SCOLOPENDRIUM. 
173 
It frequents limestone districts in mild climates, as 
the south-west of England and Ireland. It is rare in 
Scotland. 
On the Continent it is found as far north as Gothland, 
also in India and North Africa. 
For cultivation of this fern a loam mixed with brick- 
rubbish should be used, a cold frame or very sheltered 
position selected, and very little water supplied. 
SCOLOPENDRIUM, 
37. Scolop endrmm vulgar©, Sm. Common 
Hart 5 S"»t®n.gn@. 
Caudex short, stout, scaly. Stem tufted, scaly. Fronds 
strap-shaped, pointed, heart-shaped at the base. Sori long, 
narrow, placed in pairs. 
The HartVtongue has long, stout, black roots ; a 
tufted caudex, blackish and 
scaly. The stem is short, sel- 
dom occupying morethan one- 
fifth of the length of the frond, 
and beset with semitranspa- 
rent scales. The frond is 
generally of a leathery sub- 
stance, and bright glossy green 
colour.^ The length of the 
fronds varies extremely ; dwarf 
specimens only attain a height 
of from 5 to 6 inches, and are 
generally upright in their 
growth ; well- grown luxuriant 
specimens sometimes measure 
as much as half a yard, and assume every graceful form 
