THE SHIELD FERNS. 
127 
range of difference in the make of the ultimate divisions, or 
pinnules, and even in the texture and general character of 
the entire fronds; while so many really extraordinary forms 
have been found wild that there is always a reasonable expecta- 
tion of lighting upon something startling. The word startling 
may seem exaggerated, but becomes appropriate, for instance, 
when applied to the discovery of such a Fern transformed 
into a confused mass of very long, narrow fronds, spirally 
twisted and contorted like so many serpents twining about 
amongst the undergrowth around it. Tet this precisely 
describes one of Mr. G. B. Wollaston’s finds, which has main- 
tained its character for many years. So much by way of 
example. Cultivation is easy in good, strong loam, and plenty 
of root room if in pots. 
The capacity of variation in this Fern is so great, and 
the size of many of its best forms such, that a large space 
would be required to accommodate a fair selection of those 
in trade hands, outside of which there are practically in- 
numerable forms, including some of the best, which exist as 
unique plants in private hands. It is, indeed, so fascinating 
a Fern that the most noted collectors generally become 
Polysticlium fanciers in particular in course of time. It will 
be seen from this that in making our selection many omissions 
are inevitable, and only some of the best forms extant, and 
within our own personal cognizance, can be cited. The figures 
in parentheses refer to Plate YI. 
P. ang. acrocladon (summit-branched) (2). Wild find. This 
is the counterpart in this species of Athyrium Filix-foemina 
acrocladon, the fronds being divided low down into branches 
bearing dense crests. A splendid form. 
P. ang. atteimato-cristatum (attenuated, crested), El- 
worthy. A very delicate, slender form; fronds and pinns 0 
neatly crested. 
P. ang. brachiato-cristatum (branched, crested), Keall. 
One of the startling series of finds, the two lowest pinnae 
being transformed into fronds, forming a sort of trident, 
with each prong tipped with a dense, ball-like tuft of cresting. 
P. ang. brachiato-cristatum, Wills, Gray (3). Two 
