HEATHS FERN PORTFOLIO. 
SOFT PRICKLY SHIELD FERN.— angu/are. 
E vergreen in sheltered positions, THE SOFT PRICKLY SHIELD FERN— 
Polystichmn ang2Uare — not unfrequently attains a length of four feet, though from one to 
two feet is a common size. Few ferns include so much beauty of form and colouring within 
their own fronds as this species — the most conspicuous feature in which is the fine contrast 
afforded by the vivid green of the leafy parts, and the rich rust-colouring of the abundant scales 
which not only thickly clothe the stipes — as the frond stalk is called — but the rachis — or continua- 
tion, through the leafy part, of this stalk. From the rachis, or mid-stem of the leafy part, the 
scales often thickly extend along the mid-stems of the pinnce, or first divisions of the frond, 
both on their under and upper sides, though they are more thickly scattered on the under sides. 
The surfaces of the lobes^ or ultimate divisions of the leafy part of the frond, often have 
smaller scales scattered over them. The stipes is usually much shorter than the leafy part 
and often an inch dr two only in length. Upon the crown of the root stock, which is large 
and tufted, the fronds usually grow in a circle shuttle-cock shape, and, as they are thrown 
upwards and outwards, assume a lax, and graceful habit. The fronds are lance-shaped and 
bi-pinnate^ or twice divided ; the pinnce, or first divisions, in opposite pairs or alternate, generally 
the latter, on the rachis, are also narrowly lance-shaped, and their lobes or divisions — the 
second divisions of the frond, alternate upon the secondary rachides or mid-stems of the pinnae 
are angular, indented and spined. The spores are produced in two short rows, one on each 
side of the mid-vein of each pinnule ; they are chiefly confined to the upper half of the under 
side of the frond, and frequently densely cover the surface, giving it a distinct and rich brown 
hue. 
Habitats — Shady banks of all kinds, the hedges or other borderings of roadsides, the 
sloping grounds of woods, and almost any moist, shaded and sheltered positions, where overhang- 
ing or adjacent vegetation has induced a plentiful supply of the rich mould provided by decay- 
ing leaves — for the Soft Prickl}^ Shield Fern loves especially a deep rich soil of vegetable 
earth into which its strong, wiry rootlets can plunge. 
Distribution.— angiUare is frequently very abundant in the localities it 
prefers. It is found in Abyssinia, the Azores, on the Black Sea Coasts, in the British Islands. 
Canary Islands, Caraccas, France, Georgia, Granada, Greece, Guatemala, India, Italy, Java, 
Madeira, Mexico, Natal, New Granada, Norway, Singapore, Sitka, Spain, Sweden, and the 
United States. 
