118 



THE FERN BULLETIN 



the variable extent which the contracted part assumes 

 is to be expected in sporelings from the contractual 

 type. I have found contractual repeatedly here, but 

 concinnum only once. Concinnum Drueryi, in which 

 the lobes are round and markedly serrate, like scallop 

 shells, is so far unique. Finally in this connection, 

 why Lomaria? Blcchnum is differentiated from Lo- 

 maria by possessing- an independent intramarginal in- 

 dusium instead of the reflexed margin itself, serving 

 this purpose. The distinction is so marked that it is a 

 puzzle how any botanist can ignore it. .It is per- 

 fectly clear as Blechnum spicant and it is due 

 to this that such a form as is described by 

 your contributor with sori in short strips on 

 each side of the rachis on otherwise undiferen- 

 tiated fronds is possible. The form occurs here 

 wild and is termed B. s. anomalum. Lomaria could not 

 do this without sacrificing its generic character. — Chas. 

 T. Drucry, F. L. S., London. [Mr. Druery apparently 

 ov erlooks the fact that there is such a thing as a dif- 

 ference of opinion. Fern students have never agreed 

 as to the disposition of the fern in question. Both Link 

 and Desvaux considered this a Lomaria, and many 

 ethers since their clay have done so. But in return for 

 Air. Druery's "Why Lomaria?" we can retort with 

 equal vigor,"Why Blcchnum?" Surely Mr. Druery must 

 know that the modern world now calls this plant Stru- 

 thiopteris spicant. In any case, however, we are sur- 

 prised to find anyone objecting to Lomaria while still 

 clinging to the out-of-date and discredited Lastrca in 

 place of Nephrodium. If Mr. Druery will promise 

 never to use Lastrca again we will agree hereafter to 

 bluepencil all references to Lomaria. — En.] 



