68 



American Cluhiiinssrs 



Miss Margaret (irilVm, of the I'aterson, New Jersey, Higli 

 School, hegaii a study of the distribution of J.ycopothuni in North 

 America. 



Genetics 



Sliidliw Oil Ihc I'arlalioii of Xcplirolcpis (T'Osloii Fcrj). etc.) 



]'>Y Ral1'][ C. BENliDJCT 



The collections of these ferns at the I'rooklyn ]^)otanic Garden 

 comjjrise three L;roups of A'ariant types: ( (/ ) l)ud variations oi the 

 P)OSt()n fern; (/') sporeling \-ariations of A', c.vallata fcrlilis; and 

 (r) species ty])es, including- several collections from tropical Amer- 

 ica and various types obtained from iuiropean dealers. i\ll three 

 groups require rather frequent stock-takint^- and re-arrangement. 

 In general, the aim has been to maintain as com])lete a series of 

 the significant forms as possible, hut it is (Hthcult, in the space 

 available to kee]) a sufficient number of plants constantly under 

 development. This general maintenance demands considerable 

 (oversight and also actual labor with the ])lants. 



While several re])orts dealing with the bud mutations liave been 

 published, there are still unreported results and further experi- 

 mental cultures under way. During the year past, new cultures 

 have been made of two sporeling types, from which a large number 

 of young plants have been raised to maturity, with a resultant 

 surplus crop of over one thousand which were turned over to the 

 curator of elementary instruction for class work. One preliminary 

 report has been published dealing with some of the species forms; 

 much remains to Ije done. In the meantime, the general collection 

 remains the most comprehensive of this group; and from time t(j 

 time re(|uests come in for rei)resentative sets for use in genetic 

 ex])erimentation. Such a set, of nearly fifty plants, was sent to 

 Professor Roberts oL the University of Manitoba, \\'innii)eg, this 

 f.all. 



