46 
TEE SHIELD FERN. 
shape, with the upper base extended into a small 
auricle, or enlarged lobe, and the lower base sloped 
away, — the apex going off to an acute point, and the 
margin notched with spiny teeth. Venation, fructifi- 
cation, and indusium, similar to P. Lonchitis. 
Young plants of this species, when the fronds are 
from two to four or five inches in length, have very 
much the aspect of P. lonchitis , and have been called 
by some botanists var. lonchitioides ; in this state the 
pinnules are confluent except in the lowest pair of 
pinnae, where the basal pinnule is always free, or not 
confluent, as in the rest of the frond. If this be 
observed, it cannot be mistaken for P. lonchitis. 
When the fronds have attained the length of from 
five to ten inches or more they still retain their narrow 
outline, but the pinnules become less confluent ; 
several of them, on the lower part of the fronds, next 
the rachis, having become free. In this state it is the 
so-called species Lobatum of some botanists ; and the 
var. lobatum of others. As all mature plants of this 
species pass through these stages, it seems strange 
that such errors should have existed so long. 
The Common Prickly Shield Fern is one of the 
most easily cultivated of all our larger and hardier 
species. With good drainage and moderate shade, 
it thrives admirably in almost any soil or situation. 
HABITATS. 
Irton Woods (Robson), Ara Force (JET. Furdham ), 
Ambleside and Rydal, and may be found in woods, 
ghylls, and hedge-rows throughout the distriot. 
