ON VARIETIES IN PLANTS 313 
But Piersoni soon produced a tri-pinnate sport which was more regularly 
divided. Its fronds were somewhat shorter and much broader at 
the base, thus making the plant more compact. It was named elegantis- 
sima (Fig. 128, 3). Although it was unstable like Piersoni, its uniformity 
was considerably improved by selection. Soon it produced a sport of 
quite similar characters except that it was more dwarf which was named 
compacta (Fig. 128, 4). In both elegantissima and compacta there was 
variation from the tri-pinnate to the quadri-pinnate condition. 
The Pierson fern also gave rise to another interesting series of new 
forms which exhibited variation in two more characters. In the ele- 
Fic. 129.—The fronds of modern commercial varieties differ greatly from those of the 
original Boston fern. The varieties shown here are relatively stable, although they are all 
likely in turn to produce new sports some of which may prove valuable. a, viridissima; b, 
Millsii; c, muscosa; d, verona; e, magnifica; f, superbissima. (After Boshnakian.) 
gantissima series the color of the foliage is similar to that of the original 
Boston form, but in the new sport, which was named superbissima (Fig. 
129f), the fronds are not only shorter and the pinn three- or four- 
divided, but the foliage is of a deeper green color. Moreover, the fronds 
and separate pinne are twisted so as to give the individual frond an 
irregular appearance although an entire plant appears fairly symmetrical. 
Although superbissima was unstable, producing uni-pinnate fronds occa- 
sionally, it soon produced a sport that is more compact in form and which 
proved to be more stable. This was named muscosa (Fig. 129,c). 
Other distinct uni-pinnate forms that have sprung as bud mutations 
either directly or indirectly from the Boston fern are the dwarfs, such 
as Scotti, Dwarf Boston, and Teddy Jr., and the vigorous, broad fronded 
variety, Roosevelti. There is no regularity in the production of larger and 
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