THE POLYPODIES. 



together with sand. Indeed, all soil for Ferns 

 needs an admixture of sand to keep the com- 

 position sufficiently light and porous. Peat is 

 never found in the situations chosen by the 

 Common Polypody; but the Beech Fern, growing 

 at lower elevations, conies within the range of 

 peat. Hence the desirability of an admixture of 

 peat in the compost used to grow this Fern in 

 cultivation. But leaf-mould is the chief vitalizing 

 element in its errowth. 



3. 



THE THE RE-BRANCHED POLYPODY. 



Polypodium dry op teris . 



PLATE 2, FIG. 3. 



[HE charming colour of the Three- 

 branched Polypody, or, as it is also 

 called, the Oak Fern, is its most marked 

 characteristic a kind of light golden-green that 

 is most refreshing to look upon, and is of a tint 



2 95 



