152 HISTORY OF BRITISH FERNS. 



those near the base of the lobes bearing each one small 

 circular sorus near their extremity the fructification thus 

 becoming almost marginal. 



This is a very delicate and graceful Pern for pot-culture 

 or for a Wardian case, and requires plenty of percolating 

 moisture. On the damp, shady sides of sheltered artificial 

 rock-work, in the open air, it grows with tolerable vigour. 



Polystickum Pkegopleris and Lastrea Phegopteris are 

 names which have been proposed for the Beech Fern. 



POLYPODIUM VULGARE, I<inn<zus. The Common Poly- 

 pody. (Plate I. fig. 2.) 



This is an evergreen Pern, growing abundantly on pol- 

 lard trunks, mossy banks, moist rocks and walls, and old 

 thatched roofs ; and pretty generally distributed over the 

 United Kingdom. When sheltered the fronds are of a 

 lively green, and it may be then recognized by the com- 

 paratively large circular patches of golden spore-cases; 

 indeed, it may generally be known by this feature alone, no 

 other native sort having the fructification at all similar in 

 appearance. It grows with a creeping stem as thick as 

 one's finger, which is covered over with pale brown chaffy 

 taper-pointed scales. From its upper side spring the 

 fronds, and from its lower side chiefly the branching fibrous 



