FOUR CURIOUS FERNS 97 



divided in any way and is roughly egg-shaped. 

 The fertile portion is in the form of a stalked 

 spike, the spore cases being arranged on either 

 side in double rows. The capsules are rounded 

 in form and have no elastic ring, but open 

 transversely when the contents are ripe. 

 Attention should be called to the beautiful 



Ophioglossum vulgatum. The Adder's Tongue. 



veining of the barren leaf of the Common Adder's 

 Tongue, which forms a perfect network through 

 the green tissue. 



The Common Adder's Tongue is really very 

 abundant in many parts of England. It should 

 be looked for in damp meadows, and will prob- 

 ably be difficult to find without a close search. 

 It is not so abundant in Scotland and Ireland. 



