20 . 
THE HOLLY FERN. 
Polysticlium lonchit is. 
Plate 8, Fig. 2 , Page 293 . 
The regularity and simplicity of form and rigidity of texture 
of this evergreen Fern render it a somewhat striking object. 
It is the rarest of our native Shield Ferns, occurring in only 
a few localities in the British Islands. Some general re- 
semblance of its pinnules to holly leaves — having regard 
more especially to the spiny, prickly nature of those leaves, 
— has suggested for this species the common name of the 
Holly Fern. Its botanical name of lonchitis, which means 
spear-like, applies to the general — narrow and pointed — 
shape of its fronds. It is in reality a rock Fern, and occurs 
chiefly at elevations of from twelve hundred to three thou- 
sand feet and more above the sea level, at such elevations 
being often found growing in rocky fissures on bleak mountain 
ranges. 
Description. — The general form of this Fern may not in- 
aptly be roughly likened to a single pinna of Angulare, its 
fronds being simply pinnate, having a very short stipes, and a 
row alternately placed on each side of its rachis of wing-sliaped 
pinnules. Each pinnule is attached at the lower side of its 
base to the rachis by a narrow point consisting of the base 
of the mid-stem and a very small portion of the leafy sub- 
stance of the pinnule. There is therefore no distinct stem to 
the pinnules. The fronds rise from a tufted and scaly root- 
