FERN CONFERENCE. 



519 



The equilibrium being disturbed and the tendency to division 

 persisting, we may here have some explanation of the results we 

 have been considering, viz. the production of crested plants from 

 spores of uncrested plumose Ferns ; while the tendency to revert 

 now and again predominating, the equilibrium is re-established, 

 and the normal outline, plus the finer cutting only, reappears. 

 Of course I only put this forward hypothetically ; perhaps others 

 will direct their observations in the same channel, and either 

 confirm or refute, as the case may be. 



My paper on Plumation would be incomplete did I omit 

 special reference to the very charming plumose form of Poly- 

 stichum angulare, for which we are indebted to the wild finds 

 and selective culture of the late Colonel A. M. Jones*and his 

 colleague, Dr. E. J. Fox. Several specimens of these are 

 exhibited, three forms being of exceptional beauty : P. ancj. 

 ■plumosum laxum, densum, and robustum. I learn from Dr. Fox, 

 who raised these, that they are all the direct offspring of a far 

 inferior wild find of Colonel Jones ; so inferior, indeed, that it was 

 only when a second sowing confirmed the first by identical re- 

 sults that Colonel Jones could be brought to credit the parentage. 



Such forms as these and some of the plumose Athyria, which 

 may worthily be associated with them, give us a glimpse of the 

 British Ferns of the future, and amply support my contention 

 that our native Fern varieties can compete with the finest exotics 

 in decorative value, with the additional advantage of perfect 

 hardiness and more economical culture. 



Discussion. 



Prof. Bower said this inquiry had now arrived at the stage 

 when it might be put to a vigorous test. Perhaps the best way 

 would be to cultivate certain " prothallia," and then to actually 

 follow the whole process of development through, under the micro- 

 scope. The next step would be to proceed in the same way as with 

 Fungi. He thought the views put before the Conference that after- 

 noon would make any man take the subject in hand to investigate. 



Mr. Staksfield said he had experimented in the same way 

 as Mr. Lowe with spores of the Axminster variety, with the 

 result that a multifid character was produced. The spores were 

 sown together, and great variety was shown in the progeny. 



