specimens, but the originals are now under cultivation and are 

 doing well, so we may expect the variety, which will certainly be 

 of value to horticulturists on account of its beauty, to be perpet- 

 uated. I would describe it as follows: 



Polystichum munitum f. flabellatum f orma nov. Rachisdicho- 

 tomously 2-4 times forked, the ultimate divisions simple or flabel- 

 lately expanded and 6-10 pointed ; lower pinnae distant, mostly at 

 right angles to rachis, upper approximate and upwardly falcate, 

 all flabellately dilated and 6-10 pointed at tip, more or less folded 

 like a partly-closed fan. 



This is a natural variety, which is cristate like the multitude 

 of greenhouse ferns, showing, perhaps, a natural tendency to 

 variation. I have seen the closely related acrostichoides with a 

 tendency in this direction, and English horticulturists have a gar- 

 den variety grandiceps, apparently much like this. Type in 

 Chapter herbarium. 



I wish to call attention to the wide field before American 

 students opened by the study of natural varieties of our ferns. It 

 is improbable that many new species will be discovered, but a 

 perennial interest attaches to the study of the range of variation 

 of those already known. Our English cousins are ahead of us in 

 this, owing to their restricted range and numerous investigators. 

 For this there is a tendency in some quarters to sneer at their so- 

 called hair-splitting distinctions; but while one frond, or half a 

 frond, of a species is sufficient for a herbarium specimen, for one 

 whose collection is very general or a fad, it appears to me that no 

 specialist's herbarium is complete without showing every varia- 

 tion of size and form and cutting of a species, its most eastern, 

 western, northern and southern habitat, whether within our bor- 

 ders or not. I am aware that this view precludes the possibility 

 of complete collections, but it is something to strive for, and after 

 all it is the unattainable that attracts us most. 



Seabrook, N. H. 



A NEW FORM OF LYCOPODIUM. 



By Wili.ard N. Clute. 



DURING the early part of last September, Mr. William H. 

 McDonald, while exploring some abandoned clay-pits on 

 the southern end of Staten Island, N. Y., had his attention 

 attracted by some peculiar forms of Lycopodium, specimens of 

 which were subsequently sent to me for identification. These 



