130 HANDY BOOK OF 
giant growth in the neighbourhood of Sligo, and among the 
romantic solitudes of KUlarney, where the fronds, radiating 
from a common centre, arch gracefully in a semicircle. 
The roots may be briefly described as black, of consider- 
able length and thickness, and of great tenacity ; the 
rhizoma is tufted, scaly, blackish, and almost spherical. 
Simultaneously with the arrival of the cuckoo, and the 
flowering of the cowslip and marsh-marigold in meadows, 
the Hart's -tongue uplifts its head, often in their immediate 
vicinity, and pleasingly contrasting its light green leaves 
with the delicate yellow petals of the one, and the brighter 
tints of the other. Though storms are abroad, and snows 
lie deep upon the ground, we might find this hardy species 
in its sheltered haunts ; for the fronds, which arrive at full 
maturity by the end of September, continue green and 
vigorous throughout the winter, and generally await the 
springing forth of a fresh progeny in April. 
DISSIMILAR LEAVES OF THE HART'S-TONGUE. 
The habit of the plant is well marked, and is decidedly 
different from every other species. Any further description 
is therefore needless, except to notice that the form of the 
frond is elongate, linear, and undivided ; acute at the apex 
or termination, and cordate at the base. Such is the case 
when fully developed ; but seedling plants present a variety 
of forms, and the young botanist will do well to remember 
the peculiarities which they occasionally assume. 
