THE FERN PARADISE. 
1 . 
THE HARD PRICKLY SHIELD FERN. 
Polystichum aculeatum. 
Plate 3, Fig. 1. 
Hard, or Common Prickly Shield 
?rn, is one of the largest and most 
bust of our native Ferns, oftentimes 
reaching a height of three or four feet. Ever- 
green in character, its fronds survive the frosts of 
winter. It lias a big root-stock, from the under 
surface of which proceeds a dense mass of long, 
tough, fibrous roots. From its vigorous tufted 
crown this beautiful Fern sends up a circle of 
fronds, which grow in shuttlecock fashion, their 
tips gracefully bending outwards. The stem or 
stipes of the Hard Prickly Shield Fern is some- 
what short, but stiff and rigid, and covered with 
scales. The general outline of the frond is lance- 
shaped; broadest in the centre, tapering some- 
what towards the base, and tapering upwards to 
the apex. It is divided into narrow tapering 
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