34 
and of a more rigid texture. The plants are fully formed 
about Midsummer, and the fructification appears quite ripe 
a month or two later. There is a little projection or ear 
(auricle) to the leafiets, especially those nearest the mid- 
stem at the bottom and outer edge of these leafiets. This 
is still more apparent in the next species. Often the back 
of the upper part of the frond is thickly covered with clus- 
ters of spores. The side-veins of our Prickly Perns are 
alternately branched. The branches never meet, but reach 
the edge of the leaflet. The masses of fruit are seated on 
the uppermost branch of the side-veins. To each serrature 
there is a sharp and strong bristle, and hence the name 
Prickly Pern. 
There is evidently a description of the Prickly Pern 
(Polystichum) in Johnson’s edition of Gerarde’s work, page 
1130. It is described* as “the not branched Male Pern, 
with broad auricled spiny pinnules, each leaf, especially 
those next the stalk” (rachis) “having on that side farthest 
off the stalk a large ear or out-growing, ending with a sharp 
prick, like a hair, as doth also the top of the leaf. Some 
of the sides of the leaf are also nicked, ending with the like 
prick or hair. Each leaf hath two rows of dusty seed-scales.” 
Pay, also, in his Synopsis, speaks of this plant. 
"With regard to its medical properties, the same writer 
describes it as “hot, bitter, and dry, and sometimes binding.” 
We know not whether this Pern has that peculiarity which 
Parkinson, two hundred years ago, ascribed to all. “ The 
fume of Pern being burned, driveth away serpents, gnats, 
and other noisome creatures, that in the fenny countries 
much molest both strangers and inhabitants that lie in bed 
in the night time with their faces uncovered.” Some con- 
sider that Pern, placed on a horse’s head, keeps off the flies 
that tease and sting the poor animal. 
Prancis calls this species “Aspidium lobatum.” Hooker, 
“Aspidium aculeatum var a lobatum and h intermedium.” 
We find it growing occasionally in most parts of our 
district. In Thorncombe it is quite common. Good speci- 
mens are to be obtained in the lanes between Avishays and 
Chard ; between Hawkchurch and Broom ; between Chard- 
stock and Chard, near Galloping close ; near Wyke, in the 
* Filix mas non ramosa pinnulis latis auriculatis spinosis. 
