210 THE FERN PARADISE. 



somewhat rare plant, but is found in certain 

 localities in Scotland some of the mountainous 

 districts and in Ireland, being in those countries 

 more plentiful than in England and Wales. In 

 England its distribution is confined to the 

 northern counties. 



A tufted root-stock ; a short scaly stem ; a frond 

 narrowly lance-shaped, consisting of two rows of 

 wing-shaped serrated leaflets, diminishing in size 

 by gradation towards the tip of the frond. Such 

 is the Holly Fern. Its peculiarity is that it has 

 no branches like the other two species of its kind, 

 Aculeatum and Angulare ; but one simple rachis 

 clothed on each side with a row of spiny leaflets. 

 In fact, it has a sort of general resemblance to 

 a single branch of Polystichum aculeatum. One 

 peculiarity about the leaflets of this fern must be 

 noticed. The upper portion of each one next 

 the rachis projects a little over the leaflet imme- 

 diately above it. The leaflets are attached to the 

 rachis by a narrow point ; but without the inter- 

 vention of a stalk. 



The fronds of the Holly Fern are robust and 



