be the actual date when the spores first ripen, also as ne 
A suggestion on the field study of ferns 
PHILIP DOWELL 
At least in America, the fern student need not as yet 
resort to the mere naming and describing of forms, even 
though he may profitably study forms or variants and 
write about them. It is well for the botanist to become 
so thoroughly acquainted with species of plants that he _ 
can readily recognize certain forms or variations, but it 
is not necessary nor even desirable that he ‘give a scien- : . 
tific name to each of the : att : orms | he | earns to — 
recognize. ee : 
‘The s suggestion of another field of activity will be 
students. who are favorably situated for carrying on the — 
_ work. I have in mind especially the time of fruiting gf o3 
each species. Records should be definite, giving at least 
as practicable the time when the ae have been 4 
discharged. In connection with t ; 
tion and the efforts of many _ os 
