388 Class XXIV. Order I. 



which are pinnate, their divisions eut into oblong 1 , tapering 1 , 

 rounded, and somewhat acute segaients. The fruit grows on a 

 small separate frond, resembling a cluster of minute, brownish 

 seeds. Its stipe is invested with loose, reddish wool, its divisions 

 opposite, and completely covered with small, two valved, globu- 

 lar capsules. Perennial. 



OSMUNDA INTERRUPTA. Mich. Interrupted Fern, 



Fronds pinnate ; divisions opposite, pinnatifid ; seg- 

 ments nearly oval and entire ; some of the intermedi- 

 ate divisions fruitful. Mich. abr. 



A pretty large, smooth fern, in habit resembling the last. 

 The divisions of the frond are principally opposite, or nearly so, 

 and subdivided into segments, much like the last species. Only 

 a few pairs of the divisions, occupying a central part of the 

 frond, become fruitful. These are much shorter than the rest ~ r 

 when full grown, they resemble compound, pyramidal racemes, 

 and are covered on all sides with minute, brownish, capsules. 

 Low grounds. Perennial. 



OSMUNDA REGALIS. L. Osmund Royal. Flowering Fern. 

 Frond twice pinnate, terminating in a compound 

 cluster of fructification. 



A handsome, branching fern, found in meadows and moist 

 grounds. Stipe smooth. Divisions pinnate. Leafets or seg- 

 ments perfectly distinct and remote, oblong, very slightly ser- 

 rated, the lower half of base longest. Capsules small, globular, 

 two-valved, like the preceding species, arranged in a large, 

 compound raceme at the top of the stipe. Perennial. 



446. POLYPODIUM. 

 POLYPODIUM VULGARE. L. Common Polypody. 



Frond pinnatifid ; segments linear-oblong, obtuse, 



slightly serrate. 



A handsome fern, not uncommon on the sides of rocks and 

 steep, shady hills, forming beds by means of its creeping roots. 

 The stalk or stipe is perfectly smooth, grooved in the upper 

 side. Fronds about half a foot long, divided in a pinnate man- 

 ner almost to the stalk or midrib, by sinuses which are more 



