34 



Athyrium. T suppose it is a seedling from a fine 

 specimen of A . f.f. Victoria, which was in the house at 

 the time. The parent, however, always makes fronds 

 which average 22 inches in length, while the child has 

 never attained to more than 8 — the average is 6. The 

 little plant richly deserves the Editor's description " very 

 pretty ; " it never fails to attract the attention and 

 admiration of visitors. 



No. 3 is given the title Polystichum angular e divisilobum 

 plumosum acutum, and is described as "very fine." 



It is a child of a fine specimen of P. ang. divisilobum 

 laxum Fox. The parent plant has yielded many bulbils, 

 but all have been absolutely normal with this one 

 exception. [This is a singular exception to the rule, 

 particularly in this section. — Ed.] 



The bulbil which has developed into so striking a 

 variety was separated from the old fern on July 3rd, 

 1907. At first it was so puny and delicate that I did 

 not expect it to live ; now, however, it has grown into a 

 sturdy plant, which well deserves the Editor's praise. 

 A special characteristic of the child is that, unlike the 

 parent, it is tending towards the Proliferum type, and in 

 this way it promises to be very prolific. 



No. 4 has been my own favourite of the set. I do not 

 think the Editor shares my preference, but because of it 

 he has attached my name to the variety, which accordingly 

 figures as Polystichum angular c foliosum polydactylum Kings- 

 mill Moore. Mr. Druery points out that the fern has the 

 usual defect of Polydactylums, in that some of the pinnae 

 do not divide, but he consoles me for his criticism by 

 adding " handsome nevertheless." 



The plant is the result of a visit paid in 191 1 to the 

 Clifton Gardens. I have already had occasion to allude 

 in the pages of the " Gazette " to that visit, and I am in 

 hopes of further allusions. The curator, Mr. Harris, most 



