820 
THE FERN PARADISE. 
face of which, start the clustering fronds. These 
are simple, narrow, and strap-shaped in general 
outline, haying a smooth, light green stem, some¬ 
times about half the length of the entire frond, 
but generally somewhat less. On each side of 
the very prominent midrib, or rachis, the leafy 
portion of the frond is deeply indented or cut in, 
almost down to the midrib, giving the appearance 
of a row of leaflets on each side of the rachis, 
attached to a leafy wing, extending along it 
lengthwise. These leaflets are somewhat narrow 
and lance-shaped, being terminated in a bluntish 
point. The entire frond, like its leaflets, tapers 
to a point, the leaflets becoming shorter and 
shorter to admit of this arrangement. The 
frond, in fact, has somewhat the appearance of 
a rough double-toothed comb. Under shelter, 
the Common Polypody is evergreen, its delightful 
fronds remaining fresh and vigorous throughout 
the winter, and until a new crop has been sup¬ 
plied from the rhizomas in the succeeding spring. 
At the back, and on the upper portion of the 
frond, are the spore-cases, in little round patches, 
unprotected by any covering. These, in the 
