SHIELD FERISiS. 



67 



the extremity of a scaly root-stock to a height of from 8 

 to 12 or 14 inches. The form of the outline of the 

 frond is narrowly spear-sbaped. The leaflets are closely 

 arranged on each side of the leaf- stalk, so that the, 

 partially overlap each other. The lower edge of the leaf- 

 lets is convex, and the upper concave, with a projection 

 at the base, and the edge is armed all round with spiny 

 teeth. The clusters of spore-cases form a line on each 

 side of the mid-rib, and about midway between the mid-rib 

 and the margin of each leaflet. This species differs from 

 both the Prickly Shield Fern and the Soft Shield Fern, 

 in the leaflets being arranged in a single row on each side 

 of the leaf-stalk. (Plate VI., fig. 2.) 



The Holly Pern is a truly mountain species, growing in 

 such localities in Scotland, Wales, and Ireland. It is not 

 an easy fern to cultivate, but in a moist shady situation 

 will sometimes succeed. As a pot plant in a greenhouse, 

 or in a fern-case, it is more likely to survive the winter ; 

 but, as in all other ferns, good drainage must not be dis- 

 regarded. 



PEICKLT SHIELD PEEN.^ 



The tuft of fronds in this species rises from the crown 

 of the root-stock for a foot or 18 inches, and in favourable 

 situations 2 feet and upwards. The outline of the fronds is 

 spear-shaped, sometimes broadly spear-shaped, and some- 

 times narrowly spear-shaped. The foot-stalk is thickly 

 covered with rusty brown scales, with branches on each 

 side through the greater portion of its length. The leaf- 

 lets are of a glossy green, and rather stiff, tapered to a 

 point in both directions, but rather more rapidly below, 

 so as to form a wedge-shaped angle at the base of the leaf- 

 lets, which is attached to the branch without any appre- 

 ciable stalk. The upper edge of each leaflet has near its 

 base a conical projection. The apex tapers to a sharp point, 

 and the edge is toothed all round. The tufts of spore- 

 cases form a line on each side of the mid-rib of the leaf* 



* PoJystichum aculeatum, Roth. 



