Polyembryony in Certain Polypodiaceae and Osmundaceae

Under experimental conditions individual prothallia of Dryopteris mollis (Jaq.) Hieron., Matteuccia nodulosa (Michx.) Fernald, together with certain other polypodiaceous species, and Osmunda Claytoniana L. may be made to produce from two to many sporophytes. 2. If the prothallia are permitted to attain a size of 1-1.5 cm. in width across the wings before fecundation is effected, as high as five independent and self-nourishing sporophytes may be developed before the weakening or partial exhausing of the gametophytes. 3. If the sporophytes are carefully amputated as soon as they become plainly visible, a succession ofsporophytes can be produced on an individual prothallium. 4. If the massive prothallia develop proliferations as a result of the experimental cultivation, from ten to fifteen or more sporophytes may be produced.