BOTRYCHIUM AND OPHIOGLOSSUM. 
159 
varying from 2 to 10 inches, out of which rises the fertile spike, which 
somewhat resembles a bunch of young grapes. Usually only one 
frond. 
Found in most parts of Europe as far as the Arctic Circle, and 
within it. Also on the Himalaya and Rocky Mountains. 
A botanical curiosity, difficult to cultivate. 
Mr. Moore has described three varieties : 1. Rutaceum, found 
near Dundee ; 2. tripartitum, in County Dublin ; and 3. incisum, 
found at Halifax by Mr. Bolton ; Crosby Ravensworth by Mr. 
Clarke ; and near Dublin by Dr. Allchin. The latter has the 
pinnae deeply incised. 
THE ADDER’S TONGUE. 
Ophioglossum vulgatum. — Linnceus. 
Another diminutive, inconspicuous fern, growing in moist, loamy 
pastures and woods ; widely spread throughout Great Britain ; and 
throughout Europe. Also found in America, Mexico, New Zealand, 
New Holland, Cape of Good Hope, East Indies, Kamtschatka, 
and Siberia. Fronds, 3 to 12 inches in length ; thin and fleshy. 
Frond entire and yellowish-green ; the fertile spike rising from 
the base of the sterile frond. Creeping rhizoma, sending up soli- 
tary fronds ; as it forms rhizomas, like the common Brakes. 
Varieties. 
1. lusitanicum, Linnaus. Much more diminutive. Found in 
Guernsey, in 1854, by Mr. G. Wolsey. [This may be a distinct 
species ; as it has been found in about twenty other countries.] 
2. microstichum, Moore. A very dwarf variety, with narrow 
fronds. Found at Swanbister, in Orkney, by Mr. J. T. Syme. 
CONCLUDING REMARKS. 
It only now remains to say a few words about how the varieties 
just described have been obtained. A certain portion are natural 
wild finds, whilst the remainder have been raised from spores. 
Every now' and then a remarkably distinct variety has been found 
wild, but the occasions are few and far between ; whilst, guided 
by judicious selection, the amount of forms that can be raised 
from spores is practically inexhaustible. Wild finds are important, 
as new blood is infused into these crosses. 
Whilst residing at Highfield House, near Nottingham, I began 
(in 1842) to cultivate British ferns. The only species then growing 
on that estate were a few examples of Asplenium adiantum-nigrum, 
on a new-red sandstone rock near the lake ; one single example of 
the Asplenium Ceterach in a sunk-fence wall (erected in 1829) ; and 
some half-dozen plants of Aspidium aculeatum half a mile from the 
house ; the neighbourhood being singularly deficient of ferns. How- 
