05 ALPINE POLYPODY. 



fructification is, howevei-, very different from that of 

 the Lady Fern ; and it has a short, thick, erect, 

 tufted caudex, forming several crowns. The fronds 

 are from a foot to a foot and a half high ; they are 

 lanceolate, twice pinnate ; the segments numerous, 

 sharply toothed ; and the leafy portion continues 

 almost to the base of the scaly stalk. The fructi- 

 fication is on the back of the frond, occupying about 

 two-thirds of the upper portion of its length. The 

 sori are small, circular, distinct, but become confluent 

 in maturity. There is usually no indusium, but in 

 some specimens there appears to be an abnormal 

 development of a membrane covering the spri. The 

 fronds are annual, and perish early in the autumn. 



It is only lately that this fern has been added to 

 our British Flora, and as yet has only been found in 

 the Highlands of Scotland, where it grows in the 

 greatest profusion, particularly in Forfarshire. 



It is a fern which does not generally flourish well 

 in artificial circumstances. Free air and shade, with 

 a pure atmosphere, seem essential to it, and it is 

 therefore not desirable to inclose it in a glass case or 



O 



green-house, but rather to imitate its natural con- 

 ditions as much as possible. 



