1883.] 
THE CHRYSANTHEMUM. 
addition to tliese axillary buds there is a 
whitish mass of apparent bud formation, in 
the crown of the caudex at the base of the 
risen fronds. The same prothallus has also 
A 
c. independent ferns developed from same prothallus. 
developed three small independent ferns from 
its edge ; these, however, are seemingly normal, 
which fact, coupled with the abnormal vigour 
of the main plant, points to a hybrid origin 
of the latter. 
In fig. 2 we find an altogether different 
form, very depauperate and ramose. The 
two fronds of this have developed no less 
than thirteen buds, of which the majority 
have evolved aerial roots, one reaching and 
penetrating the soil. The buds in the first 
frond have thrown up small circinate fronds, 
which have so far not unfolded. 
The family of Athyrium, rich as it is in 
variations, has so far been remarkable for its 
non-proliferous nature. I have failed to find 
any record of a bulbil-bearing form. [There 
is the Ceylon Athyrium proliferum .] It is 
therefore singular that two forms so distinct 
in character, yet so alike in their proliferous¬ 
ness, should have originated simultaneously, 
and within a few inches of each other. 
Finally, not the least singular feature is the 
extreme precocity of both forms, since bulbil¬ 
bearing ferns almost without exception are 
proliferous only on their ripe fronds, and 
when much further advanced in development. 
The formation of axillary buds of this nature 
is a new link between the Filices and the 
higher forms of vegetation, as, if persistent, a 
shrub-like development would result.— Chas. 
T. Druery, Windsor Road, Forest Gate. 
[We have seen the plants referred to by 
Mr. Druery, and can testify to the general 
correctness of the figures and descriptions. 
We have not previously seen such an early 
production of proliferous buds, the plants them¬ 
selves being advanced little beyond one stage 
from the prothallus.—E d.] 
THE CHRYSANTHEMUM: 
ITS ORIGIN AND PROGRESS. 
HE Chrysanthemum, which has been 
adopted by the Siamese as their 
national emblem, has been described 
as being in its wild state a single 
yellow flower. How and when the first 
varieties were obtained remains a mystery. 
It is generally believed that Breynius was the 
first to describe the plant in 1G89, when he 
named it Matricaria japonica maxima, and 
mentioned white, blush, rose, yellow, purple, 
and crimson varieties. It appears to have 
been cultivated in Japan and China for ages 
before its introduction to Europe. 
The Dutch were the first to cultivate the 
small-flowered variety, which was taken by 
them to their establishments in Amboyna and 
Malabar, and figured by Rheede in 1699. It 
was described by Koempfer, in 1712, and subse¬ 
quently by Thunberg in 1784, under the name 
of Matricaria. Linnoeus, in 1753, noticed 
two species— Chrysanthemum sinense, with large 
white flowers, and C. indicum , with very 
small yellow flowers; of this latter kind there 
