THE FERN PARADISE . 
192 
leaflet, under a sort of marginal arrangement, lie 
the spores, in little round unprotected clusters. 
The leaflets themselves are deeply notched or 
cleft, those on the lowest part of the rachis being 
each divided almost down to its mid-vein. But the 
notches on those leaflets which are higher up on 
the frond are not so deeply cleft. 
The habitats of the Mountain Polypody are 
necessarily moist, the plant mostly delighting in 
an excess of moisture. Hence it will be found 
growing oftentimes immediately contiguous to 
waterfalls, because there the atmosphere is per- 
petually loaded with moist exhalations. It is not 
rare, except in Ireland, although in Great Britain it 
is found more abundantly in the northern than in 
the southern counties. It occurs in Ireland, but it 
is sparsely distributed throughout that country. In 
Scotland, and in both North and South Wales, it 
is to be found. 
The Mountain Polypody is essentially a shady 
fern ; for, less hardy than P olypodium vulgare, it 
will not bear so well the sunshine. It will grow 
readily, however, wherever you place it, if in a 
