- 3 8- 



in America, although Prof. D. C. Eaton went so far as to select 

 five forms which he distinguished by varietal names, and Mr. 

 Davenport has added one or two others. 



I propose during the coming season to make a special study of 

 this species, and would ask the cooperation of all members of the 

 Fern Chapter. Whenever a member goes out for a botanical 

 ramble, I would ask him to examine every clump of A. Filix- 

 f comma that he meets with, and to gather full fronds of anything 

 that strikes him as being in the least unusual or peculiar, and 

 press the same, with label inserted, giving date when gathered 

 and character of the habitat ; whether wet or dry, in the woods or 

 the open, etc., etc. Then if he will send me specimens, he will 

 receive credit for anything new and distinct in the monograph, 

 and I will respond with some other species desired by the sender, 

 if possible, or will return the specimens after use if desired. 



It seems to me that work of this kind should be one of the 

 main objects of the Chapter. Hitherto, our work has been rather 

 desultory and one-sided, as it must necessarily be when pursued 

 individually and alone. One person can only investigate a lim- 

 ited area of territory at the best. But by acting in concert, with 

 members scattered all over the Union, we can accomplish much 

 more definite results. The forms, even, of the same species, 

 growing in one locality, are apt to differ considerably from those 

 growing in a different locality; and by concerted effort we can 

 bring these forms together so that they can be compared and dif- 

 ferentiated, as has been done in the older countries of Europe. 

 In no other way is it likely that our list of varieties can be mate- 

 rially increased, at least of ferns east of the Mississippi. Possibly 

 also some new species might be brought to light. 



I shall be glad to assist any other member who may take up 

 a specialty, by sending specimens from my own locality. — B. D. 

 Gilbert, Clayville, N. Y. 



It is usually considered a difficult thing to make the various 

 species of Lycopodium live in cultivation. Lycopodiiun lucidu- 

 lum y however, seems to be an exception to this. Mr. Percy Wil- 

 son informs us that he has had a plant of this species growing in 

 water for a year; the plant continues to grow and has now 

 formed sporangia. 



