88 
BRITISH FERNS. 
bestowed upon it. Care must be taken in its removal 
not to break the fibrous roots, which become en¬ 
tangled with the substances around them. In a 
greenhouse, or large case suspended in a wooden 
basket, well covering the roots with moss and leaf- 
mould and sand, it forms a beautiful object. Out of 
doors, too, it is a pleasing addition to the rockery, or 
stumps of old trees. It does well for bouquets, as it 
will live a long time in water. 
ALPINE POLYPODY. 
POLYPODIUM ALPESTRE , 
Koch, Spurgel, Moore, and Bentharn. 
(Plate XIV. Fig. i.) 
SYNONYM. 
Pseudathyrium alpestre , Newman. 
This fern bears so great a resemblance to Asplenium 
Filix Fcemina, that it has frequently been overlooked, 
and considered merely a variety of that fern. The 
fructification is, however, very different from that of 
the Lady Fern; and it has a short, thick, erect, 
tufted caudex, forming several crowns. The fronds 
are from a foot to a foot and a half high; they are 
lanceolate, twice pinnate; the segments numerous, 
sharply toothed; and the leafy portion continues 
almost to the base of the scaly stalk. The fructifica¬ 
tion is on the back of the frond, occupying about two- 
