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cottage. Well, I had an eye opener, for this space was 

 thickly planted with really good varieties of Ferns peculiar 

 to limestone, woods and wet banks, and to cap all they 

 were, without exception, interesting varieties, and had all 

 been found by him. We examined each carefully, com- 

 pared notes, and suggested names for his pets. 



We were rapidly coming to tne end of the bed when I 

 spied a small salmon tin with two tiny Fern fronds hidden 

 amongst the larger growth. I whipped it out instantly, and 

 looking round I saw •* Owd Tom's " eyes all aglow, and he 

 remarked, " Ah, I thought you would not miss it." Well, 

 that was the Dryopteris respecting which our Editor has sent 

 me an urgent request to furnish details for his December 

 issue. Unfortunately, " Owd Tom " was in a delicate state 

 of health, and I think the fear of going over to the great 

 majority was upon him, and he wanted to make sure his 

 pet fern would be cared for if he want the way of all flesh. 

 He then and there promised that if I would tend and care 

 for his Dryopteris, he would give instructions that it 

 should be handed over to me in case of his decease. The 

 poor old fellow died in the Barrow-in-Furness Hospital 

 some little time afterwards. His Ferns were scattered 

 about, but fortunately the Dryopieris came to me through 

 his sister, Mrs. Smith, of Dalton, Lanes., as did also 

 part of a Polystichiim Lonchitis, which I showed at the 

 Society's meeting at Arnside. This plant was also found 

 by "Owd Tom" very near the spot where the Oak Fern 

 was growing on Whitbarrow Scar at an altitude of between 

 300 and 400 feet, and quite near the sea. The finding of 

 Lonchitis on this Scar has been confirmed by Mr. Sargeant, 

 a schoolmaster, and an enthusiastic botanist, at Barrow- 

 in-Furness. He and two friends found several plants near 

 the spot indicated to me by " Owd Tom." This find at so 

 low an altitude constitutes a record. Our Editor, Dr. 

 Stansfield, Mr. T. E. Henwood, and Mr. H. Stansfield are 

 each in possession of a bit of the Dryopteris, and I hope 



