67 



in place of the one attacked, goes for nothing. To follow 

 up a false theory is simply waste of time, and it is a 

 service to science to demolish it, if reliable evidence to tb 

 contrary be adducible and producible, as is undoubtedly 

 the case in this instance. 



Chas. T. Drubry, V.M.I I., F.L.S, 



TRUE DWARF VARIETIES OF BRITISH FERNS. 



A while ago in the " Gazette " appeared some notes 

 respecting dwarf ferns, and as for some time past I h 

 been getting together from various sources examples of 

 thoroughbred dwarfs a few notes on the subject may prove 

 interesting. These dwarf or midget forms are general in 

 the animal and vegetable world, particularly when natural 

 development may be affected by cultural conditions. It 

 would be possible to cite numerous examples, but a few 

 will suffice. In the domestic fowl there are Cochins in 

 various classes and Bantam Cochins, Game in the various 

 sections and Bantam Game, black and brown, red, pale 

 and dark. The same occurs in pigeons, rabbits, dogs, 

 horses, and other types. These forms are doubtless pro- 

 duced by selective breeding, and, as a general rule, I 

 think the majority of dwarf ferns have been raised in 

 sowings of congested or dwarf forms, which, in order to 

 test thoroughly, are planted out in frames under conditions 

 of soil, shelter and moisture calculated to encourage the 

 utmost development of which the plants are capable. 

 Under such conditions any tendency to "bolt" is quickly 

 manifested, entailing speedy removal to the general 

 collection or destruction. As might be expected, Scolo- 

 pendriums furnish the most numerous examples in my 

 midget family, of which the following are well-known 

 forms: Kelwayi, Densum, Spirale, S. cristatum, tripera- 

 ferens, crispissimum, condensatum, Cousensii, ramo- 



