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objects the vegetable world can produce. It has yielded 

 no variety, and as it could hardly surpass itself we will not 

 grumble. In a rockery it only needs introduction and it 

 will take care of itself. Wind, however, will ruin its 

 appearance very speedily. Plenty of light but no direct 

 sun, or the fronds are apt to lose their colour. 



The Limestone Polypody (P. calcaveitin) is the closest ally 

 to the Oak Fern, and only differs from it in minor details. 

 In colour it is not so delicate, having a powdered look and 

 a darker hue ; the stalk is straight and the plant generally 

 of robuster habit. Culture precisely the same, but it 

 benefits by an addition of limestone, upon which it is 

 usually found growing. It does well, however, without 

 it. 



The Beech Fern (P. phegoptevis) resembles the Oak also 

 in its habitats and habits, but thrives under moister 

 conditions, frequently dying out where its apparently more 

 delicate relation holds its own. The shape of the frond is, 

 however, very different, resembling more P. viilgave, but 

 with twice-divided fronds, the two lowest divisions of 

 which turn abruptly downward, by which feature it may 

 be infallibly recognized. It is of a deHcate green colour 

 and fragile make, and makes a pretty companion for the 

 others, with like culture. It has, apparently, not been 

 quite so self-satisfied as its near relatives, and hence has 

 afforded a few varieties. P. p. multifidum is a slightly - 

 crested form, and a recent find, called provisionally 

 lacevatum, has finely cut edges, somewhat like P. v. camhvi- 

 ctim. It remains, however, to be seen if it be permanent. 



Of the four species only one (P. vulgare) is evergreen, the 

 others are quite deciduous, disappearing entirely in the late 

 autumn, but rising and developing with great rapidity in 

 April. The camhvicnm forms, however, rise much later, 

 often not until July. They must be kept moist through 

 the winter, as in their native homes they are generally 

 soaking when not frozen hard. 



