FERNS. O 



most easily cultivated. I have seen it growing upon the 

 ledges of rockeries like plantations of young Firs, 

 spreading freely, and maintaining the easy grace of its 

 native growth. 



On a spongy bank, where the soil was more clay-like, 

 was another miniature tree Fern. The size was some- 

 what larger than that of the Oak-Fern, and the rachis 

 more robust. The frond was triangular in form, the 

 upper pinnae being short, and lengthening gradually, the 

 last two bending forward. The naked groups of spore- 

 cases showed this to be also a Polypody, and the forward 

 bend of the lowest pinnse proved it to be the Beech-Fern, 

 or Polypodium phegopteris {Plate I., jig. 3). This is 

 more difficult to cultivate than the Oak Polypody, being 

 more dependent upon shade ; but when it gets once 

 established it continues to flourish, though not increasing 

 nearly so quickly as its more domestic brother. We 

 have since found both these Ferns in the Scotch high- 

 lands. 



In a glen higher up the dale, the Limestone Polypody 

 (P. calcareum, Plate /., jig. 4), flourishes. Its three 

 branches resemble those of the Oak-Fern ; but it is more 

 rigid in its manner of growth, attains a larger stature, 

 has a green rachis, and a powdery appearance. Fanny 

 has found it in abundance among the combes of Somerset- 

 shire. Limestone seems necessary to its comfort. We 

 see no habitats assigned to it where that is not the 

 prevailing rock ; indeed, Sowerby asserts that wdiere 

 other rocks top the limestone, the Fern avoids them, 

 though growung abundantly in their near vicinity. This 



