-8 4 - 



NephrolEpis Exaltata as an Outdoor Fern. — In New Or- 

 leans, the common sword fern (Nephrolepis exaltata), is fre- 

 quently planted out of doors and although the fronds do not 

 survive the coldest winters, the rootstocks remain alive and send 

 up new fronds very early in the year. It does not seem known 

 that this species will withstand frost and it would be interesting 

 to know how far north it will live out of doors. If protected by 

 coarse litter in winter it might possibly be hardy as far north as 

 the city of Washington. 



Selaginella arenicola in Florida. — Until recently the 

 Floridan Selaginella was referred to Selaginella rupestris, and 

 little attention was paid to the localities for it; but since its 

 separation as a distinct species more definite notes of its oc- 

 currence are desirable. Prof. Underwood records it from Eustis, 

 Fla., and Chapman is quoted as finding it in Gadsden County, 

 Florida. I have also received excellent specimens from Mr. 

 Severin Rapp, of Sanford, Fla. This species is remarkable for 

 the length oi the fruiting spikes. They are probably the longest 

 of any in the rnpestris group, being often more than an inch 

 long. 



A NEW WAY TO OBTAIN SPORELINGS. 



The gardener of a hotel in Florida noticed numerous little 

 plants of Maiden-hair fern (Adiantum capillus-veneris) clinging 

 to the side of a large pot containing an old plant. On examina- 

 tion he saw that the spores had fallen and germinated in the con- 

 genial warm, moist situation. He was fond of experimenting 

 with ferns and prepared a large pan in which he put several 

 bricks of the common building sort, and filled the pan about half 

 full of water, coming about half way up the bricks. When they 

 were thoroughly saturated he shook the spores of certain ferns 

 upon them and awaited results. In this way he raised many 

 ferns,- though having sometimes to wait months for their full 

 development. On inquiry I found that the most interesting fea- 

 ture of the plan to him was the variation he found in the young 

 plants from their progenitors. — Mrs. Li. C. Anthony. 



