338 
OPHIOGLOSSACEiE. 
The Moonwort has a very extensive range in Great Britain ; 
but it may be said, both of this and the following species, that 
from their diminutive size they frequently escape that notice 
which Osmunda, from its conspicuous appearance, can by no 
possibility elude. Its chief stations may be given as in Staf- 
fordshire, Surrey and Yorkshire in England, and Antrim in 
Ireland ; but it is more or less generally distributed over the 
whole of the British Islands, including the Isles of Wight, Ork- 
ney and Shetland. It affects those dry open heaths, elevated 
pastures and waste lands, which are generally shunned by other 
ferns, with the exception of the Common Brakes. I know of 
one instance only of its occurrence in a wood : this is mentioned 
below, and from its rarity becomes exceedingly interesting. 
The list of localities I subjoin is useful in showing its extensive 
range, and may perhaps guide the botanist to some stations be- 
fore unknown to him ; but it is presented to the reader under a 
full knowledge of its imperfections, since a complete list of lo- 
calities would be far too voluminous for the present work. 
The principal English and Welch stations are as under. 
Anglesea. — “ Not rare in old pastures : Rev. H. Davies.” 
— Botanists Guide. 
Bedfordshire. — “ Oakley West Field : iVbbot.” — Botanist's 
Guide. 
Caernarvonshire. — “On PenmaenMawr: Ray.” — B. Guide. 
Cambridgeshire. — “ In Little Linton Warren : Chippenham, 
gravel-pits on the outside of the park near the gate ; near Bal- 
sham.” — Relhan's Flora Cantahrigiensis. 
Cheshire. — Mr. Wilson has observed it in this county, near 
Over, where it attains a great size, and is often branched ; Mr. 
Watson informs me it was found near Alderley edge by the Rev. 
Isaac Bell ; Mr. S. Thompson that it was observed by Mr. H. 
E. Robson on the sand hills between Egremont and New 
Brighton. Dr. Wood says, “ When botanizing near Over with 
my valued friend Mr. Wilson, in June, 1842, I met with some 
singular deviations in this interesting plant ; one specimen had 
no less than four fertile branches and two barren ones, springing 
from a common stem ; on several of the pinnules of the barren 
