THE CHRISTMAS AND HOLLY FERNS. 107 
The variety zuciswi is frequently 
found with the typical plants. It is 
distinguished by the deeply toothed 
pinnules and by the way in which the 
soriareborne. These are not confined 
entirely tothe narrowed upper part of 
the frond, but continue downward on 
the tips of the other pinne, growing 
fewer in number toward the base. In 
rich shady woods,one sometimes comes 
upon another form which is here named 
variety crispum. In this 
there seems to be a super- 
abundance of tissue in the 
fronds and the pinnules are 
beautifully crisped and ruf- 
fled. It is by far the hand- 
somest of the common forms 
and does not lose its peculiar 
characteristics under culti- & 
vation. Fronds are oc- 
casionally found with 
the pinnules again pin- 
nate. 
Owing to the endur- 
ing nature of the fronds, 
they have been exten- 
sively used in floral dec- 
orations in recent years. Millions 
of them are now used annually 
in all our large cities. It is doubtless 
from this use of its fronds during 
the winter holidays that the plant 
derives its name of Christmas fern. 
Polystichum acrostichoides incisum. 
