THE MOUNTAIN POLYPODY. 



the lower pair lanceolate, deflcxed, sessile, but attached only by their midrib; distant from the upper 

 piling which nrc scsailo and broadly attache*!, and, except occasionally tho second pair, confluent^ so 

 tliat (ho united bases of the opposite pain* form by the direction of their two basal lobules a cruciform 

 figure ; all the upper piunic have their points directed towards the apex of tho frond, tobtdea oblong- 

 obtuse, entire, or slightly crenato-dentato, directed towards the apex of the pinna). 



Vmntivn of the lobules consisting of a llexuous midmn, from which proceed alternate or sometimes 

 opposite veiTis; these veins extend to the margin of the lobule, and arc cither simple, or become once 

 forked about half-way their length, tho simple veins, or when divided, the anterior of tho venules, 

 bearing a eorus at a short distance from the edge of the lobule. 



Fructification on the back of the frond, scattered almost equally over the whole surface. Sort, or 

 dusters of spore-cases, circular, small, quite destitute of covering, arranged in a series near the march) of 

 the lobules, and often becoming confluent in lines. Where the fructification is but partially developed, 

 only one or two of the lowermost veins are fertile, in which case the marginal series of sori is not very 

 manifest Spore-caves small, numerous, pale-brown. Spans ovate, smooth. 



Duration. The rhizome is perennial. The fronds are annual ; produced about May, and destroyed 

 by tho early frosts of autumn. 



This Tern is readily known from its congeners by its outline, which is ovate-triangular with an 

 elongated narrowed point; by the pinnato-pimiatilid mode in winch its fronds are divided; by its 

 hairiness ; and by the direction of its pinnae 



The fronds in this species become lateral and distant on the underground rhizome, in consequence 

 of its rapid elongation ; and they are adherent, that is to say, their stipes is not famished with any 

 natural point of spontaneous separation. The character of an underground caudcx seems principally 

 relied on by Mr. Newman in establishing his genus Gj/mnocarpium, which consists of the present species, 

 together with A Drj/opteris and I\ Robertiannvu More peculiarities of habit, however, are insufficient 

 to mark out generic groups ; and cannot be permitted to override tho characters afforded by the 

 organs of fructification. In the present ease, there is in the characters of the fructification so closo a 

 similarity, amounting almost to identity, with those of typical Polypodium, that the separation of these 

 species is, we think, unwarranted. In fact, the only differentia! character of any importance, afforded by 

 the fructification, is that of the medial, not terminal, position of tho sori on the veins. M, Fee had 

 already founded his genus Phegoptcm, agreeing with PresTs section of the same name, mainly on this 

 character, which however, not being constant, must be held to l>o insufficient. 



In cultivation the Mountain Polypody requires an abundant supply of water ; and at the same time, 

 in order that this supply may not stagnate about its roots, very perfect drainage should be provided. 

 This is best done by using broad shallow pots, and tilling up about two-thirds of their depth with 

 coarse rubbly materials, to allow of the percolation of the water, which, moreover, should not bo too 

 continuously kept in feeders about the bottoms of the pots. Turfy peat^ with leaf-mould ami sand, forms 

 a good compost. The plants are hardy enough to endure cold, but the beauty of the fronds can only 

 be secured by keeping them, at least during the growing season, in some place of shelter, of which uonc 

 can be more congenial to the plants than a cold frame or its equivalent. 



The Mountain Polypody is not liable to much variation. Mr. WollaMon admits only one abnormal 

 form, more or less permanent, which he calls multifidum. The frond in this abnormal form is of the 

 usual outline, but frequently some of the pinna* or pinnules are bifid or multitid, anil occasionally the 

 apex of the frond is similarly divided. It also generally hap|>cns that where dichotomous division takes 

 place, the approximate portions arc at the same timo depauperated. 





