160 HISTORY OF BRITISH FEBNS. 



and in lowland woods, preferring, as do most if not all the 

 larger Ferns, the presence of plenty of free (not stagnant) 

 water. As a cultivated plant, either for pots or rock-work, 

 it is most desirable, and acquiring, as it does, considerable 

 size, it may be made to produce some striking effects in 

 ornamental scenery. 



Like its congeners, this was formerly, and now is by 

 some, considered to be an Aspidium. 



POLYSTICHUM LONCHITIS, Eoth. The Holly Pern. (Plate 

 IV. fig. 2.) 



This is a rigid and prickly-looking species, whence comes 

 the English name. It has a scaly tufted stem, from the 

 crown terminating which, the young fronds are produced 

 early in each spring ; these fronds remain fresh and vigorous 

 until after those of the succeeding 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 but 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 



