CHAPTER VII. 



THE SHIELD FERNS. 



PLATE 3. 



UR British group of Shield Ferns is a 

 small one, including 1. The Hard 

 Prickly Shield Fern ( Polystichum acu- 

 leatum). 2. The Soft Prickly Shield 

 Fern (Polystichum angulare) : and 3. The Holly 

 Fern (Polystichum loncliitis). The common name 

 given to the group has been suggested by the 

 shield-shaped scale covers which protect the 

 roundish heaps of seed-cases borne on the backs 

 of the fronds. 



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