154 
THE FERN FAMILIES OF BRITAIN. 
3. A new form of proliferation altogether, viz., proliferous 
prothalli arising from pseudo-bulbils produced by a different 
transmutation of the reproductive force, and evolving plants 
only after the prothalli have produced the usual sexual organs 
common to prothalli resulting from spores. 
Further Notes on a Singular Mode of Reproduction in Athyrium 
Filix-foemina, var. Clarissima. By Charles T. Druert. 
Communicated by Dr. J. Murie, F.L.S. 
[Read 20th November, 1884.] 
At a meeting of the Linnean Society in June last I had the 
honour of bringing before your notice a record of certain 
phenomena which I had observed during the past winter in 
connection with the reproduction of a form of Athyrium Filix- 
foemina through prothalli, which were not produced from 
a 
A B 
Fig. 34. 
A — Pyriform Pseudo-bulbils or Abnormal Sporoid Growths of 1883, enlarged. 
B— a, Clavate Abnormal Sporoid Growths of 1884 ; b, Ragged Indusium. 
spores, but from certain excrescences evolved in their stead 
upon the under surface of the pinnae. The Athyrium in 
question, which was found wild in Devon, had been for 
many years reputed barren, the fructification, which appeared 
copiously, yielding no perfect spores, the result being that 
after a long period only two plants existed, the original 
plant having permitted but one division. In 1883, one of 
these plants, which had been grown under cover, was observed 
to produce upon the inferior surface of the pinnaB a large 
