90 
cles; they arc often crowded, and sometimes confluent Each 
sorus is covered by a circular indusium, attached by its 
centre, the vein extending beyond it nearly to the margin. 
This species is common in hedge banks, and similar situa- 
tions throughout the United Kingdom. It is moreover abun- 
dant almost all over Europe ; and it, or a closely allied 
fern, is found in Asia, Africa, and North America, 
The variety obtusum differs chiefly in the broad blunt 
form of the pinnules, and their thick but not at all rigid 
texture. It is cultivated at Kew, and is, we are informed, 
of British origin. 
The variety lobatvm differs from the typical form of tliu 
species in the narrow-lanceolate outline of its fronds, and 
in having its pinnules all decurrent or more or less con- 
fluent. The form of the pinnules is also different, for they 
are never (or rarely 
very slightly) au- 
ricled, both the an- 
terior and poste- 
rior margins being 
rounded ; so that 
they are more 
ovate than lunate. 
In other respects 
in its subevergreen 
fronds adherent to 
the tufted caudex ; 
in its rigid texture, 
and shining sur- 
face; in the prickly 
serratures of its 
pinnules, and in the 
enlarged anterior 
basal pinnule on 
each pinna, it quite agrees with P. aculeatum, from 
which the numerous intermediate stages, and above 
all the interchanges observed under cultivation of 
lobatum to aculeatum, and vice versa, forbid its being 
[Polystichum lobatum, vars.] 
