THE SOFT PRICKLY SHIELD FERN 
spondent varieties of different species, the more characteristic name of proliferum which has been 
suggested, is here adopted. 
6. depauperatum (W.). This very rare and curious variety was found by Dr. Kinahan in Ireland, 
in 1852, and has since proved more or less constant under cultivation, Its fronds are frequently so 
depauperated that they become mere skeletons, with little but the ribs and veins rem 
ing. Occasion. 
ially like the normal form. Tt 
ally а frond is produced either entirely or par is far as is known, 
times produces bulbils. Dr. Kinahan had called this form both laciniatum and 
strictum, 
7. intermedium (ҮГ). This, a robust, fleshy-looking, upright-growing plant, so nearly approaches 
P. aculeatum that it is scarcely distinguishable from it. The fronds are occasionally multifid. The 
pinnules are crowded and overlapping ; subtrapeziform from the unusual development of the anterior 
sido; the margin is deeply ineiso-serrate, the basal anterior lobe being very much enlarged, and all 
the segments biserrate, and more aristate than is usual. The fronds are frequently abrupt at the apex, 
and when so have a tendency to produce bulbils. It was found by Mr. R. Sim, near St. Mary's Cray 
Kent, and is not common 
8. pramorsum (А). Although this form has never attained maturity, it is too remarkable not to be 
noticed here. ‘The whole plant appears of small growth ; the pinnw are laciniate and irregular ; the 
pinnules truncate, шай 
9. dissimile (M). 
inate, and verrucose. It was found in Ireland by Dr. Allehin, in 1853. 
is plant resembles the variety intermedium, in having the segments of its pinnules 
biserrate and more a 
‘state than usual, and it is also proliferous ; but it di 
s from it in having its 
fronds frequently depauperated, the pin 
irregularly truncate or multifid, and the pinnules very 
size and shape. Ith 
во а remarkably hispid aspect, arising both from the acumination 
of its serratures, and the narrowness of the scales with which it is profusely covered. It was found in 
Kent by Mrs. Delves, and is uncommon. 
10. irregulare (М.ф). This was found near Nettlecombe, in Somersetshire, in 1854, by Mr. Elworthy 
gardener to Sir W. C. Trevelyan, Bart, It is a very curious form. 
‘The lower pinnae, whieh aro the 
most perfect in outline, bear var 
д and unequally inciso-lobate pinnules, of which the basal anterior 
lobe formir 
the auricle is much enlarged, and considerably detached from the rest, and the rest form 
lacerate s 
rratures, all the larger of w 
т pinmee are fertile, more ог 
less depauperated, and much more irregular in size, outline 
11. Diserratum (ML). This is a 
nd toothin 
form with large broad pinnules, stalked, inciso-serrate, the basal 
anter 
lobe separated by а deeper incision, the rest biserrate and aristate. Tt would appear to have 
frequently 
very long stipes. It was found by Mr. S, F. Gray, near Brentford ; and the same form 
seems to be common in Jersey, whence we have received it from Dr. Allchin and Mr: C. Jackson, 
12. alatum (М) "The remarkable peculiarity of t 
variety is that the pinnules are connected by а 
very obvious wing on both sides the secondary rachidi 
on which they are deeurrent. The pinnules are 
tapered than usual, with the anterior side most developed, and the margin eut into rounded teeth 
tipped by a bristle; the under 
urface is also densely covered with hair-like scales. ‘The fronds are 
about a foot high. It was found in Somersetshire by Mrs. Archer Thompson. 
imbricatum (М). This graceful and curious variety is so unlike all other known forms, that had 
more than a solitary plant been found, it ought, perhaps, to have taken rank as а species, It is perfectly 
distinct from all others. ‘The fro 
id is nearly two feet high, of lincar-lanecolate outline, in this respect 
and in habit, resembling the Polystichum lobatum of authors, though having all the important 
characters of Р. angulare. ‘The pinnæ are short, linear, bluntish at their apices, often standing nearly 
at a right angle with the rachis. The pinnules are crowded and imbriented, roundish oblong, scarcely 
narrowed at the apex, but strongly spinulose 
rate, auricled at the anterior base, and unequally 
the 
asal anterior pinnule is larger, and they are all connected with the rachis by а short 
somewhat winged peti 
Another remarkable peculiarity in this variety, is that most of the larger 
