92 
HISTORY OF BRITISH FERNS. 
the midvein of the basal lobes or auricles. The indusium 
is circular, and attached by a little depression or stalk in 
its centre. 
The variety lobatum, considered a distinct species by 
some botanists, differs chiefly in the narrow outline of the 
frond, and in the pinnules being much more decidedly 
decurrent, that is, running together at the base. Every 
possible variation in the consolidation of the pinnules is 
to be met with, between the typical bipinnate form of 
Polystichum aculeatum and a simply pinnate form of the 
species, which, from its resemblance to P. Lonchitis, has 
been called lonchitidioides. This latter form, owing its 
origin to the peculiar circumstances of growth only, cannot 
be considered as a permanent variety, but the intermediate 
state,—that which bears the name lobatum , which is the 
most common of these abnormal forms, is at least suffi¬ 
ciently different to be considered a variety. 
This common and free-growing Fern is found in hedge- 
banks, and similar situations; and being abundant, easily 
cultivated, nearly evergreen, and withal possessing consi¬ 
derable elegance of growth, has much to recommend its 
admission to a prominent position in the Fern-garden. 
This plant is often even now referred to the genus 
