BENEDICT: NEW VARIETIES OF NEPHROLEPIS 221 
tissima (PLATE 12, FIG. 1) and elegantissima-compacta (PLATE 12, 
FIG. 2) are, however, more divided, in some leaves as much as 
thrice-pinnate. Elegantissima-compacta is of further interest be- 
cause it is also a dwarf, thus combining two lines of variation at 
once. 
Piersoni “improved” illustrates a type of variation which is 
of special interest to florists, and to which they seem generally to 
apply the name “improved,” as, for example, edegantissima “im- 
proved” and Whitmani “improved.” All the forms in the division 
series revert more or less, that is, throw once-pinnate leaves, and 
sometimes runners, 7.¢. plants which revert asawhole. The florist 
objects to these mixed plants and selects for greater stability. 
When he obtains stock showing less reversion, he is likely to call 
it “improved.” There is great variation in the matter of rever- 
sion. Some kinds are relatively stable from their first appear- 
ance, others may produce as many reverting leaves as of the new 
type. Usually in order to keep stock true to type, a florist must 
exercise care in the selection of the runners which are used as stock 
plants. 
Another illustration of dwarfing from Piersoni apparently of a 
brachyotic nature is represented by the variety superbissima 
(PLATE 12, FIG. 4), which is much less than half as long as its 
parent form. The dwarfing has been achieved mainly by a radical 
shortening of the rachis, with proportionately less decrease in the 
size of the pinnae. The resulting leaf is dense, stiff and twisted, 
of no particular grace, but interesting as an oddity. Like Pier- 
sont, superbissima exhibits considerable reversion, and as yet no 
certain ‘‘improved”’ or non-reverting form has been obtained. 
The sixth sport of Piersont which may be classed as progressive, 
exhibits the kinds of variation prevalent though not common 
throughout the fern order, that is, the forking or dichotomy of the 
leaf apex or of the segments. In this form, called splendida (PLATE 
12, FIG. 3), the pinnae show the forking, and a single plant may 
bear at one time several kinds of leaves, once-pinnate, twice- 
pinnate, and forking. 
Referring again to the 
that from this there has come, 
sport showing progressive increase in th 
form superbissima, it may be noted here 
as from Piersont itself, a further 
e division of the leaf. 
