with the modern way of writing species, he would have inserted 

 a var. instead of a hyphen between those two words and when it 

 was found not to be a variety of A.trichotnanes would have called 

 it A. dentatum, as it should now be called. Botanists are too far 

 committed to a binomial nomenclature to make three words de- 

 sirable as the name of a single species. It is also difficult to un- 

 derstand by what rule Mr. Maxon makes Tectaria trifoliata (1802) 

 do duty for Aspidium trifoliatum (1801). This is scarcely prior- 

 ity, for A sp/d/um is generally understood to be based upon this 

 very species. There are several changes of similar nature, espec- 

 ially Dryopteris oreopteris for D. montana, but we have not 

 space to discuss them all. In many cases these changes are based 

 upon reasons so nearly like guess-work as to prevent most botan- 

 ists from following them. It may be stated without much fear of 

 disproval that some of these changes were originally made upon 

 matters of opinion as to which of two early publications was first- 

 In the matter of species, varieties and forms the author's work is 

 also rather uneven. Notwithstanding its defects in nomenclature 

 the list as a whole is a very good piece of work. 



THE LINNAEAN FERN CHAPTER 



OF THE AGASSIZ ASSOCIATION. 



— One of our most untiring members is Mr. J. H. Feriss, who has 

 charge of the ferns in the public park at Joliet, 111. He has near- 

 ly one hundred of our native species under cultivation. 



—Twelve new members were admitted to the Chapter in the 

 first half of this year. Their names and addresses will be found 

 in the Annual Report just issued. 



— The Chapter has recently lost two members by death. These 

 are Anthony Baumann of Scranton, Pa., and D. B. Osier, Toron- 

 to, Canada. A more extended notice will be published in the next 

 Annual Report. 



— Prof. C. E. Waters, 13th st. and Walbrook avenue, Balti- 

 more, is working over his key to the ferns with reference to the 

 stipes with the intention of publishing it and desires living fronds 

 and entire stipes of Nos. 6, 32, 67, 88, 89, 92, 96, roi, 102, 114, 127. 

 136, 140, 147. 151, 157, 158, 173, 177, 179, 180, 182 and offers to ex- 

 change other ferns for them. Here is a chance for our members. 



