This species has a rather thin root-stock, from which arise large quantities of wiry roots. From the crown the two kinds of fronds are sent up. We may first consider the barren fronds: these vary according to the conditions under which the plant is growing, and range from a few inches up to one or two feet in height. The stipes is very short and it is of a brownish colour, with a few scales. The leafy part of the frond is narrowly lanceolate, tapering slightly at the point but more decidedly at the base. On either side of the rachis, which is green, are arranged the pinnæ; these are not opposite, but are in alternation. The pinnæ are narrow and oblong, and at the tip the frond tends to become pinnatifid, whilst at the base the pinnæ are little more than rounded lobes. The frond has been not inaptly likened to a double comb. The fertile frond has much the same outline as the barren one; it is, however, easily distinguished by its greater length and the extremely narrow pinnæ. These fertile fronds arise from the centre of the clump and are at their best about the month of June. They are very erect in their growth. The sporangia are borne along the margins of the pinnæ of the fertile fronds. The borders of the pinnæ seem to curl over and protect the sporangia; by a close examination it is easy to discover the independent indusia. When the spore capsules ripen they spread so that the whole of the underside of the pinnæ is covered. The texture of both the barren and the fertile fronds of the Hard Fern is very leathery. The Hard Fern is, of course, a very common species, to be found all over the United Kingdom. The plant is of a simple culture and is evergreen in habit. CHAPTER VIII THE POLYPODIES There must be very few people, indeed, who are not familiar with the leading British representatives of the sub-family _Polypodieæ_. It is difficult, indeed, to make a journey in any part of the country without sooner or later coming across some plants of the Common Polypody. Some other species of the genus _Polypodium_ are not uncommon in certain parts of the country. _Polypodium vulgare._ Here the generic name is derived from two Greek words—_polys_, “many,” and _pous_, “a foot.” This has been given to the plant on account of the fact that the creeping and branching rhizomes from which the fronds arise are in some way suggestive of feet. The specific name, of course, means “common.” The Common Polypody.