136 
The species differs from P. Guepini in habit and in the fewer 
septa of the spores. ‘This latter feature and the rather long bristles 
will also separate it from P. funerea. I have dedicated the species 
to its discoverer. CHARLES H. PECK. 
ALBANY. 
§ 146. Variations in Lomaria and Polypodium.—Mr. Joseph 
Howell has sent to me from Oregon. some speciments of Lomaria 
spicant, Desv., in which the pinnz are very strongly serrate—almost 
incised. ‘These specimens are so strikingly distinct in appearance 
from the normal form, in which the pinne are entire, as almost to 
justify naming them var. serratum ? 
Mr. Howell has found this form now for two seasons in suc- 
cession, but as he writes that the plants last season were not nearly 
as strongly marked as they were the previous year, and as it is not 
unlikely, therefore, that they may again revert to the normal form, 
it may be best to await further developments before recognizing a 
variety. In any case, however, this interesting variation ‘seems 
worthy of being placed on record. 
Mr. Howell has also sent to me a specimen of Polypodium that 
shows how cautious we should be In admitting varieties, especially 
when based on the evidence of detached fronds. 
In this case there are two fronds attached to the same rhizoma, and 
one of these fronds has entire pinne, while in the other the pinnz are 
coarsely and deeply serrate. This latter variation is not uncommon, 
even to deep incisions, in the Pacific Polypodiums, those of the 
southern coast of California being especially prolific in such forms. 
Would it not be better in all such cases, when known, to have 
the specific descriptions include these variations, rather than to 
recognize them as distinct varieties ? Gro. E, DAVENPORT. 
Boston, February 16, 1877. 
§ 147. On the means of protection in flowers against unwel- 
come visitors.—In azure, Jan. 11, Vol. XV., p. 237, is an exceed- 
ingly interesting account of a monograph by M. Kerner, of the 
Zoological-Botanical Society in Vienna, on this subject. "We have 
space but to indicate the tenor of this paper, and to recommend it 
~to the notice of those who seek in “morphological characters a 
biological significance.” M. Kerner givesan account of the manifold 
forms which are of use to guard flowers against uninvited guests, 
wingless insects, for example, who would be of little service in con- 
veying the pollen from one plant to another. One means of protec- 
tion consists in isolation by water ; sometimes collected in the axils 
of the leaves (from which circumstance perhaps Aquilegia gets its. 
name); sometimes surrounding this plant, as in Polygonum amphi- 
bium. “ When, however, the water has run off, and the plant is on 
dry ground, there develop on the leaves and stalks gland-hairs, which 
secrete a sticky matter, rendering the flower-bearing axis all smeary, 
so that access is equally forbidden to the creeping insects. If, now, 
a plant of Polygonum, bearing these gland hairs, be put in the water 
again, the trichome-tufts, with their sticky material, disappear, and 
the surface appears once more smooth and even.” Compare Gray’s 
Manual on,the varieties, and Hall; in Buttery, Vol. IIL, p. 1. 
