POLYPODIUM. 73 



lobes are more or less regularly two-cleft at the apex ; 

 serratum, in which they are deeply saw-edged; crenatum, in 

 which the margin has rounded notches, and is wavy ; and 

 acutum, in which they are drawn out to a long narrow 

 point. The varieties are fully enumerated in our " Hand- 

 book of British Ferns." 



The species and its varieties grow readily under cultiva- 

 tion, either planted in pots, or on rock work in a shady 

 situation. They should have a light, open soil. 



The name of Ctenopteris vulgaris has been proposed for 

 this plant ; but as it is the type of Pohipodimi, such a 

 change of name would be quite inadmissible. 



Polypodium Phegopteris, Linnccus. 

 The Beech Fern, or Mountain Polypody. (Plate II. fig. 2.) 



This is a somewhat fragile plant, enduring no longer 

 than till autumn, or the appearance of the first frosts. It 

 grows wild in moist mountainous situations and in damp 

 woods, often common enough where present, but rather 

 limited in its range ; occurring, however, in England to the 

 southward, westward, and northward ; pretty generally 

 distributed in Scotland ; but rarely met with in Ireland. 



This species has a slender but extensively creeping and 



