46 RATTLESNAKE FERN AND ADDER’S-TONGUE. 
about hummocks of hemlock loam”’ and added “it is sel-‘ 
dom found in moist places.” Another in Vermont says 
“in old meadows, they will grow in little hollows where it 
is richer and more moist ” while still another in Kentucky 
found it common “in dry open woods”’ and writes that 
“it may safely be looked for in red cedar groves,’ adding, 
“I know few such places where it does not grow.” In 
contrast to these, Mr. A. A. Eaton has found fine large 
plants in seven inches of sphagnum moss in New Hamp- 
shire swamps. 
The tallest specimens 
are seldom more than a 
foot high while the great 
majority do not attain to half this 
size. The blade or sterile portion 
is oblong, lanceolate or ovate, usu- 
ally with a narrow 
base, and is rather 
fleshy. It is from two 
to four inches long 
and is borne low down in 
the grass near the middle of 
the common stalk. The nar- 
row fruiting spike is from 
half an inch to two inches 
in length and consists of two 
rows of sporanges embedded 
in the tissue at the top of 
ay the stalk. This is a more 
ADDER’S-TONGUE. Ofhioglossum vulgatunt, 
