THE FERN PARADISE. 



tance together above-ground in the form of a 

 stem, before separating into the leafy and the 

 fertile branches, in most instances start separately 

 from the ground. Like its relative Vulgatum, 

 the Little Adders-tongue has a stem to its seed- 

 bearing spike which rises above the barren frond. 

 At the top of the spike begins the fructification ; 

 an arrangement of two rows of cases one on 

 each side of the stalk supporting them. In these 

 cases are the dust-like spores, which, as they 

 ripen, escape through the crevices formed by the 

 splitting of their little prison-houses. 



One peculiarity must be noted in the Little 

 Adders-tongue. Vnlgaium first sends up its 

 frond in May, from which time it remains until 

 the late summer, when it disappears the root 

 remaining dormant until the succeeding spring ; 

 but Lusitanicum starts into life and vitality in 

 dreary January, lasts only a short two or three 

 months, and perishes very early in the season, 

 even before the actual commencement of summer. 



This modest little Fern only reaches a height 

 of two or three inches. It is, indeed, even more 

 unpretending than Vulgatum. But its habitats 



278 



