POLYSTICIIUM. 89 



Polystichum Lonchitis, Both. 



The A Ipine Shield Fern, or Holly Fern. 



(Plate IV. fig. 2.) 



This Holly Fern is a rigid and prickly-looking species ; 

 whence comes one of its English names. It has a scaly 

 tufted stem, from the crown terminating which the young 

 fronds are produced early in each spring. The fronds 

 remain fresh and vigorous until after those of the suc- 

 ceeding year are developed ; so that the species is truly 

 evergreen in its habit of growth. The size of the fronds 

 is very variable ; sometimes they are not more than six 

 inches long, and cultivated plants do not often much 

 exceed this stature. In damp and hut slightly elevated 

 situations it becomes more luxuriant, the' fronds sometimes 

 attaining a foot and a half in length, and then having a 

 vigour and robustness of aspect never acquired, as far as 

 we know, in cultivation, at least in England. The climate 

 of Ireland seems more congenial to it. The fronds are 

 once pinnate, and narrow in outline, their figure being 

 linear-lanceolate. The pinnae are short, crowded, and 

 between sickle-shaped and crescent-shaped, the upper side 

 at the base having an ear-shaped projection, called an 



