Hardy Ferns. Ill 



one among them can equal its exquisite beauty of 

 outline. It is of a tufted habit of growth, the fronds 

 rising in circular fashion from a crown, and varying 

 from one to four feet in height, according to situation, 

 appearing in April or May and dying down with the 

 first frost of autumn. They are broadly lanceolate in 

 shape and divided ; the divisions also lanceolate, sub- 

 divided, and more or less lobed round the margins, 

 which are sharply toothed, giving the entire plant an 

 exquisite gracefulness of outline. 



It is a splendid plant for a pot when a large 

 specimen is required, and is the easiest of all the 

 British wild ferns to cultivate, requiring plenty of room 

 and moisture. 



Among the many varieties of the Lady Fern multi- 

 fidum, crispum, and Frizellice (see illustration), are 

 among the best. 



Polystichum angulare, or the soft prickly shield fern, 

 is a very common fern in some localities. It is a very 

 strong-growing species of the shield ferns. The fronds, 

 which rise in a tufted circular manner from a crown, 

 vary from two to four feet in height, are lanceolate in 

 form and divided, and supported by shaggy, chaffy, 

 brownish scaled stipes. The divisions are also lanceo- 

 lated and divided into neat prickly toothed, shield- 

 shaped pinnae or leaflets, darkish green in colour. 

 This fern is nearly evergreen, the fronds remaining 

 green through a moderate winter till the young fresh 

 ones appear in spring. 



As a large specimen for pot or rockwork, it is a very 

 desirable fern of very easy cultivation. 



