46 
The localities of this Fern are — 
Axminster ; copse in Park Farm. 
Chaffcombe ; wet Wood between Avishays and the 
village. 
* Charmouth ; Langmoor Copse. 
Hawkchnrch ; woods near Cowse. 
Southleigh ; Wiscombe Park. 
Stockland Hill ; Mr. Jeremy’s Plantation. 
TJplyme ; boggy wood on the north-west side of the 
village. 
Genus 2. 
Prickly Ferns. FolysticJia, Cover circular, attached by 
the centre, and free at the edges. First upper leaflet larger 
than the next and also than the one immediately below it. 
The little bristles on the leaflets of this tribe suflS.ciently 
show why they have the English name of Prickly Ferns. 
The classical name signifying “many ranks” was probably 
given because the back of the frond is covered with dense 
masses of fructification. The chief distinction between this 
and the Shield Ferns (Lastrea) is that the covers have no 
slit and are attached by their centre. Though the species 
differ much in their form and appearance, and though there 
are many varieties, all the leaflets have more or less on the 
side opposite the main rachis a little lobe technically called 
an ear or auricle. Smith and others used to unite the 
Prickly Fern (Polystichum) and the Shield Fern (Lastrea) 
under the common name Aspidium. The difference in the 
covers can quite account for their being divided into two 
groups. 
Plate I, fig. 5. 
“ There’s beauty all around our paths, 
If but our watchful eyes 
Can trace it ’midst familiar things, 
And through their lowly guise.” 
1. Common Prickly Fern. FolysticTium aculeatum, New- 
man says “ The European range of this Fern extends to 
