6 
[VII] 
IsjlMitm fimtjrrtk 
HOLLY FEEF. 
^fpHIS species is well named, for the fronds are nearly as rigid and prickly as holly. It is a very 
§Kf scarce fern, being only found in the Snowdon district, and there only in the loftiest and most 
inaccessible places. 
The young fronds appear early in the Spring, and remain evergreen for many years. 
The roots are black, wiry, and very strong; the rhizome is tufted and covered with scales, as is 
also the stem, which is very short. 
The fronds are from three to eighteen inches in length; they are pinnate, and the pinnae are 
deeply serrated, the serratures terminating in sharp spines. 
The seed is produced in large circular clusters, on the under surface of the pinnae, in a regular 
series, half way between the mid-vein and the margin. It is of a dark brown colour when mature. 
labitet 
It has been found on Moel Hebog, Glyder Eawr, and on rocks above Llyn I dwell, in Caernar¬ 
vonshire. 
This species is the first of a group that are subject to a great deal of variation, and take so many 
intermediate forms,—which are, as it were, connecting links with one another,—that it is difficult to 
determine which are the species, and which the varieties. The next link to Lonchitis is Lobatum : 
by many considered a species. It is not so rigid as Lonchitis, and is found generally near streams 
in the mountainous districts. 
fylkxt 
This fern is rarely found to succeed in out-of-door ferneries. If potted, it should be wedged 
between two pieces of stone; the soil should be light and sandy; the roots should be well supplied 
with moisture, which should be carefully drained off. 
C 
