THE FERN PARADISE. 



that is most exquisitely delicate and beautiful. 

 The pretty little Fern is in general very abundant 

 in the localities where it is found ; but these are 

 chiefly away from the southern counties of Eng- 

 land. In the north-western counties, in Wales, 

 and also in Scotland, it is plentifully distributed. 

 In Ireland it is rare. It is found in very much 

 the same situations as the Mountain Polypody; 

 and it delights in the same kind of soil, but it 

 does not need quite the same amount of moisture 

 which is demanded by Polypodium plwgopteris. 

 Like all the Polypodies, except Alpestre, it has a 

 creeping rhizoma. In fact, it is a wonderful 

 traveller; and, in cultivation, is often found to 

 come up in places where it is not expected, so 

 extensively does it creep. From the under sur- 

 face of the rhizoma, or creeping root-stock, pro- 

 ceed its fibrous roots ; and these oftentimes, when 

 the Fern is growing on a spongy bed of leaf- 

 mould, become densely matted. From all parts 

 of its travelling rhizoma start the pretty and 

 delicate fronds; sometimes in such profusion as 

 to give to them the appearance of a miniature 

 forest of beautiful green. The average height to 



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