554 



name, since the erect form is certainly the type of Equisetum variega- 

 tum, and the only form known by the authors of that name ; and the 

 prostrate plant has been described as Equisetum arenarium, this name 

 also being restricted to one form. 



Edward Newman. 

 9, Devonshire Street, City, 



April 20, 1846. 



Mr. CressweWs note. 



" I TAKE the liberty of enclosing for your inspection the accompany- 

 ing Equisetum, of which I can find no exact description in your 

 volume of ' British Ferns.' It appears to me to hold a position very 

 near your Equisetum variegatum, var. Wihoni. It does not, how- 

 ever, exactly accord with that, being, I should suppose, more slight 

 and weak. 



I know of only one locality for the plant, which grows on the un- 

 dercliff facing the sea, in a small muddy stream issuing from beneath 

 the overlying green sand formation, about 200 feet above the sea, and 

 more than 200 from the top of the cliff. 



I enclose you fronds in almost every state, in order that you may 

 see how much it varies in size and branching; you will also see that 

 the branches are often fertile, in which it appears to differ from E. 

 Wilsoni. The greater number of fronds are not branched at all. 



I first observed the plant in August last, when I found the fructifi- 

 cation rare, and generally unripe. In November more capsules wei'e 

 ripe, and to day, March 19, it appears to me to be in the greatest 

 perfection. 



I may also observe that in the same sjDOt, and growing with this 

 plant, I found fertile fronds of E. Telmateia, one of which was eigh- 

 teen inches long. The cHff faces direct south. The dark green ver- 

 dure of the Equisetum sent, contrasted strongly with the brown, dead 

 leaves of Arundo Phragmitis and the last year's fronds of E. Tel- 

 mateia. 



R. Cresswell." 

 Salcombe Vicarage, Sidmouth, Devon, 

 March 19th, 1846. 



