39 



definitely aculeatum than the large fronds, but only because, 

 being smaller, they show less of the plumose character. 

 There is the usual " lobatum " type of young aculeatum, the 

 pinnules tending to become confluent and the edges of the 

 pinnules quite prickly. It would be interesting to know 

 the experience of other growers who have this beautiful 

 variety; I have heard from one (Mr. J. A. Wilson), who 

 has had the plant for more than twenty years, but who has 

 never seen any symptoms of acttleatnm about it. 

 Reading, September 27th, 1909. 



This case is extremely interesting as evidence of the very 

 close relationship of P. aciileatum and P. annulare. Though 

 in the vast majority of instances the two species adhere to 

 their distinct specific characters as normals, among the 

 abnormal forms, and especially in some of the " gran- 

 diceps " types, there has always been dift^erences of opinion 

 as to which species they belong, and it is obvious that any 

 P. angulave sport, which involves a thickening of texture 

 or an approach to P. aculeatum make, renders certainty 

 impossible, especially as both species often affect the 

 same habitats and grow side by side. Quite possibly for 

 this reason the dubious forms may be natural hybrids, for 

 Mr. E. J. Lowe was the first to demonstrate that the two 

 species could be crossed, as was evidenced by his P. 

 hyhvidum, a cross between P. ang. Wakeleyanum, a cruciate 

 angulave and P. ac. densum, a congested aculeatum. A hybrid 

 origin might, of course, account for Dr. Stansfield's experi- 

 ence, and also for the intermediate '• sports " alluded to. 

 We have ourselves found a plant exactly of angulave cutting, 

 but equally exactly of aculeatum texture and lucent surface. 



Editor. 



PoLYSTiCHUM Angulare: Var Lineare Cristatum. 



We have received a division of a very prettily crested 

 form of lineave from Mr. Joe Edwards, of Moston, Man- 

 chester. Neat tufted crests at all terminals, associated with 



the characteristic form of lineave. 



Editor. 



