101 



fore examined, without any exception, the apex of the sterile divis- 

 ion is bent over the apex of the fertile division y in a majiner approaching 

 the bud of B. Lunaria ; and in that of B, in atricariae folium the 

 apex is only sHghtly bent downward, scarcely more than occurs 

 in the bud of B. boreale ; the apex, however, is more acute than in 

 B, boreale^ and otherwise the bud has tlie characters of B. inatrica- 

 riaefoliuni. 



Just what bearing these specimens may have upon my Vernation 



Notes (ToRKKv Bulletin, Jan., 1S78) and how far they may go 



toward invalidating the position therein taken, I am not prepared 

 to say. 



If we consider that the number of specimens which one may be 

 able to examine, however great, may still bear a very small propor- 

 tion to the total number of specimais in existence, it will be seen 

 that if a deviation from an assumed type occurs even once in spec- 

 imens examined it may occur many times in Nature. 



As, however,>this is purely conjectural, and we cannot know the 

 actual number of specimens in existence, nor what proportion such 

 deviations may bear to them, and as we can only base our rule of 

 judgment upon such data as have actually conie under our observa- 

 tion, and as it is not possible to establish vany absolute rule — one 

 that will not admit of some exception — an occasional deviation, such 

 as this, does not seem to destroy the value of a character that is sho\Yn 

 to prevail as a rule, and to be constant in the great majority of in- 

 stances. 



But I leave the discussion of inferences until such time as tliey 



can be more intelligently considered, and content myself with simph 

 placing on record the above facts. 



Medford, Mass, Geo. E. Davenport. 



■ 



95. Onocleasensibilis, L., var., obtusilobala, Torr.— Spend- 

 ing a portion of my summer vacation in Litchfield Co., Connecticut, 

 I have made some observations among the ferns of this section which 

 are found in abundance and profusion rarely equalled. 

 ' Camptosorus grows to some extent on the granitic rocks of this vi- 

 cinity. I have never found it before except on highly calcareous 

 rocks. 



Ophioglossum vulgatum, L., is found in bogs, the sterile segment 

 fully 3^ inches long. 



^^ Brondosa forms '' of Osmunda cinnaniomea^ L., occur, some with 

 the fronds half sterile, half fertile, while Osmunda regalis, L., occa- 

 sionally has the frond fertile in the middle ! 



The most interesting forms, however, were the variations of Ono- 

 clea sensibilisy L., which would have furnished ample constructive mate- 

 rial for some of our more ardent variety manufacturers. In alow, 



'rocky meadow near AVest Goshen the following graded series 

 found : 



A. Normal fertile fronds witli secondary rachises erect and ap- 

 pressed to the primary. 



B. Fertile fronds. Segments all normally bead-like ; secondary 

 rachises spreading, regularly inclined to the primary about 35*^. 



