1904] Leavitt, — Reversions of the Fern-leaved Beech 47 



of the varietal laminae very nearly coincided with the margins of the 

 corresponding parts of the specific laminae. In lateral extent, in the 

 angle between margin and midrib, and in the character of the margin, 

 the parts in question agree nearly with parts similarly situated in 

 leaves of the original type. There is therefore no doubt that we are 

 here dealing with a reversion. 



In the Figure — the original drawing for which was traced from the 

 leaves themselves — the ab- 

 normal leaves of the variety 

 are delineated in continuous 

 line, the applied specific 

 leaves in broken line. In 

 the specimens as placed the 

 right side of the lamina is 

 true to the varietal type, 

 showing the somewhat fern- 

 like margin to w'hich the 

 variety owes its designation, 

 asplenifolia. Specimens a, 

 b, c have the proximal Iialf 

 or more of the left side ex- 

 tended to the Hmits habitual 

 in the specific form, while 

 the remainder is contracted 

 in the manner of the variety. 

 In specimens a and c the 



transition from one character to the other is abrupt; in b, gradual. 

 In specimen d the region of disturbance is distal and includes not 

 more than one eighth of tiie entire blade ; in this part, however, the 

 margin of the ancestral form is exactly matched except at the very 

 apex of the blade, where the attenuation characteristic of the variety 

 appears. 



The sudden transition seen in specimens a and c is especially 

 interesting and noteworthy. 



It is to be observed that, as a close examination of the figure will 

 show, the restoration of the original form is in no case perfect. 

 While the old — the specific — predominates in a remarkable degree, 

 the new is evidenced in some way in each atavistic section, either at 

 the apex, as in d, or at tiie base, as in a-c^ or throughout, as in b. 



