CHAPTER VII. 
THE SHIELD FEE NS. 
Plate 3. 
UR British group of Shield Ferns is a 
small one, including — 1. The Hard 
Prickly Shield Fern ( Polystichum acu- 
leatum). 2. The Soft Prickly Shield 
Fern ( Polystichum angular e ) : and 3. The Holly 
Fern ( Polystichum lonchitis). The common name 
given to the group has been suggested by the 
shield- shaped scale covers which protect the 
roundish heaps of seed-cases borne on the backs 
of the fronds. 
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