112 POLYPODIUM VULGARE. 



and the Dargle Fern of Mackay, the P. semilacerum, known 

 also as P. Hihernicum. 



Amongst the numerous countries in which the P. nulgare is 

 an inhabitant, the following may be mentioned: — Scandinavia, 

 Sardinia, Sicily, Italy, Corfu, Madeira, Canary, Algiers, Erzer- 

 oum, Kamtschatka, Canada, United States, Mexico, Guatemala, 

 California, France, Germany, Switzerland, Channel Islands, 

 England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, etc. 



Fronds lateral, pinnatifid with lanceolate segments, obtuse, 

 the margin crenulate. Venation circinate, having a branched 

 and creeping rhizoma clothed with scales. Stipes frequently 

 as long as the frond. Veins much branched, having their apices 

 club-shaped. 



Length of frond variable, differing from two to eighteen 

 inches. Colour dull green. 



Sori confined to the upper portion of the frond, circular, a 

 single row on each side of the lobes. Terminal. 



Spores and spore cases yellow or orange-coloured, giving the 

 under side of the frond an interesting appearance. 



An evergreen hardy British species, which is small, and 

 grows erect in dry situations, yet considerably larger and drooping 

 in more moist localities. 



Some of the varieties are bipinnatifid. 



The "Common Polypody" is found in Great Britain at every 

 elevation from the sea-level to two thousand one hundred feet. 



This well-known species is easily propagated by divisions of 

 the rhizoma. 



The localities of Polypodium vulgare in Great Britain are too 

 numerous to mention, it being one of our most common species. 



To cultivate this Fern, it is requisite to procure a light soil, 

 and in planting care should be taken not to bury the rhizoma, 

 as it delights to have it on the surface of the soil; pieces of 

 decaying wood amongst the soil is an advantage, as it seems 

 to delight in and to flourish best with this addition. 



Varieties of Polypodium vulgare. 



Mr. Moore, in the "Nature-printed Ferns," gives the following: 

 Semilacerum — Link, (Jiibernicum of Moore and Sowerby, sinu- 

 atum of Francis, Camhricum of Smith, and Serratum of some 



