—28— 



develop their varietal tendencies at an early age, as some of the 

 smallest specimens of dissectum show a more marked laciniation 

 than many of the larger specimens. 



No attempt has been made to consult the large herbaria for 

 comparisons, as it was believed that, for the varieties represented, 

 no additional information could be there obtained. The collec- 

 tion stands by itself and is its own best witness to the facts which 

 it teaches. Nearly every specimen is accompanied by its root and 

 there are not more than three or four leaves without their sporo- 

 phylls. Where Dr. Haberer took one specimen he left a large 

 number of others, and as these all came from five or six localities 

 it is evident that the Botrychia must be exceedingly abundant in 

 this part of the country. 



Ctayville, N. Y. 



POLYPODIUM INCANUM. 



By Thomas Meehan. 



WHEN we note a germinating seed of a Tillandsia on the 

 smooth bark of an orange plant, and observe the attach- 

 ment of the young seedling to the branch, the term 

 epiphyte has full significance. But when we attempt to cultivate 

 them we find that though they will live for a year, sometimes two 

 or more years, a new bud must develop and attach itself to the 

 bark of the block on which it is fastened before it becomes a thriv- 

 ing individual again. In other words, they are not merely 

 epiphytes, but in a certain sense saprophytes, if we may properly 

 apply this term to chlorophyllous plants. 



I am inclined to place Polypodium incanum in this class. I 

 have frequently brought plants from the South, but for all my 

 practical knowledge, have never had one to live. I have carefully 

 detached masses from trees or shady rocks, without seeming to 

 disturb anything in the mass, and endeavored to imitate exactly 

 natural conditions, but failed. 



Some two years ago a member of my family brought from 

 Florida a mass of Epidendrum cochleatum, in which were grow- 

 ing a seedling Tillandsia utriculata, and a very healthy set of 

 plants of Polypodiicm incanum — all woven together in a mass of 

 decayed Hypnums. It was tightly fastened to a bark- covered 

 block, but died, though the other two are still flourishing. In 

 these creeping plants new roots are only formed at the apex of the 

 growing rhizome, and the attachment must be made at that period. 



