DRIT/SH FERNS. 
A * 
exotics, who are too apt to ignore the merits of our home Ferns 
altogether, and only here and there recognise their value in 
the direction 1 have endeavoured to indicate. 
In conclusion 1 may mention that there is one point in 
connection witn Fern crossing which has no parallel in 
flowering plants, and that is the possibility of attempts being 
frustrated by apogamy. In numerous Ferns it has been found 
that the young plants are asexually generated in the prothallus, 
a simple bud arising on the spot usually occupied by archegonia. 
Pteris cretica, Lastrea pseudo-mas cristata, Cyrtomium falcatum, 
and others present this peculiarity in nearly every case, and 
of course under such circumstances no crossing is possible, 
unless in exceptional cases, where the normal process may 
obtain. As Cyrtomium and Lastrea, for instance, are closely 
related, and no crested Cyrtomium has been found, 1 sowed 
Cyrtomium falcatum and C. Fortuneii thickly with L. p.-mas 
cristata, obtaining a pure crop of both, a result 1 should have 
expected had 1 not forgotten the apogamous character of both 
members of the desired alliance. This, then, constitutes a 
hidden hindrance peculiar to Fern crossing. There are, 
however, a number of varieties of Lastrea p.-mas which afford 
extremely strong evidence of crossing, and 1 am therefore 
inclined to believe that apogamy in the species is by no means 
without exceptions, and that normal sexual reproduction 
frequently occurs. 
Thanks to Mr. Alex. Wright, of South Norwood, 1 am able 
to present photographs of several of the crosses exhibited, viz. : 
Lastrea dil. lepidota x L. d. cristata. (Page 25.) 
Polypodium vulgare, var. bifido-cristatum x P. v. vur. 
elegantissimum. (Page 27.) 
Polysticluim angulare, var. polydactyla x P. ang. lineare. 
N.B. — In this cross the defective polydactylism alluded to in 
the paper is seen and indicated by crosses. (Page 29.) 
P. angulare, var. rotundatum x P. ang. cruciatum. 
N.B. — The rounded pinnules are not well shown in the photo- 
graph, but the normal outline of the lower part of the cruciate 
parent is preserved clearly in the cross. (Page 31.) 
Scol. vulg. var. crispum fertile x S. v. muricatum. Result, a 
muricate crispum. Athyrium fiiix fcemina, var. congestion x 
A. f. f. var. excurrens Result, a congested excurrens ; a very 
striking cross ; the hair-like terminal points of B and of A + B 
are hardly visible in the illustration. (Page 33.) 
