38 BRITISH FERNS 



Hence, so far as size is concerned, there is no bar, and the smallest 

 may be allied with the largest if specific or generic differences 

 be not too great. Consequently, though our British Spleenworts 

 are all of comparatively small growth, their varietal forms may 

 presumably be imparted to many of the grand large-growing 

 exotics, and the task is the better worth attempting, as the 

 genus is peculiarly exempt from the tendency to form tasselled or 

 crested varieties, though examples of such occur among our native 

 species, and thus afford fair starting-points for hybridizing pur- 

 poses. Scolopendrium vulgare, curiously enough, though extremely 

 closely allied to the Asplenia, and capable, as we have Seen, of a 

 definite alliance with them, is, on the other hand, one of the most 

 variable Ferns in the world, and hence, taking the varieties of this 

 species and the tasselled forms of Asplenium trichomanes and A. 

 adiantum nigrum, we would suggest systematic admixtures of the 

 spores of these with a number of the plain- fronded exotic Asplenia, 

 and particularly with A. nidus avis. This last has recently given 

 us one curious wild semi-cristate sport, A. n. a. multilobatum , 

 indicating great capacity for variation ; and considering its ex- 

 tremely close agreement in structure with Scol. vulgare and the 

 alliance above cited of this latter with Asp. ceterach, we feel con- 

 fident that with perseverance we might not only obtain handsomely 

 tasselled Bird's-nest Ferns, but also, in conjunction with some of 

 the fertile forms of 5. v. crispum, frilled ones as well. That beautiful 

 Hartstongue, for instance, S. v. laceratum, with broad sagittate, 

 tasselled basal lobes, deeply cut pinnatifid fronds, tasselled heavily 

 at their terminals, would be a splendid mate, and the hybridist 

 who mated the twain would certainly not repent the trouble taken. 

 This field is a very wide one, but care would have to be taken to 

 avoid all but thoroughbred symmetrical forms, since faults are 

 almost certain to be transmitted and the progeny marred. 



Asplenium trichomanes has, so far as we know, never yet been 

 crossed or hybridized. A. t. confluens, Stabler, an asserted hybrid 

 with A. marinum, does not bear the test of investigation, as A. 

 marinum did not grow near the locality of origin ; and although its 

 spores are always imperfect, this is not enough to establish hybridity 

 by itself. A. trichomanes cristatum, however, would be well worth 

 sowing with other Asplenia, many of which are obviously very 

 closely allied indeed. Our Blechnum spicant has given us some 

 charming forms, crested, dissected, and otherwise varied. B. s. 

 cristatum, B. s. ramosum, Kinahan, B. s. trinerviocoronans, Barnes, 

 B. s. concinnum, Druery (strings of emerald scallop shells), B. s. 

 plumosum, Airey, and others, one and all might find fit mates 

 among exotic Blechnums and Lomarias, to many of which new 

 charms would certainly be imparted, the twofold character of the 

 fertile and barren fronds emphasizing greatly the varietal features. 

 Our Lastrcas or Ncphrodiums and the exotic ones afford another 



