7 
Y ariety — - Lob atum. — The distinguishing fea- 
tures in this variety are, that the frond is long and 
narrow, and that the pinnules are so much run 
together as to give the pinnse a solid form. The 
pinnae also, are in some cases placed so close to- 
gether on the principal stalk as to touch or overlap; 
and this gives to the whole frond an entire appear- 
ance like the leaf of a tree. The example in the 
plate is by no means so long for its width as some I 
have met with, but it was the only one I had at 
hand to print from at the time. The more strongly 
this variety assumes the close or solid arrangement, 
whether in the structure of its pinnules, or in that 
of its pinnae, the more it resembles the Polystichum 
Lonchitis; and hence it has, in this state, been 
called the P. lonchitidoides , or lonchitis-like. In 
obedience to the custom of the majority of Botanists, 
I have assigned this to the P. aculeatum , but Mr. 
G. W. Francis inclines to make it a variety of the 
P. angulare , alleging as a reason, that when the 
pinnae break into lobes, as the larger and lower 
generally do, the lobes are invariably and very 
distinctly petioled or stalked. My own observation 
rather disposes me to his view. However, when we 
know, as stated above, that there is frequently great 
difficulty in deciding to which of the two species a 
certain fern may belong, from their great resem- 
blance to each other, it is not surprising that persons 
of known experience should be perplexed in assign- 
ing the true place for a variety. The question, 
therefore, had better still remain open. 
Uses. — 
Where found. — In its most marked form it is 
not common. A root or two will be seen here and 
there ; but it abounds most in Cox’s lane. Where 
is that ? say you. Go half-a-mile out to the Turn- 
pike on the Exeter road. Turn into the lane on the 
left immediately beyond it. That is Cox or Cox’s. 
The fern is plenty from 50 to 100 yards up, on the 
right hand side — the variety on the left. 
Cultivation. — It only needs shade and a dampish 
situation. It is nearly evergreen. The variety as well. 
