1 88 THE FERN PARADISE. 



tions above the ground level where accumulations 

 of leaf-mould lie in hollows with pent moisture, will 

 the Common Polypody grow, thriving most vigo- 

 rously in situations where its roots are subject to 

 the most favourable conditions of soil and moisture. 

 Most appropriately is it called the Polypody 

 the Many-Footed Fern for its rhizomes creep in 

 all directions under its shady covering. From these 

 thick, fleshy rhizomes about a finger's thickness 

 grow its matted fibrous roots. These, thread-like, 

 penetrate almost everywhere in a horizontal direc- 

 tion, growing and spreading with the progress of 

 the rhizomes, from the upper surface of which start 

 the clustering fronds. These are simple, narrow, 

 and strap-shaped in general outline, having a 

 smooth, light green stem, sometimes about half 

 the length of the entire frond, but generally some- 

 what less. On each side of the very prominent 

 midrib, or rachis, the leafy portion of the frond is 

 deeply indented or cut in, almost down to the 

 midrib, giving the appearance of a row of leaflets 

 on each side of the rachis, attached to a leafy 

 wing, extending along it lengthwise. These leaflets 



