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THE FERN PARADISE. 
somewhat rare plant, but is found in certain 
localities in Scotland — some of the mountainous 
districts — and in Ireland, being in those countries 
more plentiful than in England and Wales. In 
England its distribution is confined to the 
northern counties. 
A tufted root-stock ; a short scaly stem ; a frond 
narrowly lance-shaped, consisting of two rows of 
wing-shaped serrated leaflets, diminishing in size 
by gradation towards the tip of the frond. Such 
is the Holly Fern. Its peculiarity is that it has 
no branches like the other two species of its kind, 
Aculeatum and A ngulare ; but one simple rachis 
clothed on each side with a row of spiny leaflets. 
In fact, it has a sort of general resemblance to 
a single branch of Polystichum aculeatum. One 
peculiarity about the leaflets of this fern must be 
noticed. The upper portion of each one next 
the rachis projects a little over the leaflet imme- 
diately above it. The leaflets are attached to the 
rachis by a narrow point ; but without the inter- 
vention of a stalk. 
The fronds of the Holly Fern are robust and 
