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rOLYSTICHUM LOBATUM. 
POLT'STICHUM LOBA'TUM. 
Tins is considered by some botanists merely as a variety 
of Polystichum aculeatum, but from Ray downwards 
it has been admitted as a distinct species by many 
authorities. Ray in his Synopsis Stirpium Britan- 
nicarnm describes it as Filix aculeata major, pinnulis 
aurioulatis crcbioribus, foliis inleg r is angustioribus(Largor 
Prickly Fern, with closer and eared leafits, and with the 
whole fronds narrower). Sir J. E. Smith, after quoting 
this description, adds, “ Ray has well marked the dif¬ 
ferences between P. aculeatum and P. lobatum." Mr. 
Francis sums up the distinctions very effectively as 
follows:— 
“ This species is distinguished from aculeatum, for which 
alone it can be taken, by the deenrrent lobes; and as Sir J. 
E. Smith very rightly observes, ‘ by the much shorter, more 
crowded, and less scaly pinna! (leaflots).’ Added to which the 
pinnules (leafits) are more entire, being but slightly eared, 
very convex, thick, and of a glaucous colour, furnished with 
a less number of, and smaller, bristly sorratures, sometimes 
wanting them entirely at the sides. The sori also are more 
confined to the top of the leaf, and larger than in aculeatum. 
The variety loncliitidioidcs is not very scaly, and in form and 
size exactly intermediate between this species and lonchitis." 
It is the Polypodium lobatum of Hudson, and the 
Polypodium lonchitidioidcs of some other botanists. In 
English it was called by Ray Prichly Male Fern with 
narrower leaves, and by others Close-leaved Prichly Shield 
