The Adder's Tongue Fern 



pointed, pale brown scales, creeps and branches, sending 

 up tufts of fronds from each branch. 



Like its relative, the Marsh Buckler Fern, the 

 Crested Buckler Fern dies down very early in autumn. 

 It is known as Nephrodium cristatum, the latter term 

 meaning " crested." 



We shall now leave the bogs and turn to the damp 

 pasture-land where dwells a very strange fern indeed 

 namely, the Adder's Tongue Fern. Unless we are 

 particularly watchful, we may overlook it, though it 

 may be quite plentiful in the meadow where we are 

 searching for it. It is quite unlike in appearance any 

 of the ferns we have already examined. 



The frond consists of two parts, a leafy part and a 

 spike. The leafy part which is very shortly stalked 

 and about 6 inches in length is oblong in shape, entire, 

 and barren, while the spike is distinctly stalked and 

 has the large spore cases arranged in two rows along 

 its edges. These spore cases, which are embedded in 

 the substance of the spike, lack the elastic ring and 

 split transversely, in order that the very small spores 

 may be liberated. We must also note the exceptional 

 arrangement of the veins in the blade or leafy part of 

 the frond. Most ferns have branched or forked veins, 

 but the Adder's Tongue Fern has netted veins with no 

 distinct midrib. The rootstock is short, with fleshy, 

 brittle, coarse roots, and it is very difficult to uproot 

 this fern without damaging it. We have already 

 noticed also the exceptional way in which the young 

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