7 6 



it is clear that the backward curving of the pinnae, or of 

 the upper part of the frond, tends to expose their under 

 surfaces, as well as to reduce the area of exposure gener- 

 ally. This form of variation is by no means common, but it 

 is not confined to the Polystichum, since we have ourselves 

 found very marked examples in Blcchnum spicant revolvens 

 at Barnstaple, Athyvlum filix fmmina revolvens in Scotland, 

 and P. atig. revolvens, as shown, in Devon, while in various 

 parts of the country, including even Acton, we have noted 

 a very handsome revolved form of the common bracken, 

 Pier is aquilim. Lastrea filix mas revolvens was also found in 

 the English Lake district, and we have seen varieties of 

 Hartstongue with almost tubular fronds on the same 

 principle. _ C. T. D. 



BRITISH PERNS AT ACTON. 



Those who are only acquainted with the British Ferns 

 as they existed and were known in the days of the late 

 Mr. Thomas Moore, can have little conception of them as 

 they exist at the present day. The number of species may 

 be said to remain the same, but the varieties and their 

 apparently illimitable variability of form have gone beyond 

 the fondest dreams of the imagination The other day 

 between the daylight and the " mirk " we called upon 

 Charles Thomas Druery, Esq., Stanwixbank, n, Shaa 

 Road, Acton, Middlesex, concerning whose Ferns we 

 have heard a great deal, and some of which we remem- 

 ber seeing at the Fern Conference held at Chiswick 

 some years ago. His unique collection is almost entirely 

 confined to special forms of the British species, many of 

 which are the loveliest forms of their kind in existence. 

 They consist of wild finds, or have sprung from the 

 wildings under cultivation. On the present occasion we 

 can only confine our remarks to a few of the groups, 

 particularly those which are now in their best condition, 



