237 



a particularly fertile character, inacvostachya, longipinnatnm^ 

 sevvatum, seniilaccvum, omnilaceviiui and a number of other 

 varieties all figure and suffice to show the wonderful 

 versatility of this species. We must not forget to add 

 P. V, Rohevtsii, found last year as a tiny plant near Barn- 

 staple, and promising to be a very fine form on probably 

 J)ulchevvimum lines, though not yet sufficiently developed to 

 name otherwise than provisionally. 



Finally, we may mention three seedlings from the L. 

 thelyptevis polydactylay found in the United States, which are 

 developing fme g y and iceps cresting, entitling them justifiably 

 to election as British-born varieties of that hitherto unvaried 



species in this country. 



C. T. D. 



POLYPODIUMS AND DROUGHT. 



In most parts of the United Kingdom the summer of 

 igii has been rainless. I spent August in Devon and 

 Cornwall. Everywhere the growth of the ferns was 

 affected, often the Polystichums and Scolopendviums being 

 limp and helpless, like dying animals craving a drop of 

 water. 



But the Polypodiums, so far as my observation goes, 

 have not only tolerated, but have thriven upon the drought. 



In my " Polypodery " in Co. Dublin upwards of twenty 

 varieties flourish. They are in shade and in shelter ; but 

 most of them are planted after a fashion which, even in a 

 normal season, involves a minimum of root moisture. 

 Noticing the fern's liking for having its roots in connec- 

 tion with wood, and its love of quick drainage, I hollowed 

 out a number of elm logs differing in height from one to 

 two and a-half feet. Some others, made hollow by nature, 

 were filled with rough stones, which carry off water at 

 once, those hollowed artificially were drained by many 

 augur holes. The result has been a bed for the ferns not 

 far removed in dryness from the top of a wall. 



