Fructifications confined to the upper half of the frond.
Involucres convex, rotundato-reniform, covering- numerous
brown capsules.
Our valued friend, the Rev. W. T. Bree, was so fortunate
as to discover this rare fern on Ingleborough, in
Yorkshire, and kindly communicated specimens of it to us
some years ago. We had no hesitation in referring the
plant to the Aspidium rigidum of Swartz and Willdenow.
It entirely corresponds with their description, with the excellent
figure of Schkuhr above quoted, and with our continental
specimens ; but we have sometimes entertained
doubts whether it ought to be considered distinct from some
of the acknowledged varieties of A. spinulosum. Mr. Bree
has however cultivated it for some years, during which it
retains its native characters, and we have consequently
given it in the 2nd edition of the British Flora as specifically
distinct. From A. spinulosum it is known by its smaller
size, narrow fronds, more closely placed and less compound
pinnae.
Our figure is drawn from a cultivated specimen, from a
root removed to the garden, from Ingleborough, by Mr.
Bree.—W. J . H.