THE FERN PARADISE. 



10. 



THE MOONWORT. 



Botrychium lunaria. 



PLATE 1, FIG. 9. 



unpretending little Fern is the Moon- 

 wort; but, nevertheless, exceedingly 

 pretty. It is a by no means uncommon 

 species, although, whilst very abundant in some 

 districts, it is quite absent from others. The 

 frond grows to various heights, according to 

 circumstances ; being sometimes only three inches, 

 at other times ten or more. As the bud of the 

 frond grows up, it emerges from a sort of brown 

 membraneous sheath, which envelopes for some 

 distance the lower part of the stem of the frond, 

 as in a case. The Moon wort grows from a 

 curious, twisted, fleshy root, of a brittle sub- 

 stance, and succulent in its nature. From this 

 fleshy root springs up the thick stem of the 

 frond. This consists of two divisions, a leafy and 

 a fruitful frond. The leafy portion is carried 



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