1 '■
11,
four distinct kinds, with some variations of the common
sort; some of these have the fronds persistent, and so
become evergreen, while in others they last but from spring
to autumn.
The Polypodies derive their name Polypodium, which
literally means, many-footed, from the branching of their
creeping stems, the tubercular protuberances on winch, in
the earlier stages of development, have some supposed resemblance
to those on the feelers of Polypes.
P o l y po d ium caloareum. Smith.— The Limestone Polypody.
(Plate I I I . fig. 1.)
This Pern is known from P . Pryopteris—to which it is
so nearly related that some botanists do not consider it distinct—
by having its fronds less decidedly, though somewhat
three-branched, and by having its surface covered with small
stalked glands, which give a mealy appearance to every part
of the fronds. To us these two plants appear quite distinct,
for, in addition to the points of difference already referred
to, the fronds of this are of a dull deep green, more
rigid, and without the marked deffexure of the rachis so
obvious in its ally; and the young fronds, instead of being
rolled up in three little balls, have their pinnæ all rolled up
separately. The glandular surface of the whole frond is
W P i tc h , l e i e t l i t l i
Heeve & KicRols, im j