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stripe of dilatata ; the outline of the frond is also quite 

 different from that of the latter species. There is still 

 scope for cultural investigation as to the real relationship 

 of this fern. 



Another puzzling fern is Mr. W, B. Boyd's hybrid, or 

 quasi-hybrid, Lastrea, found a few years ago near Loch 

 Lomond. It has a general resemblance to rcmota, but 

 the fronds are broadest at the base, like dilatata (although 

 much narrower than that species), and it has the long 

 stipes of dilatata. The scales have a dark brown patch in 

 the centre, but this does not extend the whole length of 

 the structure, but breaks off more or less abruptly about 

 half-way up the scale. This dark patch, to my mind, is 

 certain evidence of its relationship to dilatata rather than 

 to spinulosa. It appears to bear abundance of spores, but 

 I have not heard that anyone has succeeded in growing 

 these into plants. I intend to try myself this year. I at 

 first, with others, regarded this fern as a hybrid, but after 

 cultivating it for a couple of years, I feel less positive 

 in the matter. It may turn out to be a form of dilatata. 

 If so, it is a very distinct one. A crop of seedlings, if 

 raised, will probably throw light upon the subject. 



Another mysterious fern is one found by myself in 

 Devonshire while hunting with Mr. T. Henwood in 1913. 

 When found it had but one frond, which in outline and 

 cutting had more resemblance to L. dilatata than to any 

 other species. The scales, however, were those of filix- 

 mas. In 1914 it was a handsome and symmetrical plant, 

 having an appearance intermediate between dilatata and 

 nlix-mas. It produced a few spores, which were sown as 

 soon as ripe. In 19 15, owing probably to some check to 

 growth, it took on a roguish or ragged character and 

 appeared most like a bad rogue of rilix-mas, the only 

 dilatata character remaining being the spinulose teeth 

 around the margins of the pinnules. This year (19 16), 



