— io6 — 



The top and part of the sides of the case was covered 

 with a curtain made of black enameled duck, to afford the neces- 

 sary shade and to keep the rain from injuring the case. The 

 * case was placed where it got full sunlight from morning until 

 about 3 p. m. That produced a warm, damp atmosphere which 

 seemed to fill the conditions wanted. 



A jeweler's double-lens eyeglass will be found convenient 

 for close examination, as it can be held'on the eye and allow 

 free use of both hands. These remarks will be brought to a 

 close with the hope that they may stimulate others to try this 

 fascinating branch of culture, and thus add many interesting 

 facts to the history of the young fern. 



Mobile, Ala. 



NEPHRQDIUM PITTSFORDENSIS. 



By G. A. Woolson. 



The remarks " Concerning Forms and Hybrids " in the July 

 Bulletin greatly interest me. As a life-long resident of Pitts- 

 ford and I trust a loyal citizen, I must beg Mr. Clute to remem- 

 ber that " some have greatness thrust upon them." The pretty 

 compliment paid us by a summer resident is properly appreciated 

 by the small fraction of the population who have chanced to hear 

 of Nephrodium Pittsfordensis. If scientific canons have been 

 violated in the formal christening of the new hybrid, it is to be 

 hoped that it will not be counted as a cardinal sin and that we 

 may be permitted to retain our " one ewe lamb." 



As for its validity as a hybrid I have no doubt. I saw 

 the original plant described in the April, 1904, Rhodora, prob- 

 ably in '95 or '96. It was growing beside a stone wall, and was 

 flanked on one side by a good lusty marginalis with a type 

 spinulosa on the other. The resemblance of the plant to its im- 

 mediate neighbors was so marked that I unhesitatingly pro- 

 nounced it a hybrid between the two. As I was not the dis- 

 coverer, I did not mark the X upon the wall. I am aware that 

 jumping at conclusions is a dangerous doctrine to preach to the 

 amateur botanist, but I can but think that nature must now and 

 then laugh in her sleeves at the amount of time and trouble taken 

 by the over-discreet among us to demonstrate a problem, the 

 solution of which is already before our eyes. 



