THE FERN PARADISE. 



face of which start the clustering fronds. These 

 are simple, narrow, and strap- shaped in general 

 outline, having a smooth, light green stem, some- 

 times about half the length of the entire frond, 

 but generally somewhat 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 are somewhat narrow 

 and lance-shaped, being terminated in a bluntish 

 point. The entire frond, like its leaflets, tapers 

 to a point, the leaflets becoming shorter and 

 shorter to admit of this arrangement. The 

 frond, in fact, has somewhat the appearance of 

 a rough double-toothed comb. Under shelter, 

 the Common Polypody is evergreen, its delightful 

 fronds remaining fresh and vigorous throughout 

 the winter, and until a new crop has been sup- 

 plied from the rhizomas in the succeeding spring. 

 At the back, and on the upper portion of the 

 frond, are the spore-cases, in little round patches, 

 unprotected by any covering. These, in the 



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