—8 7 - 



lack of a name for the eared form is a most striking in- 

 stance of how familiar things are overlooked. Had this 

 form not been found until this year, it would immediately 

 have been duibbed forma hastata or. auriculata. It cer- 

 tainly differs as much from the type as many of the forms 

 of X cphr odium spimdosum and more than many of 

 the forms of Botrychium, whose chief points of specific 

 value are that they grow in different states of our 

 union. 



Range of Pteris Serrulata. — The original habitat 

 and range of Pteris serrulata is unknown and doubtless 

 always will be. It is supposed on pretty good evidence 

 to have originally come from China or Japan, but it has 

 been cultivated for so long and reproduces so readily by 

 spores that it is now to be found apparently wild at many 

 widely separated points, including our own Southern 

 States, and the West Indies. In regard to its occur- 

 rence in Florida, Mrs. A. P. Taylor writes : " On reliable 

 authority I learn that as far back as 1890 it was to be 

 seen in profusion in numerous lime sinks near Ocala, 

 Fla. Many of these sinks were ten and fifteen miles 

 from town or other habitation and at the time I doubt 

 if anyone in the town cultivated a decorative plant. 

 Wherever Adiantum capillus-veneris was found — which 

 was in every lime sink — the Pteris was seen in much 

 greater profusion. How could this fern have gotten 

 there from China? Fern spores are so light, however, 

 that it seems quite possible for a new colony to appear 

 in any suitable part of the world without the aid of 

 man. 



More Complete Sets. — The publication of the list of 

 those who own complete sets of this magazine has 

 brought out information as to the whereabouts of two 

 other sets, both completed since the list was issued. The 

 fortunate owners are Mrs. Annie Morrill Smith. 78 



