THE SHIELD FERNS. 



colour of the leaflets in Angular 'e is also in general 

 much lighter oftentimes, in fact, a yellowish or 

 golden kind of green than is the case with. 

 Aculeatum. More than this, the bristles on the 

 points of the leaflets are not so sharp-set or so 

 prominent in Angulare as in Aculeatum. The 

 fronds of the Soft Prickly Shield Fern are, too, 

 more closely set together around the crown, more 

 regular in their arrangement, and more gracefully 

 and compactly placed shuttlecock fashion. So 

 closely, indeed, are the frond-stems set together, 

 and so densely clothed with rust-coloured scales, 

 that, in well-grown specimens, they form quite 

 a cup or hollow, and give the appearance of a cir- 

 cular Avail rising on the crown of the plant, and 

 completely clothed with a beautiful drapery of 

 reddish scales. 



Under cultivation the same conditions will apply 

 to Angulare as those which apply to Aculeatum. 

 The latter, however, appears more hardy and 

 better able to withstand the frosts, doubtless on 

 account of the more evergreen, rigid, and vigorous 

 character of its fronds. Both Ferns are beautiful; 

 but there is a soft beauty and a gracefulness of 



