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.

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Every time the Fern Bulletin is 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 printer a 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 the Fern Bulletin for 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.

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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 the Fern Bulletin circle 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.

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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.

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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.

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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!

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