FERNS AND THEIR RELATIVES 89 
The third group takes in a fresh diversity, for in it 
we meet with real caps of one kind or another. The 
groups of spore-cases are arranged in small circular 
patches on the back of the leaf, and have a hood 
which falls off as a rule when the spores are ripe. 
A good type of this is the common Male Fern, which 
you may see not only on almost 
any garden rockery, but in very 
many woods and wayside ditches. 
The frondlets are quite separate on 
the main frond rib, and are them- 
selves deeply indented. The spore- 
cases are set in double rows along 
the frondlets, and each cluster is 
covered with a delicate, round, lead- 
coloured cap; the thick stem and 
the tufted crown of leaves make it 
easy of recognition anywhere. 
Very closely allied to this fern, 
the leaves of which are annual, are 
the Shield Ferns, which are practically 
evergreen. They may be distinguished by 
their harsh and rigid texture—some of them 
are quite prickly—and generally by their 
stouter and darker appearance. <a 
The Bladder Ferns, which have similar 
much - divided fronds, are recognised at once by the 
inflated hoods which cover the spore-cases, and are to be 
sought in mountain districts on damp rocks. 
A slight change in the shape of the clusters of spore- 
cases distinguishes the next group, which includes the 
Spleenworts, the Lady Fern, and the Hart’s Tongue. 
Instead of circular groups we now find elliptical clusters, 
