58 



The humble Polypody, too, 



I come across in swarms; 

 But ne'er a set oi double teeth 



Accentuates their charms. 



Osmundas, Blechnums, too, I find 



In close association ; 

 But all, alas ! on normal lines. 



Sans trace of variation. 



But must I be content to glean 



The normal or inferior ? 

 By no means, while the spore remains 



To breed me forms superior. 



To these I'll turn with careful choice, 



Nor longer vainly roam ; 

 But, sowing from the best, create 



Rich hunting grounds at home. 



NATURE VERSUS CULTURE IN FERN 



VARIATION. 



The following is the text of the paper read by Mr. C. T. 

 Druery, F.L.S., at the meeting of the Horticultural Club 

 on the 14th inst. (June 14th, 1898) : — 



As a fairly long period had elapsed since I inflicted a 

 paper about our unpopular British ferns upon the members 

 of the club, I ventured timidly to hint to our secretary that 

 a further dose might be administered now without im- 

 mediate fatal effects, and suggested " Fern Revelations by 

 a Fern Reveller " as a possibly taking title. Mr. D'Ombrain, 

 averse, probably, to snuffing out an old member, and relying 

 upon the latitude usually accorded to those afi^icted with a 

 mania, kindly acquiesced. Upon this encouragement I 

 dropped the jocular title held out as a bait, and determined 

 to spring my ideas upon the club in a severe form, and one 



