272 



J^EAWS. 



botanists are sometimes at a loss to know to which of the three species, 

 A. cristatum, spuinlosiiiii or dilatafniii, certain specimens should 

 be referred. 



Thomas Moore, the author of a magnificent volume, entitled 

 "The Ferns of Great Britain and Ireland, nature printed" even going 

 so far as to say " Indeed, so closel)- do these merge into each other by 

 means of transition forms of frond, that we are forced to the conclusion 

 that they are all three in reality mere variations from one specific type." 



A\'hat we call A. cristaiii/ii, is an abundant species in low, wet woods 

 and swamps, easily obtained, and grows readily, the root-stock throwing 

 out lateral extensions not found in var. dilataium. 



Wood Fern — Aspidiiim spimilosiDii, (Swz.) 



This species is so variable, that it, with its many varieties, would 

 alone furnish sutlficient material for a special study. We have several 

 forms in our woods more or less permanent. They would all be 

 interesting to compare with the English forms. One of the handsomest 

 varieties, var. di/ataiuiii, presents characters which would almost claim for 

 it the rank of a species. The most important difference is that the 

 root-stock of var. dilatatum is large and tufted, and the crown is often 

 raised somewhat above the surface of the soil, forming a short caudex, 

 while in A. spiniilosiim the root-stock has a creeping habit, so as to 

 become branched or multiplied in time into several tufts and clusters 

 with crowns, as in A. cristatuDi. 



This is an easy fern to cultivate. It requires a good depth of leaf 

 mould or peat, plenty of moisture, and if favoured with a shady nook 

 will produce fronds of great beaut)-. 



Brittle Bladder Fern — Cystopteris fragilis, (Bernh.) 



This is another fern which will always be acceptable to British 

 collectors. It is not at all common in Europe as compared with its 

 great abundance in North America. It is an exceedingly variable 

 species, so much so that the name may almost be said to cover a group 

 rather than a single species. It is a very desirable species for green- 

 house or out-door cultivation, growing rapidly and with little care, 

 lieing a rock fern, it should have pieces of old mortar or limestone 

 placed in the mould about its roots, and will grow luxuriantly if supplied 

 with plenty of water, and at the same time kept well drained. It is 

 easily nHilti]ilicd by division of the root. 



OiiLONc; WooDsLN — Woodsia Jlveusis (R. Br.) 

 This fern, which is abundant in Canada, being found from the 

 Atlantic to the Rocky Mountains, is exceedingly rare in Great Britain 



