THE FEEN PARADISE. 



in the upper portion of the frond, are densely 

 covered with rich-brown clusters of seed-cases. 



The Hard Prickly Shield Fern is very widely 

 and plentifully distributed throughout the United 

 Kingdom, growing chiefly in shady hedge-banks 

 and on tree- covered hilly slopes. Few of our 

 Ferns are so robust as this species, and few can 

 bear the sunlight better. But, although hardy in 

 the extreme, it prefers like all Ferns shade and 

 moisture, and grows more luxuriantly under con- 

 ditions where these are secured than when exposed 

 to the sunlight or subjected to the open force 

 of the winds. We found a grand specimen of 

 Polystichum aculeatum on a steep slope in the 

 woods surrounding Berry Pomeroy Castle in 

 South Devon. It was nearly four feet long; and 

 its rigid, robust, prickly-looking, dark shining- 

 green fronds made it a striking object. 



In the garden, on the rockery, or in the house, 

 this Fern will grow magnificently. It will thrive 

 even in common garden soil ; but it will succeed 

 best in true Fern soil a peaty, loamy, sandy 

 mixture. 



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