THE FERN BULLETIN 



81 



Fern Bulletin where the name and its application are 

 set forth by Prof. R. S. Cocks. In Mr. Eaton's treat- 

 ment of Equisetum hiemale in this magazine, we fail 

 to find any mention of this correct first varietal name 

 of the plant. While we have the highest regard for 

 Mr. Eaton, personally, we have many instances to 

 show that his judgment is not infallible and occasion- 

 ally prefer to think for ourselves. "Those who have 

 not the means to keep in touch with the larger affairs 

 of botanical activity" are at liberty to take what opin- 

 ion they choose or to make a new one for themselves. 

 The editor's aim is to advance fern study, not to club 

 it into a straight-jacket of nomenclature. We trust 

 that Mr. Eaton will continue to favor our readers with 

 his view of such matters. — Ed.] 



THE CHECK-LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN 

 FERNWORTS. 



By Willard N. Clute. 



The completion of the check-list of our fernworts 

 makes it possible to get a better idea of our fern flora 

 than could be had heretofore. The list is what might 

 be termed a conservative one. Only such plants as 

 seemed fully entitled to specific rank were given the 

 dignity of a generic and specific name, and of these 

 there are 196 ferns and 70 fern allies. Strongly marked 

 forms, such as Nephrodium spinulosum dilatum, have 

 been considered sub-species and given three names, of 

 these there are 19 among the ferns and cS among the 

 allies. 



In the number of forms listed, the Check-list is far 

 ahead of any other list published. An effort has been 

 made to include every variation from the normal 



