THE POLYPODIES. 
333 
from the centre towards their apices and down¬ 
wards also to their bases, though not to the same 
extent. The stipes is shorter than the leafy por¬ 
tion of the frond. The latter consists of branches, 
or leaflets, ranged in opposite pairs, or in alterna¬ 
tion along the rachis, tapering to their apices, and 
divided into blunt-pointed and deeply-notched 
or saw-edged pinnules; being, of course, more 
divided in luxuriant specimens than in smaller 
ones. The seed-cases are borne on the backs of 
the lobes, near the margins of the latter. 
The Alpine Polypody is found only in the 
north of Scotland, inhabiting rocky places in 
mountainous situations. It will readily grow 
under cultivation, given a mixture of peat and 
loam, good drainage for its roots, and plenty of 
moisture. 
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