82 HOW TO KNOW THE FERNS 



generic name is derived from scolopendra, the 

 Latin name for a " centipede " ; this has 

 reference to the supposed resemblance of the 

 lines of spore cases to the legs of a centipede. 

 The specific name is, of course, simply Latin 

 for " common." The Hartstongue. 



Scolopendriutn vulgare. The Hartstongue. 



This is certainly one of the most familiar 

 of all British ferns. Almost alone amongst 

 the well-known species, the plant has an uncut 

 frond. The leaves rise from a tufted root- 

 stock which generally stands well above the 

 level of the ground. The length of the fronds 



