OPIIIOGLOSSUM. 207 



planted while dormant, or when just starting, into peaty or 

 sandy loamy soil, and kept from either of the extremes of 

 drought or saturation. The roots should not often be dis- 

 turbed when once established. 



The Moonwort is the Osmunda Lunaria of Linnaeus. 



Genus XIX, OPHIOGLOSSUM, or ADDERS- 

 TONGUE. 



This is very nearly related to the Moonwort, though at 

 first sight having a very different aspect. The points in 

 which it agrees are, that the parts are folded up straight in 

 the incipient state, and the fronds are two-branched, one 

 branch being leafy, the other fertile. Ophioglossum differs 

 from BotrycJdum, most obviously, in its parts being all 

 simple, while those of Botrychium are compound. Its 

 habit of growth is precisely the same, but the fructification 

 is very different, consisting of a distichous spike of imbedded 

 spore-cases. There are but two native species. 



The name Ojjliioglossum^ literally means Adders-tongue, 

 which is the English name borne by this plant. It is 



