56 
had collected from wild plants in the neighbourhood of Pat- 
terdale during an excursion in the autumn of this year. 
The collection was made purposely to show variation, and 
to present sets of the same to a Pteridological Society of 
which Mr. Forster is an ardent member. On looking over 
the set the ordinary observer, or persons whose eyes have 
not been educated to the differentiation, may not at the first 
see the value of the differences, but on further pursuit, and 
with an eye open to the value of evidence favouring 
evolutionary principles, they may see the dawn of a new 
species. Lastrea Filix-mas, like many other British ferns, 
is to be found in all parts of the world, from Northern 
Europe to Southern Asia, South and North America, the 
Andes and the Rocky Mountains, Africa and the Malay 
Islands. Its allies under various specific names are numer- 
ous; but my object to-night is not to speak of these, but 
to confine our attention to the series which I place before you, 
and some few other forms which are indigenous to the 
British Isles. 
The British varieties of this species have been known for 
a long time under various names, but it is only within a few 
years that some attempt has been made to systematise these 
variations, and Mr. Wollaston divides Lastrea Filix-mas 
into three forms or sections ; the types of each section he 
raises to the rank of species under the names Lastrea pro- 
Ijinqua, Lastrea-Filix-mas, and Lastrea pseudo-mas. I 
will not, however, trouble you with the characters of these 
sections at the present time. Sufiice it to say that extreme 
variations are admitted, and have been admitted for a long 
time, and by the best authorities. My object is attained if 
I have interested you in the number of varieties that may 
be collected in one excursion and over a limited area. One 
other object is to exhibit to you an excellent new variety 
of handsome form, which was found during the excursion, 
and which has been named in honour of the finder, Mr. 
