£ 22 [Proc. B.N.C.F- 



thoroughly experiment on the possibilities of crossing and on 

 their successes. 



Mr. Lowe thus writes : " The interest in the varieties of 

 British ferns ought to increase, now the crossing of varieties 

 has become an acknowledged fact, alike on account of the 

 extreme beauty of many of the crosses already effected, and 

 because also, however beautiful crosses already obtained are, it 

 may be confidently asserted, that they are nothing to what 

 will be accomplished when exhaustive experiments, guided by 

 tasteful and judicious selection, shall have been made. Though 

 much will depend on selection, there will always be enough 

 left to the element of chance to keep up the interest. We may 

 liken the prospect of endless combinations, to the combinations 

 in bell ringing, and we learn that the changes in the ringing of 

 twelve bells amounts to forty millions, we can scarcely conceive 

 of the immense field of inquiry that is opened in these inves- 

 tigations. The number of forms to be obtained is past con- 

 ception, and as the discovery of one truth is the stepping-stone 

 to the discovery of even greater truths so every new form that 

 is raised enables the raiser, or *hose following in his footsteps, 

 to produce countless other combinations." 



About 1885 the mode of growth called apospory, was dis- 

 covered by Mr. Druery, on Athytium F. F. Clarissima, this 

 is the formation on the back of the frond where the spore cases 

 are developed, of bulbils, which afterwards, on being pegged 

 down on damp earth, produce prothalliae, from which fronds 

 spring up, and become separate plants. 



Mr. Gosse, in hisNaturalists Rambles on the Devonshire coast, 

 has called attention to many of its charms and wonders, both 

 scenic and marine. He has done a good deed, as every one 

 does who presents new obiects of interest and research to 

 those who, living habitually in romantic scenes, forget to 

 notice them, and, surrounded by many of the most marvellous 

 of God's creatures, know neither their habits or their nature. 



Some indeed may inquire, " What is the advantage of know- 

 ing the names of a set of weeds, which are of no use to any- 



