CHAPTER VI. 



THE POLYPODIES. 

 PLATE 2. 



>HE c many- footed ' Ferns as the 

 words of Greek origin, from which 

 the generic name Polypodium is 

 compounded, imply form a pretty 

 and interesting group, including in the British 

 Islands five members, namely: 1. The Common 

 Polypody (Polypodium vulgar e). 2. The Moun- 

 tain Polypody (Polypodium phegopteris). 3. The 

 Three-branched Polypody (Polypodium dryo- 

 pteris). 4. The Limestone Polypody (Polypodium 

 calcareum). And 5. The Alpine Polypody (Poly- 

 podium alpestre). The rhizomas of these Ferns 

 creeping and branching in various directions, 



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