THE SPECIES-CONCEPTION AMONG THE TERNATE BOTRYCHIUMS.

By Willard N. Clute.

Living as I do in the midst of a region rich in specimens of the ternateBotrychiums, I have taken more than ordinary interest in the discussion of the relative rank to which the various forms should be assigned. After considerable study of the subject which has consisted of a careful balancing of the degree of differentiation in each form, as well as an examination of much material both in the herbarium and in the field, I have come to certain conclusions which I purpose to set down here.

Before the separate forms are discussed it may be well to say a few words on the variations ofBotrychium ternatumin general. It is a noticeable fact that all the so-called new species of this section of the genus, have been based primarily upon the cutting of the sterile part of the frond. This is all the more remarkable since there are probably no other genera in which species are founded on the minor outlines of a mere leaf. One has but to turn to nature in any clime to see that leaves are not invariably of the same shape. Note the wide variation in the moonseed, the hollyhock, the sassafras, and some of the buttercups among flowering plants, and if it be contended that the cases are not parallel, take as further illustration the blood-root, which, like theBotrychium, produces but one leaf a year, and note the cutting of its single leaf. If all these forms ofBotrychiumare species, why have not the forms of the bloodroot been segregated? Moreover, if we are to recognize these forms ofBotrychiumas species, why should we not also recognize as such the three hundred forms ofAthyrium filix-foemina, or the hundred or more forms ofScolopendrium? It is unavailing to say that these latter are mere gardeners’ varieties, for we have it on the authority of Mr. Druery, who is familiar with them all, that a large number come true from spores.

Experiments with flowering plants have shown that the thickness of leaves and the amount of cutting of their edges, may be altered by different degrees of moisture, sunshine, etc., to which they are exposed, and we may infer as much for the ferns.This being so, it is not difficult to account for the slight variations in cutting exhibited in plants from widely separated points in the United States.

It is, of course, possible to follow the latest writer on the subject, and consider each extreme of variation a distinct species, but I do not agree with him in the opinion that the naming of varieties is a stupid practice, nor do I see that it necessarily follows that because a species was namedJaponicumfrom Japanese specimens that we must infer that its centre of distribution is in Japan. As I understand it, to take a familiar example,B. ternatumstands for a plant possessing certain characters no matter where found. If we should find anotherBotrychiumthat differed from this in some specific way, it would be correct to call it another species; but if it showed minor differences, slightly thicker or thinner leaves, a longer or shorter stipe, a little deeper notching of the leaves, etc.—all characters that vary with the locality—then it would seem more properly referred as a variety of the first species.

As I have noted in this journal there are certain slight differences between the JapaneseB. ternatumand our familiar species of Eastern America, but these are not enough, I now believe, to make them two separate species, since all the differences are found in the texture and cutting of the sterile part of the frond. Under such circumstances I would arrange our American forms as follows:

Botrychium ternatum obliquum(B. obliquum Muhl.). The common form in the North Atlantic States.

B. t. obliquumformaDISSECTUM(B. dissectumSpreng.). An exact duplicate of the preceding form in everything except the cutting of the pinnules. These latter characterized by a paucity of tissue between the terminal veins. Has the same habitat and range, and the same peculiarity of waiting until July or later before putting up its leaf for the season. No more entitled to specific rank than the “cut leaved” birch or elder.

B. t. obliquumformaINTERMEDIUM(B. obliquum intermediumUnde.). I would call this a mere form, comparable to any of the chance varieties ofAthyrium filix-foemina.

B. t. obliquumformaCOULTERI(B. CoulteriUnde.). Awestern form rather more fleshy than that of the East. Grows in geyser formations which may account for the difference in its appearance.

B. t. obliquumformaOCCIDENTALE(B. occidentaleUnde.). Closely related to the preceding, and, in my opinion, a phase of it. Both good representatives of the western form.

B. ternatum Oneidense(B. ternatumvar.OneidenseGilbert). This, the most strongly marked of the forms in the Atlantic States failed to receive a place in the recently published index to the described species ofBotrychium. It can be distinguished at a glance in field or herbarium by its broad and slightly divided pinnules, and is very common in central New York. The fronds, notwithstanding their broad pinnules, are among the smallest of the group. If any of our forms ofBotrychiumare entitled to sub-specific rank, this is certainly the one.

B. ternatum silaifolium(B. silaifoliumPresl.). This is also mainly a western form. To it, however, I would refer the plant recently described by Mr. Gilbert asB. obliquum Habererifrom central New York. I have examined the type specimen and in my opinion it agrees perfectly with specimens ofsilaifoliumfrom California identified by Dr. Underwood. Even the striations produced in the pinnae by drying appear identical. I should call this a sub-species, as it does not approach the type as closely as the others.

So little is known aboutB. biternatumUnde. andB. tenuifoliumUnde. that I shall not attempt to place them. Judging from what I have seen of the latter, and I have seen numerous plants in the field, I should consider it a form ofobliquumand I suspect thatbiternatumwill prove to be based upon aberrant plants of this which have fruited in spring instead of autumn. In regard to this, Mr. W. W. Ashe has recently informed me that many spring-flowering southern plants do not flower in the North until late summer. It is possible our ferns may have similar changes in their fruiting season.

By Charles T. Druery, F.L.S.

The editorial note appended to my short article in the April issue ofThe Bulletinrather takes my breath away, as I never imagined that an answer to my query could “depend somewhat upon whether we admire ferns for pure leaves or whether we collect them for study.” No true fern lover in either case would knowingly destroy one of Nature’s own novelties in the way I described by denuding it repeatedly of its fronds for herbarium purposes in situ, when by removing and cultivating it he could also, in either case, not only gratify his own special taste more fully, but could afford much gratification to a host of other fern lovers of either class. That “students of ferns know that many fern forms are due to varying conditions of soil, light, moisture, etc., and are inclined to pay very little attention to them” I accept at once, ranking myself with them; but advanced students also know that many forms are not demonstrably due to such influences, and amongst these forms are all those which claim so much attention in this side of the ocean. The former are, as the editor puts it, “variants,” the latter true varieties, and so far as they are of Nature’s own shaping, i. e., wild finds, as distinct from improved selected types from the spores, they have at least as much right to recognition in fern literature as the normals. Hence it is to be regretted that a unique form of the Christmas fern (Polystichum acrostichoides) should exist in the possession of a member of the Fern Chapter for ten years, and, yet, never be described. What have the other members done that such interesting data to some of them should be withheld?

The reference to seven-toed kittens and two-headed rabbits, as fair parallels to the finest fern varieties in the mind of the average student, is a poor compliment to the student who would certainly benefit by a better acquaintance with the plumose section of varieties at any rate. With the many botanists stated to exist in the States who “prefer a wild rose to all the gardeners’ many-petalled creations” I have more sympathy, but here comes in the old botanical mistake embodied in the term “garden forms”of ferns as applied to all varieties, with the wild finds of which the gardeners have had nothing whatever to do. What would such a botanist do if in his rambles among the wild roses he came across a Marechal Niel as a wild sport? That is a fair parallel to some of our best wild finds as compared with the normal types, and he would be a singular man, I opine, in more senses than one, if he turned up his nose at it as a mere variant and held his tongue for ten years without describing it. I am gratified to the editor for holding all his abnormal specimens at my disposal, but, reading between the lines, I fear they would embrace no acquisitions from my point of view, or he would not be so ready to part with them. I hope sooner or later he will come across a thoroughbred and become thereby a convert to my theory, that constant and symmetrical variations are fully as much, if not more, entitled to both lay and scientific attention than the normal specific forms from which, by some occult process, they arise under natural conditions.

[It is doubtless as difficult for Mr. Druery to understand our position in this matter as it is to understand his. How astudentof ferns can care for what might be termed abnormal variations is beyond our comprehension. The student is always interested in normal variations, if we may so describe the common, slight variations in form and texture due principally to ecological factors; in fact, it is necessary that we take all such into account in order to get a correct average of the species; but to give serious attention to forked, crested, plumed, tasselled and befrizzled specimens of ferns, which are manifestly due to the slipping of a cog somewhere in Nature’s machinery, is quite out of the question. We grant that some of these attain forms that merit admiration for their beauty, or oddity, as showing what Nature can do in the way of leaves, but we maintain that were these forms animal, instead of vegetable, they would excite only feelings of repulsion. Now, the student of fern species is quite inclined to think of these “freaks,” as he calls them, much as others would if theywereanimal. The botanist may admire the form, hue and perfume of the gardener’s rose, but this is not the rose he cares to study. In the early numbers ofThe Fern Bulletin, upward of sixty American ferns have been put onrecord as bearing forked or tasselled fronds, and so far as the editor is aware, not one of these has been taken into cultivation and only a very few have been given names. This fact will probably explain our position to some extent. When the editor has leisure, he is going to dig up every one of these variants in his own locality and send them to Mr. Druery, in anticipation of which it would be well for the latter to consult his gardener and glazier about an extension to his ferneries.—Ed.]

A correspondent sends us the following clipping from theWestminster Gazette. We are unable to vouch for its accuracy, but as it may give some cultivator a hint we reprint it in full.

In a beautiful garden at Crouch End, belonging to one of the few old world bowers which have withstood the tempting offers of the building speculator, may be seen one of the queerest freaks that Nature has ever played in park or garden. About three years ago a long row of glass ginger bottles were placed neck downward in the ground, with a few inches of the other end projecting to form a border for the kitchen garden paths. Each of these bottles now contains a fairy-like resident in the shape of a dainty little fern, perfect in form and color, and of many varieties, the ribbon fern and hart’s-tongue predominating. As no ferns had at any time been planted in that part of the garden it is amazing how they got there. Perhaps Nature thought it foolish to waste so many little natural hothouses, and put in each a pinch of the stuff she makes ferns of. If so, she must view with much pride the result of her experiment.

Miss Angie M. Ryon, Niantic, Conn., reports finding fine plants ofOphioglossum vulgatumupon a very rocky hillside, the roots crowding themselves between the bits of rock that had been broken up by loads of heavy timber passing over them the previous year. The plants were exposed to the full rays of the sun for most of the day.

William Ralph Maxon, whose portrait is presented this month, first saw the light at Oneida, N.Y., on Feb. 27, 1877, where his parents reside. He graduated at Oneida High School in the class of 1894. From there he went to Syracuse University, where he took the degree of Ph. B. in 1898. The bent of his mind was toward botany and almost immediately after graduating he went to New York and was employed for a few months in the herbarium of the Botanical Garden at Bronx Park. From there he went to Washington and took a temporary position in the U.S. National Museum. But in August, 1899, as the result of a Civil Service examination, he received the appointment of Aid in Cryptogamic Botany in that institution, and still retains that position.

Mr. Maxon joined the Fern Chapter in 1895, served as its secretary for the year 1899, and as president of the Chapter for the two years 1900 and 1901. He is a member of the Botanical Society of Washington, of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and of two other local societies in Washington. He has published several valuable papers on botanical subjects, among which are “A List of the Ferns and Fern Allies of North America north of Mexico;” “On the Occurrence of the Hart’s-tongue in America,” which formed his presidential address before the Fern Chapter at its meeting in New York in 1900; “A Study of Certain Mexican and Guatemalan Species of Polypodium”; besides several shorter papers containing descriptions of new species, including a continued series in theFern Bulletinentitled “Notes on American Ferns.” For a young man Mr. Maxon has done some notably good work, and his position in the National Museum is one which will give him exceptional opportunities for original work in the future.—B. D. Gilbert.

It affords me much pleasure to report another station for the remarkable fern now known asAsplenium ebeneum Hortonae.

A single fine specimen some eight or ten inches high was discovered by Miss K. A. French at the base of a ledge in Pittsford, Vt. No sign of fertility is discernible in the old fronds decaying about the base, the season’s growth or the newer fronds stretching up indoors. Whence came this beautiful variation in the midst of type specimens galore?—G. A. Woolson, Pittsford Mills, Vt.

Readers are requested to call our attention to any omissions from this list.

Clute, W. N.Fernwort Notes—III.Fern Bulletin, Jl. 1903.

Christ, H.Can Scolopendrium Lindeni be Separated From S. Vulgare?Fern Bulletin, Jl. 1903.

Eaton, A. A.The Genus Equisetum in North America.Fourteenth Paper. Fern Bulletin, Jl. 1903.

Fitzpatrick, F. J.and M. F. L.The Fern Flora of Iowa.Fern Bulletin, Jl. 1903.

Flett, J. B.The Fern Flora of Washington.Fern Bulletin, Jl. 1903.

Gilbert, B. D.Asplenium muticum.Fern Bulletin, Jl. 1903.

Gilbert, B. D.Two New Varieties of the Ternate Botrychium.Fern Bulletin, Jl. 1903.

Haeselbarth, F. C.The Walking Fern.American Botanist, Jl. 1903.

Orcutt, C. R.Ferns of Southern California.West American Scientist, Ag. 1903.

Orcutt, C. R.Isoetes of Southern California.West American Scientist. S. 1903.

Shull, C. H.Geographic Distribution of Isoetes Saccharata.Botanical Gazette, S. 1903.

Stillman, B. W.The Climbing Fern.American Botanist, Je. 1903.

The editor of this journal is again away from home, which will explain any delays in his correspondence. Letters intended for him and sent to the usual address will be forwarded at once.

Every time theFern Bulletinis late, doubtless half the subscribers wonder what the editor can be doing to prevent the magazine from appearing on time. The editor, therefore, rises to explain that this publication would always be issued promptly if correspondents would send in copy in season. We endeavor to have each issue ready for the printera month before publication, and yet there are many of our contributors, who, having arranged for space in a number, will wait until two or three days before the publication date to send in copy. There is too much matter in theFern Bulletinfor it to be printed, bound and mailed in one day—or in one week for that matter—and we simply cannot appear on time if we have to wait for copy. We trust that contributors will bear this in mind and co-operate with us in future in this matter of promptness.

In this number, all subscribers whose subscriptions are not paid in advance, will find a bill for the next volume, and the amount in arrears, if any. There are so few who stop their subscriptions after once becoming members of theFern Bulletincircle of readers that to save all from the possible loss of a number between the expiration and renewal of subscription, we continue to send the magazine until ordered to stop. Those who do not wish to be considered subscribers for the new volume should notify us at once. In view of the liberal terms upon which the publication is sent, we trust that we may continue to count all our present subscribers among our readers for another year.

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 earlyin 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’sEquisetumarticles 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 littleSchizaea, 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 ofDicksoniamay 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!

In a recent article on the distribution ofIsoetes saccharata, in theBotanical Gazette, the author notes thatI. saccharatais found only in Chesapeake Bay, whileI. riparia, a form that closely resembles it, is found only in Delaware Bay, and that, notwithstanding the small differences between the two, there have been described two intermediate forms,I. saccharata PalmeriandI. s. reticulata. From this and other facts, he inclines to the belief thatI. ripariais simply an extreme form ofsaccharata. A curious circumstance connected with the species and forms is that specimens collected in a certain locality appeared one season as the type and the next as the variety. This is not the only instance on record ofIsoetesspecies intergrading. Mr. A. A. Eaton has noted that the varietyCalifornicaofI. melanopodaintergrades on the one hand withI. Howelliand on the other with the type, while specimens referred toI. mexicanaby Underwood have since been identified asI. OrcuttiiandI. melanopoda. All this seems to indicate that the systematists have not yet got hold of the proper characters upon which to found specific differences, and there is here a chance for a philosophical botanist to distinguish himself. It is not enough that the plants look different; the differences must be specific. All of the forms ofEquisetum arvenselook different, but they are not species by any means.

Plans are being made for another meeting of fern students at St. Louis this winter, during the session of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. There is a prospect of some excellent papers to be presented, and a large and enthusiastic meeting is assured. Programs and other information may be obtained of Prof. N. L. T. Nelson, Central High School, St. Louis, Mo., or of the editor ofThe Fern Bulletin. The editor expects to be at the meeting and hopes to meet there the majority of his readers.

With two books like “Our Ferns in Their Haunts” and “How to Know the Ferns” in the field, some might think that the ground is too thoroughly covered to leave room for another,but Dr. Waters has proven otherwise in his new volume with the simple title of “Ferns.”[1]If the older books are taken as books designed for beginners, the new one may be described as one step more technical—a connecting link between popular handbook and scientific manual. In the matter of information it contains practically nothing that has not been published before, being primarily a rearrangement of what is known of our ferns and bearing internal evidence that the pages of the popular works above mentioned have supplied much help in its making. This is especially noticeable in the appropriation of original stanzas from “Our Ferns in Their Haunts,” without giving credit for them. Even when giving credit the author is not always fortunate, as when he ascribes to Miss Pratt certain lines that are Campbell’s. The book is written from the standpoint of the author’s experiences in the vicinity of Baltimore, and as such cannot always be taken as representative of ferns and fern habitats in other parts of our country. The book is also remarkable for the entire absence of author citations for the generic and specific names—in this being unique among American fern books. This will make it difficult for beginners who use this book to look up the species elsewhere. The entire subject of the authority for the names is left untouched in the part that explains why scientific names are used. There is also evident a disinclination to give credit for recent work, the usual statement being that such and such varieties “have been described,” without noting where and by whom. Since these descriptions were heretofore to be found mostly in periodicals, the desirability of mentioning their place of description is apparent. This much being said in criticism of the book, there is yet much to praise. The illustrations are well executed and include a fair proportion of views in the habitats of the ferns, while the photographs of the sori enlarged are exceptionally valuable. Anything like them have never before been published. The analytical key based on the stipes has been well and carefully worked out. It forms a very instructive chapter, though such a key will rarely be consulted by the beginner, because the usual keys are easier. The bookis also of interest for the number of varieties or forms included, many of which are not mentioned in the manuals, and for numerous photographs illustrating these forms. There is also a chapter on fern photography. The nomenclature is conservative; old and well known names having been retained in spite of recently proposed substitutes. For his stand in this matter the author is to be greatly commended. The book can in no sense be considered a rival of others in the field. It fills a place of its own and as such will be hailed by the fern loving public as another aid to the proper understanding of this most beautiful and attractive section of the vegetable kingdom. Type, paper and presswork all combine to make this a handsome as well as useful book.

In the making of his “Flora of the Southeastern United States”[2]Dr. Small has practically worked over anew all the species of that region and the results of this stupendous undertaking are now presented in a bulky octavo volume of nearly fourteen hundred pages. Dr. Chapman’s flora of the same region is fairly conservative, while this one goes to the opposite extreme, being noticeable for the greatly increased number of species and an equal lack of what the older book is inclined to consider varieties or forms. This gives students a choice of books, but it is probable that a beginner will have much difficulty in identifying his plants by the aid of the new one, because of the many closely related forms described as separate species. The book will appeal more to advanced students specializing in a few orders or genera. The nomenclature is, of course, the most radical, even extending beyond the genera and species to the orders, so that new names are proposed for the Leguminosæ, Labiatæ, Scrophulariaceæ and many others. Along with the segregation of species there has been a similar splitting of genera. To the individual familiar with the usual manuals the book will appear almost like the flora of a foreign land. The author, however, has been painstaking and conscientious throughout the work, adhering closely to the ideals prevalent at New York and a few other centers of botanical activity, and ifhe has produced a volume that will become the object of much criticism he has also produced an excellent illustration of what the recently proposed rules of nomenclature, and new conceptions of species are capable of when allowed full swing. Although not agreeing with his conclusions, even conservative botanists will appreciate the author’s consistency and he is to be congratulated upon the completion of his work. To those who prefer the less elaborate manual, Dr. Small’s book will always be indispensable for reference.

Mr. Charles T. Druery, well known on this side of the Atlantic as an enthusiastic cultivator of ferns, has issued a book devoted principally to British fern varieties, which he has named “The Book of British Ferns.”[3]In this work he has been assisted by various members of the British Pteridological Society, an association similar to our Fern Chapter, and of which Mr. Druery is president. As is well known the British fern hunter and fern cultivator is most interested in the abnormal forms of ferns, and as a result so many of these have been described that a complete list numbers more than a thousand, though there were less than seventy-five native species to begin with. Mr. Druery’s task has been to select from this list the really meritorious varieties from the cultural standpoint. To this revised list he has added papers on the culture and propagation of ferns, fern hunting, fern crossing, apospory and kindred subjects, making a volume which should be of interest to American readers for the light thrown upon fern life. The book is well printed and well illustrated, the forms shown being mostly the more striking varieties.

For more than two years the editor of theFern Bulletinhas also been editing a journal for the plant-lover, calledThe American Botanist. That he has been fairly successful may be assumed from the fact that it now has the largest circulation of any botanical magazine in America. People do not buy such publications out of charity; they buy them for what they contain. No doubt the principal reason for theAmerican Botanist’spopularity is that it is untechnical—even those who are not botanists can understand it. Moreover it deals with a very different side of botany from that usually presented. If you are interested in plants as living things—their uses, habits, and curious methods of getting on in the world—this is just the publication you want. A large number of fern students are already readers of theAmerican Botanist, but to induce others to become such, we offer the last three numbers for this year, all the numbers of 1904, for the regular subscription price of $1.00 if received before the first of January. Or we will send the first five volumes (of six numbers each) and a year’s subscription, for $3.00. With the latter offer, your subscription to theFern Bulletinwill be renewed for 50 cents additional.

Address WILLARD N. CLUTE, BINGHAMTON, N. Y.

Nearly every fern student seems to have a copy of “Our Ferns in Their Haunts,” but if you happen to know of one who doesn’t, you could scarcely do a more graceful thing than to give him one for Christmas. You may be sure the book will be consulted many times next year and in the years to follow and every time this happens the giver will be thought of with pleasure. If you have a young friend who is beginning to get interested in Nature, crystalize his tendency by giving him this book. The illustrations will make him a lover of ferns and the text will make him wise about them. There are 225 illustrations and 340 pages of text. No other fern book is so full, so clear or more accurate. The key for identifying the ferns has illustrations of fruit-dots and even a child can name the ferns by its use. Sent postpaid upon receipt of $2.15. Address

Willard N. Clute & Co., Binghamton, N. Y.

[1]Ferns. By Campbell E. Waters. New York. Henry Holt & Co. 1903. 8 vo. 360 pp. $2.75 net.[2]The Flora of the Southeastern United States. By John K. Small. New York. Published by the author. 1903. 8 vo. 1,375 pp. $3.60 net.[3]The Book of British Ferns. By Charles T. Druery, F. L. S., V. M. H. London. George Newnes, Ltd. 1903. 12 mo. 135 pp. $1.25.

[1]Ferns. By Campbell E. Waters. New York. Henry Holt & Co. 1903. 8 vo. 360 pp. $2.75 net.

[2]The Flora of the Southeastern United States. By John K. Small. New York. Published by the author. 1903. 8 vo. 1,375 pp. $3.60 net.

[3]The Book of British Ferns. By Charles T. Druery, F. L. S., V. M. H. London. George Newnes, Ltd. 1903. 12 mo. 135 pp. $1.25.

SEND AT ONCE FOR MYJUNE, 1903,SPECIAL BULLETIN OFMicroscopesandObjectives Cameras, Photographic Lenses, Etc.microscopeBear in mind I guarantee every instrument to be as represented and in good working order and adjustment. Prices in parenthesis indicate list price, by which is understood present or latest price. This stock is constantly changing; therefore, if interested, place order at once. Send name and address if you would like to receive these lists as issued.A SPECIAL OFFERTo facilitate the purchase of such a microscope as shall with certainty prove satisfactory and adequate to its intended use, I am willing to make the following proposition whereby YOU RUN NO RISK of getting an unsuitable instrument. The offer is: Order what microscope you like from this list; use it for one or two months; if then you decide that you want another one on my list, or a new one of whatever make, order it from me and return the other one (prepaying expressage) and I will allow you FULL PRICE PAID.EDWARD PENNOCKDEALER IN OPTICAL INSTRUMENTS3609 Woodland Ave.Opposite Medical Department, University of PennsylvaniaPHILADELPHIAFOR SALEWe offer a set of the FERN BULLETIN, lacking only two numbers of Vol. 5, two numbers of Vol. 4 and four numbers of Vol. 1-3, for the very low price of $6.00 postpaid. This set includes 36 of the 44 numbers thus far issued. Send order by postal. First order secures the set. AddressFERN BULLETIN.Binghamton, N. Y.

SEND AT ONCE FOR MYJUNE, 1903,SPECIAL BULLETIN OFMicroscopesandObjectives Cameras, Photographic Lenses, Etc.

microscope

Bear in mind I guarantee every instrument to be as represented and in good working order and adjustment. Prices in parenthesis indicate list price, by which is understood present or latest price. This stock is constantly changing; therefore, if interested, place order at once. Send name and address if you would like to receive these lists as issued.

A SPECIAL OFFER

To facilitate the purchase of such a microscope as shall with certainty prove satisfactory and adequate to its intended use, I am willing to make the following proposition whereby YOU RUN NO RISK of getting an unsuitable instrument. The offer is: Order what microscope you like from this list; use it for one or two months; if then you decide that you want another one on my list, or a new one of whatever make, order it from me and return the other one (prepaying expressage) and I will allow you FULL PRICE PAID.

EDWARD PENNOCKDEALER IN OPTICAL INSTRUMENTS3609 Woodland Ave.Opposite Medical Department, University of PennsylvaniaPHILADELPHIA

FOR SALE

We offer a set of the FERN BULLETIN, lacking only two numbers of Vol. 5, two numbers of Vol. 4 and four numbers of Vol. 1-3, for the very low price of $6.00 postpaid. This set includes 36 of the 44 numbers thus far issued. Send order by postal. First order secures the set. Address

FERN BULLETIN.Binghamton, N. Y.


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