Opkioglossum.'] cx. ophioglossace^e. 
595 
1. Osmunda Linn. Osmund. (Tab. XI. f. 2.) 
Capsules subglobose, pedicellate, clustered, striate, half 2- 
valved. Involucre none. — Veins forked. — Name: probably 
given, as Sir J. E. Smith suggests, in honour of some person. 
Osmund , in Saxon, signifies domestic peace ; from hus, a house, and 
mund , peace. Linnaeus derives it from osmundare, to wash the 
mouth; but why is not obvious. 
1. O. regdlis L. ( royal O., or Flowering-fern) ; fronds bi- 
pinnate, pinnules oblong nearly entire the lower base somewhat 
auricled, the inferior ones opposite, fertile panicle bipinnate 
occuping the extremity of the frond. E. B. t. 209 : Newm. 
p. 331 ; ed. 3, p. 307. 
Boggy places, and wet margins of woods. Very frequent in the 
W. of Scotland, and S. of Ireland. It. 6 — 8. — The noblest and 
most striking of our ferns. Fronds usually 2 — 3 ft., but occasionally 
10 or 12 ft. high. 
Ord. CX. OPHIOGLOSSACEuE K. Br. (Tab. XI. 
f. 3, 4.) 
Capsules arranged on the margin of a contracted and separate 
branch of the frond, sessile, without reticulation or a ring, 
coriaceous, opaque. Fronds straight in vernation. 
1. OrmoGLOssuM. Capsules connate on a 1-celled 2-ranked spike. 
2. Botryciiiujm. Capsules arranged on one side of a pinnate racliis. 
1. Ophioglossum Linn. Adder’s-tongue. (Tab. XI. f. 4.) 
Capsules 1-celled, 2-valved, opening transversely, connate, 
forming a compact simple 2-ranked spike ■ Involucre none. 
— Veins reticidate. — Name: o</.ic, a serpent, and yXoinnn, a 
tongue ; which the spike of fructification somewhat resembles. 
1. O. vulgdtum L. ( common A.). — n. ovaturn; -barren branch of 
the frond ovate obtuse. E. B. t. 108 : Newm. p. 349; ed. 3, 
p. 325. — /3. Lusitanicum; small, barren branch of the frond 
linear-lanceolate or oblong. O. Lusitanicum L. : Hook, et Grev. 
Ic. Fil. t. 80 : Newm. ed. 3, p. 331. 
Moist pastures and in woods. — j3. Summit of rocks near Petit Bot 
bay, on the south coast of Guernsey: Mr. G. Wolsey. If.. 5, 6. — 
There are all intermediate gradations, from the largest and broadest 
cordate or ovate barren fronds to a narrow linear-lanceolate form not 
half an inch long ; indeed, in the Botany of the Antarctic Voyage, 
Part II., Flora of New Zealand, vol. ii. p. 49, Dr. Hooker has re- 
duced all the supposed species of this genus to one. 
