ASPIDIUM. 19 



protuberant at that part, and proportion- 

 ably scooped out opposite, broad oval, the 

 roundness of the apex interrupted by a 

 sudden point, almost mainly formed by the 

 spine itself : in both patterns large, thick, 

 stout, convex, toothed, bristled, and the 

 pinnule next the main stem much the 

 largest, so as to meet and often partially 

 underlie the pinna above it. Pinnules, 

 pinnulets, and spine of the elbow looking 

 midway between the end of the pinna and 

 of the frond. Variable. Bristles some- 

 times very frequent, together, and promi- 

 nent ; or pinnules shorter and more 

 angular ; or partly compounded of either 

 pattern. Sori towards the centre, on the 

 upper portion of the frond. May. Inde- 

 ciduous. Common. Hardy. Easy of culti- 

 vation. Ornamental. The young plants 

 often nearly resemble Lonchitis. 



LONCHITIS. (Holly, or Rough Alpine, 



Shield-Fern.} Fig. 3. The simplest form 

 of the genus. From 6 to 16 inches. 

 Growing in masses, and inclining down- 

 wards. A main stem, with simple, prickly, 

 undivided, more or less bowed, particularly 

 on the inferior side, in the lower emi- 

 diamond-shaped, rather alternate, crowded, 

 turned, pinnae, partly underlying their 

 higher neighbour, having a sharp elbow 



