80 WAYSIDE AND WOODLAND FERNS. 



selected because it contains examples which exhibit the gradual 

 evolution of the mature type of frond from the simple trefoil 

 form. It will be seen that some of the intermediate stages 

 present a strong resemblance to the Common Polypody. 



The Mountain Buckler-fern is widely distributed over 

 England, Wales, and Scotland, but is more local in Ireland. 

 Beyond these islands it is restricted to Europe, where it is 

 pretty general, except that it does not occur in Sweden. 



It is Heath Fern as well as Mountain Fern. In Cumberland 

 it is Tea-scent and Hay-scent ; in other places Scented Fern. 

 The specific name oreopleris is a compound of two Greek words, 

 oreos wnApteris, meaning Mountain Fern. 



The Polypodies 



Our native Polypodies are only four some say five species. 

 There is no distinct appearance of frond or habit common to 

 them by which a novice could say " this is a Polypody ! " The 

 feature which distinguishes them and Gymnogramme from other 

 ferns that bear their sori on the backs of the fronds is a minus 

 quantity : the globular sorus has no indusium to cover it 

 (Plate 17). Gymnogramme is distinguished from Polypodium by 

 its sori being oblong instead of globular. Although the British 

 species are few, the genus they represent is a very large one. 

 It is largely a tropical genus, but it is well represented in the 

 Temperate Regions. The name is from the Greek words polus, 

 many, and pous, a foot, which is variously stated to refer to 

 the many stipes, the branching rootstock, or to the numerous 

 root-fibres from it. 



Common Polypody (Polypodium vulgare). 



The Polypody, like the Hart's-tongue and a few other ferns, 

 has so distinct an individuality that even he that runs may 

 identify it at sight. It is, therefore, no wonder that it has had 



