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ASPIDIUM ANGULARE, V a r . C r is t a t u m .
L ow e .
P L A T E X X V I I .
P o ly s tic h um a ngulare, v a r . c r ista tum , M o o e e .
Shield F e ra . A n g u la r e— K n angle. C r is ta tum— C r c s te i.
I n TH E S e c t io n P o l y s t ic h u m o f A u t h o r s .
A n o t h e r beautiful variety of a British species, which in its
general features resembles the crested forms of A spidium filix -
mas and A sp lm ium filix -foem in a . During the last three or four
years great progress has been made in the raising from spores
of varieties of the British Perns, many of which are so dissimilar
as to he scarcely recognised as belonging to the parent
from which they have sprung. T heir beauty and distinctness
will quite revolutionize the English Ferneries, and, being hardy,
is a matter of the greatest moment to cultivators of these
charming plants. Prom the present varieties wül spring countless
other varied forms, as, although it is with the greatest difficulty
th a t a variety can be raised from the normal form, nevertheless
it is comparatively easy to multiply endless forms when they
are raised from the spores of the varieties. In the normal
forms the fronds are more or less alike, whilst in the varieties
they have a tendency to differ, and the plan to ho adopted
is to save spores from those fronds which are the most beautiful
and distinct; from these, plants will spring up that will amply
repay the care and attention requisite in their cultivation.
The present variety was first discovered near Bristol, by
Mr. Hillman, and subsequently in Devonshire, by the Rev. J.