57 
Smithies. It is a very large and robust form; the texture 
of the frond is very thick, and the pinnae are close and 
foliose ; the pinnules are also very closely set, and so broad 
that they overlap one another, and give the whole frond a 
curly or crispy appearance. There is another remarkable 
character, and that is the absence of spores. In all pro- 
bability its non-sporiferous character will remain so long 
as it spends its energies in the prodigal reproduction of 
frondose tissues. In this respect it follows the general rule, 
as instanced so remarkably in the fronds of Scolopendrium 
crispum, with its wide luxurious and wavy fronds, that very 
rarely produce spores. 
The lines of variation in ferns are almost numberless, but 
when continued through force of circumstances in some 
particular direction — either natural or artificial (as in culti- 
vation) — the forms assumed are so far removed from the 
typical form as to obscure identification. It has been said 
that aberrant forms are not permanent, which is quite true 
in some degree, but not to the extent generally imagined. 
There are some forms of ferns which would require all the 
ingenuity of man for a long time to get back to their typical 
form. I will show you one from this particular genus Lastrea, 
whicli was found about thirty years ago by a friend of 
mine named Schofield, of Milnrow. It is a curious little 
variety, never growing more than 2 or 3 inches high, and 
singularly enough, it is barren, like the robust form 3 feet 
high found by Mr. Smithies. Mr. Schofield’s form of Lastrea 
Filix-mas is certainly not frondose or leafy ; and therefore 
cannot be non-sporiferous in consequence of wasting its 
strength in producing frondose tissues. But it does waste its 
strength, if you will allow me the term, in excessive sub- 
divisions of the rhizome. It must have room for this 
constant division into ofishoots for the formation of new 
plants. If it has not room to spread it dies in the attempt 
to find it, rather than revert to the typical form. 
