THE POLYPODIES. 



from the centre towards their apices and down- 

 wards also to their bases, though not to the same 

 extent. The stipes is shorter than the leafy por- 

 tion of the frond. The latter consists of branches, 

 or leaflets, ranged in opposite pairs, or in alterna- 

 tion along the rachis, tapering to their apices, and 

 divided into blunt-pointed and deeply-notched 

 or saw-edged pinnules; being, of course, more 

 divided in luxuriant specimens than in smaller 

 ones. The seed-cases are borne on the backs of 

 the lobes, near the margins of the latter. 



The Alpine Polypody is found only in the 

 north of Scotland, inhabiting rocky places in 

 mountainous situations. It will readily grow 

 under cultivation, given a mixture of peat and 

 loam, good drainage for its roots, and plenty of 

 moisture. 



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