CHAPTER XI. 



THE ADDERS-TONGUE. 

 Cphioglossitm vulgatum. 



OOMEWHAT similar in its general habit to 

 v -' the Moonwort is the Adders-tongue. Like 

 the former plant it is found in meadows, seeking, 

 however, those which are very damp from the 

 fact of having a clayish soil, and from being 

 subject to occasional inundations. It grows to 

 a length of from six inches to a foot high, the 

 variation in length depending, as is the case 

 with all ferns, and, indeed, with all plants, upon 

 the conditions whether favourable or otherwise 

 under which it is found growing. It has a 

 twisted, fleshy root like the Moonwort, and a 

 succulent stem. The frond is divided into two 

 parts, a barren leaf and a fertile spike or 

 stem. There is a general resemblance in the 

 Adders-tongue leaf and seed-bearing spike 



