THE HARTSTONGUE 
195 
Distribution. — The Hartstongue is to be found — from 
the sea level up to six hundred feet above it — in almost 
every country throughout Europe. I11 Africa it occurs in 
Algeria ; also in the Azores, and in the island of Madeira. 
In Asia, it is found in Erzeroum, in Persia, in the Ural 
Mountains, and in the Caucasian Mountains. It inhabits, 
though somewhat sparingly, the United States of America. 
It occurs in every county of England, in some localities being 
extremely abundant. In Wales it is found in Anglesea, and 
in the counties of Brecknock, Carmarthen, Carnarvon, Den- 
bigh, Glamorgan, and Pembroke. It is not so abundant in 
Scotland, but nevertheless occurs in Aberdeenshire, Ayrshire, 
Berwickshire, Dumfriesshire, Edinburghshire, Fifeshiro, 
Forfarshire, Kincardineshire, Kirkcudbrightshire, Lanark- 
shire, Morayshire, Nairnshire, Renfrewshire, Sutherland- 
sliire, and Wigtonshire ; also in the Isles of Islay, Orkney, 
Shetland, and Skye. In Ireland it is found — often most 
abundant and beautifully developed — in the counties 0 
Antrim, Clare, Cork, Dublin, Galway, Kerry, Kilkenny; iu 
King’s County, Limerick, Sligo, Tipperary, Waterford, and 
Wicklow. It abounds in the Channel Islands, and is also 
found in the Isle of Wight and in the Isle of Man. 
Culture. — Shade, moisture at the roots, and a moist 
atmosphere are essential for promoting the finest develop- 
ment of the Hartstongue. It can be grown on rockwork in 
the open air, on a shady bank in the open garden, in the 
green-house, or in pots in the house. Small plants can be 
grown in a closed Fern case. The simple form of its rich- 
looking fronds makes it indispensable for providing a con- 
trast to the more feathery fronds of other species of Ferns. 
The best soil for it is a compost, consisting half of yellow 
sandy loam, and half of rich peat and leaf-mould, mixed in 
equal quantities. It must be well drained at its roots. In 
planting, care should be taken to fix it firmly in the soil, 
