THE FERN WORLD 
278 
when fully developed they almost entirely cover the under 
side of the upper half, or upper two-thirds of the fronds. 
One of the principal distinguishing peculiarities of Polg- 
stichunt angulare is the abundance of its rust -coloured scales, 
which ordinarily densely clothe the stipes, and extend not 
only along the back of the primary rachis, but along the 
secondary rachides, or mid-stems of the pinnae. The fronds 
of this Fern when it is finely grown and well developed, are 
very compactly arranged in a circle around its crown, and 
sometimes the stipides thus arranged are so closely set as to 
present the appearance of a circular hollow densely clothed 
with scales. Angulare is distinguished from Aculeatum by 
this excess of richly coloured scales, and also by the more 
vivid green and the more lax and graceful droop of its frouds. 
It is an evergreen Fern, its fronds enduring through the 
winter in moderately sheltered situations. There are no 
less than two hundred and fifty more or less well marked 
varieties of this Fern. 
Distribution. — Abroad Pohjstichum angulare is found in 
France, Greece, Italy, Norway, Spain, and Sweden. In 
Africa it inhabits Abyssinia and Natal, as well as the Azores, 
the Canary Islands, and Madeira. It is also found in India, 
in the United States of America, in Mexico, in the Caraccas, 
in New Granada, in Guatemala, and in Java. In England it 
is found in the counties of Chester, Cornwall, Derby, Devon, 
Dorset, Essex, Gloucester, Hants (including the Isle of Wight), 
Hereford, Hertford, Huntingdon, Kent, Lancaster, Leicester, 
Middlesex, Norfolk, Salop, Somerset, Stafford, Surrey, 
Sussex, Warwick, Westmoreland, Wilts, Worcester, and York. 
It inhabits the Isle of Man, Jersey, and Guernsey. In Wales 
it is found in Anglesea, Brecknock, Carnarvon, Cardigan, 
Denbigh, Glamorgan, Pembroke, and Kadnor. In Scotland 
it is -rare — only occurring in the counties of Argyle and 
Berwick. In Ireland it inhabits the counties of Antrim, 
