508 
Choice Ferns for Amateurs. 
POLY PODIUM - conti n uecl. 
borne on firm, erect, naked, stalks, l^ft. to 2ft. long, and 
lare of a slender, pendulous habit ; tliey are f urnislied. with 
numerous leaflets 6in. to 8in. long, ^in. to fin. broad, quite 
entire, and slightly hairy on both sides. The spore masses, 
disposed in one regular row on each side of the midrib, are 
prominent, and, being deeply immersed, form distinct pro- 
tuberances on the upper surface of the frond. 
P. vulg^are. 
Of the five Polypodies 
recognised as British, P. vul- 
gar e, known as the Common 
Polypody, is the only ever- 
green one ; it is as highly or- 
namental in midwinter as at 
any other time of the year. 
It is one of the oldset Ferns 
accepted as truly British, 
Although the dimensions of 
the fronds of P. vulgare are 
greatly influenced by the 
situation in which it grows, 
it may be stated generally 
that they vary from 6in. to 
12in. in length, and from 
3in. to 6in. in breadth, that 
they are borne on firm, erect 
stalks 2in. to 4in. long, and 
that they are cut down nearly 
or quite to the rachis into 
close, entire or slightly 
toothed, usually blunt leaflets 
of a soft, papery, or some- 
times stiffer texture and 
naked on both sides. It is 
most useful for adorning the 
hardy rockery, as well as 
being extremely decorative 
^•'fuVVersr^of|polSy.''poly: for cultivation out of doors, 
podium vulgare cambricum. the Common Polypody and its 
several varieties are well 
adapted for the ornamentation of the cool fernery under 
glass, where they may be used with great advantage and 
effect. P. vulgare varies to such an extent that to 
give even a selection would occupy too much space. Those 
interested will find them described in works dealing 
with British Ferns. Moreover, in all the more important 
