192 THE FERN PARADISE. 



leaflet, under a sort of marginal arrangement, lie 

 the spores, in little round unprotected clusters. 

 The leaflets themselves are deeply notched or 

 cleft, those on the lowest part of the rachis being 

 each divided almost down to its mid-vein. But the 

 notches on those leaflets which are higher up on 

 the frond are not so deeply cleft. 



The habitats of the Mountain Polypody are 

 necessarily moist, the plant mostly delighting in 

 an excess of moisture. Hence it will be found 

 growing oftentimes immediately contiguous to 

 waterfalls, because there the atmosphere is per- 

 petually loaded with moist exhalations. It is not 

 rare, except in Ireland, although in Great Britain it 

 is found more abundantly in the northern than in 

 the southern counties. It occurs in Ireland, but it 

 is sparsely distributed throughout that country. In 

 Scotland, and in both North and South Wales, it 

 is to be found. 



The Mountain Polypody is essentially a shady 

 fern; for, less hardy than Polypodium vulgare, it 

 will not bear so well the sunshine. It will grow 

 readily, however, wherever you place it, if in a 



