123 

 OUR FRONTISPIECE. 



POLVSTICHUM ACULEATUM PULCHERRIMUM, DrUERYII. 



This fern, which is one of the original batch of seedlings 

 raised by Mr. Druery, along with the gracillimums, from 

 P. acid, pulchcvrimum, Bevis, was originally named pulchev- 

 vimum dimorphum on account of its being supposed to 

 produce two distinct types of fronds. A small offset, 

 given to me by the raiser two or three years ago, has now 

 grown into a large specimen and has been perfectly con- 

 stant and uniform in character all through. I venture, 

 therefore, to suggest that the name dimorphum should be 

 dropped and ptilchcvrimiim only retained. It is one of the 

 very finest ferns in cultivation, having all the vigour, 

 symmetry, and bold habit of its parent with all the parental 

 beauties in an enhanced degree. It is, in fact, a perfect 

 pulchevvimum in aculeatum. It is robust enough to do well 

 in the open air, and seems to stand a certain amount 

 of exposure to wind (that great enemy of fern beauty) 

 without serious injury. Every fern grower who sees it 

 will want to plant it as soon as he can obtain it. 



F. W. Stansfield. 



A DELIGHTFUL HOUR {continued). 



It was believed to be barren, but our experience leading 

 to a close examination with a strong lens, a few sporangia 

 were detected, and Mr. Lowe kindly permitting, these 

 were removed and sown, the result was thirteen plants 

 all of the Jones and Fox type, and one of them resembling 

 Baldzuinii very strongly. This being of good constitution 

 has become the grand specimen we are gloating over, 

 and which this season for the first time is yielding a few 

 spores, which of course have been sown with all possible 

 care. 



