174 THE FERN PARADISE. 



to a leaf of the lily-of-the-valley, with its flower- 

 spike unfolded. The base of the leaf in the 

 Adders-tongue envelops the seed-spike which 

 rises erect from the point of junction, whilst the 

 leaf which is somewhat egg-shaped, or more 

 exactly, perhaps, pear-shaped passes upwards in 

 an oblique direction to a bluntish point The 

 bare stem of the seed-bearing spike is usually 

 about an inch in length, although it is sometimes 

 more. Then commences the fructification, which 

 is arranged in two rows one on each side of 

 the spike of seed cases. These contain the dust- 

 like spores, and when the latter are ripe the cases 

 split across and release them. The spike, at its 

 top, tapers to a point. 



The Adders-tongue is plentifully scattered over 

 England, in such situations as those which have 

 been named. It is not quite so plentiful either in 

 Scotland, in Wales, or in Ireland. It will grow 

 easily in the fern-garden, or in pots, if the proper 

 amount of care be taken to transplant it properly, 

 and to imitate as nearly as possible in cultivation 

 the conditions under which it grows in a state of 



