OPHIOGLOSSUM VULGATUM. 



COMMON ADDER'S TONGUE. 



Cryptogamia, Filiccs, Linn. Filices, Juss. 



GENERIC CHARACTER. 



Capsules naked, 1-celled, connate, in an articulated distichal spike, 2-valved, open 

 ing transversely. 



SPECIFIC CHARACTER. 



Spike cauline ; frond ovate-obtuse, closely reticulated. Wtlld. 



Stipe smooth, from three to four inches long, supporting at its 

 apex an ovate or oblong-ovate, obtuse, fleshy leaf, somewhat amplexi- 

 caule. From the base, at its point of union with the stipe, supported 

 by a peduncle from two to four inches long, proceeds a spike of 

 about one inch in length, thickly covered on both sides with the seed 

 vessels. The spike appears to be articulated, owing to the dehiscence 

 of the seed vessels. 



VOL. II. 15 



