Polypodium Phegopteris, Linn. 
Gymnocarpium Phegopteris, Newman. 
BEECH FERN. 
Root -— Radicles black and fibrous; rhizome creeping, 
threadlike, and slender. 
Frond — Triangular, broad at the base, acute at the apex, 
hipinnatifid; the lower pinnae drooping or projecting in¬ 
wards ; pendulous, of a pale green or olive colour, from six 
inches to two feet long. 
Stipes — From one-half to two-thirds the length of the 
frond, slightly covered with thin membranous scales. 
Pinnae — Opposite, or nearly so, sessile, pinnatifid, linear- 
lanceolate, apices acute: the lowermost pair of pinnae ovato- 
lanceolate, and at a more acute angle with the rachis. 
Pinnules — Ovate, obtuse, the posterior pinnules in the 
lowermost pinnae serrated, the margins variously clothed 
with minute spear-like hairs. 
Venation — Mid vein somewhat sinuous, lateral veins 
simple and branched, extending to the margin. 
Fructification — Clusters of capsules circular, almost mar¬ 
ginal when in perfection, as in Lastrea Oreopteris. 
Habitat — Moist woods, near waterfalls ; most luxuriant 
in shaded places within reach of the spray: when found in 
high latitudes, and on mountain sides, it becomes more 
downy and dwarfed. 
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