The Fern Bulletin, October 1903: A Quarterly Devoted to FernsVarious
Science
The Fern Bulletin, October 1903: A Quarterly Devoted to Ferns
Various
Ferns
The new volume of this magazine will be along the lines of its
predecessors. The Fern-floras of the States will be continued, those for
California and Florida being expected to appear early in the year,
followed by others now in preparation. The series of portraits of fern
students will be discontinued for the present, to make room for a new
series on exotic ferns in which will be illustrated the ferns of unusual
appearance from other lands, together with descriptive notes upon their
haunts and habits. In nearly every fern collector’s herbarium are
species of which little more than the name is known. It is expected that
this series will add much to our knowledge of these. Mr. Eaton’s
_Equisetum_ articles will be finished during the year. Other features of
the publication will be continued. A cordial invitation is extended to
every reader to contribute notes and articles of interest.
⁂
When one’s herbarium has grown so bulky that it cannot be looked through
in an hour or so, and especially when it contains numerous sheets of the
same species, it often becomes a puzzling question what to show the
non-scientific visitor who wants to see the ferns, but who has no
interest in the slight differences that separate closely related forms.
To fit such cases we would suggest the formation of an “oh, my!”
collection—a collection designed to provoke the visitor’s interest and
admiration and draw forth frequent ejaculations of surprise. Such a
collection saves wear and tear on the general herbarium and often
excites a real and lasting interest in the ferns. It should contain, of
course, the walking and climbing ferns, the little _Schizaea_, the
hartstongue, the maidenhair, the cinnamon and sensitive ferns, etc. Some
of the gold and silver ferns might be included, the star fern is
desirable and various species of grape fern will add to the interest. A
few finely cut fronds like that of _Dicksonia_ may be added, with such
other species as suggest themselves on account of oddity in fruiting. A
few fern allies would make a complete and desirable show herbarium.
⁂
The recent likening, in this journal, of crested and tasseled fronds to
two-headed rabbits has borne fruit in an unexpected quarter. Certain
cultivators of ferns now speak of their stock as species, varieties and
two-headed rabbit sorts!
⁂
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account