OUR FERNS. 157 
some of our trees. In past ages of the world, England was quite 
as much the home of gigantic and luxuriant ferns as the country 
just referred to; this is attested by the innumerable fossil remains 
preserved in various formations, more particularly in coal. 
There are now in our country between forty and fifty different 
species, according to the fancy or ingenuity of species-makers ; 
some of these are very widely spread, others are only to be seen 
in favoured spots. 
Although chalky soils are said to be not particularly favourable 
to their production, we possess within a radius of five miles a very 
fair proportion for the locality; and though we can never hope to 
obtain the diminutive Woodsias, which grow only in the crevices 
of mountain rocks, or the delicate and pellucid Film-Ferns, which 
delight in more humid situations, yet we are not without rarities. 
_ Sixteen species are now known to occur in our district, and 
probably more will “‘ turn up” before long. 
Tue Potypopres (Polypodium).—Of these we have two, but 
one is very rare. The Common Polypody (P. vulgare), an ever- 
- green fern, is found in all our woods, encircling the roots of the 
_ beech trees. In other localities it may be seen thickly covering 
the summits of old walls, high banks, &c.; there is a small bed 
‘of very fine ones on the left-hand side of the lane leading to 
Plomer Hill, and another on the bridge in Chapel Lane. The 
spores form bright brown patches on the back of the fronds, and 
“usually on the upper half only ; these spores have no skin or 
indusium over them—a mark which, taken in connection with 
‘the sound clusters of spores, is characteristic of the genus. 
‘The Limestone Polypody (P. Robertianum or caleareum) is very 
Tare, occurring chiefly in the northern and western parts of the 
s and, and preferring calcareous soils. It has been found in one 
ity in Oxfordshire, and I am glad to be able to record 
Wycombe as one in Bucks. I found two very good specimens in 
King’s Wood, close to Hazlemoor, but with the most diligent 
