


1901 | BRIEFER ARTICLES 349 
papers for the most interesting details of these and other vagaries, and 
will merely add that on one and the same prothaJlus several different 
modes of reproduction were found, namely, asexual bulbils, some pro- 
ducing fronds and others merely roots; other prothalli budding out 
from the surface; and sporophytes sexually developed; all these on 
prothalli which themselves were thick cylindrical fleshy masses instead 
of the normal flat cordate thallus, while archegonia, antheridia, and 
sporangia were indiscriminately dotted about among the other varied 
growths. 
The above facts are cited merely as a prelude and justification for 
the suggestion that in the study of American species the varieties should 
have due attention and not be labeled “ monstrosities,” and ignored 
as they were in Great Britain for a very long period. The writer has 
repeatedly urged and urges once more that it is quite as much, if not 
more, in the direction of nature’s exceptions that we should seek the 
key to many of her secrets. Certainly in the study of the abnormal 
fern types alluded to, a number of new and unexpected facts have 
cropped up, which largely modify previous ideas regarding fern repro- 
duction, not one of the links in the normal life cycle being absolutely 
essential. Spore, prothallus, egg, sporophyte, have all in turn been 
shown to be supertluous, the fern in one shape or another reproducing 
itself without them. 
As regards the great number of varietal forms which have originated 
in Great Britain, there is little doubt that it is due far more to the con- 
tinued existence of a coterie of persistent variety hunters than to any 
predisposing elements in the environment. The traveling botanist is 
rarely a variety hunter, but a species hunter, hence he does not in a 
habitat full of known species examine them plant by plant, or scan them 
with a peculiarly trained eye, as would the hunter for sports. If he 
have such an eye and a taste for varieties, we have the evidence that 
“ finds” will crop up abroad as well as at home. Witness Mr. George 
Brown, who found Woodwardia radicans cristata, two finely crested 
forms of Zastrea dilatata, and two tasseled forms of Aspidium hemionttis 
in the Azores; while the writer, hunting in all for about two hours 
recently in Fayal (Azores), found a clump of Aspidium hemtonitis beauti- 
fully tasseled throughout, and a fine pendulous polydactylous variety 
of Pteris aguilina which lined the high road for fifty yards. This being 
so I would advocate variety hunting in the United States as a pursuit 
likely to reward its votaries not merely with very beautiful types for 
