SCOLOPENDRIUM. 51 



where they are to grow, as soon as possible, 

 for the next year ; care being had that the 

 roots be never uncovered or touched. It 

 becomes thinner and more delicate under 

 cultivation. The grandest of the whole 

 tribe, and that whose wondrous and hidden 

 seed, if fortunately obtained, was to render 

 its bearer invisible. 



SCOLOPENDRIUM. 



Sori on the back, in twin oblique lines. Indusia 

 attached on the outer side, and lapping one 

 over the other on the inner. 



SCOLOPENDRIUM VULGARE. (Common Hart's 

 Tongue.} Fig. 31. From 6 to 18 inches. 

 Root tufted. Growing in masses. A long, 

 smooth, polished, dark green, simple, undi- 

 vided, leathery, riband-like, shoot or frond, 

 pointed at the top, heart-shaped at the 

 base, and generally more or less crisping 

 and undulating at the sides, on a shortish 

 shaggy stem. Sori in twin lines, covered 

 by what looks like a single indusium, but 

 really is two, one continued in its whole 

 length partially over the other, afterwards 

 thrown asunder in opposite directions. Sori 

 soon meeting, and seeming also like only 

 one, though always, on the frond being 



