POLYPODIES. 



dener's Clironicle" for 1863, which does not attain so 

 great a height, and is sought after by cultivators. 



AmoDgst the various names that have been given to this 

 well-known fern are Koyal Fern, "Water ]^ern, Osmund 

 Royal, Flowering Fern, and French Bracken. 



THE FOLTFOBIJES, 



Clusters of spore-cases, circular and naked. The edge of the frond not 

 bent back (or reflexed). 



The botanical name of this genus of ferns is Foli/podium^ 

 derived from two Greek words which signify many- 

 footed." It is one of three Eritish genera in which the 

 clusters of spore-cases are naked, or without any special 

 covering (indusium). The Polypodies differ from the 

 Parsley Fern in the clusters of spore- cases always being 

 distinct, and in the edges of the frond being flat and not 

 at all reflexed. They difler also from the Jersey Fern in 

 the circular form of the tufts of spore-cases, which in the 

 latter are elongated. 



There are five British Polypodies. Three of these have 

 elongated fronds, and in two of them the outline of the 

 frond is somewhat triangular, and divided into three 

 branches. The following may serve as a key to their 

 differences : 



Polypodies with Elou gated Fhonds. 



Common" Polypody. — Fronds once divided, with the 

 divisions united at the base. 



Beech Fer^?-. — Fronds twice divided, the lower leaflets 

 reflexed. Foot-stalks long. 



Alpine Polypody. — Fronds twice divided, the lower 

 leaflets not reflexed. Foot-stalks short. 



Polypodies with Teipartite Fronds. 



Oak Fern. — Three divisions equal. Surface of the 

 frond smooth. 



Limestone Polypody. — Three divisions unequal. 

 {Surface of the frond mealy. 



