CHAPTER II. 



THE SHIELD FERNS. 



I. THE HARD PRICKLY SHIELD FERN. 

 Polystichum aculeatum. 



E Hard, or Common Prickly Shield Fern 

 is one of the grandest and most robust 

 of our native ferns, oftentimes reaching a height 

 of three or four feet. Evergreen in character, 

 its fronds survive the frosts of winter. It has 

 a grand root-stock, from the under surface of 

 which proceeds a dense mass of long, tough, 

 fibrous roots. From its vigorous tufted crown 

 this beautiful fern sends up a circle of fronds, 

 which grow in shuttlecock fashion, their tips 

 gracefully bending outwards. The stem or stipes 

 of the Hard Prickly Shield Fern is somewhat 

 short, but stiff and rigid, and covered with scales. 

 The general outline of the frond is lance-shaped ; 

 broad, however, at the base, and tapering up- 



