59 



effect described. In this case, however, there is not the 

 remotest sign of an aborted midrib as seen in truncate, 

 ferns. 



. Another class of "Curios " is seen in the revolvens and 

 flexuose types, in which the fronds are either rolled up, 

 more or less, into tubes, or are eccentrically twisted. Both 

 of these types depart from the general rule that the frond 

 surface is arranged to catch as much light as possible, since 

 by their curves and twists a large proportion of the frond 

 is turned away from the light. Varieties in this direction 

 have been found in several species. P. angulareh.3iS afforded 

 a number, and we found a good one in Devonshire in 1908. 

 L. f. mas has produced, one, and A.f. f. revolvens, found by us 

 in Scotland, is a very fine example, the pinnae forming a 

 series of ringlets on each side the frond. Flexuose forms 

 of A.f. foemina have been found several times, and examples 

 have also turned up in Scot, vulgare of both types. ■ The 

 " revolvens " are naturally the prettier, and make handsome 

 pendulous-fronded specimens. Incidentally, we may 

 remark, that a successful cross between revolvens and good 

 cristate forms is well worth trying for ; so far, however, 

 our own efforts in that direction have been fruitless. 

 Curiously enough, in this connection, on our way from 

 Windermere Station to Bo'ness some years ago to attend a 

 meeting of our Society, we noticed that the Bracken on 

 both sides the road was a thoroughbred revolvens type, and 

 collecting a frond, we displayed it at the meeting where it 

 was much admired, while much amusement was evoked 

 when we pointed out that the majority of those present had 

 passed it on the road, but failed to " spot " it. 



To finish these notes with a little anecdote somewhat 

 .akin to this, it is told by Mr. G. B. WoUaston, that he was 

 once accompanying an old lady on a fern hunt in a 

 Devonshire lane, when he observed a splendidly crested 

 Polystichum, which w^as being tickled by the feathers in the 

 old lady's bonnet as she was stooping beneath it to examine 

 something else. First sight, first find, is inevitable in fern 



