this method of treatment of almost dead plants
in “The Narrative of a Resuscitated Collection” (Gazette,
Vol. L., p. 251), which is well worthy of being re-read by all
and sundry. Before matters have reached this extremity,
however, there are many cases where special treatment is
required. Should the plant be infested with vermin of any
kind these must be destroyed as a primary measure. Again
it may be trying to live upon unsuitable food, e.g., the soil
may be sour, exhausted or too rich, or may be lacking in some
necessary substance such as lime, potash or humus: the
drainage may be defective or the surface may be covered
with liver-wort which deprives it of air. In short, in vegetable,
as in human pathology the first thing is to find the cause
of the trouble: the second, to remove it. The effect will
then cease automatically. A great many human diseases
can be traced to something wrong in the patient’s habits or
mode of life—these being corrected Nature at once reverts
to the proper groove and restoration to health begins.

The position of the farmer is somewhat different from that
of the gardener proper, whom I call the amateur. He cannot
afford to give special attention to each cabbage or turnip
or wheat plant, but looks at his crops from the broad and
general point of view. He must look for wholesale results
and it pays him better to burn or plough in a poor crop and
make a fresh beginning rather than to try to nurse up and
cure one which is perhaps badly infested with blight. The
gardener who looks at his work from a purely commercial
point of view—whose one object is to make money—has,

203

of course, more of the spirit of the farmer than of the physician :
he cannot afford to waste time upon the sick and dying, but
must cater rather for the flourishing and for those which can
be made to flourish with the least expenditure of energy and
capital. Nevertheless, both the commercial gardener and
the farmer must have something of the spirit of the physician
even if it be rather that of the medical officer of health than
that of the private practitioner. He must provide the
conditions which are essential to health in the mass, and
must leave to others the duty of trying to snatch individuals
from destruction. Indeed, he often finds it necessary to
“ dispatch *”’ a batch of sickly plants in order to prevent the
spread of infection. This slaughter of the innocents is
rarely necessary among ferns, however, as they can generally
be freed from animal and vegetable pests by appropriate
treatment. This is, however, where the private practitioner
or amateur gardener comes into play, but even the farmer
may sometimes find it necessary to practise individual

medicine.
F.W.S.

FERNS AS PET PLANTS.
(Read at the Meeting of the British Pteridological Society, at
Bowness, Windermere, August 1st, 1898.)

It is not often that we see ferns under culture in amateur
hands, or for the matter of that even in the hands of pro-
fessional horticulturists, brought to absolute perfection of
development, that is, grown in such a fashion that both as
regards size and healthy growth, the full ornamental capacity
of the plant is brought out. We see, for instance, on the one
hand, huge plants growing under particularly favourable
conditions of soil and general environment, but just because
they grow so freely as to demand no care to keep them in
existence, they receive no care to keep them in form, and

204

hence despite their size are imperfect specimens. On the
other hand, we find small examples, healthy and pretty, but
cramped by inadequate pot room or other checks upon free
growth, and hence only capable of displaying their character-
istics on a limited scale. In going the round of our fern
collections we find these two conditions of affairs almost
invariably represented, but every now and again we come
across specimens of ferns which by a happy combination of
circumstances have attained their best, and in such cases
become revelations even to connoisseurs, sO immense is the
difference between such fully developed plants and their
stunted or roughly grown examples elsewhere. In nature
we, in our fern-hunting expeditions, find precisely the same
thing, the immense majority are more or less handicapped
by unfavourable conditions owing to their spores having
fallen where existence is certainly possible, but where develop-
ment is bound to be checked at an early stage. A dry stone
dyke has its chinks full of seedlings all fighting for life with
each other, and liable in a very dry spell to be annihilated
en masse, but jumping the dyke and plunging into the wood
beyond, we find decent isolated specimens, bitten however by
rabbits or fretted by the winds, while under the ground the
greedy tree roots all but monopolize the soil, and so the ferns
are checked both above and below. Now, however, we come
to a deep rocky glen, its steep sides masses of rocky debris
and thick deposits of loose leaf mould, the shifting character
of which is unfavourable to spore development, and hence
constitutes a check in numbers. Doubtless, too, the winter
spates in such a glen ruthlessly carry away most of such
youngsters as manage to obtain a temporary foothold, sparing
only such as are firmly anchored. Around, the blazing
sunshine filters through a leafy but not too dense a screen,
and even in a tempest the howling winds are excluded, while.
to crown all, the splashing torrent amid the rocks affords a

205

necessary supply of humidity to both soil and atmosphere.
In such a position it is that we find Athyrium, Polystichum,
Lastrea, Hartstongue, and Blechnum display their full
stature and beauty. Oak fern and Beech fern carpet the
slopes, and their hardy cousin, Polypodium vulgare, revels
on the old tree stumps and rocky debris around them.
Returning now to the dusty roadside, with its diminutive
plants of the selfsame species, it is difficult to imagine that
each of these has within it, given the like conditions, the same
capacity of loveliness as the large, finely cut, foliaceous, and
extremely handsome denizens of the glen. This fact, however,
grasped, and it is a fact, it often becomes positively painful
to the fern lover to regard the handicapping which generally
takes place under the name of cultivation, and to view its
unhappy results. Undoubtedly one of the chief axioms of
proper culture, taught by the glen, is ample room and facility
for each crown to develop. A bunch of fronds is never so
pretty as a single crown, and in the glen we shall notice that
wherever a single-crown plant has come to the fore, that plant
is the most striking and the handsomest. What can beat a
grand shuttlecock of L. pseudo-mas, golden green and perfect ?
L. montana, with its foot in the water, occasionally manages
to play the same single role, and only then shows itself at its
best, while the Lady fern spreads her feathery pinions ever
the widest and dons her most delicate laces under like

conditions.

Space, however, is to the average fern lover a very limited
factor, and hence the owner of a collection, unless he be
unusually favoured by fortune, is bound sooner or later to
find himself confronted by the necessity of choosing between
limiting his pets in number or in individual size, and this
especially if climatal conditions compel him to grow under
glass. Glass indeed, whether in the form of frame or green-

206

house, is in many places indispensable for the production of
the aerial conditions of the ferny glen; and when we find
that one single-crown specimen of the Lady fern, such as one
in my collection, requires a circle of nearly 8 feet diameter to
accommodate its pendulous, crested fronds, it is clear a big
collection numerically of varieties on this scale requires a big
purse to suit, though very much of course can be done by
judicious adjustment and the elevation of such large specimens
above the smaller members. The point, however, I am
aiming at is rather the fuller and more perfect individual
development of some of the smaller growing species, so that
all the beauty they are capable of shewing shall be fully
brought out. Beauty in a fern is exemplified in two ways,
viz., habit of growth and detail of characteristic form. Both
these must be equally studied and permitted to display itself,
and this cannot be done on the bunch system, which reduces
all to a uniform level of bushy growth in which the grace of
pendulous habit or like peculiarity is largely obscured or lost
altogether. Adequate root space must also be given, and
the particular taste as regards soil of each species must be
studied ; and, finally, the distribution of light, 7.e., aspect,
must be adjusted, so that symmetrical and not one-sided
plants are, if possible, arrived at. In indoor culture, one of
the commonest forms of cruelty to plants is twisting and
turning them about to face the room, and as all the care in the
world will never educate a fern to grow otherwise than towards
the light, the plants so treated are distorted and drawn out of
all natural form. For window plants, therefore, a shady
window being selected, the same side of the pot must always
be towards the light, and only a one-sided plant can possibly
be grown. This, however, by no means necessarily implies
detraction from its beauty. In the typical glen referred to,
we see many of the finest specimens springing from the steep
sides and lighted only from the front, and we have a very

207

vivid recollection of a Hartstongue in a London suburban
window, and evidently grown by a true fern lover, which
had formed the grandest possible circlet of fronds fully a
yard over by recognition of this very simple rule of fixed
position. The Hartstongue, by the way, is very rarely seen
in its best form. It is true it is not so definitely central in
its method of growth as the shuttlecock Lastreas, but it is
usually easy to single out a strong centre and remove offsets
as formed so as to foster development of the main plant by at
once removing competitive growths, and affording it the more
space for its frondage. The result is invariably striking : the
fronds become not only larger and more robust, but the
varietal characters are strongly accentuated and enhanced,
so that we eventually arrive at the ideal plant of the glen,
in lieu of the ordinary stunted form. In time, too, ferns
thus treated become less and less liable to split up their
crowns, such splitting up and multiplication by offsets being
usually the results of checks upon proper frond development,
though in some cases it is a varietal character, and, of course,
in that case the caespitose nature of the variety must be
respected and yielded to. Obviously, for instance, no man
can make a single-crown specimen of Kelway’s Scolopendrium
densum, which builds itself up by crowds of bulbils; the
Polypodies and Bladder ferns are also clearly not amenable
to crown treatment at all; our remarks therefore must be
naturally applied only to caudex-forming species and varieties,
and as a general rule it may be accepted that all large-fronded
varieties are best when so treated, and that the incorrigible
bunch ferns are of dwarf habit, the vigour of the plant finding
its outlet in these by lateral multiplication precisely as it
does in others when their frond growth is checked by adverse
conditions.

Another advantage of single-crown cultivation is that once
the caudex is well established and the tendency to produce

208

offsets is eliminated, such a plant with adequate pot room
will grow to perfection for many years without shifting, an
occasional mulching on the surface sufficing for all its needs.
With the bunch system, however, the pot gets filled with
crowns all struggling with each other for room to live in and
dwarfing each other as a sort of compromise. In time the
whole clump becomes impoverished and unsightly, and if
shifted into larger pots simply spreads still more on similar
lines until the only result is a bigger bunch just as replete
with natural grace and beauty as a bunch of greens in a green-
grocer’s shop. One of my finest Athyria has been in splendid
form in a shallow cork receptacle wired on to a roofing slate
for at least fifteen years, sending up annually at least a score
of yardlong fronds, with quite unabated vigour. There is a
material point in a pet plant, as one’s attention is more
concentrated and there is consequently a fuller appreciation
of the beauty as well as an immense enhancement of it by the
concentration of all the root energy upon a single axis of
growth.

In short, to all those who make pets of their ferns, and that,
I take it, is the case with all the members of our Society or
they would not join it, I strongly recommend culture on the
single-crown system whenever possible, not simply dumping
their specimens into the soil and letting them spread at will,
but starting with a strong centre, to keep it isolated, repressing
side growths persistently, until in due time they are rewarded
with the results I have indicated, and which experience has
shewn me to be well worth trying for.

CHAS. T. DRUERY, F.LS., V.M.H.

209

AMATEUR FERN GROWING
(Continued).
(Reprinted from Irish Gardening.)

down. We must again invoke Dame Nature to fight Nature.
Search the garden, through every bit of rubbish, under stones,
fallen leaves, &c., for the large red centipedes—big fellows
about 14 inches long.

Gently secure—they are very easily injured—every one
found and transfer it to the greenhouse. Hunt frequently
for them, and get all that you can. These are carnivorous
beasts ; they live on eggs, larve, and small insects. They
burrow through loose earth and under plants and leaves,
and if they come across the eggs or grub of the weevil, will
doubtless make a hearty meal off them. And, again, like
the frogs, that is their business, and they will keep always
at it, and the constant hunt tells in the end. It is, un-
fortunately, true that our favourite frogs refuse to discriminate
between them and lawful game, so swallow them with as

ee

much gusto as they would a “slater.” So it is up to us to
keep up the supply and hope for their agility and secretive
habits to escape the frog danger till they have done some

good work amongst the weevil grubs.

The season after we thought of this plan of fighting the
weevil there was no appreciable change in the devastation
it caused. The second season we felt sure there was less
damage done. The third season we were really surprised to
find how little injury there was compared with even the
previous year. The fourth season it was with difficulty any
trace of it could be found, and not one weevil was seen the
whole year. It is quite certain that something had occurred
to diminish its numbers very greatly, and nothing had been
changed except the introduction of the centipedes, so it is
perhaps fair to give them the credit of the victory. There

210

is some confirmation of this in the fact that no new centipedes
were introduced after about the fourth season, and that in
two or three years the characteristic leaf-cuttings began to
appear again and become more abundant. This would look
as if the centipedes had diminished in numbers either by
escaping through crannies in the frame work of the house,
or, what is more likely, were devoured by the frogs. It
would be well therefore to make an occasional hunt amongst
rubbish in the garden and catch any centipedes that may be
found, so as to keep up the stock in the house.

There is little more to be said. The two most important
things to remember in managing a rock fernery in an unheated
greenhouse are :—(l1) Do not water the ferns overhead ;
(2) leave them without water during the winter months.

This article has been written by a town-dwelling amateur
for amateurs, and gives them the result of over twenty years’
experience. His fernery has not all the advantages set forth
in the advice here given, for from time to time ideas have
suggested themselves which it is certain would have been a
great improvement had they been thought of when the fernery
was being made. For instance, any stone available was used,
which included much limestone, also river sand was used
for the compost, which also contained much limestone sand.
It took us some time to find the explanation of why some
ferns—e.g., Blechnum spicant—utterly refused to grow with
us, and we have never been able to grow them, for to do so
would require complete renewal of the rockery from its
foundation. One example is enough.

We fear the professional gardeners will rub their eyes,
especially at the list of ferns we propose to grow without any
protection from frost except the glass above them. The
fernery has been visited by professionals, and when they
have seen certain ferns growing luxuriantly, asked how we
managed to keep the frost out in winter ? and when told

211

that we did not, they appeared so sceptical, that we believe
they did not believe, but did not like to say so. The list
given is much smaller than the list tried. Many refused to
adapt themselves to our conditions, so we did not persist
in trying to force them to do so, but tried another kind, and
soon. One example: Pteris tremula is a well-known, hand-
some common fern. It does so well in the warm weather
that it is impossible to harden it off for winter, as fresh fronds
go on appearing right into the autumn. The result is that
they get sickly with the cold and damp off, or are actually
killed by the frost. The ‘‘ damping’ and mildew rapidly
spreads to other fronds, and the few that do not actually
die are greatly disfigured and most unsightly. Nevertheless,
it will probably struggle through till spring, and again make
growth, but it has been thrown back so much that it has
nothing of its former vigour and beauty. The second winter,
if there is any decided frost, usually finishes it. On the other
hand, Pteris tremula crispa seems more hardy, and we have
had a plant growing well for the last six or eight years, which
included, remember, the frosts of 1916-17 and the frost of
1917-18. No more severe condition could be given than to
place a plant in a hanging wire-basket, within two feet of the
glass roof, and one foot of the glass front, yet under these
conditions we have some adiantums now that were bought
over seventeen years ago, and there never has been any
artificial heat in the house all that time. The secret is—
keeping them dry in winter. If one has succeeded in inducing
town plant-lovers to try fern culture, under conditions which
do not necessitate either too great sacrifice of time, too much
slavery, or too much disappointment in results, one will feel
that a great additional pleasure has been added to that
afforded by writing these notes.

H.C.D.
Dublin, 1918.

212

LIST OF MEMBERS.

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

ALLCHIN, R. A., Tredudwell, Fowey, Cornwall.

ASKEW, W. F., Junr., Fern Nursery, Grange, Keswick, Cumberland.

ATKINSON, F., The Bungalow, Staveley, Newby Bridge, Ullswater.

AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL, c/o Brooklyn Botanic Garden, 1,000,
Washington Avenue, Brooklyn, N.Y., U.S.A. (Exchange).

BICKHAM, SPENCER, F.L.S., Underdown, Ledbury, Herefordshire.

BIGLAND, J. W.S., 20, Parkfield Road, Bebington, near Birkenhead.

Buow, T. Batss, F.L.S., The Chalet, Welwyn, Herts.

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

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

BucHAN-HEPBURN, SiR ARCHIBALD, Bart., Smeaton Hepburn,
Prestonkirk, Scotland.

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

Burton, F., Roughetts, Hildenborough, Kent.

*BILNEY, W. A., Monks View, Newbury, Berks.

*BRIGHT, J. DENNY, Welham Manor, Welham Green, near Hatfield.

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

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

Cowan, ALEXANDER, Valleyfield House, Penicuik, Midlothian.
CRANFIELD, W. B., F.L.S., F.R.H.S., East Lodge, Enfield Chase, Mdx.
CovERDALE, W. H., West Lodge, Ripon, Yorks.

*CHEALE & Sons, LTD., Crawley, Sussex.

*CHURCHER, MAgor G., F.R.H.S., Beckworth, Lindfield, Sussex.

DEMPSTER, R., Carresden, Dumfries, Scotland.

DowELL, P., 86, Bond Street, Port Richmond, Staten Island, N.Y.,
U.S.A.

DonaLpD, W., Ashburn Lodge, Milliken Park, by Johnstone, Renfrew.

*DAWKINS, ALFRED, 16, Fordhook Avenue, Ealing Common, W.

*D ARLINGTON, H. R., M.A., L.L.M., F.L.S., Park House, Potters Bar.

Eton, C., 3, Stirling Road, Enfield.
Evuiott, Rev. E. A., Dunstall Vicarage, Burton-on-Trent.
Eason & Son, Lrp., Lower O’Connell Street, Dublin.

*RENWICK, MARK, J.P., Abbotswood, Stow-on-the-Wold, Glos.
*FLETCHER, B., J.P., The Yews, East Hagbourne, Didcot, Berks.
*FELTON, R. F., 7, Hanover Court, Hanover Street, London, 8.W.1.

Gorpon, W., Lauriston, Victoria Road, Maxwelltown, Dumfries.
Groves, Mrs., 6, The Avenue, Brondesbury, N.W.6.

GREENFIELD, PERcyY, Stuart Road, Warlingham, Whyteleafe, Surrey.
Greece, Mrs., The Palace, Shrewsbury Road, Dublin.

Gitt, Mason Wm. PERCIVAL, 13, Crescent Parade, Ripon, Yorks.

HaAwEINS, REv. Canon, M.A., Holy Trinity Vicarage, Stroud, Glos
HENwoop, T. E., 16, Hamilton Road, Reading.

HeENwoop, C., 6, The Avenue, Brondesbury, London, N.W.6.
HARVARD UNIVERSITY (Gray Herbarium), Cambridge, Mass., U.S.A.
*H ORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, THE ROYAL, Vincent Square, Westminster,

S.W.

*HANBURY, FREDK. J., F.L.S., Brockhurst, East Grinstead, Sussex.
*HotmeEs, Mrs. Cart, The Node, Welwyn, Herts.

213

*HOLLINGTON, MRS. ALFRED, The Cottage, The Ridgeway, Potters
Bar, Middlesex.

KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY (Prof. F. McFarland), Lexington, Mass.,
U-S.A.

LAURIE, G. F., Laurel Villa, Kenmure Avenue, Bishopbriggs, N.B.

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

*LAXTON, EDWARD, 73, Bushmead Avenue, Bedford.

*LAWRENCE, SIR WM., Bart., F.R.H.S., Burford Lodge, near Dorking.

*LODER, GERALD W. E., M.A., F.R.S., F.C.S., V.M.H., Wakehurst
Place, Ardingly, Sussex.

MARKENDALE, R. S., J.P., St. Kitts, Boston Spa, Yorks.

*MAITLAND, JOHN, J.P., Blythwood, Bycullah Park, Enfield.

MarsH, Miss §S. A., Glenlyon, Holywood, Co. Down.

Moore, REv. Canon Kinesmitt, D.D., Cedar Mount, Dundrum,
Co. Dublin.

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

MEADE, JOSEPH, Old Connaught, Bray, Co. Wicklow.

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

*MacSetr, A. J. (Editor of ““ Amateur Gardening ’’), 114, Hamilton
Road, Reading.

*McLEop, J. F., Winton House, Ware, Herts.

*MusGRAVE, C. T., F.R.H.S., V.M.H., Hascombe Place, Godalming,
Surrey.

Naynior, E., Corner Garth, Leadhall Lane, Leeds Road, Harrogate.
ORR, ALLAN, The Institute, Riccarton, Kilmarnock, Ayrshire.

PAINE, F., Chase Ridings, Enfield Chase.

PrerRRyY, A., The Nurseries, Enfield, Middlesex.

PicKAaRD, A., 2, Snow Hill View, Wakefield, Yorks.
PRAEGER, R. Lu., D.Sc., National Library, Dublin.
*PARKINSON, J. J., The Lodge, East Lodge, Enfield Chase.
*PraARSON, C. E., Hill Crest, Lowdham, Notts.

*Pam, Mason ALBERT, Wormley Bury, Broxbourne, Herts.

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

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

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

Row.anps, S. P., M.B., B.S., 58, St. Mary’s Road, Doncaster.

RoyaL Botanic GARDENS (J. W. Besant), Glasnevin, Dublin.

RosBsins, NORMAN, Hillshaw House, Ripon, Yorks.

*RUSSELL, L. A., Richmond, Surrey.

*REEVES, HuGuH, Honingham Hall, Norfolk.

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

*RANSOM, FRANCIS, F.L.S., Newlands, Hitchin, Herts.

*REUTHE, G., F.R.H.S., Foxhill Nursery, Keston, Kent.

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

Scott, F. W., The Gardens, Tullibole Castle, Fossway, Kinross.

Scott, Mrs., Tullibole Castle, Fossway, Kinross.

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

SmitHERS, J. J., Boundary Bank, near Kendal.

STANSFIELD, F. W., M.D., F.L.S., 120, Oxford Road, Reading.

214

STANSFIELD, H., Fern Nursery, Sale, near Manchester.

STANSFIELD, T., 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, Jas. A., 57, Stradalla Road, Herne Hill, S.E.24.

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

THATCHER, Mrs. E. J., The Manor House, Chew Magna, Somerset.
THorP, W., Sorrentaile, Dalkey, Co. Dublin.

THORRINGTON, F. W., Sunnymead, Little Baddow, near Chelmsford.
*Taytor, Mrs. JAMES, Colomendy, Mold, N. Wales.

*TROTTER, P. D., Leith Vale, Ockley, Surrey.

*VEITCH, PETER, F.R.H.S., Royal Nurseries, Exeter.

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

WHITELEY, T. L., 139, Otley Road, Shipley, Yorks.

WHITESIDE, R., Steam Laundry, Alfred Street, Lancaster.

Wuitten, J., V.M.H., Bellahouston House, Glasgow.

Wittiams, J. C. (Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall), Caerhays Castle, near

St. Austell.

WIPER, JOSEPH, 431, Young Street, Victoria, British Columbia.
*Wywncu, Mrs. VIOLET A., F.R.H.S., etc., Pine Hill, Camberley, Surrey.
*WALKER, W. B., Cooks Hollow, Enfield. ;
*Witumotrt, Miss E. A., V.M.H., F.L.S., ete., Warley Place, Great

Warley, Essex.
*WARBURG, SrR Oscar, O.B.E., Boidier, Headley, near Epsom.
*Witpine, E. H., Wexham Place, Stoke Poges, Bucks.
*WARREN, JAMES, Capel House, Waltham Cross, Herts.
*WittiamMs, P. D., Lanarth, St. Keverne, R.S.O., Cornwall.
*WaLLaAcE, R. W., J.P., The Old Nurseries, Tunbridge Wells.
*Woop, W., & Son, F.R.H.S., The Nurseries, Taplow, Bucks.

YounGc, JoHN, Helston, 4, Pembroke Road, Sevenoaks, Kent.

HONORARY MEMBERS.

*BAKER, W. G., Botanic Gardens, Oxford.

*CurTIS, C. H., F.L.S., ‘‘ Gardeners’ Chronicle,” 5, Tavistock Street,
W.C.2.

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

*Hay, T., Superintendent, Hyde Park, London, W.2.

*PresToN, F. G., Botanic Gardens, Cambridge.

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

* New Members since August, 1927.

VOL. .V. No. 10.

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EDITED BY

F. W. STANSFIELD, M_D., F.LS.

(120, OXFORD ROAD, READING.)

PUBLISHED BY

THE BRITISH PTERIDOLOGICAL SOCIETY

President: Mr. W. B. Cranfield, F.R.HS., F.LS., East Lodge, Enfield
Chase, Middlesex.

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

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

“6 yy
BRADLEY & SON, LTD., THE CROWN PRESS, CAXTON STREET, READING.

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To. 7.

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P. angulare pulcherrimum, H. Stansfield,

THE
BRighISH FERN GAZETTE.

NEW SERIES.

VoL. V. JUNE, 1928. No. 10
CONTENTS.
EDITORIAL NOTES ... 215
OvuR FRONTISPIECE: P. angulare pulcherrimum, ee ‘Stansfield No. 9 917
THE ANNUAL MEETING a 218
OsitTuaRy : H. STANSFIELD (F. W.S. and Rev. Canon Hawkins) 218
FERNS IN DEVONSHIRE (Rev. E. A. Elliot)... aD 222
THE STAFFORDSHIRE FERN SANCTUARY ... Sis el e224
THE Lire AND DEATH OF CHOICE FERNS (F.W. S. ) ae Meee ena
FERNS SUITABLE FOR A BEGINNER (F.W.S.) ... a; aay ay te)
CoRRELATION OF CHARACTERS IN BritTISH FERNS ase a 231

EDITORIAL NOTES.

We have received friendly greetings from the Editors of
The American Fern Journal and from the Smithsonian
Institution of the United States, both of which we cordially
reciprocate. It is cheering that an interest should be shown
by our American cousins in our activities although our work
is on somewhat different lines from that of American pterid-
ologists. The latter are chiefly occupied in working out the
distribution of species on the American continent and
especially in the United States. There are indications that
notice is beginning to be taken of the varieties which are our
main source of interest in this small and crowded country.
In The American Fern Journal for April-June, 1916, is an
interesting account by Mr. Amedée Hans of a sowing oi
Scolopendrium vulgare, in which appeared a few stray seedlings
of Asplenium trichomanes. One of these was different from
the rest and as it developed it turned out to be A. trichomanes
confluens, thus giving colour to the suggestion (first made by
the present writer some twenty years ago to Mr. Druery)
that confluens might be a hybrid . between Scolopendrium
and A. trichomanes. A figure is given of several fronds of the
seedling and it corresponds with our confluens except that
the pinne are more distant than we usually see them. This

216

may, however, be due to the plant having been drawn up by
close cultivation. Another communication (Journal, March,
1928) refers to a find of a plant of Athyrium filix-foemina

¢

having some of the fronds “ skeletonized ’’ while others are
normal. Figures are given of both kinds of fronds and it is
evident that the fern is a lineare form of the Lady fern. We
are here quite familiar with this type of variation in Poly-
stichum angulare and Lastrea filix-mas, and it is not uncommon
for some of the fronds to be normal especially in the young
state. It has also been found in Athyrium, e.g. the varieties

Girdlestone and abasilobum. The present writer found one

in Wales in 1919, but it was accidentally lost before we reached

home. The American Fern Journal is the official organ of the

American Fern Society, and the Editors will be pleased to

send specimen copies to any of our members who may be

interested. Application may be made to Dr. R. C. Benedict,

Brooklyn Botanic Garden, 1000, Washington Avenue,

Brooklyn, N.Y.

The Corporation of the Borough of Southport announce
that at the Southport Flower Show to be held on August 22nd
23rd and 24th, a number of valuable prizes will be offered for
British ferns in several classes, including :—

(1) A group, open to all, of Hardy British Ferns, to occupy
not more than 100 square feet. For this group the
First Prize is £15 with others of £12 10s. Od. and £10
respectively.

Other classes, open to amateurs and gardeners, are :—
(2) Twelve British Ferns species and varieties, in pots not

exceeding 8 inches in diameter.

(3) Six Hardy British Ferns, dissimilar, in pots not larger
than 6 inches in diameter. Variation from normal types
will be considered a strong point in this section.

(4) Three Hardy British Ferns in 6-inch pots. The plants
to be variations from normal types which originated as
wild finds.

217

(5) Three Hardy British Ferns in 6-inch pots, which had their
origin in gardens in the British Isles.

(6) One Hardy British Fern (in 6-inch pot or smaller)
being a variety or hybrid raised from spores on the
premises of the exhibitor.

There are two points of special interest in the above classes :
(i) the insistence on the ferns being of British origin, and
(ii) the discrimination between wild finds and garden-raised
varieties. ‘The latter is, we believe, quite new to exhibition
schedules in this country. These classes have been arranged
at the suggestion of our member, Mr. A. J. MacSelf, Editor of
Amateur Gardening. The Editor of the Gazette has been
invited to act as judge along with Mr. MacSelf. We look
forward to an interesting series of exhibits and hope there
may be plenty of competition.

Several new members have joined the. Society since our
last issue and one, who had resigned, has withdrawn his
resignation and paid his subscription. The Hon. Treasurer,
Mr. Sheldon, will be pleased to receive payment of any due
or overdue subscriptions.

OUR FRONTISPIECE.
P. angulare pulcherrimum, H. Stansfield, No. 7.

We present a reproduction of a photograph of a very fine
pulcherromum which was sent to the Editor as a small seedling
in 1926. It has not yet reached adult size, but already
shows splendid character and seems a fairly robust grower
although not approaching in this respect pulcherrrmum No. 5
of the same raiser (also a 1926 seedling), which has already
a luxuriant crown of fronds 30 inches in length, of some of
which the lower pinnules measure 3 inches in length these
being again divided and sub-divided. We had a photograph
taken from a last year’s frond of this plant which was very
much admired, but the new fronds, not yet fully matured,
are so much superior to the 1927 crop that we decided to use

218

instead No. 6, the fronds of which are a little more mature.
We hope to present a figure of No. 5 in some future issue.
The trouble with these very choice ferns is that they are so
difficult of propagation, the only method being by bulbils
and offsets which appear somewhat infrequently, and are
difficult to rear when they do appear.

THE ANNUAL MEETING.

The Annual Meeting of the Society will be held at the
‘Digby Arms Hotel,’ Sherborne, Dorset, on September 3rd
at 10 a.m., where accommodation can be had for members at
18s. per head per day inclusive. Probably other accommoda-
tion may be available, but we have no other definite
information. Members who wish to attend should make
arrangements with the Manager, Mr. A. L. Carpenter, as early
as convenient.

The district is one which has not been seriously explored for
ferns and we are informed that Scolopendriums are par-
ticularly fine and abundant along the roadsides. Scolo-
pendriums indicate lime, and lime, in this district, indicates
angulare and variations. The Dorset-Somerset border has
always been found profitable hunting ground and we hope
once more it will not disappoint us. We regret to have to
abandon the idea of a Meeting in Ireland this year on account
of the few members who would be able to attend it. The
place of meeting for 1929 will have to be discussed and settled
at the coming gathering and members who have decided views
on the subject will do well to attend or otherwise to notify
the Hon. Secretary of their wishes.

OBITUARY : H. STANSFIELD.

It is with feelings which it would be almost indecent to
express that we chronicle the death, from pneumonia, of
Mr. Herbert Stansfield, of Sale, on April 28th, at the age of
72 years. He was a born fern-lover, his father and grand-

Ne ed

ZA)

father both being enthusiastic fern-growers and the family
connection with the fern trade, now brought to an end, has
lasted for the greater part of acentury. It is not known when
Abraham Stansfield, the grandfather of our late member,
first began to grow ferns, but he was born in 1802 and studied
and collected ferns as a youth. He took up their cultivation
as a business probably in the early forties of the last century
and published a catalogue in 1852. The grandson, Herbert,
took to ferns as quite a small boy and grew a small lot in a
frame some 4 feet square when he was about ten years old.
All through life he has been faithful to the fern cult and has
raised hundreds of thousands of them from spores, including
many new varieties. His first success (though this was a
joint affair) was the raising of sporelings from Athyrium f,f.
acrocladon, which had previously been considered a barren
fern. Among the offspring were A. f.f. wnco-glomeratum and
A. f.f. velutinum, two ferns which are still unsurpassed as
examples of cresting. The former is also interesting for its
biological characteristics of induced apospory and _ bulbil
bearing. From A. f.f. Kalothrix he raised the sub-varieties
K. foliosum, K. lineare, and K. cristatum. He crossed Lastrea
alpina lepidota with L. dilatata polydactyla and L. d. grandiceps
producing lepidota polydactyla, lep. cristata, and lep. grandiceps.
He raised many curious and interesting crosses between
varieties of Scolopendrium, especially S.v plumosum, a cross
between laceratum and crispum diversifrons. Messrs. Birken-
head raised P. angulare plumosissimum, but Stansfield was
the first to raise plants from its aposporous tips. He after-
wards raised many aposporous forms from the plwmose-
divisilobe strain, including the pellucidums and new forms of
plumosissimum, all of which were splendid things, but mostly
difficult to keep. Perhaps the most valuable fern raised
from this strain was P.a. divisilobum plumosum foliosum.
This went to Reading into the hands of Mr. T. E. Henwood,
where it still remains as one of the landmarks in his collection,

220

It is not only a fine thing in itself, but is still more remarkable
in its offspring inasmuch as the wonderful pulcherromums can
be, and have been, raised from it. The subject of this notice
has raised more of these than all others, the writer having
no fewer than seven of them in his possession, all free gifts,
and all raised at Sale from this one parent. There are others
in the collections of Mr. Cranfield and Mr. Henwood, and
doubtless many more, at present untraceable, which have
been sold or given away as promising seedlings. Another
very fine thing raised at Sale is P.a. plumosum rarefactum,
from which the present writer has raised a number of beautiful
things, including pluma-Paradisee, which was figured in the
Gazette in October, 1923. Last of all was a series of hybrids
between P. angulare congestum and P. acrostichoides, a North
American species. These are as remarkable as the hybrids
raised by Messrs. Perry, of Enfield, between aculeatum and
munitum and referred to in the last number of the Gazette.

Mr. Stansfield was a frequent contributor to the Gazette
and many members have written appreciatively of his
articles. He leaves a widow and one daughter, his only son
having died, like so many others, as the result of service in
the war. ‘There is no natural successor to the fern business
and the large stock is to be disposed of as soon as possible.

BWes:

The Rev. Canon Hawkins, of Stroud, sends the following
tribute to his memory :—

‘His many friends, and truly they were many, heard
with deepest regret of the passing of Mr. Herbert Stansfield,
of Sale.

‘ T should like to pay my tribute of respect to his memory :
I knew him well and for many years past.

“His was a striking and a very winning personality.
I often marvelled at his profound knowledge of ferns over
a world-wide range, at his skill in growing them, and his
constant successes in developing new and beautiful forms.

221

Love of beauty rather than freakish types especially
appealed to him. These were his characteristics and with
them one saw his humility and his utter absence of self-
assertion : he always saw the best in his friends.

‘He was so lenient and patient over our failures: he
spared no pains in his letters of advice and instruction :
he gave generously and forgave fully, over and over again.

‘“‘T treasure his letters with an affection second only to
that which I extend to his plants.

“T recall that some years ago he spent some time in
North Wales, taking with him some plants of the Killarney
fern, which he planted in some wild and congenial places,
with the hope that they may be found subsequently by fern
hunters. This thoughtfulness was ever typical of him.
He did very little fern-hunting himself, yet he was un-
stinted in his praises over the successes of the hunters.
Spore sowing moved him more to wonder, for his productions
of the best forms of the P.a. divisilobes were marvellous.
Though he did not think much of names, I always thought
his names were apt and meaningful: there was at times
a touch of humour in them which appealed to some of us.

“Love of ferns was deep-seated in him: it descended
from father to son for several generations.

“To the inner circle of his family, and to his brother,
our good friend, Dr. Stansfield, in the name of all his
friends, and with much respect, I beg to offer our sincerest
sympathy.

“ Our grief is real, yet it is but a light affliction for a
moment compared with theirs.

“His memory and his ferns will be treasured by us for

years to come.”
EK. H. HAWKINS.

222

FERNS IN DEVONSHIRE.

In one of his books the late Mr. C. T. Druery says that
varieties will seldom be found where a specific fern grows
abundantly. It is true in my experience of Devonshire
plants. There are records of thirty-one species for the
county, and of these I have found seventeen, nearly all in
profusion where they occur.

Only twice have varieties been discovered. Once it was
a couple of plants of a forked form of Asplenium trichomanes :
old large specimens growing in a hedge, with ten-inch fronds.
The other find was a pair of crested Scolopendriums, in a
small, rather dry, copse: also old plants with huge fronds.
These two were taken to the garden close by and did well
that season in large pots. In the autumn they were planted
out ; next year and ever since the new fronds have been
poor small examples normal in shape. It seems fairly certain
that the hunt for species would have revealed varieties, as
even species need an eye ready to notice “ something new ”’
or “ different.’’ Polystichum aculeatum was found as the
latter. Ina lane where P. angulare was as common as usual,
a slight difference suddenly made itself felt. Inspection
proved the presence, for barely a quarter of a mile, of P. acu-
leatum as well as angulare, neither being abundant just there.
My specimen, taken in 1923, has doubled in size and does
well in its present Staffordshire home. Here it is supposed
to take the place of angulare, but if it does it is hardly less
uncommon. I have only seen it once.

Asplenvum lanceolatum turned up on a cliff-side some
206 feet above the sea as “something new.” It was only
on examination at home, with reference point by point to
Lowe’s ‘“‘ Native Ferns,’ that identification seemed sure.
As this was supported by Kew I feel happy about the record.
One plant (and a number of fronds) went with me and lived
for a year in nothing but wet moss in a pot. Absence from

223

home then brought disaster. But I live in hopes of a visit
to that cliff again.

In the same way Asplenium ruta-muraria and Ceterach are
very local. Devon is full of old mortared walls, but not of
their Rue. It was found growing most freely on a road
bridge, in mortar hardly yet decaying. Ceterach’s appearance
is capricious. In its best station it lined the walls on both
sides of a lane, but more thickly on that facing north. In
two other instances it looked westwards. Books say that
these two species are naturally rock plants. It is curious
that in this part of Devon they occur apparently only on
walls. One wants to know where the rock-inhabiting plants
are which gave rise to the wanderers into artificiality. Spores
must be carried to great distances. There is no doubt of that
in the case of Fungi. Unless someone has taken it, there is an
Asplenvum marinum on the inner face of a wall at Harlech
Castle, about half a mile from the beach. Kingsbridge
Estuary, in South Devon, is a tidal creek four miles long.
At the land end a few specimens of A. marinum were growing
—at least some years ago—in a muddy earthy bank just
above high water mark.

My finds did not include any rare species. Devon’s chief
boast is of the size to which its ferns attain. But the County
has its rarities. Adiantum Capillus-Veneris is one. This
has been claimed for Staffordshire : Garner, in his “Natural
History of Stafiordshire,”’ says that he was told it grew in the
Manifold Valley. But neither he nor anyone since ever saw
it there in situ. It is more natural in a county where
Embothrium coccineum grows 25 feet high, smothered in

‘

flower. Reports of “rare ferns”? need careful handling.
Nearly twenty years ago Aspleniwm viride was recorded from
Dartmoor, but the claim is doubtful at best. I was told
that a “rare species”? grew in a damp, thick wood : minute
and frequent search failed to produce anything approaching

rarity. But mistakes about ferns are common. A salesman

224

in a famous Midland market once offered me a proliferous
P. angulare as a “ Hardy Royal Fern.” The cultivation of
ferns as merely decorative accessories is the greatest hindrance
to interest in them. It is possible that fern-lovers may look
to rockery owners for a change of view. Amongst the latter
there is springing up a habit of growing many of their best
plants as real pets. And no plants respond better to such a

feeling than ferns.
K. A. ELLIOT.

A FERN SANCTUARY FOR STAFFORDSHIRE.

We learn from our member, the Rev. E. A. Elliot, that a
Nature Reserve has been formed at Hawksmoor, North Staffs,
and it is proposed to form colonies of the fern flora which
formerly existed in the county, but of which it has been,
in great measure, denuded. We applaud the scheme, which
might well be copied by other counties and districts, and
commend it to our readers. If moderate colonies of wild
species can be established, and protected from marauders,
they may reasonably be expected to form nuclei from which
the species may spread over a wider area. If any members
of our Society, or other sympathizers, have surplus garden
specimens of any species to give away they will be appreciated
by the committee and the givers will be performing a real
service to lovers of nature in the county. It is not suggested
that wild ferns should be uprooted because this would only
be, at best, “‘ robbing Peter to pay Paul,” but there are many
gardens where wild species spring up from stray spores and
these can be utilized with advantage. Communication may
be made to Mr. J. R. B. Masefield, Rosehill, Cheadle, Staffs,
who will be glad to receive and acknowledge them.

225

THE LIFE AND DEATH OF CHOICE FERNS.

‘“‘ T charge thee, Cromwell, fling away ambition
For by that sin the angels fell.”

The death of my best angulare pulcherromum, apparently
from senile decay although only about twelve years old,
brings to my mind the words of Wolsey when “ vaulting
ambition had o’erleaped itself’? and he had fallen from the
royal favour. The angulare pulcherromums seem to be
somehow lacking in vital force and it is a question whether
they are not too good to live or, as Artemus Ward puts it,
“too smart for this yearth.” As many as sixteen plants

6¢

have been found wild, but only two of them survive to-day
as pulcherrimums, although one or two others remain as
renegades. Mr. Moly found at least six, some of them of a
hair-raising character, but “ although tended with the most
loving care they refused to stay in this world” with the
exception of the two above mentioned. In addition to the
wild finds quite a number have been raised from spores mostly
by Mr. H. Stansfield, but others by Mr. Cranfield and myself.
Now it is difficult enough to raise pulcherrimums, but it is
still more difficult to keep them when raised ; and the more
refined and perfect they are in character the more liable
they are to “give up the ghost.” My brother’s No. 1,
figured in the Gazette in September, 1914, was one of the
most refined ever raised. It never again reached the degree
_ of development shown in the figure although even then it
had only three fronds. It lacked vigour and seemed fatigued
after producing two or three fronds and then required to
rest for the remainder of the season. It lived until 1927
and seemed then fairly healthy, but shows no sign of growth
this spring, and, I fear, must be reckoned a loss. My own
No. 1 was the best out of a large batch of seedlings. It was
at its best in 1922 and was exhibited at the Society’s Meeting
and figured, somewhat imperfectly, in the Gazette (Vol. IV,
No. 12). It was then an apparently robust and vigorous
plant. Next year it was still fine, but not quite so vigorous,

226

and in the succeeding years it has got gradually smaller
and feebler although treated with all the respect and con-
sideration due to its quality; this year it failed to start
at all. At the post-mortem examination it was found that
there was a core of decay extending through the centre of
the caudex from base to summit. P.a. pulcherrimum,
H.S. No. 4, was an equally beautiful thing and, at the top of
its form in 1926, received a certificate at the Society’s Annual
Meeting. Next year it began to fall off in vigour, but now
seems to be reviving. Moly’s variegated pulcherrimum is
one of the most difficult ferns I have ever grown. I have
kept it nearly forty years and have given away scores of
plants raised from its bulbils. Most of these, so far as I can
discover, have died and I am now reduced to two plants,
one of which looks as if Azrael had breathed upon it. It
now rarely produces a bulbil although twenty years ago
almost every frond used to produce at least one near its base.
These were always rather difficult to rear and frequently
failed to take root even when coddled and humoured in every
possible way. Pulcherrimums, however, are not the only
ferns which seem naturally short-lived. The pellucidums and
prothalliferums and the ultra-plumose section generally have
the same delicacy of constitution. Many of this section
have flourished for a time, but after attaining the highest
beauty have gradually (or sometimes suddenly) declined and
either died or become permanent invalids. Nearly all these ©
are aposporous forms and there seems to be an association
between this abnormality and a frail hold upon life. This
peculiarity is not confined to angulares, although it is in this
species that it is most noticeable. P. aculeatum pulcherrimum
(wild find) is a vigorous grower of easy cultivation. ‘The more
extreme gracillimums are less vigorous, but fairly reliable
under good cultivation. They very rarely show apospory
and Mr. Smithies is, I believe, the only person who has
succeeded in raising plants from aculeatum through this

227

phenomenon. The fimbriate crispums in Scolopendriwm
rarely flourish for more than a season or two and then lose
their fringed character and become rather stunted crispums,
which, however, produce spores from which fresh fimbriatums
can be raised. The only aposporous Lastrea (Cropper’s
apospora cristata) is a poor grower and difficult to keep,
although it is easy to raise fresh plants by apospory. Colonel
Jones’s Athyrum f.f. clarissimum, on which apospory was
first discovered, is a good grower and not at all difficult if
reasonably treated. Bolton’s form, which, at one time,
seemed likely to surpass the original Jones form, has, however,
apparently been lost although I still have a plant, raised
from it by apospory, which at one time was a great beauty,
but is now a renegade. The plumose forms of Aspleniwm
marinum axe difficult to keep although not aposporous and
the microdon forms of A. lanceolatum and A. Adiantum-nigrum,
with which may be associated A. trichomanes confluens, are
also miffy. A. trichomanes incisum Clementi, the most truly
plumose form of this species, is a vigorous grower, but becomes
tired when it has formed a large clump and if this clump be
divided there is considerable risk of losing the lot. Shall
we then renounce our ambition of raising and growing the
highest and most beautiful of ferns? There are plenty of
beautiful things which are good growers and require no fuss
to keep them alive. Fifty years ago or so there was a song
the burden of which was “ Love not—the thing you love
may die.”” Although it had a certain vogue I doubt whether
anyone ever took it seriously. Away with such base and
cowardly whinings! It is better, a thousand times, to have
loved and lost than never to have loved at all. Our dear
ones were lovely and pleasant in their lives : they were happy
with us and we with them.

‘Gather ye roses while yemay.” Although our pulcherrimums
and other treasures may die we have been thrilled by their
beauty and the experience has been worth while. We shall

228

continue to raise fresh and more beautiful types of fern
loveliness although their beauty may often be short-lived.
I have some six or eight new pulcherrimums (mostly raised
at Sale) coming on which I hope will equal if not surpass
anything previously found or raised, and there is always the
hope that one or more may appear which will have a con-
stitution equal to “ Moly’s green” and will continue to
delight us, and perhaps our descendants, for generations.
Even if all should die it is worth while to have them for are
we not all mere temporary phenomena and human life
itself but ‘“‘the momentary play of an Ephemeron over the

waters of eternity?”

‘The cloud-capt towers, the gorgeous palaces,
The solemn temples, the great Globe itself,
Yea, all which it inherit, shall dissolve
And, like this unsubstantial pageant, faded,
Leave not a wrack behind.” FWS.

FERNS SUITABLE FOR A BEGINNER.

In commencing a collection of ferns the tyro generally
begins with a few which may be given to him by friends, or
more rarely with one or two which he may have found himself.
It happens, however, not infrequently that a man may see
a fine collection in the garden of a friend or a striking group
at an exhibition and may be suddenly fired with an ambition
to grow a collection himself. In these cases the tyro generally
wants to begin with the very best things he has seen—to begin,
in fact, at the level which others have gained after many
years of struggle and experience. We have known many cases
like this and, though the beginner, if wealthy and able to
secure a skilled gardener, may sometimes succeed almost at
once, it much more frequently happens that the ambitious
tyro comes to grief and his attempt ends in disappointment
and perhaps disgust. The average beginner will be well
advised to start with a few kinds of comparatively easy
culture and to advance by degrees to greater heights of glory.
There are plenty of beautiful ferns which are simple in their

229

requirements, which can be procured at small cost, and can
be easily replaced in case of initial failure. If successful with
these he will gain confidence and knowledge, and can then
proceed to deal with more difficult subjects. We append a
list of ferns which may be recommended to the beginner upon
which to try his ’prentice hand. All of them are fine things
and none of them is a disgrace to the very best collection.
It is not suggested that this nucleus should be discarded as
the grower acquires experience: rather should the nucleus
be cherished and reinforced. Remember that Lastrea filix-
mas and its allied sub-species and their varieties are the most
enduring of ferns and will not die except under the most
outrageous ill-treatment. Next come the Athyriwms, which
are of the easiest culture if given shade, shelter, and water.
The above will grow either in the presence of lime or in its
relative absence. Scolopendriums and Polypodium vulgare
and P. calcareum like lime and so do Polystichums, especially
angulare. Lastrea dilatata, L. montana, and Blechnum dislike
lime extremely and will not thrive if there be much of it
in the soil. Scolopendriums like shade and moisture, but not
stagnant moisture. They generally do better in the open
ground than in pots. Polystichums in the South and West
do well in ordinary garden soil if given a moderate amount of
shelter from wind, and shade from direct sunshine. Osmunda
will do almost anywhere if given sufficient water and a peaty
soil, but dislikes exposure to the full sun, although it will
not refuse to live even under this disadvantage. The require-
ments of Lastrea thelypteris and L. cristata are similar. The
beginner had better confine himself to the genera and species
above named until he has acquired some experience. Now
for the list :—

Athyrum f.f. acrocladon.

congestum and congestum minus.
cristatum or cristulatum.
percristatum, Cousins.

+) >)

$3 )

>”) )

230

Athyrum f.f. plumosum, Horsfall.

i » plumosum divaricatum.
is ,, setigerum.
5 ,, Voctoriae.
Blechnum spicant serratum, Airey.
Fisk » cristalum.
Lastrea filix-mas fluctuosa.
rp » linearis.
» » Bollandiae.
a pseudo-mas cristata.
» s crispa cristata.
” 5 crispa gracilis.
” a polydactyla, Dadds or Wills.
Osmunda regalis cristata.
” » purpurascens.
Polypodum dryopteris (lime-hater).
Ee Robertianum (lime-lover).
oa vulgare Cambricum.
33 » grandiceps, Forster.
4 » pulcherromum.
Polystichum aculeatum densum.
” x pulcherromum.
i angulare acutilobum, Hartley.
» vy i congestum.
» cristatum.
. ,, dwersilobum, Bagg.
» » plumosum, Wollaston.
wat th » divisilobum plumosum.
” Bf 3 stipulatum.
Scolopendrium vulgare crispum, Gray.
» » erispum latum.
>» ., ‘ nobile, Bolton.
» » crispissimum.
» 5 eristulatum.
» » laceratum.

” 5 sagittato projectum.

231

HARDY EXOTIC FERNS.
Adiantum pedatum.
Polystichum acrostichoides.
“f munitum.

setosum.

Struthiopteris Germanica.

The beginner who has only a few square yards of ground
obviously cannot grow all the ferns in this list, but in selecting
from it he cannot go far wrong.

CORRELATION OF CHARACTERS IN BRITISH FERN
VARIETIES.

(Paper read at the Society's Meeting, Bowness, August 7th, 1905.)

In studying the phenomena of variation in British Ferns
the observer cannot fail to be struck by the frequency with
which certain characters crop up in association with each
other ; this, too, not only among seedlings under cultivation
(where possibly the associated characters may be derived
from a common ancestor in which they were combined), but
also in wild finds occurring in widely separated localities, so
that any question of common ancestry, except that of the
parent species, is practically out of the question. Some of
these correlations of character are, in some measure, dependent
the one upon the other, and therefore in no way surprising.
In other cases, however, the correlated characters appear to
be quite independent of each other, and the cause of the
association, in the present state of our knowledge, is a mystery.

In the first group of cases (7.e., where the cause of correlation
is more or less intelligible), I may mention the association of
sterility or imperfect fertility with the plumose character.
In this case the complete or partial sterility is probably the
effect of the plant’s vital energy being used up in the excessive
development of the vegetable parts. It corresponds to the

232

weakness and frequent sterility which are often found in
individuals of the human species who attain to gigantic
stature. It is comparable, also, in some measure, with the
excessive development of flesh and fat in artificially sterilized
animals, such as capons and bullocks. Although the true
plumose forms are barren as a general rule, there are many
which are more or less fertile, and indeed most of them,
under exceptionally favourable conditions, are capable of
occasionally producing spores. Polystichum angulare
plumosum, Patey, P. aculeatum pulcherrvmum (which I
consider to be really a plumose form), P. angulare divisilobum
plumosum in its various types (including the finest of all
Baldwinit) are occasionally fertile. Esplan’s form of
divisilobum plumosum was at one time abundantly fertile,
but, with me at least, this form is now and has been, like the
rest, for many years absolutely barren. P. angulare plumosum
grande, Moly, and P. ang. plumosum, Elworthy, have never
been known to bear spores, but it is quite likely that if any
of these were well grown and completely watched for many
years, even they might be found to occasionally bear a few
spores. (This idea is suggested to me by the analogous cases
of P. ang. plumosum, Patey, and P. aculeatum pulcherrimum
both of which were regarded for many years as absolutely
barren forms.) The same may be said of Barnes’s and
Wills’s plumose forms of Athyrium. Polypodium v.
Cambricum, which is the typical plumose form of P. vulgare,
is barren in its original form, but there is or was, I think, a
fertile form, though whether this was derived from ordinary
Cambricum or was a separate find Ido not know. The point
is, however, that all these fertile plumose forms, whether
of Athyrium, Polystichum, Polypodium, Lastrea,
Scolopendrium, or Asplenium, are much less fertile than the
species and frequently remain barren for long periods. The
fertility is a sort of vital spurt and is rarely, if ever, kept up
as a regular phenomenon.

233

Another example of correlation of characters is that of
cruciate or bifid pinne with a truncate apex of the frond.
The oldest cruciate forms are Elworthy’s cruciate angulare
and Miss Field’s cruciate Athyrium. Both these have blunt
ends to the fronds and doubtless the one character is quite in
harmony with the other, inasmuch as the cruciate pinna is
an abortion of the terminal part of the pinna and an over
development of the two basal pinnules. It is not surprising,
therefore, that the apex of the frond itself should show a
tendency to abortion. In other cruciate forms which have
been found or raised, such as Pritchard’s cruciate Athyrium
and some seedlings which have been raised from Elworthy’s
Polystichum, the cruciate character is only found in the lower
two-thirds, more or less, of the frond while the upper third or
so is normal but somewhat narrowed ; in these, as might be
expected, the truncate apex is not found, but the frond runs
out to a fine point.

Another association of characters is found in the drooping
crests of the true grandiceps forms of Polystichum angulare
and Aculeatum, Athyrium, filix-foemina, Lastrea filix-Mas,
and L. montana. In all these species the grandiceps form is
that in which the frond rises narrow and almost erect until,
at about an eighth its length from the apex, it suddenly
breaks up into a series of branches which run up at acute
angles with each other and almost parallel to the original
line of the rachis. At this point the huge head folds over
and hangs downwards, so that a well grown specimen has
somewhat the outline of a narrowish vase with a heavy
turned-down collar or rim. This association of characters
may be explained by the suddenly increased weight of the
terminal portion of the frond acting upon the narrow neck
and causing it to bend downwards.

Less easily explained is the correlation of the acutilobe and

divisilobe characters with the production of buds or bulbils
upon the rachis and stipes. As you all know, the acutilobe,

234

divisilobe, and multilobe characters are closely connected ;
they, in fact, merge into one another, and it is often quite
difficult, and not rarely impossible, to draw the line between
them. A form which is merely an acutilobe under ordinary
conditions will frequently, under high cultivation, or in a
very favourable season, become a divisilobe. The proliferous
character is almost invariably found to some extent in this,
which I may call the lobed, section, using this term to include
the acutilobes, multilobes, and divisilobes. As you know,
the first recorded form of this division was acutilobum Choules,
which was named (by Moore, I think), simply proliferum, on
account of its bulbiferous character. As other acutilobe and
divisilobe forms appeared they were, for some time, all called
proliferum, with the addition of some proper name, generally
that of the finder, to distinguish one from another. Thus
one remembers proliferum, proliferum Wollastonii, Footii,
Holeanum, Crawfordianum, Henleyce, Allchinii, and others,
before the division into acutilobum and divisilobum was
thought of. The proliferous character was seized upon as
the most important, although some of these, such as proliferum
Crawfordianum (found by our president), were, and are,
very sparingly or only occasionally proliferous. An acutilobe
form of aculeatum was also found and duly named aculeatum
proliferum, although it did not appear at first to be proliferous
at all. I well remember my grandfather protesting against
the absurdity of calling a thing proliferum which was not
proliferous at all, merely because it resembled in other respects
forms which were proliferous. It turned out, however, that
this form did occasionally produce bulbils, although it often
fails to do so for years in succession, especially if grown in a
somewhat dry atmosphere. When the proliferum group
became unwieldy from the number of forms it contained it
was split up by Wollaston and Jones into the three sections
acutilobum, divisilobum and multilobum, and the proliferous
character was entirely disregarded. In this matter I think

235

they were quite right because, although the proliferous
character is most noticeable in the lobed section, it is found
more or less in every section, and may be occasionally met
with in almost every variety. I fear I cannot hazard a
suggestion why the bulbiferous character is so often correlated
with divided or acute lobes.

Another series in which the correlation is quite as mysterious
is in the brachiate forms, and especially the brachiate-cristate
varieties. As you know, this section is regarded as being
of a somewhat fickle disposition, the cristate and also the
brachiate character often disappearing for years together to
reappear at uncertain and irregular intervals. When the
_brachiate character does appear, however, it is generally,
though not invariably, found to be associated with a very
peculiar and beautifully acute toothing, or cutting of the
pinnules. This character is well seen in the nature-print by
Col. Jones of brachiato-cristatum, Padley, and also, less
distinctly, in some of his other prints. A brachiatum may
be sometimes recognised by this peculiarity when it has quite
lost its nominal character. I well remember the original
plant of Moore’s brachiatum at Todmorden thirty-five. years
ago, when it was, for this reason, a beautiful object, although
not brachiate at all. I show you some of Col Jones’s prints
of brachiate forms in which this peculiar cutting is seen as
well as one in which it is not. I am unable to suggest any
cause for the correlation of character in this series of forms.
Although it is by no means invariably found, yet it is too
frequent to be merely accidental and there must be some
mysterious connection between the two.

Another curious coincidence, even if it be nothing more, is
the association of the polydactylous character in the pinne
of two similar forms of P. angulare (viz., Padley’s Vale of
Avoca polydactylum and Jones’s Hampshire find of the same
type) with normal undivided apices to the fronds, 7.e., in the
mature plant. What is still more remarkable is the fact

236

that in all seedlings raised from these, and even when they
are crossed with other varieties the young plants come for
the first year or two with large solid terminal crests, which
character rapidly disappears as the plants become older, until
when the fronds are a foot or eighteen inches in length the
heavy cresting is replaced by plain undivided apices and
fingered pinne, the fingers themselves being all sharply
pointed. Another curious peculiarity which runs all through
the strain is the lack of thoroughness in the polydactylous
character—1t.e., when the plant is mature, if not before, there
are always a few pinne which are plain and undivided, like
the apex of the frond. This polydactylous strain has been
crossed with acutilobum, divisilobum, multilobum, divisilobum
plumosum, lineare, pulcherrimum, and other strains, and in
every case, so far as I have seen, the same series of changes
is found in the young plants and the same peculiarities in the
adult. .

The correlation with apospory of the peculiar character to
which in Polystichum angulare the name of pulcherrimum has
been given (although in other species this name is unfortunately
associated with quite different characters) is well known but
quite unexplained. Of course apospory is not confined to
ferns having this character (7.e., long, drawn out, falcate
lower pinnules), yet wherever this character is found, so far
as | am aware, there also is apospory, and there also, as a
rule, is a peculiar type of sterility so far as spores is concerned.
Sori, or something like sori, are produced in plenty, but as a
rule the sporangia are empty and, in some cases, even these
are absent, or nearly so, the sori being represented by indusia
only or by wartlike lumps of cellular tissue which are capable
of being developed into prothalli under favourable conditions.
There is, so far as I know, no instance on record of a pul-
cherrimum of this kind reproducing itself from spores. What
is still more remarkable is that, when young plants are raised
by apospory, the offspring, as a rule, bear no resemblance

237
to the parents, but are abortions of the most distressing and
disappointing character. There are exceptions to this rule,
however, for I have myself raised two plants practically like
the parent from Moly’s variegated pulcherrimum. I have
also raised plants by apospory from Moly’s green pulcherrimum
from Mrs. Thompson’s and from Willis’s form, and from one
other very fine pulcherrimum raised at Sale, but now, I regret
to say, lost. None of these plants, with the exception of the
two I have mentioned, bore any varietal resemblance to their
respective parents, but oddly enough they bore singular and
deplorable resemblance to each other, being all irregular and
depauperate forms. The late Col. Jones regarded Clarissima
in Athyrium and the fimbriate crispums in Scolopendrium as
the analogues of pulcherrimum in angulare, and this view is
supported to some extent by their being capable of apospory.
An Athyrium, however, much more closely resembling
angulare pulcherrimum, in fact identical in character with it,
was raised a year or two ago by Mr. Druery from Bolton’s
aposporous Athyrium, but unfortunately this, like many
pulcherrimums in angulare, proved inconstant and degenerated
into normal filix-foemina. I have, I think, told you the
story of this fern before, but tell it again partly because it
fits in with my subject and partly because I think there is
hope that another of the same kind may be raised either from
Bolton’s Athyrium itself, or from some of its offspring. This
is, so far as I know, the only instance of the true “‘ angulare
pulcherrimum ” character having been found in any other
species. The correlation of characters in this fern completes
the analogy with angulare pulcherrimum, for besides the
pulcherrimum form we had also apospory and alas! in-
constancy. It is possible that Cornubiense in Polypodium
vulgare may be at least partly analogous to pulcherrimum in
angulare, for here we have correlated fine subdivision with
inconstancy ; apospory has not yet been found in this form,
but I strongly suspect that it might be induced by cultivation
in a constantly moist atmosphere. The analogy is perhaps

238

as close with Birkenhead’s angulare plumosissimum as with
the pulcherrimums, inasmuch as the former turns out on
cultivation to be much less freely aposporous that at first
appeared. It is, in fact a true plumose-divisilobe form when
grown in the open air, and only develops its aposporous
character when grown in a warm moist atmosphere. Even
then it does not produce true prothalli immediately but only
apical growths, which are capable of being developed into
prothalli with considerable difficulty on separate cultivation.
I fear I am wandering slightly from my subject, for
plumosissimum shows no special correlation of character,
except those of sterility with plumation. Possibly it may
turn out to be, like the other plumose divisilobes, capable of
occasional fertility.

There is one other instance of correlation of character to
which I have not yet alluded, viz., the occasional production
of tiny bulbils in place of sori on the plumose forms of
Athyrium. This phenomenon has been found on the Ax-
minster plumosum, plumosum elegans, plumosum Druery
and plumosum divaricatum. I am not aware of any other
case in Athyrium, though possibly others may be. I have,
however, on more than one occasion, detected it on
Polypodium Cornubiense, which is either a plumose or (as
Col. Jones said of the ang. pulcherrimum) an ultra-plumose
form. It may be looked for in partially barren plumose
forms of P. angulare, Lastrea montana, and of any species
in which such may occur.

I have now mentioned all the important types of correlation
of characters in the varieties of British ferns which occur to
me. Doubtless other instances will occur to some of you.
I have not attempted to solve the problem or to explain the
why and wherefore, but possibly in the suggestion that there
is such a problem there may be the germ of usefulness. If
so this scrappy, and I fear somewhat incoherent, paper will

not have been written quite in vain.
F. W. STANSFIELD.

: The Neen se
4 | y
British Fern
Gazette.

December 1028.

EDITED BY

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

(120, OXFORD ROAD, READING.)

——————_

PUBLISHED BY

THE BRITISH PTERIDOLOGICAL SOCIETY

President : Mr. W. B. Cranfield, F.R.H.S., F.L.S., East Lodge, Enfield
Chase, Middlesex.

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

Hon. Treasurer: Mr. J . J. Sheldon, “ Monkhams,’ Lower Road,

Great Bookham, Surrey.

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

Blechnum sp. ramo-cristatum, Blow.

THE
BRITISH FERN GAZETTE.

NEW SERIES.

Wior. Vi: DECEMBER, 1928. No. 11
CONTENTS.

EDITORIAL NOTES ... ar 239

Our FRONTISPIECE : Blechnum sp. ramo- \-cristatum, Blow ws 240

OBITUARY : BowLEs (née Cranfield) a ales ae ate. 240

THE ANNUAL MEETING AND EXCURSIONS a .. 24]

THE SouTHPORT HorTICULTURAL SHOW (Mr. A. ag MacSelf) ... 246

THe FERNS, TREATED COMPARATIVELY. Professor F’. O. Bower,
D.Se., F.R.S., ete. (oa ne Mr. F. W. Nace ute

Vol. 1) . 250
Lastrea cristata Presl, (FE. W'S. ) ie ae ->, 203
Fern Huntine In SWITZERLAND. (F.W.S,) ae abe vad $y. 20D

EDITORIAL NOTES.

The Southport Show, to which allusion was made in our
last issue, turned out to be, in every respect, a gigantic
success and not least in the department for British Ferns.
We publish in this number a report of the exhibition by
Mr. A. J. MacSelf, to whose energetic advocacy the establish-
ment of the fern classes was largely due. We hope that
next year the ferns may be a still more prominent feature,
although this year’s exhibition undoubtedly stimulated
interest in ferns in the North of England as well as in Scotland
and even in Ireland. We suspect that the comparative
paucity of the display in the “small classes’ was largely
due to the restrictions as to size of pots, as it was obvious
that some of the ferns shown had been badly punished by
being forced into too small pots, while, in other cases, plants
insufficiently developed had been chosen in order to make
them fit the standard sizes of pots. Pots should be chosen
to fit the ferns and not the ferns to fit the pots.

We have received a copy of The Daily Colonist of Victoria,
British Columbia, which contains an account of the unique
(in that country) collection of ferns grown by our veteran
member, Mr. Joseph Wiper, formerly of Kendal. We quota
therefrom the following extract :—‘‘ Mr. Wiper is said to
have the largest collection of British ferns in Canada and his

240

collestion includes many of the rarer native ferns which he
has coilected in British Columbia and other parts of the
Dominion. Despite his eighty-four years, Mr. Wiper takes
a most lively interest in his collection and delights in showing
his treasures to interested callers. The commercial aspect
of fern collecting does not interest him ; he grows them solely
because he knows and loves them. The long botanical names
are on the tip of his tongue as he points out individual speci-
mens, which, to the casual observer, seems an art in itself.
For to admire a fern for its beauty is one thing ; to understand
it is another.” It may be noted that Mr. Wiper is one of the
few surviving founders of the Society, the initial meeting of
which was held at his house at Kendal on September 23rd,
1891. Mr. Wiper was appointed the first Treasurer of the
Society and retained that office until 1903. He was elected
an honorary member in 1904, and migrated to Canada in
1912. May he live long to spread the cult in the great
Dominion.

OUR FRONTISPIECE.
Blechnum spicant ramo-cristatum, Blow.

We have pleasure in presenting an illustration of a fern
found near Axminster by Mr. T. B. Blow on the Society’s
excursion in 1926 and for which he was awarded the Society’s
Certificate in 1927. The photograph shows a plant in which
the ramose character is more prominent than the cristate,
but nevertheless most of the branches are terminated by
small crests and it seems likely that this character will be
more conspicuous as the fern becomes more mature. In any
case, it is a fine variety, quite distinct from any Blechnum
previously found. The illustration is from a plant in the
Kditor’s collection, given to him as a small plant soon after
the fern was found.

OBITUARY : BOWLES.
We deeply regret to announce the sudden death on October
27th of Mrs. Anthony Bowles (formerly Miss Gladys Cranfield),

24]

a most amiable lady and the well-beloved daughter of our
esteemed President. The deceased lady, who went to Ceylon
after her marriage three years ago, had recently visited her
native country, when we had the pleasure of meeting her,
apparently in perfect health, at her father’s house. She
had only just returned to her home in Ceylon, when she was
struck by a sudden illness (cerebral malaria), which terminated
fatally after two days. Her loss will be mourned by a large
circle of friends, and the sympathy of all will go out to her
husband and to her father and his family. Mr. Cranfield
has suffered a succession of bereavements in a comparatively
short time at the hand of the “‘ Reaper whose name is Death.”

** Shall I have nought that is fair,”’ quoth he—
‘* Have nought but the bearded grain ?
Though the breath of these tiowers is sweet to me
I will give them all back again.”

THE ANNUAL MEETING.

The Thirty-third Annual Meeting of the Society was held
on Monday, September 3rd, 1928, at the Digby Hotel, Sher-
borne, Dorset, the President, Mr. W. B. Cranfield, occupying
the Chair. Members were present from Enfield, London,
Welwyn, Great Bookham, Warlingham, Horsham and
Reading. The minutes of the previous meeting were read,
confirmed, and signed by the President.

The President welcomed the members and gave some
outline of the activities of the Society during the year.

The Hon. Secretary read his report as follows :—

‘Mr. President : the number of ordinary members of the
Society is now 118 and there are six honorary members.
Mrs. Gregg, of the Palace, Dublin, has resigned her member-
ship.

Mr. Herbert Stansfield, of Sale, has died.

Two members have been lost sight of, letters to them from

the Treasurer having been returned marked “‘ Not known ”’ ;
these are Mr. F. C. Whiteley, of Shipley, Yorks, and Mr. J.

242

Whitton, V.M.H., Bellahouston House, Glasgow. [It has
since been ascertained that Mr. Whitton has died.—Ed.]

Forty-two new members joined the Society between the
last annual meeting and the issue of the December (1927)
Gazette. Their names will be found in the list of members
published in that issue. Members who have joined since
that time are :—

Messrs. Carter & Co., Raynes Park, Wimbledon.

Mr. John Cochran, 5$, Nursery Street, Kilmarnock.

M. Paul Kestner, F.L.S., Chailly Village, Lausanne,
Switzerland.

Mr. G. W. Leak, 1, Clarkson Avenue, Wisbech, Cambs.
Mr. George Munro, Church End, Finchley, N.

Mr. Arthur Osborne, 83, Abbey Street, Faversham, Kent.
Saorstat Eirann (The Irish Free State).

Mr. J. K. Woodmansey, Knaresborough, Yorks.

Mr. F. J. Hanbury, F.L.S8., was invited to become an
honorary member, but preferred to be an ordinary member,
and his name will be found in the list. Mr. Hanbury invited
the members to visit his charming garden at Brockhurst,
East Grinstead, and a party of some 12 or 14 members and
friends spent there a pleasant afternoon on June 16th last,
An important feature at Brockhurst is the rock-garden,
which contains many interesting and rare plants, including
a considerable number of British and other hardy ferns,
which the party spent some time in naming. The large and
rich collection of orchids was inspected and duly admired,
while a plant of the rare British Lizard Orchis in flower in the
open garden was an object of special interest to some of us.
Mr. and Miss Hanbury afterwards entertained the party to

?

tea.

The Hon. Treasurer, Mr. J. J. Sheldon, presented his
financial statement as follows :—

243

BALANCE SHEET.

INCOME. a) PSeeas EXPENDITURE. § sid.
Balance from last year 34 7 7 Affiliation fee, R.H.S. 2 2 0
Subscriptions received 46 5 0O ““Gazette,’’ Dec.,1927 14 19 6
Sale of ‘‘ Gazettes ”’ LL 0is0 7 June,1928 13 2 6
Advertisement chee Ae ey SO Stationery & Printng 718 0

Postages, etc. eile ZED wad
Cheque Book oa 2 0
Balance in Bank ... 4311 0
£83 14 7 £83 14 7

Audited and found correct, September 3rd, 1928.
(Signed) PERCY GREENFIELD.
It was resolved that the Hon. Secretary’s and Hon.
Treasurer's Reports be received and adopted.

The Officers and Committee for the ensuing year were
elected as per the following lst :—
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. T. Brown, Dr. T. Stansfield,
Mr. P. Greenfield, Mr. J. A. Sinclair,
Mr. A. J. MacSelf, Mr. F. W. Thorrington,

Mr. R. Whiteside.

It was resolved, on the proposition of Mr. Blow, seconded
by the President, that Miss Irma Andersson, of the John Innes
Institute, should be invited to become an honorary member.

244

It was resolved, on the proposition of the President,
seconded by Mr. T. E. Henwood, that a letter of condolence
be sent to Mrs. H. Stansfield and her daughter.

It was proposed by the President, seconded by Dr. F. W.
Stansfield, and resolved, that a vote of thanks be passed to
Mr. A. J. MacSelf for his advocacy of British Ferns (i) in his
paper, Amateur Gardening; (i1) in connection with the
Southport Horticultural Show.

A communication was read from Dr. 8. P. Rowlands to the
President suggesting that more members should assist the
Editor by sending contributions to the Gazette.

A letter was read from Mr. A. J. MacSelf to the President
suggesting that the name of the Society should be changed
from its present Greek form to the Anglo-Saxon equivalent
of the British Fern Society. Mr. MacSelf also asked for a
definition of the meaning of “tall varieties’? and “‘ dwarf

be)

varieties’ as applied to British Ferns in some exhibition
schedules. Considerable discussion took place on the subjects
of this letter and, while the general feeling seemed to be
against a change in the name of the Society, it was recognized
that there was something to be said on the other side, and
it was eventually agreed that the Society should keep its
original name, but that an explanatory phrase or sub-title
of “‘The British Fern Society’ might, upon occasion, be
used in brackets after the name of the Society.

On the question of tall v. dwarf ferns, it was argued that
the matter was complicated by the existence of large-growing
and small-growing species, forms of the latter being usually
admitted among “ dwarf varieties,” although they might be
quite as tall as the normal species to which they belonged,
e.g., Aspleniums trichomanes, Adiantum-nigrum and Germani-
cum, Allosorus, Hymenophyllum, etc. It was agreed that the
Society’s definition of “‘small-growing ferns” should be
those in which the length of the fronds of fully matured
specimens do not exceed twelve inches, either perpendicular
or horizontal, measured from the crown or rhizome to the

245

tip of the frond. Small plants of large-growing species or
varieties are ineligible.

It was proposed by Mr. Henwood, seconded by Mr. Green-
field and resolved, that the funds of the Society be charged
with the expense of exploring a neighbourhood before the
place of meeting be finally settled : tentatively the meeting
for 1929 shall be held in N.W. Yorkshire, Settle or Ingleton
being suggested.

A large number of fronds were exhibited by Mr. T. E.
Henwood and Dr. F. W. Stansfield, and Certificates were
awarded :—

(i) to Dr. F. W. Stansfield for P. angulare divisilobum per-
serratum, Phillips, frond exhibited by Dr. Stansfield ;

(ii) to Messrs. Perry, of Enfield, for Polypodium v. pul-
cherrimum congestum—frond exhibited by Dr. Stansfield.

(iii) to Dr. T. Stansfield for P. angulare lineare caudatum,
wild find at Taunton—frond exhibited by Mr. Henwood ;

(iv) to Dr. F. W. Stansfield for P. ang. pulcherrimum varie-
gatum, seedling from Moly’s wild find: form having
increased stamina and symmetry of outline—frond
exhibited by Mr. Henwood.

On the motion of Mr. Blow, seconded by Mr. Sheldon, the
President and Hon. Secretary were empowered to draw up
a scheme for offering a Society’s Silver Medal for British
Ferns at provincial shows when any of the Society’s officials
acted as judges.

The meeting closed with a hearty vote of thanks to the
President for his conduct in the Chair.

The party of members remained in the neighbourhood of
Sherborne, in gradually diminishing numbers, for about a
week, during which the country (especially the districts to
the south and west) was explored energetically for varieties
of ferns. Although the region was not so rich in ferns as
some others which have been visited (e.g. 8. Devon and S.
Dorset) fairly good hunting was met with, and the following
“finds ’’ were made :—

246

(i) A P. angulare (furcillato-gracile), having slender fronds,
small pinnules, and minutely crested tips to fronds and
pinne.

(ii) A large ramose Scolopendrium similar to S.V. ramosum
majus of Clapham (by Mr. T. B. Blow).

(iii) A large-growing P. angulare acutilobum of robust habit :
this plant had several crowns which were distributed
among the members present.

(iv) A Scolopendrium v. sagittato-cristatum, quite thorough in
character and possibly capable of development to a
sagittato-projectum under cultivation.

(v) A P. angulare setoso-decompositum, very feathery and
bristly in character—also having several crowns.

These five ferns were considered not a bad result for a
week’s hunting, and their behaviour under cultivation will
be watched with interest, not to say excitement.

The following new members have joined the Society since

the meeting, up to date of going to press :—

Miss Irma Andersson-Kott6, The John Innes Horticultural
Institute, Mostyn Road, Merton Park, London, S.W.19.
(This lady was invited to become an honorary member,
but elected to join as an ordinary (subscribing) member.)

Mr. John Grant, 7, Market Street, Turriff, Aberdeenshire.

Mrs. (Dora) Nuttall, Ingle Nook, Grindleton, near Clitheroe.

Mr. George Oliver, 10, Yarrow Terrace, Hawick, Scotland.

Mr. Robert Sutcliffe, 21, Market Street, Burnley, Lancs.

Mr. Alfred Waterhouse, East View, Warton, Carnforth,
Lancs.

BRITISH FERNS AT SOUTHPORT SHOW.

There were those who, when first they learned that the
organizers of Southport Flower Show had been advised and
persuaded to introduce classes for Hardy British Ferns on a
more elaborate scale than has been attempted by any other
Show, shook their heads and made no effort to conceal the
fact that they were confident only of the venture proving a
fiasco. It was the expressed opinion of many that not more

247

than two or three growers could fill a hundred square feet
with plants worth exhibiting, and that even those two or three
would not care to risk damage to their treasures and incur
the expense of taking them to Southport.

Events proved the doubters in the wrong, and everybody,
when they saw the grand series of groups in the big marquee,
enthusiastically acknowledged that the Hardy British Ferns
constituted a really important feature of this, the finest
all-round show the Provinces have yet seen, and it may be
added that the cult of Hardy Ferns received the greatest
fillip it has been given for very many years. In support of
this statement the writer may say that practically every week
since the Show some inquiries have been answered concerning
the commencement of collections, and during the period of
the Show much time was occupied in conversation with
visitors who were surprised and delighted with what they

saw,

Seven entries in the Challenge Trophy class surpassed our
most sanguine anticipations for a first effort, and they were,
with one exception, wonderful entries. One exhibitor,
probably labouring under a misapprehension of the intentions
and purpose of this class, brought a great quantity of normal
wildlings which had obviously been newly collected for the
purpose. It would, indeed, be a great pity if classes for
Hardy British Ferns at Shows involved the unnecessary
plundering of the countryside. The ordinary species and
types thus uprooted from their natural homes can never stand
the slightest chance of winning a coveted position in keen
competition, and the whole purpose of the exhibition is to
encourage the cultivation of Hardy British Ferns and appro-
priately to honour the finest examples of variation from the
normal and demonstrations of cultural skill.

The spaces measured off for the seven groups were each
ten feet by ten feet, and unfortunately so little space was
allowed between the groups that it was difficult to see just
where the dividing lines were placed. We know the reason

248

was that entries throughout the whole magnificent Show were
so numerous that space was at a premium, but in view of the
great merit of this feature we sincerely hope it will next year
be possible to allot twelve feet frontage and a depth of eight
feet six inches to each group with an alley at least two feet
wide between the exhibits. In expressing this hope we do
not wish to convey an impression of dissatisfaction with the
Show management’s handling of our classes ; indeed, we are
anxious to place on record our great appreciation of the
geniality, kindness and evident anxiety to treat everybody
handsomely, which has been characteristic of Southport
from the start of its great Show.

Our President is to be heartily congratulated upon being
the first winner of the handsome Challenge Cup, generously
provided by Messrs. Abol, Ltd. Mr. Cranfield’s group
contained many magnificent ferns, and embraced a wide range
of species in their choicest varieties. Really, there were more
plants in the group than were needed, and some splendid
plants were so closely tucked in that their true beauty was
partially screened. From the point of view of artistic
arrangement the second prize group was to be preferred,
but quality was, of course, the greater factor for the judges’
consideration. Mr. Cranfield not only had rarities and
particularly choice ferns of many kinds and varieties, but
the plants were noble specimens, even the pigmies of the
fern world being finely developed. His big plant of Athyriwm
f.f. clarissima (the original “‘ Jones’ form) was the subject
of much admiration and comment, and yet the plant was less
magnificent than Mr. T. E. Henwood’s specimen was two
years ago, when the writer had it photographed with our old
friend standing beside it. Mr. Cranfield’s plant had been
slightly scorched by the tropical sunshine we had just previous
to the Show, so that those who saw Clarissima for the first
time at Southport may picture an even grander plant when
this wonderful treasure is in its finest condition. Plumose

Polystichums were grand in Mr. Cranfield’s group, and he had

249

some beautiful Scolopendriums, e.g., Moly’s crispum speciosum
and crispum splendens.

The second prize group came from Shrewsbury, the
exhibitor being Mr. Walter Taylor. Rock work was skilfully
used in this effort, and with a steeply mounded background
of the more vigorous growers the exhibitor had a small bed
of choice, smaller ferns as the central feature. We liked the
arrangement very much, and whilst the collection as an
exhibit was well varied, it was not unduly crowded.

The third prize went to Scotland, and Mr. George Oliver,
of Hawick, deserves high praise for bringing so far a wonder-
fully choice collection, every plant of which was an interesting
and desirable unit. Even a normal Scolopendrium vulgare,
the commonest thing in the group, was a very fine plant, and,
happily placed at the foot of a sloping boulder of limestone,
it certainly provided no ground for criticism. The finest
plant of all in Mr. Oliver’s exhibit was a superb specimen of
Athyrium unco-glomeratum. Such a plant, so finely developed,
proclaimed Mr. Oliver to be a cultivator of no mean skill.
Other choice things were Aspleniwm trichomanes incisum,
Asp. fontanum, a particularly fine form of Polystichwm
lonchitis, and some choice Polypodiums. ‘There were also
some nice plumose Polystichums, crested Athyriums, etc.,
but had Mr. Oliver been a little more furnished with large
specimens for his background his position might well have
been first in the list of awards. Originally three prizes were
offered in this class, but so great was the all-round merit of
the exhibits that a fourth prize was generously granted by the
Exhibition Authorities. Such is the spirit of the Council of
this Show, and it is a spirit which should induce every grower
who can do so to support this Show, and make next year’s
Fern classes not only finer still, but conspicuously the most
noteworthy feature of the whole exhibition.

In regard to the smaller classes, for stated numbers of
plants in pots, we confess to some slight disappointment, for
whilst seven competitors brought plants and equipment for a
hundred square feet of space, only fives were forthcoming in

250

the classes for six or three plants in pots, and these, in most
instances, came from the same exhibitors. We had hoped,
and in fact anticipated, that quite a considerable number of
owners of small collections who could not attempt the big
group would have come forward in the small classes, thus to
demonstrate their interest and desire to see the cult of Hardy
Ferns advanced. The plants shown in these classes included
some very nice things, but nothing of superlative merit or
surprising novelty was forthcoming.

Next year, we hope, the Show authorities will adopt
suggestions we have already put before them for additional
classes in the pot plant section, and it is to be sincerely hoped
that all members of the Pteridological Society who possibly
can will make real endeavour to exhibit in at least one small
class.

The benefits accruing to our hobby from this first
Southport venture are undoubtedly great; how great we
cannot yet estimate, but the future holds possibilities beyond
power of calculation—if only everyone who really loves
hardy ferns and desires to see their cultivation widely
extended will add his support to the efforts to make our
section of Southport Show a huge success.

A. J. MACSELF.

THE FERNS (filicales).

Treated comparatively with a view to their natural classification,
by F. O. Bower, Sc.D., LL.D., F.R.S., Regius Professor of
Botany in University of Glasgow.

Published in 1923—Vol. I.—Analytical examination of the

criteria of comparison.
Published in 1926—Vol. II.—The Husporangiatae and other
relatiely primitive Ferns.
And, to be issued, in 1928(?)—Vol. III.—A working out of
the natural affinities of the Leptosporangiata Ferns.
The great object of this contribution to Fern literature
‘ phylogeny ’’—a “* family

‘

seems to be the construction of a

251

tree’ for the whole Fern class. This, also, is calculated,
deliberately, to have its profound bearing on the problem of the
evolution of all our higher plants—the flowering plants, or
Phanerogams. As Prof. Bower remarks in his preface to
Vol. I: “ Primarily it is a treatise on the Filicales ; but,
secondarily, it will touch broader questions of Morphology
and of Evolution.”’ Such a phrase, coming from the author
of that thought-provoking book, “The Origin of a Land
Flora’ (published 1908) is highly significant. We look for
much, yet here our highest expectations are exceeded.

I find it difficult indeed to ‘review ”’ such a work as this.
The amount of research it must have involved ; the very
mass of actual “‘labour”’ in its compilation leaves one
“ staggered.”’ I am compelled to brevity. How can one
describe an Encyclopaedia of Fern Lore? Yet the preface
states : ““It has not been the Author’s intention to give an
exhaustive summary of all knowledge relating to Ferns.”
One is left wondering what could happen if Prof. Bower really
“let himself go”’ and tried to give us such an “ exhaustive
summary.’ Well, get this book—beg, borrow or steal it,—
anyway, get it: study it, and then let us have your opinion
as to the “‘ comprehensiveness ”’ of the work.

I will give a slight resumé of the Chapters : it must be very
slight, or I shall monopolize our Gazette.

Volume I, Chapter I, gives ‘‘ The Life History of a Fern.”’
The example chosen is our familiar ‘“‘ Male Shield Fern ”’
(Dryopteris (Nephrodium) Filix-mas, Rich.).

(Right here, may J intervene, with a hope that Prof.
Bower’s work will provide, ultimately, not only a new classi-
fication, but perhaps a new terminology ? I really do not
understand ‘‘ Male Shield Fern.’”’ Why not simply “ Male
Fern?” Moreover, how one would welcome, say, Nephrodiwm
Filix-mas, or even Lastrea Filix-mas again. Surely that
terrible Dryopteris genus is top-heavy with its load of species,
and needs re-division on familiar lines.)

That by the way. If anyone is unfamiliar with our Male

252

Fern after studying Chapter I, it will not be the fault of
Prof. Bower. Every phase from prothallus to adult plant is
analysed, even to the details of the nuclear ‘‘chromosome-
cycle.” Finally, a reference to the higher Alge brings in the
possible origin of the Archegoniate series from such water
plants, but stresses the need for much more research by the
Algologists.

Chapter II deals with “‘ The habit and habitat of Ferns.”’
Here the Author roams “from China to Peru,” only more so,
describing Ferns from all over the world. This chapter
especially will appeal to Fern lovers, because of the illustrations
of our beloved plants, even though they are not British species.
For the wealth of original illustrations, we, like the Author,
may well express our gratitude for “‘ substantial assistance
given by the Carnegie Trustees.”” Without their generous
help, it is obvious, no such “figuring ’’ could have been
attempted.

Chapter III gives the Classification of Christensen (based
on Engler and Prantl) in detail, compared with the systems
of earlier Pteridologists, and proceeds to criticize its non-
phyletic arrangement, and to seek for new “Criteria of
comparison.” This shows the need for a much larger view,
based on all known characteristics of Ferns.

Chapters IV and V are concerned with “ leaf-architecture,”’
and Chapter VI with “cellular construction.” The com-
parisons of living with extinct Ferns are of great interest.
Chapters VII and VIII are highly technical and describe
stem structures, while Chapters IX and X carry on this
technique to the leaves and their methods of structural
support. In Chapter XI we leave the “ vascular” tissues
and deal with “‘ parenchymatous ” tissue; also with Hairs,
Scales, and a host of other intriguing appendages, which are
finely illustrated.

During Chapters XII and XIII all phases of sporangia are
discussed. Despite technicalities this is a real “fairy-tale ”
of science. The main conclusion here is the tremendous

253

spore-output per sporangium of “ primitive ’’ ferns, compared
with the relatively “‘ economical ’’ expenditure of our modern
Polypodiaceous Ferns.

The “‘Gametophyte,’ or “ prothallus,” arrives with
Chapters XIV-XV, and we are given a world of comparative
detail; but British Fernists will be even more interested in
Chapter XVI—** Abnormalities of the Life-cycle.” Here we
come right up to date with research into the wonderlands of
Apospory and Apomixis (the new term for Apogamy), and
revel in details of cell-nuclei and chromosomes. A _ large
number of our varietal Ferns are thus examined, finishing
with crested forms.

Chapter XVII concludes Volume I by a comparison of
Ferns, living and fossil, with the structure, etc., of other plants,
such as the Bryophyta (Mosses and Liverworts), Algze, and,
at the other extreme, the Seed-plants.

In a postscript, emphasis is laid on the fact that Volume I
has been analytical, and, it is said, the second volume will
be mainly synthetic in its method.

Have I given too much space to chapter description, I
wonder ? I think not; for, after all, one desires to write
quite a long essay on every single chapter, and I have been
drastically brief. I say deliberately that in my considered
opinion this work will, as Pteridologists become well ac-
quainted with it, take a definite place as a classic of Fern lore.

I leave Volume I with amazement at the mass of informa-
tion, compiled and original. It seems incredible that anything
can be left for a second volume—until we get there—and then
other Fern-worlds dawn on our senses.

FRANCIS W. THORRINGTON.

LASTREA CRISTATA, PRESL.

This is part of the Polypodium cristatum of Linneus, the
Aspidium cristatum of Swartz, Smith and Hooker, and
Dryopteris cristata of the Vienna list. Several members have
inquired why it is named cristata “‘ when it is not crested.”’

254

It should be remembered that when the name was first given
“ tasselled ” ferns were not known or, if they were, were
regarded as mere freaks and deformities. It is said that the
name cristatum ‘‘ was bestowed by Linnzus in consequence
of a fanciful comparison between the cluster of its peculiarly
erect fronds and the aigrette of vertical feathers on the head
of the peacock Pavo cristatus.’’ The primary meaning of the
word crista was a tuft on the head of an animal, especially
a bird; afterwards it came, by transference, to mean the
plume or crest of a helmet. It was probably Mr. Moore who
first applied the term to the abnormal dilatations of the
apices of fronds which are now commonly known as the
“crests ’ of ferns. The species seems to be becoming much
scarcer than formerly in this country on account of the
drainage and cultivation of boggy places and the encroach-
ments of civilization. Several stations where it was formerly
said to grow have recently been searched in vain. Probably
Norfolk is its principal remaining station, but it has been
reported also from Suffolk, Nottinghamshire, Cheshire,
Yorkshire and the Isle of Wight. Also from Renfrewshire
in Scotland. It is odd that it has not been recorded from
Ireland, where peat bogs are so numerous. It was formerly
found in Switzerland, but is said to have become extinct there.
Its American representative is L. cristata Clintoniana, which
is different from. the British and European type although
evidently closely allied to it. It is this American fern which
is mostly in cultivation in this country as L. cristata. The
true British cristata, when once seen in its typical form, cannot
be confused with any other species except the still rarer
L. uliginosa, which is a connecting link between cristata and
spinulosa, and is sometimes considered to be a hybrid between
the two. When cristata and uliginosa are barren of spores
they are very similar and can easily be mistaken for each
other. When in fruit, however, cristata has tall, narrow and
very erect fronds of which one-third or more consists of
footstalk or stipes, while the leafy portion is only about
two inches wide and almost the same width throughout.

255

Uliginosa bears fronds of at least three kinds, some of them
approaching the barren fronds of cristata and others more
divided with something of the outline of spinulosa, although
less divided than that species. JL. cristata is worth growing
by anyone who has a boggy or damp place available and a
soil free from lime, and its peculiarly erect habit renders it
at once noticeable as distinct from other ferns, Its rarity
in cultivation is partly caused by its not having been raised
in quantity from spores which could doubtless be easily
accomplished with very little trouble. It provides spores in
great abundance and ought to be as easily raised as L. dilatata
and L. spinulosa, which are weeds in many ferneries.

FERN HUNTING IN SWITZERLAND.

In the spring of this year a couple of members of the
Society decided upon a short holiday in Switzerland. It had
been intended that this should be in May, but circumstances
caused it to be postponed until early June and this delay
proved fortunate for it was quite early enough for the Alpine
flowers and too early for the highest as one soon got among
the melting snow and found some of the tracks impassable
from the unmelted. Arriving at Salvan (Valais) on June Ist,
about 3 p.m., the weather was damp and drizzly, but we
put on waterproofs and immediately went out for a walk.
Our headquarters being about the altitude of the top of
Snowdon, we were among Alpine plants immediately, Promula
hirsuta being plentiful, but past the flowering stage, and
Saxifraga aizoon and cuneifolia everywhere in full flower,
Sempervivum arachnoideum was also plentiful and another
characteristic plant was Scleranthus perennis, a mass of
sea-green bloom, the sepals having white margins. On the
outside of the garden wall of our hotel we found Sedum dasy-
phyllum, Asplenium ruta-muraria, A. trichomanes and
Cystopteris fragilis, all quite at home. In the first half-hour
we found Asplenium septentrionale very abundant on walls
and rocks, and, although the geological formation was granite,
Asplenium trichomanes was everywhere—in fact this and

256

Polypodium dryopteris were the commonest ferns. This was
surprising seeing that trichomanes is rarely found in Britain
away from lime in some form or other. The first afternoon
we were delighted to find two tufts of Asplenium Germanicum
peeping from adjacent chinks of a wall. These we left alone,
not intending to disturb them unless we found others to
maintain the stock. We did not find any more that day,
but afterwards we found it—always in isolated tufts and
nearly always in dry walls—in some seven or eight different
places, but we left them all undisturbed until the last day
of our stay, when we decided to take one of our two original
tufts. In order to get at the fern we were obliged to pull
down the wall to the level of the plants and we then found
that the two tufts were only one plant, the crown of which,
deep in the wall, sent out fronds through two adjacent chinks.
Determined not to extirpate the fern from this habitat,
however, we divided the tuft into two portions replanting
one of them with a sprinkling of fresh soil and replacing the
stones exactly in their old positions. After this act of
vandalism we made an excursion in a different direction,
hunting specially for A. Germanicum, and were fortunate in
finding some half dozen plants, all separated by considerable
intervals and including one magnificent clump a foot across,
which looked as if it had been undisturbed for a hundred
years. We left them all to enjoy their solitude and to
perpetuate the race if they could. We never found a colony
or family of this fern, however, nor even a child, but only
separate individuals. It is probably this discrete distribution
of the species which has led to the theory that Germanicum
is a hybrid and not a separate species at all. Of the upholders
of the hybridity theory some consider it to be A. septentrionale
<x A. trichomanes, while others think it septentrionale xX
Ruta-muraria. Our own experience was strongly against the
idea of Ruta-muraria parentage as in no case did we find it
in company with that fern, but always with septentrionale
and generally with trichomanes not far off. Britten, in his
‘‘ European Ferns,” says that Germanicum is “ found abund-

257

antly in many localities in the Tyrol and in Silesia where
none of the other three species occurs.’ It seems probable,
therefore, that Germanicum is really a good species and not
of mixed origin. We have this year sown spores from a
British specimen and, if we get a fair crop of seedlings, shall
consider this pretty conclusive evidence against the hybridity
theory. On the second evening of our stay we found our
dinner-table decorated with a dish of flowers of Gentiana verna
and G. acaulis. On inquiring where these were found, we
were told La Creusaz, which is some 2,500 feet higher than
our hotel. We instantly decided to go to La Creusaz and
did so next day. We found it a stiff climb, which took the
whole day for, although the distance, as the eagle flies, was
not great, the climb was so steep that we had to walk five
or six times the distance in order to zig-zag up the mountains.
We were rewarded by finding many interesting plants,
including G. acaulis, Pyrola secunda, Homogyne alpina,
Rhododendron ferrugineum, Polystichum aculeatum (which we
had not previously seen), P. lonchitis, Allosorus crispus (in
quantity), Pinguicula alpina, Veronica sazxatilis, Orchis
sambucina, Anemone hepatica, A. vernalis, Arctostaphyllos
uva-urst, Lycopodium alpinum, Gagea arvensis, Polygala
chamoebuxus and P.c. purpurea, Geum montanum, Mdianthe-
mum bifolium, etc. We did not find Gentiana verna that
day, but afterwards we saw plenty of it. We returned to our
base tired and footsore, but happy. Another day we took
advantage of a funicular railway which has been built to
convey materials for the formation of a road and a storage
reservoir for the purpose of developing electrical power.
This took us some 3,000 feet above our hotel. Our railway
carriage had no roof or sides and, indeed, no seats, in the
proper sense of the word, being constructed entirely for the
carriage of timber and other building materials. From our
precarious perch in this vehicle we noticed many interesting
plants, but were, of course, unable to examine any of them
closely. Just before we reached the top of the ascent a
heavy thunderstorm came on which lasted for nearly an hour,

258

during which we sheltered in a workmen’s hut at the head of
the “funicular.” The storm having abated we walked along
the level road leading to the reservoir and here we found
Primula hirsuta in full flower with considerable colour range,
varying from pale pink to deep rose. We collected plants
of two or three of these. We also found again P. lonchitis,
Lycopodium selago, Soldanella alpina and Crocus vernus,
flowering among the melting snow, Saxifraga cotyledon, aizoides
and stellaris, Lastrea dilatata alpina, Daphne mezereon (looking
rather pinched), Primula farinosa, Viola biflora, etc. On
June 4th, having had one or two tiring days, we decided to
investigate the Gorge du Trient, a deep and romantic gorge
below Salvan, through which the Trient stream rushes to join
the Rhone 2,000 feet below. Here we found Lastrea spinu-
losa, P. aculeatum, and a wondertul tuft of Allosorus crispus,
spores of which had presumably been brought by wind or water
from the higher altitudes into the shelter of the gorge. The
result was a plant with fronds 18 inches long and a foot wide.
We did not find it on the Salvan level at all. Other plants of
interest were Helleborus foetidus, Genista sagittalis, Habenaria
bifolia, Paris quadrifolia and Mulgedium Plumieru, the last
a beautiful blue-flowered composite, an ally of our British
M. alpinum, which is found only on the highest Scotch moun-
tains. We saw also Selaginella helvetica, which was new to
us as a wild plant. On June 6th we went to Martigny to
obtain the services of an “horloger,” one of us having
accidentally broken the glass of his watch. On the way
down we still found septentrionale in plenty almost down to the
Rhone level, but not quite. We saw also Stachys recta,
Dianthus armeria and D. Carthusianorum, Digitalis lutea (not
yet in flower), a large Orchis, which we took to be O. fusca,
also not in flower, Verbascum lychnitis Tunica saxifraga,
Lotus tetragonolobus and Anthericum liliago. Also, in a little
side valley leading to a celebrated waterfall, one plant of
Asplenium Germanicum.

On June 8th we decided to move our headquarters tem-
porarily to the Hotel du Glacier du Triente, near the foot of a

259

glacier, so we took the train to Finhaut (getting a splendid
view of the Aiguilles Rouges and part of the Mont Blanc
range) and then walked across the Valley of the Kau Noire
to the Tete Noire, finding 4A. Germanicum again in several
places, but still only as isolated individuals. We saw Lastrea
montana for the first time, although we afterwards found it
nearer to our base. Another fern was L. pseudo-mas, Wollas-
ton (paleacea, Don) with some narrow forms including one
genuine Pinderii, the only definite fern variety we saw in all
our stay. Ascending to the Tete Noire we found Aspleniwm
viride, very sparingly, for the first time, its rarity being
presumably due to the comparative absence of lime in the
soil and strata. P. dryopteris was everywhere and Cystopteris
fragilis very abundant, although in Britain it is rarely found
away from the limestone. <A plant new to us was Streptopus
amplexifolius, an ally of our Solomon’s Seal, but having
branched stems and small solitary flowers, instead of pairs,
at the nodes. We also saw a Campanula, not yet in flower,
which seemed to be a form of Bellardiz, but smaller and neater
than the form grown in gardens in England under the names of
pusilla and pumila. A Saxifraga, which we took to be
exarata, turned out to be S. mixta, which differs from the
former species in being covered with short glandular hairs.
It is a neat plant, but not showy, the flowers being of a dull
pale yellowish green. Gentiana verna was seen here for the
first time—a patch half a yard across, but made up of separate
single plants, each bearing one flower. Reaching the hotel
about 3 p.m., after a short rest we went up towards the
glacier, which was still some miles away over rough country.
We passed through fields full of Ranunculus aconitifolius,
Colchicum autumnale and Orchis latifolia and soon came
across Gymnadenia conopsea, Lastera cordata, Globularia
cordifolia, T'rollius Huropaeus, Clypeola Gaudini, Polygonum
viv_parum, Polygala alpestris, Thesium alpinum, Dryas
octopetala in beautiful flower (another limestone plant),
Lycopodium clavatum and Botrychiwm lunaria. Next day
we made tracks for the actual glacier and found Veratrum

260

album very abundant. The walking was rather difficult,
being steep and much impeded by snow in places. At the
foot of the glacier in the moraine we found Linaria alpina,
Trifolium alpinum, Silene acaulis, Veronica saxatilis, Sax.
bryoides, Pinguicula alpina, Chrysanthemum alpinum, and
Hutchinsia alpina. Also we were pleased to find two colour
forms of Sax. mixta, one a clear buttercup yellow (rather a
rare colour in mossy Saxifrages) and the other an orange-buff
tinged with pink. Returning by a different track we were
obliged to wade a rather deep and rapid mountain stream,
the proper crossing being buried in deep snow. Shortly
afterwards we noticed a large number of plants of Athyrium
filix-foemina, some of which looked different from the rest,
having a slightly yellow tinge and the rising fronds having
the upper half tightly folded longitudinally ,while the lower
half was fully expanded ; in this reminding us of the plumose
forms of Lastrea montana rather than the Lady Fern. On
examining one of these plants we found round naked sovv,
indicating Polypodium or Pseudathyrium alpestre, now classed
as an Athyrium by modern botanists. We were soon able to
pick out the alpestre from the filiz-foemina a dozen or more
yards away by this difference in the habit of vernation.
Next day we walked up to the Col de la Forclaz above Trient
and, on the way, we came across meadows full of Anemone
alpina and its still more beautiful variety sulphurea, the
yellow being the prevailing colour. We picked some half-
dozen flowers for our table, not wishing to denude Switzerland
of her flora too completely. We soon found we need not
have been so sparing as we met a youth of the country with
both arms encumbered by huge bundles of the flowers.
Shghtly above the Col we found Gentiana verna extremely
abundant, but still always as single shoots, each with a
solitary flower. The following day we walked to the nearest
station on the mountain railway some four or five miles
away and, finding we had a couple of hours to spare, we
walked over the frontier into France and there found Gymna-

denia albida, which we had not seen in Switzerland. Here

261

also we met again a fellow-countryman who had stayed at the
same hotel the previous night and had started off early in the
morning to walk into France over the Col de Balme. He had,
however, been compelled to turn back, the pass being blocked
by deep snow. Returning to Salvan we found several ferns,
etc., which we had previously missed in the neighbourhood,
, Lastrea montana, Asplenium Adiantum-nigrum and
Lycopodium clavatum, and a number of interesting bog plants.

V1Z.

The following is a list of the ferns seen :—

Asplenium Adiantum-nigrum—rare.

Ai Germanicum—rare.

septentrionale—very plentiful.

irichomanes—very plentiful.

viride—very rare.

Ruta-muraria—only on mortared walls in
villages.

Ceterach officinarum—rare and mostly high up.

Allosorus crispus—local, but moderately plentiful when
found.

Athyrum alpestre—rather rare.

Fa filiz-foemina—not common.

Blechnum spicant—rather uncommon.

Botrychium lunaria—local.

Cystopteris fragilus—very abundant and widely distributed
varying from forma dentata to some almost as finely
cut as C. alpina. We failed to detect the true alpina.

Lasirea dilatata—rather uncommon.

. Bs alpina—only high up.

filtix-mas—not abundant, but found high up in
exposed places as well as lower down.

paleacea—local.

. 7 Pinderii—only one plant.

montana—rather rare.

d)

Polypodium Robertianum—very scarce and local.
dryopteris—very plentiful.

d)

phegopteris—less plentiful, but not rare.

)

Polystichum aculeatum—rare.

262

Polystichum lonchitis—local and only high up.
Pieris aquilina—only occasional.

(Scolopendrium vulgare, Polystichum angulare and Poly-
podium vulgare were not seen. We were surprised also at
not finding Lastrea propinqua, which is an abundant mountain
fern in Britain.)

Returning home we decided to break our journey at
Lausanne in order to call upon a new member of our Society,
M. Paul Kestner, whose home is one of the most beautifully
situated places we have ever seen. He, and his English
wile, received us most hospitably and we spent a few hours
very pleasantly in their company. M. Kestner showed us
his method of raising ferns from spores which was on a
different plan from any we had previously seen. The spores
were sown on natural soil from the woods, which seemed to
consist mainly of white sand with a slight admixture of
vegetable mould. A thin stratum of this was placed upon
strips of unglazed porcelain, something like our celluloid
labels and these were inserted into test tubes and the latter
closed by well-fitting rubber stoppers. There was, thus,
complete control over both the atmospheric moisture and
drainage. M. Kestner said that “every spore’ germinated,
but he found it necessary occasionally to take out the stoppers
to introduce some carbonic acid gas, the supply of which
would otherwise have been insufficient for the needs of the
growing prothallia. He also found it useful occasionally
to stimulate the germination of the spores by the introduction
of a little ether vapour. We discussed with him our want
of success in finding Cystopteris alpina, which he explained
by saying that alpina is a limestone plant, whereas we had
been hunting almost exclusively upon the granite and other
siliceous formations.

F.W.S. and P. GREENFIELD.

[We hope shortly to be able to give our readers a short
paper from M. Kestner describing in greater detail his method

of raising ferns from spores.—£d. |

VOL Vv. No. 12.

British Fern
Gasette.

Fune, 1929.

EDITED BY

BW. STANSFIELD, MD,, F-LS.

(120, OXFORD ROAD, READING.)

THE BRITISH PTERIDOLOGICAL SOCIETY

President : Mr. W. B. Cranfield, F.R.AS., F.LS
Chase, Middlesex.

Hon. Secretary : Dr. F. 1 Bonsjela.

Fi. Vrensurer-\ Mir. J. J. Sheldon, || Monidlddhk, oLowld aoa
Great Bookham, Surrey. jf

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THE
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NEW SERIES.

Vor. V. JUNE, 1929. No. 12
CONTENTS.
EpiItorRIAL Notes .. Se Ae - = .. a 263
Our FRONTISPIECE .. : 7 - _ ae =§ 266
THE SEPTEMBER MEETING .. a 267
OBITUARY : GREENFIELD, STANSFIELD, BUCHAN- HEePBuRN a 268
THE Ferns. Professor F. O. Bower, D.Se., F.R.S. Vol. II.
(Review by Mr. F. W. Thorrington) .. 5 ae Se 268
Lastrea cristata, Presl. (Dr. S. P. Rowlands) .. 272

Tue Evonution or British Ferns: Professor Bower's Presi-
dential Address to Yorks Naturalists’ Union. (Resumé by
Dr. 8. P. Rowlands) ~~ i se 2
Teichobia verhuellella, new Fern pest (Ff. WS. ) aft oe 282
Athyrium f.f. fimbriato- cristatum, Garnett (B. Pt. S. ) (F.W.S.) 282
FERN PuantInc IN St AFFORDSHIRE NaTUuRE RESERVE

(Rev. E. A. Elhot, ae m oe ar aa Si 283
INDEX TO VOLUME V. . st _ -_ - ve 286

EDITORIAL NOTES.

The present number completes our fifth volume and
glance through the numbers shows that the Society and its
members have passed through troublous times during the
period of their appearance. The losses by death of members
and their families have been very heavy and we fear that
the losses also among ferns, especially during the past winter,
have been exceptionally great. It has been one of the worst
periods we have ever encountered and many things which
survived the severe frost seem to have had * the heart taken
out of them ” and are failing to grow even though still alive.
The full story cannot yet be told, but it is certain that many
valuable things have disappeared. On the other hand, the
Society has been reinforced by many new members, some of
whom have already rendered yeoman service to the cult,
and we trust that the ferns lost from some collections may be
preserved in others and that new forms will continue to be
raised from spores as well as found wild.

Our President has arranged to deliver a lecture on British
Ferns before the R.H.S. on July 16th next.

264

Professor F. O. Bower, F.R.S., etc., the second volume of
whose book on Ferns is reviewed in the present issue by
Mr. Thorrington, and whose Presidential Address to the
York Naturalists’ Society is reported by Dr. Rowlands, has
been elected an Honorary Member of the Society, and has
expressed his thanks to the President and members for the
honour thereby rendered to him. We are pleased to welcome
this eminent botanist on his becoming ~ one of us.” He will
be somewhat of a Triton among the minnows, but this is the
proper role for Honorary Members.

Mr. T. B. Blow, F.L.S8., recently read a paper before the
Linnean Society, describing his work in the investigation
of the alleged larvicidal properties of plants of the order
Characee, in the island of Madagascar. The Characee,
although not ferns, are fern allies and there was a tradition
that in the pools where they were abundant mosquitoes did
not breed. Mr. Blow’s experiments showed, however, that
these plants had no larvicidal properties so far as could be
discovered. At the same Meeting, Mr. James Groves, F.L.S.,
described a number of species of Chara and Nitella collected
by Mr. Blow in the course of his investigations. These
included several new species and varieties, and among the
former one has been named Vitella Blowiana in honour of the
discoverer.

Mr. Blow informs us that the Hertfordshire County Council
has made a new bye-law to the effect that ‘* No person shall
(unless authorised by the owner or occupier, if any, or by
law, so to do) uproot any ferns or other plants growing in any
road, lane, roadside waste or other place to which the public
have access.’” We commend the enterprise of this progressive
Council and hope its example may be followed by other
public authorities : otherwise our country seems likely to be
shortly denuded of its most interesting and beautiful wild
plants.

We have received from the Brooklyn Botanic Garden,
New York, a number of leaflets which are being distributed

265

widely in the United States. One of them, of special interest
and written by Dr. R. C. Benedict, is entitled ** How shall
we save rare plant species from extinction?” In it an
appeal is made to the common sense of the public for the
preservation of rare and uncommon species of plants and
animals. A hope is expressed “ that legal protection for
plants will be recognised in all States before long and that
educational measures will be increasingly effective in creating
a proper public opinion on the subject. In the meantime,
more immediate measures must be taken if we are to preserve
those species most in danger of extinction.” ‘The special
measures immediately suggested are :—

(i) The artificial propagation and restocking of native

plants ;

(ii) Plant sanctuaries.

The Hart's Tongue fern is a rare species in the States, and
hundreds of plants of this have been raised from spores in the
Brooklyn Botanic Garden and distributed for planting in
suitable localities. The leaflet continues: “It might seem
that State reservations would help in preserving rare plants,
but the recent development of two areas in New York
indicates the contrary. When the Green Lake, west of
Jamesville, was set aside as the Clark Reservation, nearby
residents felt an increased right to carry away ferns for back-
yard gardens. At Chittenango Falls, also a fine hart’s tongue
locality, the State itself has been responsible for destroying
most of the fine colony of this fern in the development of the
path system.” It seems that the same problem is beginning
to be felt in America which exists in our own much smaller

country.

We have received a copy of the Schedule of the Sixth
Annual Southport Flower Show, in which substantial prizes
are again offered for British Ferns in eleven classes, ranging
from “‘A Group of Ferns to be arranged in a space not
exceeding 100 square feet ’’ (Class 8) to ‘“ One hardy British
Fern to be a variety raised from spores in the garden of the

266

exhibitor (Class 18). There is thus plenty of scope for
both large and small growers and we hope many of our
members will compete in some of the classes.

Our member, Miss Irma Anderson-Kotto, of the John
Innes Horticultural Institution, has published in Hereditas
a Genetical Investigation in Scolopendrium vulgare. The
investigation is on the same lines as that pursued by the
same worker which was briefiy reported in our issue of June,
1927. We hope to give a more extended account of this
recent research in our next issue.

New members who have joined the Society since our last
issue are :—
Mr. Robert Bolton, F.R.H.S., and Mr. Thos. Henry Bolton,
F.R.H.S., both of Broadbrook, Halstead, Essex,
Mr. Reginald Kaye, Coombehurst, East Grinstead, Sussex.
Mr. Joseph Lloyd, 4, Richmond Road, Birkdale, Southport.
Mr. F. P. Le Riche, Halburton, Hastings Road, Jersey, O.1.
Mr. Edwin Westley, 2865, Nina Street, Lamanda Park,
Pasadena, California, U.S.A.

The Hon. Treasurer, Mr. J. J. Sheldon, will be glad to
receive remittances from any members whose current sub-

scriptions remain unpaid.

OUR FRONTISPIECE.

Polystichum angulare divisilobum plumosum deltoideum.

We have pleasure in presenting a reproduction of a photo-
graph of an exceedingly fine form of the plumose-divisilobe
strain of P. angulare. The fern was grown and the photograph
was supplied by Mr. W. B. Cranfield, who had it as a seedling
from the late Mr. H. Stansfield, by whom it was raised.
It is equal, if not superior, to anything previously raised in
this section which represents the very cream of British ferns.
The plant was grown in the open air and the frond shown is
not an exceptional one, but a fair sample of what the fern
ordinarily produces. The actual dimensions are: width of

267

frond across basal pinnae 28 inches ; length from basal pinnae
to tip of frond 29 inches; height of bare stipes 4 inches.
The plant is constant in character and the fronds even and
regular in outline, while the cutting is quadripinnate to
subquinquepinnate.

THE SEPTEMEER MEETING.

The Annual Meeting of the Society will be held at 10 a.m.
on Monday, September 2nd, at the Ingleborough Hotel,
Ingleton, Yorks. Accommodation may be had at the hotel
at an inclusive charge of about 12/- per day. | Members who
intend to be present are advised to write as early as possible
to the proprietor, Mr. Arthur Camm, in order to secure rooms.
Our energetic member, Mr. T. B. Blow, has visited and
surveyed the locality and has also secured the good-will of
several local landowners so that members will be able to
botanize in peace without being regarded as trespassers or
marauders. As it is some years since the Society had a
Meeting in the North it is hoped that a fair contingent of
Northern members may be present, while the Southern
members will meet with a change of scene and a different
series of species from those found in the South and West.
The hunting will be more strenuous than in the lanes and
by-ways of Devon and Dorset, but the change will be good
for us and we trust that the wilder country may be more
prolific in varieties as well as giving a change of species.
A different set of flowers will be found in addition to the
ferns. The geological formation of Ingleborough, is mainly
limestone and should give us Aspleniums, Scolopendrium,
Lastrea rigida, Polypodium Robertianum, etc., while away
from the lime we shall doubtless find our old friends Lastrea
montana and Blechnum spicant, the Oak and Beech Ferns,
and the Lady Fern, while we may hope to meet with Lastrea
cristata and uliginosa as rarities.

268

OBITUARY.

GREENFIELD: On February 14th, at Beech Bank,
Warlingham, Surrey, Elsie, the beloved wife of Percy Green-
field, and elder daughter of F. W. Stansfield, of Reading.

STANSFIELD : On February 16th, at Sale, Sarah Jane
(Janie), widow of the late Herbert Stansfield, of Sale.

BUCHAN-HEPBURN : On May 17th, 1929, after a long
illness, Sir Archibald Buchan-Hepburn, Bart., of Smeaton
Hepburn, East Lothian. Although known only by name to
many of our members, Sir Archibald was a benefactor to the
Society in times of stress on more than one occasion. He had
been a member from the early days of the Gazette and was the
finder of a distinct ramosissimum form of Scolopendrium,
which was described on p. 34, Vol. IV. of the Gazette.

THE FERNS (filicales), by Prof. F. O. Bower, F.R.S., ete.
Continuation of Review. Vol. II. (pub. 1926). The
Husporangiate and other relatively primitive Ferns.

The Introduction recapitulates the ‘‘ twelve leading
characteristics of Ferns,’ selected as the basis for new
“criteria of comparison,” in Vol. I. These are :—

1. The external morphology of the shoot.
2. The initial constitution of the plant-body. as indicated
by segmentation.

3. The architecture and venation of the leaf.

4. The vascular system of the shoot.

5. The dermal appendages.

6. The position and structure of the sorus.

7. The indusial protections.

8. The characters of the sporangium, and of the spores.
9. The spore-output.

10. The morphology of the prothallus.

11. The position and structure of the sexual organs.
12. The embryology of the sporophyte.

269

In quoting these in full, I wish to emphasize the wide
sweep of the new botany in its investigations. Most of the
classification of the older pteridologists would appear to have
been almost exclusively based on Nos. 6, 7, 8 and 9.

These twelve “ criteria’ in Vol. I. were used to “ embody ”’
an archetypal Fern—the kind of plant that may be envisaged
as the “ beginning”’ of all our Fern worlds. This ‘‘ came
out as a plant not unlike the type of vegetation characteristic
of the Devonian Rhynie Flora,” which result, despite Dr.
Bower’s modesty of claim, must be held as considerable
proof of the reality of the conception. This, however, is
only “‘a trial trip,’ as it were. The great test of these
“ criteria ’’ then comes with “ the application of this method
of analysis to the Ferns at large with a view to their seriation
in time.” “If it appears that the phyletic grouping thus
arrived at for modern Ferns harmonizes with the appearance
of the various families in successive geological ages, then it
may be confidently felt that we possess a morphological
weapon that has real value.”

Volume II deals with this, and endeavours to reconstruct
a phylogeny for our modern Ferns.

Chapter XVIII.—Leaving the Introduction, we begin
Volume If with the Coenopteridacee@, which includes the
Botryopteridee, the Zygopteridee, and the Anachoropteridee,
all known only as fossils from the Palaeozoic rocks, and
“ distinct from any living Ferns.”’ The main interest here
for British Fern students lies in that remarkable section of
Zygopterids (the Dineuroidee, Salmi), whose fronds bore
four rows of pinnae. Prof. Bower remarks that this four-
rowed Zygopterid ““ may well be accepted as the result of a
very early dichotomy of each pinna of the single-rowed
type.” We, naturally, think of our three-rowed Blechnum,
but I gather from correspondence with the author, that the
British varietal plant could only be regarded as “ homo-
plastic.” How much one would have liked to observe
progeny from that Blechnwm which died, alas !

270

Chapter XIX takes us to the Ophioglossacee, which seem
to stand by themselves among modern Ferns, and “ appear
to have terminated as a blind evolutionary series, and they
stand to-day as an imperfectly modernised relic of the
Paleozoic Flora.”’ An interesting point is that ‘many of the
Ophioglossacee *‘are strongly mycorhizic,” ie., they act in
partnership with fungal hyphe, much as in the symbiosis
of Alga and Fungus which constitutes a Lichen.

Chapter XX deals with the Marattiacee, fossil and recent.
They have only seven genera of living Ferns, but their record
goes back to the Paleozoic, when many were giant Tree-ferns.
Their main interest lies in their sporangia, which were often
welded together into “‘ synangia,” as in the modern type
genus Marattia.

Chapter X XI gives us the Osmundaceg@, and again we go ~
right back. to the “ primitive’ Ferns, for the Order seems
to have sprung from some such types as the Botryopterids.
Many fossils are referred to this group, and, on the whole,
it is intermediate in position between Goebel’s types, the
Eusporangiate and the Leptosporangiate.

The Schizeace@ are in Chapter XXII, with four living
genera, and a fossil record going back to early Mesozoic time.
This is a fascinating chapter, with many delightful illustra-
tions. The only detail I dare give space to concerns the
extraordinary prothallia of the Schiz@as, as in S. pusilla.
These have filamentous prothallia “‘in point of fact the
simplest prothalli known among the Pteridophyta.” “* They
suggest a primitive state and provoke comparison with green
Alga.” If, as is suggested, the fungal infection of these
prothalli is mycorhizic, they might almost be cailed “lichens ”
if we were unaware of their development to a Fern.

Chapter X XIII.—Here we have those strange “ Ferns,”
the Marsileace@, of which our Pillwort, Pilularia globulifera,
is the only British example. There are three genera:
Marsilea, with no less than 56 species ; 6 species of Pillworts :
and a new genus, Regnellidium, from Brazil, with only one

271

species. We have been accustomed to regard these plants
(of which the exotic forms might, at a careless glance, be
taken for “ four-leaved Clovers,” or, perhaps a better idea,
‘“four-leaved Shamrocks (Ovxalis)’’) as near to Salvinia.
However, as this analysis proceeds, with delightful illustrations
of the details of development and structure of the “‘ sporocarp,”’

6

we find, to our wonder, that inside these peculiar ‘“ spore-
fruits ”’ there is practically a miniature “ fertile frond” of a
Fern, rolled up with a gelatinous ring. The Salvinia likeness
decreases and we discover that the real relationship is to a
true Fern like Schizea. Another * fairy-tale of science.”’

The Gleicheniacee occupy Chapter XXIV ; the Matoniacea,
Chapter X XV, and this completes the Ferns known as the
Simplices, while XXVI is devoted to a review of these
relatively primitive types.

In Chapter XXVII the Hymenophyllacee appear. These
interesting “ Filmy Ferns ”’ are shewn to have many primitive
features, despite the relatively high structure of their sporan-
gia. Many of them are remarkably like Liverworts, while
again in TJ'richomanes the prothallus consists of ‘“* coarse
branched filaments, in habit like a green Alga.”” It is evident
why many early Pteridologists sought to relate these Ferns
to Bryophyta or archegoniate Alg@. We are told that this
Order is “ probably of early origin, but ending in a blind
line of descent, characterised by specialisation of both
generations to a hygrophilous habit, which takes the form of
simplification.”

I fear I must condense Chapters XXVIII to XXXIV,
though there is much one would like to dilate upon. The
Orders described are the Lorsomacee, Dicksoniacee, Plagio-
gyriacee, Protocyatheacee, Cyatheacee, and Dipteridacee.
The very names evoke interest, but I must refer the reader
to the book—the mass of detail is too great for quotation.

Chapter XX XV sums up the results of Volume II, quoting
the survey of the Simplices in Chapter X XVI, and going on
to summarise the results of Chapters XXVII to XXXIV

272

as exhibiting more advanced Ferns, many with sori of a
‘“ Gradate ”’ type. One of the main changes is the parting
of Dicksoniacee from Cyatheace@, ‘a separation which is
long overdue.’ Apparently, the mere sharing of dendroid
habit seems to have kept these two groups “‘ unequally

yoked.” There are four “‘maps”: “A” giving present and
past distribution of Gleicheniacee; “B” the same for
Matonia-Dipteris; ““C” for Schizeacee; and “D” for

Marattiacee.

The volume closes with an attempt at “‘a phyletic tree ”
of the more primitive groups of Ferns, and a suggestion of the
derivation from them of “six large phyla’ comprising the
great mass of the Leptosporangiate Ferns—i.e. our “‘ modern ”
fern-flora as a whole. (See ‘‘ Phyletic Scheme ” traced from
illustration on p. 288.)

We look like having many surprises when Volume III
goes into these matters in detail. Doubtless, there will be
many battles amongst the Pteridologists, but one gladly
welcomes the new light thrown on the old problems of grouping
and hopes for a basis that one can realize as having a
“natural ” sanction.

Finally—pending the arrival of Volume III—it would be
well for all Fern-lovers to study Professor Bower’s Presidential
Address to the Yorkshire Natural History Society, which has
now been published in the December issue of the Naturalist.
This throws, by anticipation, much lght on the conclusions
we may expect from Volume III, and is really a delightfully

‘

written “popular ’”’ description of our fern-fiora in Britain
and its origins—obviously penned by a real “‘ devotee” of

Ferns.
FRANCIS W. THORRINGTON.

LASTREA CRISTATA, PRESL.
It was thought that the following notes, additional to those
by Dr. Stansfield in the December number of the British
Fern Gazette, might be of interest.

273

As a British plant, this fern is undoubtedly getting very
scarce. This is, of course, due mainly to the extensive
drainage of marsh lands that has been carried on in recent
years, but even where its old haunts have been left almost
untouched, the plant seems to be disappearing. For instance,
Professor Carr, of Nottingham, states that he found plenty
of Lastrea cristata in Oxton Bogs twenty years ago. Three
separate searches for it in this locality during the last two
years, however, failed to reveal a single plant. The other
Notts locality—Bulwell Marsh—is now a golf links ! Drainage
probably accounts for its disappearance from Thorne Waste,
near Doncaster, where it occurred at least up to 1872, but
hardly for its disappearance from Askham Bog, near York,
where one or two plants were seen lingering as late as twelve
years ago. It is, | understand, extinct in Staffordshire and
possibly in Cheshire also.

Dr. Stansfield expresses surprise that it does not occur
on the peat-bogs of Ireland. I saw a fair number of specimens
of this plant in North America before the war, and from my
experience of it there, it did not seem as if a peat-bog were
quite the most likely place in which to find it. One saw it
rather in wet open woodland. Dr. Lowe, speaking of the
Oxton habitat, says : “ All the plants I have seen are growing
amongst grass in lumps of soil that are elevated a foot or so
above the bog, especially on the sides of large tufts of Azra
caespitosa.”’ ‘This fern, therefore, while requiring an abund-
ance of moisture, seems to prefer sweeter, less acid, conditions
than is suggested by the term “ peat-bogs.”

Dr. Stansfield states that “its American representative is
L. cristata Clintoniana,”’ which might be taken to mean that
the cristata type is not found there. This is not the case.
Both occur, but the variety Clintoniana, almost twice the
size of the type, is much rarer than cristata itself. Mention
of L. uliginosa, a supposed hybrid of L. cristata and L. spinulosa
reminds one that in North America Lastrea cristata is con-
sidered to hybridise rather readily with other members of the

274

genus, such as marginalis and Goldieana. The former,
particularly, is a distinct and well-marked plant which
I myself found on one or two occasions. Lastrea spinulosa
occurs in North America, but I do not remember hearing of a
hybrid identical with our L. uliginosa.

Like the Royal Fern and other plants which normally
grow within reach of constant moisture, the Crested Buckler
can stand a good deal of exposure to sunlight. When growing
under exposed conditions, I frequently noticed that the
pinnae tended to rotate so as to occupy a horizontal position,
like the laths of an open Venetian blind, giving the plant a
distinctive appearance. This habit, obviously acquired to
reduce evaporation by lessening the surface exposed to the
sun’s rays, I cannot remember having being mentioned in any
published account of this species. Our American friends
could probably give some interesting information regarding

this plant.
S. P. ROWLANDS.

[We have to thank Dr. Rowlands, and one or two other correspond-
ents, for pointing out that L. cristata (type) occurs in America as well
as L. Clintoniana. This is indeed recorded in the Floras both American
and European. It is admitted that even ‘‘ the good Homer sometimes
nods.”’ There is plenty of ground in Ireland where cristata might
well find a home, though the bare “ turf’? bogs which are so common
in that country are not quite the places.— Ed. |

%

THE EVOLUTION OF BRITISH FERNS.

It was my privilege, in December, 1928, to hear Professor
Bower deliver his Presidential Address to the Yorkshire
Naturalists’ Union at York. Professor Bower's name is
already well known to members of the British Pteridological
Society, and in the last number of The Fern Gazette a review
was given of the first volume of his magnum opus on The
Filicales. Older members will recollect Professor Bower’s
association with the late Mr. C. T. Druery in the discovery
and the working out of the details of Apospory.

Professor Bower’s Lecture was entitled “‘ The Evolutionary
Relations of the British Ferns.”’ The subject was of extra-

275

ordinary interest and was, as may be supposed, dealt with
in a masterly fashion. I am pleased to have the Lecturer’s
personal permission to give an account of it in The Fern
Gazette, and in doing so have made full use of detailed notes
taken at the time. In some instances I have ventured to
quote the Professor’s own words.

Professor Bower, after some interesting opening remarks
in which he outlined the changing and widening attitude of
botanists to questions of Kcology and Morphology, stated
that while eight families of Ferns had already been distin-
guished before Darwin published his ‘“‘ Origin of Species,”’
their relation in descent had never been defined. It was as
recently as 1890 that the view was put forward that the most
primitive ferns were the most massive in structure, with the
number of spores in each spore-case running into hundreds
or even thousands. These were styled Husporangiates. The
later developed, derivative types were more delicate in
structure, with a spore count per sporangium measured in
tens or less. The term Leptosporangiates has been given to
these. Geology has confirmed these views, and it is found
that all the Palaeozoic ferns are relatively massive Husporan-
grates, those typical of the present day being Leptosporangiates,
A marginal position of the sorus is also considered a primitive
feature, whereas ferns with superficial sori are considered as
more recent or derivative. A phyletic scheme was formed
and it was Professor Bower’s task to fit into this scheme the
living British Ferns. It was pointed out that there were
some families not now living in Britain which had repre-
sentatives in our Fossil Flora.

The first question was whether any representatives of the
Paleozoic Flora still existed in this country. The Ophio-
glossacee, it was suggested, may be related to primitive ferns,
particularly to the Botryopteridee which flourished in the
coal age, but early fossils relating to the Ophioglossacee
have not been found. On-the other hand, there are no

276

known derivatives of these ferns, so at the most they can
only be considered as ‘
Paleozoic Flora.”’

‘imperfectly modernised relics of the

Our Royal Fern is, however, undoubtedly of an ancient
type. Its thick upright rootstock, suggesting a Tree Fern,
its distal trusses of marginal sporangia containing relatively
numerous spores, and its characteristic vascular structure,
show that it is related to ferns that flourished in Permian
times. Thus, “ the favourite of our gardens and even of our
homes, is one of the most venerable of living plants ; a member
of the Paleozoic aristocracy.”

The Hymenophyllacee, too, may be considered to have a
Paleozoic origin. This, on first thought, is somewhat
surprising, until it is remembered that the filmy character
of the fronds is adaptive rather than fundamental, and until
the more essential facts are considered, such as the high
spore-output (which may reach over 500 in Hymenophyllum).
This Order has no derivatives and may be looked upon as
forming “‘a blind evolutionary branch.”’

The most ancient ferns nearly all produced their relatively
large sporangia simultaneously and are grouped as the
Simplices. During the Mezozoic Period, Professor Bower
points out, “ derivative forms arose, characterised generally
by their smaller sporangia with lower individual spore-

6

output ; also by a “ gradate”’ or “‘ mixed’ sequence of their
production. The general constitution of the plants which
bore these was more delicate, their conducting tracts more
highly divided and the venation more complex, while dermal
scales were substituted for hairs. These and other features
marked the progression from Paleozoic types towards
those of the present day.” Finally, all modern ferns were
segregated into six large groups. Each group centres round
some well-known genus and are accordingly termed Davall-
oids, Pteroids, Gymnogrammoids, Blechnoids, Dryopteroids,
and Dipteroids. The first and last of these have no repre-
sentatives in Britain.

277

The ancestors of the Pteroid group are akin to the living
genera Dicksonia and Dennstaedtia which have “‘ marginal
two-lipped sori showing basipetal sequence of their sporangia,
borne on a receptacle which was actually marginal.” In the
Pteroids, ‘‘ the sori have lost their individuality and are
fused into a series which are still borne at or near to the margin
of the leaf.’ it is pointed out that the Common Bracken,
which was placed under Pteris by Linnaeus, does not really
belong to that genus, which has a single-lipped sorus which
is superficial, and with sporangia of different ages intermixed,
with scales as a dermal covering. Our Bracken therefore
should be Pteridium aquilinum, Gleditsch (1760). It is the
only species of its genus and is of a distinctly more primitive
type than the true members of the genus Pieris.

There is some difficulty in placing the Parsley Fern
(Cryptogramme crispa), the Annual Gymnogram (Anogramme
or Gymnogramme leptophylla), and the true Maidenhair
(Adiantum Capillus-Veneris), but these are probably indirect
descendants of the ancient stock of Osmundacee. These
have sori which have, in all probability, been always super-
ficial and unprotected, and the instability of the annulus,
with a relatively thick stalk, confirms their relationship with
some more massive stock. The genus Woodsia is of consider-
able interest. In spite of the small size of our British species,
the essential characters shown in the fimbriated cup-like

indusium, bearing a receptacle with gradate sporangia, show
their affinity with the giant Tree Ferns of Cyathea and
Alsophila. In origin, the Woodsias are earlier than the
Dryopteroids or Blechnoids.

The Bladder Ferns (Cystopteris) are puzzling, and the
problem is as yet unsolved whether their ancestry was
Pteroid with marginal, or Cyatheoid with superficial sori.
Professor Bower leans to the view that, like Woodsia, Cysto-
pteris was probably derived from some Cyatheoid source.

The Dryopteroid Ferns, with which Cystopteris is closely
related, are well represented in our British Flora by the

278

genera Dryopteris, Polystichum, Athyrium, Asplenium, and
Ceterach, which differ from one another in the form of the
sorus and indusium rather than in their anatomy or morpho-
logy. It is considered that all the Dryopteroid group had
the Cyatheoids as their starting point. Professor Bower
pointed out that the genus Dryopteris has a lop-sided sorus
and, judging from the fact that it contains over 700 species,
is evidently a biological success. It was also remarked that
our familiar Oak and Beech Ferns, which were originally
placed under Polypodium, are essentially Dryopteroid in
habit and leaf character. The indusium is absent merely
because it is abortive.

“In the evolution of Ferns of this Dryopteroid affinity,”’
says Professor Bower, “ the sorus, and especially its indusium,
have proved very plastic; they appear as evolutionary
playthings.” He continues by remarking that the receptacle
may become lop-sided and that the indusium may be reduced
or even abortive. In the genus Polystichum, “ the indusium
is shuttlecock-shaped and apparently distal on the receptacle,
and is seemingly very different from the basal cup of Cyathea.
But through the intermediate state of Dryopteris it is easy to
see how this may have come about, first by lop-sidedness of
the sorus, then by a continuation of the sporangial production
all round the indusial stalk, instead of only on one side of it
as in Dryopteris itself.” An accentuation of the lop-sidedness
of the sorus leads through Athyrium to Asplenium, and finally .
with abortion of the indusium to Ceterach and to “‘ Pseudo-
athyrium.” The basal sorus in Athyrium often resembles
the kidney-shaped sorus of Dryopteris, but not equally
developed on its two sides. The foreign species, Aspleniwm
lanceum, was mentioned as having sori which varied from
that of Dryopteris to that of Aspleniwm with intermediate
forms. Our Lady Fern has now been reinstated in its old
genus Athyrium Roth., while the Alpine Polypody, formerly
called Polypodium alpestre by Hoppe, and Pseudo-Athyrium
alpestre by Newman, should now naturally appear as

279

Athyrium alpestre, in spite of the absence of indusium.
Professor Bower remarks that “this is a good example of
how rigid observance of a mistaken systematic method may
disguise true affinity, and lead to groupings that illustrate
the ingenuity of the systematist rather than true relationship.”
In the Synopsis Filicum, the Alpine Polypody is separated
by over eighty pages from its natural relative, the Lady Fern !

The Scaly Spleenwort is our only species of a small genus
allied to Asplennum. The indusium, aborted or absent, and
the venation, together with the scaly covering of the leaves,
have justified the formation of a separate genus, Ceterach.
All the ferns of the Asplenoid alliance are considered to be
derivatives from a Dryopteroid, and ultimately from a
Cyatheoid source.

There still remain two British Ferns of probable Cyatheoid
derivation. These are the Hard Fern (Blechnum spicant)
and the Hart’s Tongue (Phyllitis Scolopendrium). The
Hart’s Tongue has usually been considered as allied with the
Spleenworts, but Professor Bower proves that it is more
probably derived from the Hard Fern. The Blechnoids are
mainly tropical and even Southern ferns, and our native
species is a very isolated type, the only species of North
Temperate Lands. The common feature of the Blechnoids,
it is pointed out, is that two linear fusion-sori take a parallel
course, one on either side of the midrib and well within the
margin, with a vascular commissure running below the
common receptacle of each. The Hart’s Tongue, Phyllitis,
has its paired fusion-sori facing one another, each with a
vascular strand below its receptacle. A connecting link,
giving the key to the puzzle, is found in the South African
species, Blechnum punctulatum, in which “ the fusion-sori
do not run in straight longitudinal lines but are thrown into
sinuous curves on the widening leaf ; and these are liable to
interruption at the points of sharpest curvature, with the
result that the isolated parts face one another just as they
do in Phyllitts.” It is further pointed out that the paired

280

sori of Diplazium (the Asplenoid genus with which Phyllitis
has been compared) lie back to back and not face to face

as in the Hart’s Tongue, with which therefore it cannot be
allied.

The Lecturer then dealt with the interesting problem of
our Common Polypody, Polypodium vulgare, L., pointing
out that it is the only true species of this genus in Europe,
and that a fern cannot be indiscriminately included under
Polypodium merely because it has naked rounded sori. The
other British species formerly grouped in this genus have
been shown to have other affinities. ~“‘ The definition,” said
Professor Bower, “implies merely a state or condition that
may have been arrived at aiong a plurality of lines of descent.
In particular, some may have had naked sori throughout
their evolutionary story ; others may have sori that have
become naked through abortion of the indusium. This is
undoubtedly the history of the Oak and Beech Ferns, and of
the Alpine Polypody, which find their natural places either
with Dryopteris or with Athyrium.” The Common Polypody,
however, shows no suggestion of an abortive indusium and
has probably always had a naked sorus. In classification
it has usually been put under the sub-genus Hu-Polypodium.
Quite recently, however, the researches of Dr. Carl Christensen
have shown that it belongs rather to the sub-genus Gonio-
phlebium. “By comparison of allied species, both from
America and from Asia, Christensen has found successive
steps of linking of the veins into loops characteristic of the
tropical sub-genus Goniophlebiwm and he draws the conclusion
that P. vulgare is a free-veined Goniophlebium and not a
member of the sub-genus Hu-Polypodium as commonly
accepted.” This isolated European species, our Common
Polypody, is therefore looked upon as an extreme outlier of
the tropical group.

The Pill-Wort (Pilularia globulifera, L.) is not usually
thought of when Ferns are under consideration, but Professor
Bower dealt with it in his lecture. It is the only British
representative of the Hydropterids, and has distinct male and

281

female sporangia, and is semi-aquatic in its habits. In spite
of its unfernlike appearance, it is considered to have an
ultimate affinity with the Schizg@acee, a family of Ferns
which date back to early Mesozoic times.

In concluding his most interesting and instructive lecture,
Professor Bower pointed out that our present-day British
Fern Flora contained an unusual proportion of species, such
as the Moonwort, the Adder’s Tongue, the Royal, Killarney
and Parsley Ferns, which belong to the more ancient families.
Most of the eight main groups of living Ferns are represented,
but not all of them. The Davallioid and Dipteroid Ferns
are without representatives, although the Common Polypody
may perhaps be linked to the latter through Goniophlebrum.
Our forty British species are representative of half of the
twelve families of the World Flora. This is, the Lecturer
said, probably a consequence of the position of Britain on the
extreme fringe of a great continental area. A large proportion
of our native species “occur as isolated types of Families
much more extensively represented in other regions.” The
Moonwort, the Adder’s Tongue, the Royal Fern, the Killarney
Fern, the Bracken, the Parsley Fern, the Maidenhair, the
Hard Fern, the Common Polypody and the Pill-Wort are
each the only representatives of their respective genera,
which elsewhere may contain numerous species. The question
arises “‘ whether our isolated species are, geographically
speaking, feelers that have edged their way northwards, or
laggards left behind when the rest of the allied species had
retreated southwards, or had died out.”” It was thought that
the latter alternative was the correct one. That is “ that
they represent vestiges of a richer Flora of the past, and that
the species themselves have, by their more ready adaptation
or by more hardy constitution, been able to subsist in sur-
roundings from which their congeners have retired beaten.
In fact, that they symbolize the tenacious and adaptable
race of men that inhabit these Islands.”’

S. P. ROWLANDS.

282
TEICHOBIA VERHUELLELLA, A NEW FERN PEST.

On the Society’s excursions around Axminster in 1924
Mr. Sheldon found a large-growing lobed form of Asplenvum
trichomanes plants of which he gave to several members.
It was afterwards found that some of these ferns were infested
by a small grub which burrowed under the sori and made
itself coverings from the sporangia and spores. In Mr.
Henwood’s collection, among others, this grub spread to other
species and genera including Polystichums, Lastreas, and
fertile forms of Polypodium vulgare. It is only this year that
the perfect insect has been captured by placing the infested
fronds in covered glass jars during the winter until the fly
hatched out. It turns out to be a very small moth of the
family Tineidee and has been identified by Mr. J. C. F. Fryer,
the expert of the Plant Pathological Laboratory of the
Ministry of Agriculture, as T'eichobia verhuellella, a species
which is known to feed upon the fructification of ferns in the
West of England, but which has not hitherto been reported
upon ferns under cultivation. The small size of the cater- -
pillar renders it difficult of detection, while the covering of
spores, etc., serves as a protection against watery Insecticides
which are repelled by the dust-like surface. It can be
destroyed, however, by touching the masses of collected
spores with a small brush dipped in methylated spirit, which
liquid is quickly absorbed by the spore heaps and kills the
tiny caterpillar.

Wes:

ATHYRIUM FF. FIMBRIATO-CRISTATUM, GARNETT.

This fern was raised as a sporeling by the late Mr. Garnett,
of Windermere, its parentage being unknown. It was
exhibited at the Annual Meeting at Bowness in August, 1899,
Mr. C. T. Druery being in the Chair, and was officially named
as above. It was noted at the time that it showed promise of
apospory though this could not be immediately demonstrated.
When the Society’s ‘“‘ Book of British Ferns ” was published

283

in 1902 the name of this fern appeared in the list of varieties
with the note : ** A lax and charming cristatum : very distinct.”
Some years later, however, when Mr. Druery published his
“ British Ferns and their varieties’ (Routledge) he appears
to have altered the name, on his own responsibility, to
“A. f.f. Clarissima cristatum,” and this change has led to
some confusion with regard to the history and identity of the
fern. As it has no connection with the origina! Clarissema
of Colonel Jones beyond the accidental resemblance in the
matter of apospory and cutting, we think the later name
should be dropped and the original one restored. It is a
very beautiful fern having smail and narrow pinnulets and a
drooping lacelike fringe of cresting around the frond, which
character gives the plant a very elegant pendulous outline.
As it has never produced spores and does not appear to have
been reproduced by apospory it is still a rare plant and is,
at present, in but few collections. We are indebted to our
President, Mr. W. B. Cranfield, for a division and to Mr. W.
Wilson, of Kendal, for valuable help in clearing up the history
of the variety.
h.W.S.
FERN PLANTING AT THE STAFFORDSHIRE NATURE
RESERVE.

In the Gazette for June, 1928, an appeal was made for
gifts of surplus Kerns for the Staffordshire Nature Reserve
at Hawksmoor. The Reserve les on high, well-wooded
ground in some of the finest scenery in the county, and has a
superficial area of 200 acres; but actually the acreage is
probably nearly 400, as there are valleys and small hills
to be taken into account. In September, 1928, a small party,
including the writer, met there to plant out a number of
Fern species. Some thirty species have been recorded for
Staffordshire, of which several are now counted as extinct
and most are rare : those planted were from this list, though

* difficult ’? Ferns such as Botrychium lunaria were left out.

284

The morning was spent in a small valley at the “* head ”
of the Reserve, finding homes for some Aspleniums, viride,
trichomanes, ruta-muraria, Adiantum-ngrum, Ceterach offici-
narum, Cystopteris fragilis, Blechnum spicant and Polypodium
vulgare. At the higher end of this valley, on the rising
ground at each side, big masses of damp rock stand out
prominentiy : and in the crevices and at the foot of these
the planting was done. It is hoped that excavation may be
carried out here down the slopes, thus laying bare more rock
and perhaps inducing a flow of the water which now oozes
away into the soil.

Already kestrels roost on one rock-ledge and it 1s thought
that in ruder surroundings (such as excavation would ensure)

they may feel inclined to nest.

The walk back to the keeper's cottage was varied to bring
in a large patch of Bracken, most luxuriant, with fronds
frequently more than normally divided.

Meanwhile the keeper had taken a hamper full of Ferns
to the very heart of the Reserve, where a spot intentionally
secluded had previously been selected. This was thought
necessary, as the vandal has already begun to appear, A
fine Scolopendrium was put by a stream only a short time
before, and was almost at once removed by “some person
or persons unknown.” It is true that to put a Hart's Tongue
in full public view is asking for trouble, in the Midlands :
this species has an irresistible fascination, and in a collection
will be the only one picked out for any remark. A search
was made, but only the usual Lastreas (f.-mas and dilatata)
were seen on the way to the chosen place. Here a small
pool has been made and by it Osmundas, Scolopendriums,
Athyriums (superfluously), Lastreas montana and Thelypteris
were set; two or three of each, except Osmunda, of which
there were six or seven.

From the pool a little stream trickles away down a slope
amongst small trees, and beside it Polystichums, Lastreas
(f.-mas, @mula and spinulosa) were put; also Polypodium

285

dryopteris : with P. phegopteris near by. P. calcarewm was
also planted, but its future is doubtful; it was, however,
included although only once recorded, many years ago.
It will be of interest to know that nearly ail these plants
came from Sale, and that their fine condition was universally
admired.

While busy, a sensation occurred on the discovery of a
fine specimen of L. f.-mas cristata, apparentiy wild. Hopes
of a “ find’ (a frond of which was sent to and confirmed by
Dr. Stansfield) ran high for a time. Later it was learnt that
the keeper had put it there without saying anything: a
friend gave it to him from his garden, having “ had it for
a long time, but not knowing where it came from.” As it
was sporiferous, it may increase.

After the planting was done, two or three fine old specimens
of Lastrea montana were seen. This Fern seems to occur
in very small colonies in the county. The writer has seen it
only once elsewhere in Staffordshire, in a wood near his
home, and there also only two plants were found, growing
side by side. They were considered to be natives, as if
introduced it is almost certain that many more would have
been planted. Close by (at Hawksmoor) is a large patch of
Blechnum, grand, well-established plants with barren fronds
often a foot long. Not one fertile frond was found, after a
very careful search, and yet fifty yards away a long low bank
was dotted with young plants, all facing the patch further
down the slope. However, this is outside the scope of the
expedition. Some success may be expected, but much
remains to be done, both in further planting and in investigat-
ing the whole area with a view to making a real “ census ”’
of its Ferns.

EK, A. ELLIOT.

286

INDEX TO VOLUME V. PAGE

Adiantum flabellulatum, L. .. ae 7 ts Fer 195
Adiantum venustum, Don ie ae ae iz a 48
Annual Meeting, The 2, 43, 92, 117, 142, 164, 190, 218, 241
Asplenium Adiantum-nigrum acutum iy ae 4 2
- a .» microdon 3 “ie Me bef hFi

- fontanum refractum = . sas ae 99
lanceolatum microdon i .. 3m opie. lent

' Ruta-muraria ee a 7. a ee 91
trichomanes and its varieties af ws ba 174

ron f.f. fimbriato-cristatum, B.Pt.S. .. a a 282
i ,, unco-glomeratum, Propagation of wes : 133
Balance Sheet .. oe ie 5, 72, 121, 143; 191, 243
Beginner, Ferns fora .. ne - ae ne a 228
Correlation of Characters in British Ferns .. ie a 231
Cultural Notes, Two... or wis = 135
Deciduous Hardy Ferns (C.T.D. 5 5 ar sia 87
Devonshire, Ferns in .. ae a eo 222
Editorial Notes .. a a 1, 67, 140, 163, 187, 21555263
Evolution of British Ferns (Prof. Bower) .. = if 274
Fern Gossip = os = 27, 102

Fern Growing, Amateur (Dr. H. C. ee 38, 63, 89, 105, 137,
158, 179, 209

Fern Hunting in North Wales oe = oe a 151

3 — ., Switzerland .. ane aS = = 255

ae = , Teesdale A are a a a 196
Fern Pest, A ye - ae oe ah or 282
Fern Sanctuary, The Stattordshire 7 ee ae 224.283
Kerns, Alpine ~.. .. ms = le ry 172
Ferns and Flowers a ‘of 79 wk ae in 44
Ferns as Pet Plants (C.T.D.) .. - sf ee ss, 209
Ferns, Choice, Life and Death of PAS

Ferns, The (Professor Bower’s Book)

bo
Or
(oe

em bh bo
O ©
io 4)

Ferns, British, at R.H.S. Amateur Show me a 22
Ferns, The Hon. F. G. Wynn’s ‘4 a ee a 94
Ferns in Norway SA “i os a i5 i 146
Ferns, Our Duty towards fs ele ae 155
Finds (Canon Kingsmill Moore) ee zs 131
Frontispiece, Our 25, 73, 93, 115, 141, 190, 217, 240, 266
Gardener, Physician and Farmer, The on: es oe 199
Genetics of Variegation ina Fern .. a eos x 18
Hybrids, Natural (Wollaston) 4 os ai a 130

PLEASE NOTE that the pages of No. 2 should begin at

PAGE
Insecticides : 10
Kew Collection of British nee: The 123
Lady Fern, The (Roundelay) .. 9
Lastrea cristata, Presl 253, 272
Lastrea filix-mas grandiceps 73

9 » variegata, Phillips 170
Life and Death of Choice Ferns 225
Lizard Peninsula, Ferns of the 55
Maidenhair (Poem) : ee Ee 55
Medal for Ferns at Irish R. HS . Show in 1924 93
Members, List of 15, 212
Mendelism in Ferns — 165
Nomenclature, Dr. Druce’s Revised .. 3
Norway, Ferns in a a a e 4 146
Obituary a 2 .. 93, 26, 43, 73, 165, 218, 240, 268
Officers, List of .. abe see 120, 144
Osmunda regalis cristata, Bulbils on .. 34
Polypodium v. Cambricum : 12

a » omnilacerum, The Oxford var. 52, 79

a » plumosum, Whilharris 93
Polypody, Culture of the ar 34
Polystichum aculeatum and its varieties 147
angulare pellucidum 76

re sf plumosissimum 76

~ " pulcherrimum, H.S.., No. 7 Pall?

55 s prothalliferum superbum 190
President’s Lecture, The 5, 177
Psycho-pteridology 83
Rock Brake, The (Poem) 125
Sea Spleenwort, The 91
Schistostega pennata , . 5 28
Scott, Professor, Correspondence with 00
Slug, A Carnivorous 81
Southport Horticultural Show 1928 . . 246
Species v. Varieties ; 49, 80
Staffordshire Nature Reserve . . F 224, 283
Teichobia verhuellella, a New Fern Pest 282
Testacella, a Carnivorous Slug 81
Variegation, Genetics of ; 18
Woodland Villanelle, A (Poem) 87
Wollaston, G. B., Paper by the late .. 128

288

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(Profbower FPS “The Ferns.

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.

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 abundant and from which excursions
for fern hunting can conveniently be arranged. These excursions
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
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.L.S.,
120, Oxford Road,
Reading,
Berks.

raf
Nt FY Pp

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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