THE COMMON HARTS-TONGUE 
Pructifcation dispersed over the back of the frond,* most abundant upwards, 
гі linear, oblique 
unequal in length, twin, that is, growing in pairs, the two 
mtiguous parallel sori borne on the posteri 
and anterior veink 
l 
Tudusium also do 
ible, narrow, entire, the two opening face to face, at first connivin 
4, at length separating 
down the centre of the twin sorus, finally pi 
hed back and hidden by the spore-eases. Spore-cases 
numerous, obovate, reddish-brown, Spores roundish or o 
y ndish or ol 
ig, murieulate 
Duration. "Tho caudex is perennial. The fronds are persistent tho young ones being produced in 
April, and remain long after others succeed them ; the plant is therefore strictly evergreen. 
Тһе common Hart's-Tongue is at 
once known from all other British Ferns by its long strap-sli 
sueculent-looking 
onds ; and technically by its lin 
twin sori, Its varieties are endless. Those we 
have thought deservi 
types of variation 
than as individual forms, comprising 
a serios of analo 
us subvarieties, which, however, being perma 
nent and easily cultivated, a 
individually prized as garden ornaments. We omit any le 
description of them on this account, and also because they will be included in the following 
on the whole of the forms or subvarieti 
awn up by 
Mr. Wollaston, of Chislehurst, whose own collection contains one of the most extensive series 
‘The principal private с 
ections of livin 
Scolopendriums, known to us, besides that just mentioned, are 
those of Dr. Allehin, of Ti 
water; Mr. Gray, of Hammersmith; Mr. Clapham, of Scarborough ; 
Mr. James and Mr. Jackson, of Guernsey; the Rev. J. М. Chanter, of Ilfracombe ; and Sir W. C. 
Trevelyan, of Nettlecombe ; to whom, and to 
(Ray). This old a 
y other correspondents, we are indebted for specimens, 
1. polyschid 
nd familiar variety, known to the illustrious Ray, and named in 
lusion to the numerous deep incisions on the margin of the frond—know 
under the name of angustifoliim, in allusion to its narrow fronds—is taken as the type of a 
oup in 
Which the fronds are more or less ineised on their 
ins, but not in the least degree marginate, (that 
having the epidermis disrupted). ‘The fronds in this variety are linear strap-shaped, slightly undulate 
larly erenato-lobate, with the margin erenately-toothed ; it is fertile, and the masses of spore 
eases often protrude between the incisions to the face of the frond. ‘The venation is here and there 
reticulate. It is remarkably со 
stant under cultivation, and universally reproduces itself from its 
spores. Its early history is lost. ‘The late Mr. D. Cameron found it near Bristol ; a form almost 
identical has been met with by the Rev. J. M. Chanter, near Tifracombe, Devonshire; and Sir W 
He 
т has a specimen from Lismore 
2. macrosorum (Féo) is similar 
polyschides, but the fronds are somewhat broader, and the margin 
is more frilled with an undulated series of bluntish teeth, which are deeper and more evident than in th 
variety just named. It has the same kind of deep occasional incisions, but they dre less manifest, being 
hidden by the undulation of the margin ; the base is truncate : the venation is n nd the sori 
short oblong. Тһе best grown form is of exotic origin, having been received from Bolwyller, but a very 
similar one has been found in Guernsey, in 1855, by Mr, James. It is quite constant, and very neat 
3. нит (М) is а large, vigorous, and graceful form, in character resembling the two preceding, but. 
the fronds are larger and broader, and usually blunt-ended ; the margin is deeply incised and somewhat 
undulate, so that the incisions are not very evident, the whole being erenately toothed : the veins are 
asses. Te was found near Nettlecombe in Somerset 
slightly netted ; and the sori grow in oval-oblong 
been gathered near Denbi 
shire, in 1852, by Sir W. C. Trevelyan, and similar forms ha 
msey by Mr, C, Ја 
t, handsome, and rather rare, 
ckson. Tt is perma 
Mr. T. Pritchard ; and in © 
