30 
BRITISH FERNS. 
is among rugged masses of stones and broken rocks 
which lie at the base or slopes of mountains in the 
north of England, and in Wales. On the rocks of 
Snowdon it may be seen covering the otherwise bare 
surface, and growing luxuriantly in the clefts and 
ledges of the slate and trap masses which there 
abound. In Scotland it is abundant; and it is to be 
found in Ireland, though more sparingly. In cultiva¬ 
tion, this charming little fern succeeds well. Nothing 
can be better adapted by natural habit to the rock- 
work and masses of dark granite or basaltic rock, on 
which it should be placed in the fernery. In a closed 
case it also does well, if protected from the direct heat 
of the sun, and supplied with fragments of stone, or 
mortar, or bits of slate. A peaty-bog earth is the 
best soil for it ; and, as in the case of all other ferns, 
its natural circumstances should be as much as possible 
regarded in its artificial treatment. 
COMMON PRICKLY SHIELD FERN. 
ASP1DIUM ACULEATUM, .... * 
(Wildenow’s Fern) 
Swartz, Smith, Hooker, Bentham, Arnott. 
(Plate II. Fig. 2.) 
SYNONYMS. 
Polystichum aculeatum , Babington, Moore, Newman, Roth, and others. 
Polypodium , Linn ecus. : 
This species is almost evergreen in a sheltered situa¬ 
tion. It is a stout plant, having tufted fronds, rising 
