32 
BRITISH FERNS . 
VARIETIES. 
ASPIDIUM ACULEATUM LOBATUM chiefly differs in 
the narrow outline of the frond, which is simply pin¬ 
nate. The pinnules are more decidedly decurrent. 
It is also of a more rigid texture ; the pinnae lobed or 
pinnatifid. 
The variety ASPIDIUM ACULEATUM ANGULARE is 
recognized by Moore and some other authors as a 
distinct species. It is a rather larger, more luxuriant, 
and less stiff variety; more divided than Aspidium 
aculeatum. The fronds lax, drooping, and lanceolate, 
with more distinct segments; the lower pinnae evi¬ 
dently stalked. 
The whole plant has a very vigorous appearance, 
and retains its green colour even in winter. The stalk 
is covered with a mass of scales of a rust-red colour, 
which are distinctly observable even in the young 
plant. Mr. Newman mentions a property as belong¬ 
ing to this fern, which, though common to many 
exotic species, is not found in any other British fern 
—that of producing new plants from “ bulbilli, which 
originate from the main or partial rachides at the 
axillae of the pinnules.” This condition of the plant 
was fully described by Professor Kinahan, in a paper 
read before the Dublin Natural History Society, in 
June 1852. If these bulbilli be taken off the parent 
pinnules and planted in a good light soil, they will 
grow with great rapidity, and form strong plants. 
