125 — 



tist. we are not blind to the fact that such forms occur 

 in nature and as such are well worth attention. Fern 

 illustrations, however, have usually depicted the normal 

 fronds and for this reason we have begun in this number 

 a series of illustrations of the rare forms which we pur- 

 pose continuing through the next volume. We wish es- 

 pecially to illustrate those named forms which have never 

 been figured and invite our readers to send us specimens 

 of such forms, from which drawings can be made. As 

 a general thing the crested and forked forms are so much 

 alike that we do not care to figure them, but any other 

 curious forms we shall be glad to receive. 



* 



Xo title-pages and table of contents have yet been 

 printed to volumes 12. 13 and 14 of this magazine, but 

 these are ready for the printer and as soon as issued will 

 be mailed to all subscribers. At the end of next year we 

 also plan to issue a five-year index exactly like the ten- 

 year index to the earlier volumes which has achieved a 

 deserved popularity. If our readers have not seen this 

 ten-year index we shall be glad to send them a copy for 

 twenty-five cents, and this cost may be deducted from any 

 order for back numbers that they may later send us. The 

 index is practically a reference list to all that was pub- 

 lished about ferns in America from 1893 to 1903. A word 

 may also be said about the back numbers. Volume six is 

 practically out of print. We still have a few volumes 

 left, but they will probably be gone within the year. The 

 increasing value of these back numbers is beginning to 

 be properly appreciated for we have sold more during the 

 past year than in any two years previous. Those who are 

 specially interested in ferns should get a set while they 

 can. The literature of ferns is so limited that anyone 

 can afford to have a complete collection. It is not merely 

 to sell the back numbers that we urge the purchase of 

 full files : we are also interested in the spread of a knowl- 



