POLYSTICHUjiil. 
93 
Aspidium, and was formerly included under that of 
Polypodium. 
Polystichum angulare, Presl. 
The Angular-lohed^ or Soft Prickly Shield Fern. 
(Plate V. fig. 2.) 
This is a strong-growing, tufted-stemmed species, some- 
times forming large masses. The fronds are lanceolate, 
from two to four or five feet high, persistent through 
ordinary winters, and in sheltered situations retaining 
their verdour unimpaired until the new fronds are pro- 
duced. It is one of the most graceful of all the native 
species. The stipes, which varies from a third to a fourth 
of the length of the entire frond, is very shaggy, with 
reddish chafiy scales, which scales, though of smaller size, 
are continued throughout the upper parts of the frond. 
The fronds are bipinnate, with numerous tapering, distinct 
pinnm, having their pinnules flat, somewhat crescent- 
shaped, from the prominent auricle at the anterior base, 
often bluntish at the apex, but sometimes acute, always 
with spinulose marginal serratures, and sometimes, in a 
few of the lower pinnules, with deep lobes, so that the 
pinnules become pinnatifid. The pinnules are tapered to 
