51 
sides, with the usual little ear protruding itself in the lower 
pinnae. This plant seems to delight in the protection of man. 
We do not find it run wild with the brake in open downs, 
commons, and moors. It makes a snug retreat for itself in our 
Devonshire hedge-banks, and does not object, as many others 
do, to be improved by cultivation. Though the preceding 
species is more common throughout the United Kingdom, 
in Devonshire and Wales the contrary is the case. Some 
have doubted whether there be any essential distinction 
between these two plants,- and when it is borne in mind that 
there are varieties running one into the other, they are 
'probably identical. 
There is no difiiculty in making the Prickly Ferns thrive 
in a fernery. They may be even introduced with success 
into towns, where smoke and impure air prevail. The only 
thing requisite is to give them, a sufiicient supply of moisture. 
They often require the pruning hand, or else no other Fern 
would be visible. The preceding species is more durable, 
and bears frost better than the neat and graceful Fern 
which we have been now describing. The skilful gardener 
may also, we will not say, deceive, but rather attract and 
gain admiration by intermixing varieties, and placing side 
by side the different forms of this almost always elegant 
Fern. 
This species, though generally so common throughout our 
district, is scarcely to be met with in Otterford and some of 
the adjoining parishes. That wild elevated district has 
the sweet Mountain Fern (Lastrea Montana) in great pro- 
fusion to supply its place. 
This is the last of the Ferns of the neighbourhood, belong- 
ing to the faynily of the Shield-worts (Aspidiece), It is mani- 
fest that the name was given to the faynily because the covers 
of the fruit are rouyid as a shield. 
