—103— 



show the greater size of the frond and the long attenuate pinnae 

 hitherto regarded as distinguishing P. falcatum. But certain 

 individual plants of 2032 show the transition from the one form 

 into the other in the shape of the pinnae. Other diagnostic 

 characters upon which to base a segregation there are none; 

 and the conclusion is inevitable that the entire series, however 

 different the extremes, represents but a single species. The 

 propriety of recognizing the so-called falcatum as a mere local 

 form is a matter for individual judgment, but it appears to the 

 writer to be neither desirable nor necessary. 



The writer proposes to publish soon a series of illustrations 

 indicating the more noteworthy normal variations of this species 

 along the western coast, mainly in Washington and Alaska. 



Asplenium pycnocarpon Spreng. — Asplenium angustifolium 

 Michx. (Fl. Bor. Am. 2: 265. 1803) is invalidated by Asplenium 

 angustifolium Jacq. (Collect. 1: 121. 1786. — Ic. PI. Rar. 1: pi. igg. 

 1781-1786), a name applied to plants from the Straits of Magellan. 

 The next name available for our " narrow-leaved spleenwort " 

 of eastern North America appears to be Asplenium pycnocarpon 

 Spreng. (Anleit. Kennt. Gew. 3: 112. 1804), which in its allusion 

 to the crowded sori is as appropriate as Michaux's name — in its 

 reference to narrow leaves rather than narrow pinnae — is un- 

 fortunate. 



FALL FRUITING OF OSMUNDA. 



By W. C. Dukes. 



Strolling along the eastern shore of Mobile bay, September 

 25th, searching for Botrichium dissectum, I happened upon a 

 colony of Osmunda cinnamomea, and my attention was arrested 

 by two plants in the middle of this colony with two well devel- 

 oped fertile fronds, although each pinnae was broader than those 

 carried by the normal fertile frond in the early spring time. 



It surprised me, as I had never before seen this fern set 

 spores at this season of the year. All of the other members of 

 this colony were devoid of any attempt to show fertile spikes. 

 A close examination also failed to show any indications of in- 

 jury, which might account for this condition. 



