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plumose barren Asplenium Trichomanes incisum found here on 

 several occasions and recognized for very many years as the 

 parallel in that species of P. vulgar e Cambricum in another. The 

 growth of this misleading system would in time result in two 

 conflicting lists of forms of those species common to both areas, 

 which is greatly to be deprecated in the interests of all cosmo- 

 politan fern lovers. Personally I should be happy to give an 

 opinion on any abnormal fronds of species common to the States 

 or Great Britain, and in this way to contribute in some small 

 degree to uniformity. This seems to me to be really the only 

 practical way to decide the question of like or unlike, and I think 

 I may claim sufficient experience to justify reliance on my opinion. 

 The senders, however, would naturally bear the postal outlays 

 incurred, as my correspondence is already sufficiently onerous. 



Athyrium and Nephrodium. — I am delighted to see that 

 these two names are supported by Mr. Davenport and Mr. Gilbert 

 in lieu of synonyms Asplenium and Dryopteris, against which I 

 have so often protested. — n Shaa Road, Acton, London, England. 



ALVAH AUGUSTUS EATON. 



Almost from the beginning, the Fern Bulletin has been fre- 

 quently favored with contributions from the pen of Mr. Alvah A. 

 Eaton, and we are glad to give to our readers, in this issue, a 

 portrait of the gentleman himself. Mr. Eaton was born at Sea- 

 brook, N. H., Nov. 20, 1865. When he was twelve years old the 

 family removed to Salisbury, Mass., and settled upon a farm 

 where the rest of his boyhood was spent. Mr. Eaton was grad- 

 uated from the Putnam School of Newburyport, taking the four 

 years' course in two years. After teaching school a year at Sea- 

 brook, he went to California, where three years were spent in 

 farming and teaching. Returning he was again engaged in 

 teaching, until failing health induced him to take up the business 

 of florist, in which congenial occupation he continues. 



Like many of our most painstaking scientists, Mr. Eaton is 

 entirely self-instructed. He takes a thorough interest in all 

 aspects of nature, but botany is his favorite study. He has been 

 so prominently identified with the study of the fern allies, that it 

 will surprise many to know that he is an authority on the flower- 



