VI. rOLYSTICHUM. 91 
separated as a species. It is equally common or more so 
than the typical form. 
The variety a/alum is a remarkable one, agreeing with 
P. aculeatum in the form and texture of its pinnules, 
which are crowded, and all connected by a broad even 
wing or margin extending along each side of the rachis of 
the pinnse, very different from the confluence of the pin- 
nules which occurs in the variety lobatum. The main 
rachis is rather abundantly furnished with long very 
narrow ferruginous scales, which may indicate a close 
relationship with P. angulare. It was found in 1853 near 
Selworthy in Somersetshire by Mrs. Archer Thompson, to 
whom we are indebted for the specimens described. 
P. aculeatum and its varieties are easily grown, and are 
ornamental plants either for rock- work, or for pot-collections. 
They should be planted in well-drained sandy loam, and 
prefer a moderately shady situation. 
3. Poly sticlium angulare, Presl. Angular or Soft 
Prickly Shield Fern. Fronds lanceolate lax bipinnate ; 
pinnules with an obtuse-angled distinctly-stalked base, 
acute or obtuse, prickly-serrate. 
POLTSTICHCM ANGULABE, Presl : Newm. 173 : Bab. Man. 412 : 
Florigr. Brit iv. 95. ASFIDIUM ANGULABE, Willdenow : Sm. Eng. 
Fl. iv. 278: Eng. Bot Supp. 2776: Hook and Arn. Fl. 568. A. 
ACCLEATUM, Kunzo. 
ft. subtripinnatum : lower pinnules deeply pinnatifid, 
the lobes sometimes distinct. 
ASPIDIUM ANGULAKE ft, 6CBTBIPINNATE, Hook and AfD. Fl. 5C8. 
/. angustatum : pinnules all small, narrow, very acute ; 
fronds proliferous near the base. 
The Angular Prickly Shield Fern forms a large tufted 
caudex, sometimes erect and trunk-like in age, and as it 
usually throws out numerous lateral crowns, an old plant 
