ABRAHAM CLAPHAM 



Abraham Clapham resided on the South CHfif, Scar- 

 borough, where he had a valuable collection of Ferns. He 

 was very fond of Fern-hunting, and at one time this 

 occupied much of his time. Although for some years he 

 could not be induced to believe in the possibility of crossing 

 Ferns, nevertheless he raised a number of good varieties, 

 and satisfied his own views with the belief that these certain 

 varieties were apt to sport. Many of his best Ferns were 

 in a Fern-house, and although he was very careful in 

 isolating his spore-pans, what he called rogues had been 

 deposited on the fronds from which he gathered his spores, 

 and this must have been the cause of variation. More 

 recently he became convinced that Ferns could be crossed, 

 commenced raising seedlings, and produced grand varieties of 

 Polypodium vulgare. Mr. Clapham's name will always be 

 associated with Asplenium Trichomanes var. incisum, as a 

 form of this which he found, and known as Claphami, is the 

 most beautiful plumose Maiden-hair Spleenwort known. The 

 capitate forms of the Sea Spleenwort originated from a 

 variety found by him on the sea-cliffs north of Scarborough. 

 From his Lady Fern proteum crossed with Victorice the 

 author was able to raise many fine cruciate forms, and that 

 marvellous Lady Fern acrocladon found at Castle Howard 

 was in his fine collection. For many years this was sterile 

 and very rare. Mr. Clapham eventually detected a few spores, 

 and raised a number of prothalli, but he could not change 

 them into their frond life ; he sent some to the author, asking 



