I. POLYPODIITM. 49 
are lateral, and are not articulated with the caudex. The 
stipes is succulent, much longer than the frond, very brittle, 
erect, with a few scattered light-coloured scales near 
the base. The fronds are pinnate, ovate-triangular, taper- 
ing to an acute point, and varying in size from four to 
ten, twelve, or even twenty inches in length. The pinnae 
are narrowly-lanceolate, acute, usually opposite, but some- 
times alternate ; the lowest pan- is bent downwards, placed 
at a marked distance from the others, and very shortly 
stalked ; the next pair is more or less adnate at the base, 
and the remainder are united to the rachis by their whole 
width. When the pinnae are opposite, a cruciform figure 
is formed by the contact of the basal segments. In the 
upper part of the frond, the decurrent bases of the pinnae 
are continuous along the rachis. The pinnae are deepry 
pinnatifid, those near the apex becoming entire ; the point 
of the frond being altogether pinnatitid. The venation of 
the ultimate lobes consists of a distinct but slender mid- 
vein, scarcely thicker than the venules, which are alter- 
nate, mostly unbranched, and extending to the margin, 
those near the base of the segments bearing each a small 
sorus near their extremity. The sori, which are circular, 
thus become almost marginal. 
This species, though somewhat limited in its distribution, 
is common in some localities, occurring in moist mountain- 
ous situations, hi damp woods, and in the vicinity of 
waterfalls, and seems to be constantly found hi damp situ- 
ations. It occurs in the southern, western, and northern 
districts of England ; in Wales ; rather generally in Scot- 
land, and rarely in Ireland. The species is also distributed 
throughout Europe, and occurs in North America. Fee 
calls this plant Phegopteris polypodioides. 
This is~a free-growing plant, requiring a very abundant 
supply of moisture, both about its roots and fronds ; the 
soil, however, should be well drained, that this moisture 
may not become stagnant. It attains its fullest perfection 
in damp woods, and near water-falls, even within range of 
the spray ; and hence requires shade and a moist atmo- 
