494 [Proc. B.isr.F.c, 



varieties of ferns," which is a sequel to that of last year on 

 " Reproduction in ferns." The lecture was illustrated by a very 

 large number of beautiful slides from photographs specially 

 taken from his large collection of growing ferns by the lecturer, 

 which were much admired. 



Mr. Phillips said since ferns came tO' be grown by specialists 

 and the method of producing new varieties by crossing by 

 means of mixed spores of two or more different forms, as 

 explained in last year's address, there seems to be no' limit tO' 

 what may be raised. It must be observed that the large number 

 of varieties have sprung at first from a. single wild plant, not 

 always found by a specialist, but in a great many instances have 

 been discovered by persons who were quite ignorant of their 

 value, and in many cases, although observed, had been allowed 

 tO' remain for years without being captured. To' know and 

 enjoy ferns thoroughly they must be sought and collected in 

 their native habitats. This is one of the most fascinating pur- 

 suits for holiday times. It takes the fern collector into all 

 sorts of most delightful places, all kinds of scenery. Thoreau 

 noted the fact " that in a. large sense we find only what we look 

 for," and he defined well our powers of perception when he 

 said that *' many an object will not be seen, even when it comes 

 within the range of our visual ray, because it does not come 

 within the range of our intellectual ray." The fern-hunter re- 

 quires a good knowledge of the normal types, a. keen eye to see 

 at a glance any difference in form, and at once secure it. 

 Having had a successful excursion, and obtained some good 

 specimens and brought them safely home, a garden in which tO' 

 plant and tend them is most desirable. Ferns grow well with 

 other plants ; they are not unsocial. So' we can have ivies in 

 variety, which are very beautiful, both in flower and berry. 

 Mistletoe also looks well, and is very easy to cultivate. But by 

 all means have a plant of the " maidenhair tree," sO' called from 

 its exceeding likeness to the maidenhair fern. So distinct is 

 this tree, which is called Ginkgo hiloha, that there is not the 

 least danger of confounding it with any other, while it is in 

 addition of much ornamental value and remarkably interesting, 



