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and in lowland woods, preferring, as do most if not all the
larger Ferns, the presence of plenty of free (not stagnant)
water. As a cultivated plant, either for pots or rock-work,
it is most desirable, and acquiring, as it does, considerable
size, it may be made to produce some striking effects in
ornamental scenery.
Like its congeners, this was formerly, and now is by
some, considered to be an Aspidium.
P o lystichum L o n c h it is , B o ik—The Holly Fern. (Plate
lY . fig. 2.)
This is a rigid and prickly-looking species, whence comes
the English name. It has a scaly tufted stem, from the
crown terminating which, the young fronds are produced
early in each spring; these fronds remain fresh and vigorous
until after those of the succeeding year are developed, so
that the species is truly evergreen in its habit of growth.
The size of the fronds is very variable; sometimes they are
not more than six inches long, and cultivated plants do not
often much exceed this stature. In damp and but slightly
elevated situations it becomes more luxuriant, the fronds
sometimes attaining a foot and a half in length, and then
having a vigour and robustness of aspect never acquired, as
far as we know, in cultivation, at least in England. The
po ly st ic h um . IGl
climate of Ireland seems more congenial to it, and we understand
it is there cultivated with facility. The fronds
are narrow in outline, their figure being linear-lanceolate ;
they are once pinnate, the pinnæ being short, crowded, and
somewhat crescent-shaped, the upper side at the base having
an ear-shaped projection, the lower side being, as it were,
cut away. The margin is set with spinous teeth.
The veins are twice branched, the branches extending to
the margin without joining with others. The clusters of.
spore-cases form a line parallel with, and on each side of the
midrib, and are covered each by a membranous circular scale,
which is attached by.a short central stalk.
A true rock-Fern, occurring on the bleak mountains of
Scotland and in the milder climate of Ireland, as well as
rarely in the north of England and in Wales. It is a very
distinct, and, when vigorous, a not inelegant species, but
exceedingly difficult of cultivation, and seldom seen thriving
under artificial treatment.
The Holly Eern has been at different times called Aspidium
Lonchitis and Polypodium Lonchitis.
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