CHAPTER I. 
THE POLYPODIES. 
I. THE COMMON POLYPODY. 
Polypodium vulgare. 
NE of our most delightful ferns is the Common 
Polypody. It is positively refreshing and 
invigorating to look at it. We have good reason 
to think so, for as we write we have a splendid 
specimen standing beside us on our table, in a 
shallow seed- pan ; and it does us good to pause 
now and then, and look at its glorious wealth of 
magnificent fronds. This same specimen was some 
few weeks since growing on the moss-covered wall 
which skirted a Devonshire brook. When we got 
it, in its wild state, its fronds had attained what 
is generally regarded as their maximum length, — 
namely, eighteen inches. And what exquisite 
roots ! A perfect network of fibres, which, grow- 
