62 



THE FERN BULLETIN 



those fortunate enough to have a complete file will not 



object to our devoting' a few pages in several issues to 

 this work, since it will not impair in the least the value 

 of their own sets. The plan is to republish from time 

 to time the articles that are still of value in the first 

 four volumes omitting the shorter notes, news items, 

 etc. We do not contemplate printing extracts later 

 than volume IV unless there is a considerable demand 

 for them since a large number of subscribers possess 

 sets beginning with volume V. 



'The New Gray's Manual" has at last appeared 

 and as far as the flowering plants are concerned is 

 likely to prove more useful than any other manual at 

 present obtainable. The nomenclature is in accordance 

 with the Vienna rules and the interpretation of species 

 is fairly conservative. The nomenclature of the 

 Pteridophytes, however, is a distinct disappointment 

 since it follows no rule for such matters that we can 

 recall. To be sure the rules for naming the ferns have 

 not yet been distinctly formulated by a botanical con- 

 gress, but even so, it is not likely that Aspidium will 

 ever again be used for our ferns that formerly went by 

 that name. Nephrodium or Dryoptcris is almost cer- 

 tain to prevail. Nor would one longer think of putting 

 the sensitive and ostrich ferns in the same genus. It 

 may also be pointed out that the treatment of varieties, 

 forms and sub-species leaves much to be desired, no 

 hint being given either by text or typography, that will 

 enabk the student to distinguish between good 

 varieties and mere ecological forms. Some of these 

 latter are also quoted with all the pomp and ceremony 

 attendant upon the citation of distinct species. Up-to- 

 date fern students will scarcely consider this book a 



