POLYPODIUM VULGARE | i 
IVAR. AURITUM WILLD. 
F. G. FLOYD 
American fern students seem to differ in regard to 
their conception of Polypodium vulgare L. var. auritum 
Willd.; the characteristic ear-like appendages borne on 
fronds of that fern, being described as occupying various 
eho My, attention has been ree recently called to this __ 
atter, , by an article in- the American Fern Journal 
olypodin late bei in 1 Maine,’ od ty. : 
page 8, Mr. ‘Merk says ,' “Seill another — 
for hee been found that, unlike auritum, which has — 
ears. on the lower side of the’ pinne,hasearsontheupper 
_ edge of the pinne only. Mr. W.N. Clute says that this 
form is new, and the finder is hunting for a name, but __ 
so far he has been unsuccessful.’”’ Mr. Merrill, unfortu-_ 
nately, does not attempt to substantiate his assumption - 
that the true var. awritum is not eared on the upper side ~ 
of the segments and I am unable to conceive what : 
ground he has for this belief. 
_ from other varieties by the prese nce 
on the lowest segments next to tl 
