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hands as a pulchcvviiniun, is, I fear, more than doubtful. Of 

 the whole sixteen wild finds two only are now known to 

 remain in character, both being finds of Mr. Moly. Both are 

 exceedingly beautiful forms, though perhaps neither of them 

 is equal to some of the lost ones. 



P. ang. piilclievyimuui vaviegatum Moly is perfectly 

 constant as regards the pulcherrimum character, never 

 having thrown a normal frond, and is also consistently 

 and most beautifully variegated. The variegation is 

 quite regularly disposed and is developed in a curious 

 manner. The young frond while unfolding is of the 

 normal green colour, but as soon as it is fully developed 

 the upper pinnules turn to a pale yellow which gradually 

 deepens as the season advances until, in the autumn, it 

 becomes in favourable seasons a rich orange. The 

 lower pinnules, however, remain throughout the season of 

 a vivid green, which shows up in strong contrast to the 

 rest of the frond. The green also permeates the yellow 

 to some extent in veins, which produce a beautiful effect of 

 pencilling. The colour scheme, in a pure atmosphere, is 

 certainly the most striking and distinct which is known 

 among British ferns. As a young plant this fern is 

 perfectly symmetrical, and has every characteristic of high 

 breeding and perfection of form. As if to show, however, 

 how "great wits to madness are allied," no sooner does it 

 attain to adult size than it begins to show a lamentably 

 ugly depauperate character in the upper half of the frond. 

 The lower half remains quite perfect and beautiful, but the 

 extremity goes " all to rags," completely spoiling the 

 symmetry and grace of the plant. For many years it has 

 been my ambition to breed out this fault if possible. 

 There were many difficulties in the way. First, the miffi- 

 ness of constitution of the plant caused by the lack of 

 chlorophyll in its fronds. Unless it be treated with the 

 tenderest sympathy it will refuse to grow, and will incon- 

 tinently die if neglected in any way. It produces as a 

 rule no spores, although there are plenty of abortive sori, 



