THE FERN PAKAD1SE. 



2. 



THE MOUNTAIN POLYPODY. 



Po ly podium p hegoptcrii* . 



PLATE 2, FIG. 2. 



GENTLE member soft and graceful 

 of the charming family of Polypodies, 

 is the Beech or Mountain Fern. Not 

 possessed of the astonishing vigour of its relative 

 Vulgar e^ it quails before the cutting autumnal 

 winds ; and bending to the cold, becomes dormant 

 during the winter, but reappears with dewy grace 

 when beautiful May returns. In damp woods 

 and mountains moist grows the Mountain 

 Polypody. A slender rhizoma it has, which 

 creeps extensively, producing black fibrous roots. 

 From the upper surface of its creeping rhizomas 

 start its fronds, growing from a height of 

 six inches to more than eighteen. There is a 

 great length of stem in this beautiful Fern, the 

 stem being sometimes twice as long as the leafy 

 portion of the frond, the shape of which is 



292 



