67 



ASPIDIUM ANGULARE, Var. Cristatum. 

 Lowe. 



PLATE XXVII. 



Polystichum angulare, var. cristatum, Mooee. 



Aspidium — Shield Fern. Angulare — An angle. Cristatum — Crested. 



In the Section Polystichum of Authors. 



Another beautiful variety of a British species, which in its 

 general features resembles the crested forms of Aspidium Jilix- 

 mas and Asplenium filix-foemina. During the last three or four 

 years great progress has been made in the raising from spores 

 of varieties of the British Ferns, many of which are so dis- 

 similar as to be scarcely recognised as belonging to the parent 

 from which they have sprung. Their beauty and distinctness 

 will quite revolutionize the English Ferneries, and, being hardy, 

 is a matter of the greatest moment to cultivators of these 

 charming plants. From the present varieties will spring countless 

 other varied forms, as, although it is with the greatest difficulty 

 that a variety can be raised from the normal form, nevertheless 

 it is comparatively easy to multiply endless forms when they 

 are raised from the spores of the varieties. In the normal 

 forms the fronds are more or less alike, whilst in the varieties 

 they have a tendency to differ, and the plan to be adopted 

 is to save spores from those fronds which are the most beautiful 

 and distinct; from these, plants will spring up that will amply 

 repay the care and attention requisite in their cultivation. 



The present variety was first discovered near Bristol, by 

 Mr. Hillman, and subsequently in Devonshire, by the Eev. J. 



