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every amateur. The subscription of 5s. per annum 

 (August to August), entitling to four issues of the 

 "Gazette" and bringing more and more numerous fern 

 lovers into immediate touch with each other, is surely 

 moderate enough. The Editor will be delighted to send 

 a specimen copy of the "Gazette" to anyone contem- 

 plating joining. His address is 11, Shaa Road, Acton, 

 London, W., to which all MS. and other communications 

 should be directed. 



OUR FRONTISPIECE. 



POLYPODIUM V. OMNIL ACERUiM. 



This fine old variety has been so rarely seen in 

 character of late years that its occurrence deserves to 

 be recorded. I recently came across it in splendid 

 condition at Oxford. The photograph sent herewith 

 exhibits it in its best form. The acutely pointed pinnules 

 are well shown, as also the finely serrulate margins. 

 The extreme depth and leafiness of the fronds is, however, 

 only imperfectly indicated. The plant was growing in 

 the open air in the Oxford Botanic Garden, without 

 protection of any kind beyond the shelter of surroundino- 

 walls and hedges. It was planted in a bed of deep 

 vegetable soil, mainly leaf mould, in which both roots 

 and rhizomes could run freely. As usual only a propor- 

 tion of the fronds displayed the highest character 

 (although all were recognizable), but these, being the 

 largest and most luxuriant, eclipsed and almost hid the 

 inferior ones. Mr. Baker, the courteous and genial 

 curator, is to be congratulated upon a notable success 

 in culture. 



I am not sure that there are not two strains of 

 omnilacevum (without counting Williams's and Aldren's 

 forms). This Oxford one is evidently the same as the 

 one figured in last " Gazette," whereas Mr. Cranfield's 



