CHAPTER VII. 
THE SHIELD FERNS. 
Plate 3. 
UP British group of Shield Ferns is a 
small one, including—1. The Hard 
Prickly Shield Fern (Polysticlmm acu- 
leatum). 2. The Soft Prickly Shield 
Fern (Polysticlmm angulare ): and 3. The Holly 
Fern (Polysticlmm 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. 
