THE SOFT PRICKLY SHIELD FERN. 155 
lobate, with the shallow lobules biserrate. It is a short-pinnuled, 
though deeply-lobed form, and hence has a distinct aspect. It was 
found at Barnstaple, in Devonshire, by Mr. C. Jackson. 
33. tripinnatum (M.). This very peculiar variety, which is stout, 
dense, and rigid in growth, has its one basal anterior pinnule on each 
pinna much enlarged, and much more distinctly pinnate than in other 
forms, though the plantis, on the whole, less divided than prolife- 
rum (36,) or decompositum (35). The most remarkable peculiarity is 
the unusual elongation of the anterior basal pinnules, which are 
nearly twice as long as the rest, and truly pinnate, the little pin- 
nulets along nearly their whole length being distinctly stalked. The 
other pinnules are highly developed though less so than the basal 
one, and they are crowded and imbricated, and bear sori profusely. 
It was found at Penzance in Cornwall by Mr. Millet, and was com- 
municated by Mr. Lowe. [Plate XIX E.—Folio ed. t. XIII B.] 
94. subtripinnatum (M.). This is one of the more highly 
developed of the normal states of the species, being only somewhat 
less divided than decompositum (35). It is of large growth, and very 
handsome, as all the larger forms are. The lowermost pinnules, 
the basal ones in particular, are here so deeply pinnatifid, that the 
segments become almost or quite distinct; in other respects it 
resembles the normal type; it varies, however, in being sometimes 
bluntish, sometimes more acute, in the pinnules. It is reported to be 
common in Ireland; e. g., Wicklow: Tinnahinch, R. Barrington ; 
The Dingle, R. B.; Glen of the Downs, R. B. Donegal, R. B. 
Dublin: Carrickmines, R. B. Itis, we believe, also plentiful in 
England in damp shady situations; we have specimens from 
Cornwall: Penryn, G. Dawson. Devonshire: Torquay, J. Carton. 
Somersetshire, T. E. Partridge. Sussex: Hurst Green, Rev. J. 
Hand. Kent: Sturry. Surrey: Mayford; St. Martha’s Hill, near 
Guildford. Berkshire: Lambourne, Mr. Walker. Nottingham, E. J. 
Lowe. Pembrokeshire: Castle Malgwyn, W. Hutchison. Guernsey, 
C. Jackson. [Plate XIX A.—Folio ed. t. XIII A.] 
35. decompositum (M.), This beautiful variety is the most com- 
pound or divided form of what may be called the normal race of 
the species, that is to say, those in which the general form is not 
much altered. The fronds are tripinnate at the base of the pinnae, 

