86 



POLYSTICHUM ANGULARE. 



I allude to the non-permanent varieties — those that depart from 

 the ordinary normal form, and at length return again to it; 

 these also are very numerous. Some varieties only assume their 

 distinctive character when growing wild, under cultivation 

 returning to the normal form ; whilst others, after being removed, 

 return to the normal form until perfectly established in their 

 new situations, and then again shew their true character. There 

 are, therefore, great difficulties to contend with in describing 

 the varieties of any species, difficulties, indeed, that are almost 

 insurmountable. The fronds are from twelve to twenty-four 

 inches in length, and in most instances terminate abruptly. The 

 pinnae are of various lengths, and generally abrupt. The 

 pinnules small, obliquely-cuneate, and conspicuously and deeply 

 in ciso- dentate. The terminal pinnule of the lower pinna) is 

 cuneato-flabcllate and uniform in size with the rest, those of 

 the upper pinna) are confluent upwards. I have received fronds 

 from Mr. Sim, of Foot's Cray, and Mr. Stansfield, of Todmorden, 



Fig. 53. 



DuBiuM, JVollaston. (Fig. 53.) — A very large-growing 

 variety, gathered by Mr. J. Stansfield near Preston, Lancashire. 

 The fronds, which exceed three feet in length, are ovate- 

 lanceolate in form, the pinnae closely set; the pinnules stipitate 

 ajoid auricled, except towards the termination of the frond. 



