92 HISTORY OP BRITISH FERNS. 



the midvein of the basal lobes or auricles. The indusium 

 is circular, and attached by a little depression or stalk in 

 its centre. 



The variety lobatum, considered a distinct species by 

 some botanists, differs chiefly in the narrow outline of the 

 frond, and in the pinnules being much more decidedly 

 decurrcnt, that is, running together at the base. Every 

 possible variation in the consolidation of the pinnules is 

 to be met with, between the typical bipinnate form of 

 Pohjstichum aculeatum and a simply pinnate form of the 

 species, which, from its resemblance to P. Lonchifis, has 

 been called lonchitidioides. This latter form, owing its 

 origin to the peculiar circumstances of growth only, cannot 

 be considered as a permanent variety, but the intermediate 

 state, — that which bears the name lohatuni, which is the 

 most common of these abnormal forms, is at least suffi- 

 ciently different to be considered a variety. 



This common and free-growing Fern is found in hedge- 

 banks, and similar situations ; and being abundant, easily 

 cultivated, nearly evergreen, and withal possessing consi- 

 derable elegance of growth, has much to recommend its 

 admission to a prominent position in the Fern-garden. 



This plant is often even now referred to the genus 



