174 
THE FERN PARADISE. 
to a leaf of the lily-of-the-valley, with its flower- 
spike unfolded. The base of the leaf in the 
Adders-tongue envelops the seed-spike which 
rises erect from the point of junction, whilst the 
leaf — which is somewhat egg-shaped, or more 
exactly, perhaps, pear-shaped — passes upwards in 
an oblique direction to a bluntish point. The 
bare stem of the seed-bearing spike is usually 
about an inch in length, although it is sometimes 
more. Then commences the fructification, which 
is arranged in two rows — one on each side of 
the spike — of seed cases. These contain the dust- 
like spores, and when the latter are ripe the cases 
split across and release them. The spike, at its 
top, tapers to a point. 
The Adders-tongue is plentifully scattered over 
England, in such situations as those which have 
been named. It is not quite so plentiful either in 
Scotland, in Wales, or in Ireland. It will grow 
easily in the fern-garden, or in pots, if the proper 
amount of care be taken to transplant it properly, 
and to imitate as nearly as possible in cultivation 
the conditions under which it grows in a state of 
