816 
THE FEEN PAEADISE. 
giving in some sort the idea of feet—have sug¬ 
gested the designation which is used to dis¬ 
tinguish the group; although the mark which 
gives character to the group from a botanical 
point of view is the absence of a protecting 
membrane or cover to the little round clusters 
of spore-cases at the backs of the fronds of 
the species included in the genus Polypodium. 
The Alpine Polypody, though bearing the family 
name, is not a e many-footed ’ Fern; but it 
nevertheless possesses the distinguishing mark of 
the group. 
1 . 
THE COMMON POLYPODY. 
Polypodium vulgcire. 
Plate 2 , Fig. 1 . 
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 
