468 



OPHIOGLOSSUM LUSITANICUM. 



The fronds do not arrive at maturity till October. 



Not as yet found in England, Scotland, Ireland, or Wales. 



A native of France, Italy, Greece, Spain, Portugal, Sicily, 

 Dalmatia, Tangiers, Algiers, Madeira, Teneriffe, the Canary 

 Isles, Azores, Cape de Verd Isles, Swan River, New Zealand, 

 Tasmania, and St. Helena. 



A most difficult Fern to cultivate; found wild, growing on 

 the summit of rocks among short grass. 



Fronds two inches in height, thick, and fleshy, pale green 

 in colour. Sterile fronds linear-lanceolate, smooth, and tapering 

 into the stipes. Fertile frond longer, the spike linear-oblong, 

 half an inch long, wider above the base, and having on each 

 margin from three to six spore-cases. 



Veins anastomosing, without a midvein. 



Stipes erect, and from a third to half the length of the 

 frond. 



There are no varieties. 



