ONYCHIUM OPHIOGLOSSUM OSMUNDA. 191 



too thick ; the rhizomes running freely amongst the decaying 

 leaves. There are examples in such situations at Mrs. Bosan- 

 quet's, Broxbournbury, and at Sir Oswald Moseley's, Eolleston 

 Hall, Derbyshire. Increases rapidly by dividing the creeping 

 rhizomes. 



ONYCHIUM, 



ONYCHIUM LUCIDUM (Shining). Described among the 

 Greenhouse Ferns ; but we have seen it stand the winter 

 with a little protection, and it would be worth the trial 

 wherever there is a duplicate plant ; and as it is easily 

 increased by division, this is soon obtained. 



OPHIOGLOSSUM. 



OPHIOGLOSSUM VULGATUM (The Adder's-tongue). This 

 little British Fern seldom finds a place in the fernery, and 

 when it does rarely gives satisfaction. It never seemed happy 

 but when growing amongst grass. The still smaller one found 

 a short time since in Guernsey, and called O. lusitanicum, has 

 fronds only about 1^ inch long. If grown at all it should be 

 kept in a pot, in a cold frame. 



OSMUNDA. 



The derivation of this name, given the plant by Linnaeus, 

 is doubtful. Mr. Moore tells us that " there is a legend that 

 it commemorates Osmund, a waterman of Loch Tyne. It is 

 also said to come from the Saxon osmund, domestic peace." It 

 contains some of the noblest of the hardy Ferns ; and they all 

 delight in moist boggy places. 



OSMUNDA CLAYTONIANA (Clayton's). This is also known as 

 0. interrupta; and it has been so called because the fertile 

 parts are found here and there interrupting the frond as it 

 were. It is a native of North America. The fronds are a 



