ASPIDIUM. 



435 



are borne on long stipes (stalks). Their pinnae (leaflets) are spear-head- 

 shaped, close, and suddenly taper near the point. The pinnules (leafits) are 

 broad, coarse, more or less overlapping, undivided, slightly toothed, and 

 distinctly stalked ; the midrib of each terminating in a prominent spine and 

 the outer base being more or less distinctly lobed. — Lowe, Our Native Ferns, 

 i., p. 169, fig. 147. 



A. a. interruptum — in-ter-rup'-tum (interrupted). 



The fronds of this very handsome, constant, and singular form, which 

 was originally found wild at Oldstead, Yorkshire, are from 1ft. to l£ft. in 

 length, narrow, and somewhat spear-shaped. Although very variable in width, 

 they are always very narrow in their parts, owing to the presence of series 

 of shortened primary divisions, which vary in length to an extraordinary 

 degree and are provided with pinnules (leafits) of an auricled (eared) character, 

 and variously interrupted, especially near the stalk. — Lowe, Our Native Ferns, 

 I, p. 108, fig. 80. 



A. a. latipes — la'-ti-pes (broad-footed), Moore. 



This very robust variety, originally found at Nettlecombe, in Somerset- 

 shire, is remarkable on account of the extraordinary breadth of its fronds, 

 which attain 3jffc. to 4ft. in length and are lOin. or more broad at 

 their base. The pinnae (leaflets), especially the basal ones, are exceed- 

 ingly large ; they are somewhat distant and taper to a sharp-toothed, long 

 point. The pinnules (leafits) are conspicuously stalked, spiny, small- 

 toothed, and have at their outer base a very prominent, ear-like lobe or 

 auricle. The general outline of the fronds is a very broad lance shape ; 

 they are of a very deep green colour, and the stipes (stalks) are profusely 

 covered with pale brown scales about ^in. wide. — Lowe, Our Native Ferns, 

 i., p. 100, fig. 70. 



A. a. lineare — li-ne-a'-re (narrow), Moore. 



This remarkable variety, also known under the name of A. a. confluens, 

 is probably the most curious of all the known forms of A. (Polystichum) 

 angulare. It was found wild in Jersey, and also in Ireland, and the Irish 

 plant, though partaking of the same character as the other, is of a much 



