42 



Exmoor, which bunch when extracted was found to 

 contain a six-fronded plant of perfect concinnum type 

 throughout. Our guide, an experienced Fern hunter, who, 

 regardless of etiquette went first, happily overlooked the 

 tiny tip aforesaid and was very much chagrined at the 

 oversight. Where seedlings are plentiful, it should be borne 

 in mind that the youngsters are just as likely to afford 

 sports as full grown-plants, though of course requiring 

 closer inspection. 



Near Torquay, when walking with a friend on a much 

 frequented road, we came to a very high old wall, in which, 

 at first sight, not a fern was visible ; due undoubtedly to the 

 raids of fern-loving (?) visitors. A tiny hartstongue, just 

 visible in a deep chink, however, attracted attention by a 

 fan-shaped frondlet, which inspection showed to be accom- 

 panied by two smaller ones of similarly unusual shape, a 

 threepenny-piece would have easily covered the whole 

 plant. Despite a jesting remark from our companion 

 anent Fern maniacs, this little waif was carefully picked 

 out and wrapped in damp moss, and proved to be a quite 

 constant branched form, every frond being double or 

 triple. It figures in our collection as the " Babbacombe 

 Baby " {or S. v. ramosujii), though its infancy is now a 

 thing of the past. 



Our own ideal hunting ground is indeed a place where 

 stone dykes, old walls and rough ground, dotted here and 

 there with Ferns, prevail, rather than places which permit 

 of such rampant growth as to constitute veritable Fern 

 jungles. The ferns in the former case are more easily seen, 

 and- in the latter there is little doubt that as the varieties 

 are, as a rule, smaller growers than the normals, "sports" 

 liave less chance of survival in the strui^gle for existence. 

 The motto, however, is always that " wherever there is a 

 Fern there is a chance." C. T. D. 



