THE ADDERS-TONGUE. 



base of the leaf in the Adders-tongue envelopes 

 the seed-spike which rises erect from the point of 

 junction, whilst the leaf which is somewhat egg- 

 shaped, or more exactly, perhaps, pear-shaped- 

 passes upwards in an oblique direction to a 

 bluntish apex. The bare stem of the seed-bearing 

 spike is usually about an inch in length, although 

 it is sometimes more. Then commences the 

 fructification, which is arranged in two rows one 

 on each side of the spike of seed-cases. These 

 contain the dust-like spores, and when the latter 

 are ripe the cases split across and release them. 

 The spike, at its top, tapers to a point. 



The Adders-tongue is plentifully scattered over 

 England, in such situations as those which have 

 been named. It is not quite so plentiful either in 

 Scotland, in Wales, or in Ireland. It will grow 

 easily in the Fern garden, or in pots, if the proper 

 amount of care be taken to transplant it properly, 

 and to imitate as nearly as possible in cultivation 

 the conditions under which it grows in a state of 

 nature. As in the case of the Bracken and the 

 Moonwort, it is necessary, in order to secure 

 success, to take care in removing the plant to 



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