THE FERN PARADISE. 
2 . 
THE MOUNTAIN POLYPODY. 
Polypodi urn p hecjop ter is . 
Plate 2 , Fig. 2 . 
GENTLE member — soft ancl graceful — 
of the charming family of Polypodies, 
is the Beech or Mountain Fern. Not 
possessed of the astonishing vigour of its relative 
Vulgare , it quails before the cutting autumnal 
winds ; and bending to the cold, becomes dormant 
during the winter, but reappears with dewy grace 
when beautiful May returns. In damp woods 
and mountains moist grows the Mountain 
Polypody. A slender rhizoma it has, which 
creeps extensively, producing black fibrous roots. 
From the upper surface of its creeping rhizomas 
start its fronds, growing from a height of 
six inches to more than eighteen. There is a 
great length of stem in this beautiful Fern, the 
stem being sometimes twice as long as the leafy 
portion of the frond, the shape of which is 
292 
