i6i 



of the most robust-growing kinds, is apparently in perfect 

 health. That variegation can be temporarily brought 

 about by unnatural conditions is obvious, but the plant, 

 with a more liberal treatment and normal conditions, soon 

 grows out of it. 



The cause of variegation in plants is a very debatable 

 and obscure subject, but that constant forms of variegated 

 Hartstongues exist is, I think, beyond doubt, although, 

 perhaps, good forms are rare. To perpetuate and still 

 more markedly develop this trait may be possible, and 

 opens up an interesting vista to the fern enthusiast ; but 

 there is another side to the picture. A short time ago I 

 was induced to submit a selection of choice fronds to a 

 meeting of members of a College Field Club, and the 

 Principal, in introducing them to the notice of the members 

 present, characterized them as freaks of fern life. I need 

 scarcely say it was anything but pleasing to find the 

 beautiful specimens shown dubbed as freaks. To me they 

 were types much more highly evolved than their forbears ; 

 but I am afraid that variegated ferns might well merit that 

 term, because, apart from being a distinct break from the 

 normal, variegation is not a very desirable characteristic, 

 and would give the uninitiated the impression that the 

 plant was in the first stages of dissolution. Nevertheless, 

 it is a very interesting subject, and I may mention that the 

 two ferns in question have been singled out and evoked 

 comment from friends examining my collection. 



J. \V. Tucker. 



Ferncroft, 



St. Thomas, Exeter. 



SOME ADVENTURES OF A NOVICE. 



By Francis W. Thorrington. 



Occasionally I wonder whether any other member of the 

 British Pteridological Society happens to have encountered 

 quite the same set of difficulties as mine. Imagine a 



