6 



FERNS. 



Fern is easily cultivated, flourishing hardily wherever the 

 soil is well drained. 



The Alpine Polypody (P. alpestre), was sent to us by 

 a Shropshire ally. In form it resembles the Lady-Fern, 

 The pinnae are planted all along the rachis, very short at 

 the summit, lono; in the centre, and becoming short again 

 at the base ; they extend for more than three-fourths of 

 the rachis. The specimen given to us was brought from 

 the Shropshire hills. It was beginning to die away even 

 before the delicate fronds of the Lady-Fern, its neighbour, 

 showed the least sign of decay. No cover was upon the 

 seed-masses then, but its neighbour had also parted with 

 hers. Our friend placed it in the fernery, and watched 

 for next year's fruit ; but, alas ! before it was fairly 

 developed a greedy cow, trespassing into the garden, 

 selected its fronds as its bonne Louche. The third year 

 was more fortunate — the fructification was formed, and 

 no indusium was discernible. So the Shropshire moun- 

 taineer takes its place among the Polypodies. 



The near ally of this family, the Scaly Spleenwort 

 (Ceterach officinarum, Plate I., Jig. 5), I found at Vallis 



in Somersetshire, growing on 

 walls. Afterwards I found it 

 abundantly in Devonshire, and 

 about Congresbury and Yatton, 

 in Somersetshire, generally in 

 company with the Black-stalked 

 Spleenwort and Wall Eue, mak- 

 ing the walls into botanic gar- 

 dens. It is a compact little plant ; the fronds thick, and 

 cut into broad simple pinnae. They are lined with 



CETERACH. 



