52 



THE FERN BULLETIN 



far as we can judge from descriptions, a still more 

 luxuriant form which is nearly thrice pinnate, the 

 secondary pinnae being much like the primary pinnae 

 of typical forms. A pinna is 

 shown at 3. Last in the series is 

 the "variety" Traillae which at- 

 tains the height of three feet or 

 more and is broad in proportion, 

 with the basal pinnae inclined to 

 be triangular. The secondary pin- 

 nae are deeply pinnatifid through- 

 out the frond, and the largest are 

 four or five times the size of those 

 in the normal specimen. One of 

 the secondary pinnae is illustrated 

 here. All the pinnae illustrated 

 were drawn, natural size from 

 specimens furnished by Mr. W. 

 A. Poyser, and have been reduced 

 one fourth in making the illustra- 

 tion. 



Aside from their interest to the student of plant 

 forms, these cut-leaved fronds are of much greater 

 beauty than the usual specimens and therefore more 

 desirable for cultivation. When abnormal fronds of 

 this kind are found, they are usually carried oil to en- 

 rich someone's herbarium, but if committed to the care 

 of a good nurseryman might be endlessly multiplied 

 and form choice specimens for the fern garden. It 

 may be doubted, however, whether any of these forms 

 are fixed. It is probable that in situations less favor- 

 able to • luxuriant growth, they would revert to the 

 type. 



