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Lowe's crossed forms only attain very small dimensions, 

 but few of them are fit for exhibition purposes, being far 

 more curious than pretty. From Mr. H. Stansfield we 

 have recently received a very dwarf 5. v. cvispum and a 

 gvandiceps form of same. In the Polystichums we have but 

 few true dwarfs belonging to the congestuni section ; 

 pavvissiunun, despite its name, often forms foot-high fronds > 

 but could scarcely be considered ineligible on account of 

 its name and compact habit. In the Lady Ferns there 

 are some very beautiful true dwarf forms, A. f.f. congestum 

 minus, A. f.f. c. m. cvistatuui, and gvandiceps are charming 

 forms, rarely exceeding six or seven inches. Messrs. May 

 have recently raised a particularly pretty crispy form from 

 that section. A. f.f. crispuni is a dwarf rambling form, 

 very distinct, and there are several forms of stipatum which 

 are very dense, imbricate, and compact, which dwarfs 

 them considerably and brings them fairly within the line. 

 The above list comprises certainly the best of the 

 'dwarfs.' In conclusion, I must 'emphasise the principle 

 that small-growing normal species, like some of the 

 spleenworts, if introduced into a group specified as dwarfs, 

 would inevitably disqualify it if judged by experts." 



" [We are much obliged to Mr. Druery for his reply to 

 the question, although we are not at all inclined to agree 

 with him in his definition of ' dwarf ' British ferns, and 

 we think that but few of our readers will readily accept it. 

 Evidently, if an expert like Mr. Druery would exclude the 

 spleenworts from a collection of dwarf British ferns, the 

 time has come when the British Pteridological Society 

 should make definite regulations for governing such 

 competitions. — Ed. * G.IM.'] " 



To the above we replied as follows, but it was not 

 inserted : — 



" May I beg a line or two to justify my definition of 

 dwarfs as given in your * Answers to Correspondents ' of 

 October 5th. If a plant, say, of Asplenium tvicJio manes, be 



B 



