THE SOFT PRICKLY SHIELD FERN. 



spondent varieties of different specie* the more characteristic name of pnli/crum which has been 

 suggested, is here adopted, 



0. (kjmnperatum (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 remaining. Occasion- 

 ally a frond is produced either entirely or partially like the normal form. It is, as far as is known 

 barren, and sometimes produces bulbils. Dr. Kinahan had called this form both lacinmtum and 

 strictum* 



7. intermedium (W.). This, a robust* fleshy-looking, upright-growing plant, so nearly approaches 

 P. acuieatum that it is scarcely distinguishable from it The fronds are occasionally inultilid. The 

 pinnules are crowded and overlapping ; subtnipeziform from the unusual development of the anterior 

 Side; the margin is deeply inciso-scrrate, the basal anterior lobe being very much enlarged, and all 

 the segments biscrrate, and more aristato than in usual The fronds arc frequently abrupt at the apex, 

 and when so have a tendency to produce bulbils, It was found by Mr. It. Sim, near St, Mary's Cray, 

 Kent, and is not common. 



8. prcGMorsum (A.). Although this form has never attained maturity, it is too remarkable not to be 

 noticed here. The whole plant appears of small growth ; the pinnae are laciniate and irregular - the 

 pinnules truncate, marginal*, and verrucosa It was found in Ireland by Dr. Allchin, in 1853. 



9. dmimite (M.). This plant resembles the variety intermedium, in having the segments of its pinnules 

 biserrate and more arislatc than usual, and it is also proliferous; but it differs from it in having its 

 fronds frequently depauperated, the pimue irregularly truncate or multifid, and the pinnules very 

 irregular in size and shape. It has also a remarkably hispid aspect, arising both from the aeuniination 

 of Us serraturos* 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 (M-). This was found near Nettlecombe, in Somersetshire, in 185-1, by Mr. El worth v 

 gardener to Sir W, C- Trcvelyan, Bart. It is a very curious form. The lower pimue, which are the 

 most perfect in outline, bear varying and unequally iuciso-lobato pinnules, of which the basal anterior 

 lobe forming the auricle is much enlarged, and considerably detached from the rest, and the rest form 

 lacerate serratures, all the larger of which are again serrated. The upper pinna) are fertile, more or 

 less depauperated, and much more irregular in size, outline, and toothing, 



11. biserratum (M.). This is a lax form with large broad pinnules, stalked, inciso-scrrate, the basal 

 anterior lobe separated by a deeper incision, the rest biserrate and aristato. It would appear to have 

 frequently a very long stipes. It was found by Mr. S- F. Gray, near Brentford j and the same form 

 seems to be common in -Jersey, whence wo have received it from Dr. Allchin and Mr. C. Jackson. 



12, alatum (M.). The remarkable peculiarity of this variety is that the pinnules are connected by a 

 very obvious wing on both sides the secondary rachides, on which they are decurrcnt. The pinnules are 

 more tapered than usual, with the anterior side most developed, and the margin cut into rounded teeth 

 tipped by a bristle; the under surface is also densely covered with hair-like scales. The fronds are 

 about a foot high. It was found in Somersetshire by Mrs, Archer Thompson. 



13, imbriwtnm (M.). 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 a species. It is perfectly 

 distinct from all others. The frond is nearly two feet high, of linear-lanceolate outline, in this respect* 

 and in habit* resembling the Polyxtichum fahntum of authors, though having all the imjiortant 

 characters of /'. angulttre. The pinna* arc short, linear, blunt ish at their apices, often standing nearly 

 at a right angle with the rachts. The pinnules are crowded aud imbricated, roundish oblong, scarcely 

 narrowed at the apex, but strongly spinuloses serrate, auricled at the anterior base, and unequally 

 serrate ; the basal anterior pinnule is larger, and they arc all connected with the rachis by a short 

 somewhat winged jietiole. Another remarkable peculiarity in this variety, is that most of the larger 



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