-8 4 - 



a corresponding decline in fructifying power results. The argu- 

 ment need not be of great weight except as proving that an in- 

 herent tendency makes it impossible, for given a single plant and 

 time and great regions may be overrun. I think the fact that 

 the plant is sporadic, but abundant where found, would support 

 the hybrid theory. An argument on the other side is the fact 

 that the plant never grows where the soil gets dry, although as a 

 matter of fact it does grow a little higher up the shore than 

 fluviatile, a sandy reef being entirely populated with it, while 

 on the low ground all around, the latter predominates. If 

 arvense were a parent it might be expected to grow with that 

 species. This in fact it appears to do in Europe, though always 

 in damp fields, but I have not seen it here save where arvense is 

 in abnormally low positions. But arvense itself will grow and 

 fruit in water, so a hybrid between it and a water species might 

 be expected to have a preference for dampness. At present it is 

 an open question, but those holding the hybrid theory are cer- 

 tainly wrong in saying the burden of proof rests with those who 

 reject it, for hybridity being contrary to the natural mode of 

 propagation, it certainly cannot appertain to those who hold to 

 the natural method to prove that it is violated. 

 Seabrook, N. H. 



[In the next number, the varieties of this species will be 

 discussed. Sets illustrating this and fluviatile will be distrib- 

 uted late in the year. Address Mr. Eaton for further informa- 

 tion — Ed.] 



DRYOPTERIS SIMULATA IN CENTRAL NEW YORK. 



By H. D. House. 



THE existence of a station for D. simulata in Central New 

 York has long been suspected, for in 1891 Miss Nellie 

 Myrick collected near Oneida some specimens which later 

 were identified by Davenport as this species. Unfortunately 

 Miss Myrick was unable to tell the exact location of the place 

 where she collected the fern and the station has not since been 

 found. 



While collectmg near Sylvan Beach, nine miles north of 

 Oneida and on Oneida Lake, a few days ago, I found what I be- 

 lieved to be D. simulata, and specimens sent to Mr. Maxon 

 proved my surmise correct. The fern grows abundantly here in 



