OPHTOGLOSSUM. 
189 
having no thought of any possible prize left behind, and 
as they disappear from his sight the waterman kneels to 
thank God for this wonderful salvation. 
Gerarde calls this fern Osmund the Waterman , and 
Sir William Hooker suggests that St. Osmund, who 
came over with William the Conqueror, and afterwards 
became Bishop of Salisbury and Chancellor of England, 
may have been a patron saint of watermen and water- 
plants, as St. Christopher was, after whom this same 
plant was called “ St. Christopher’s Herb ” in past ages. 
This fern flourishes well in cultivation if a damp situ- 
ation on the margin of a pond can be secured. To form 
an artificial habitat, Mr. W. Reeve prescribes a compost 
of three parts fibry peat, one part vegetable mould, and 
one part silver-sand, and an abundant supply of water. 
The group of ferns of which this Royal Osmund may 
be accounted a head, is characterized by the seed being 
contained in firm capsules, and situated on a simple 
or compound spike, distinct from the leafy part of the 
frond. 
The flowering-fern is found in most parts of Europe, 
in North America, Canada, the Cape, Mauritius, Mada- 
gascar, China, and Japan. 
OPHXOGLOSSTJM. 
Gen. Char. “Capsules fleshy, 1-celled, 2-valved, opening 
transversely, connate, forming a compact 2-ranked spike. In- 
volucre none .” — Sir W. Hooker. 
46. Ophioglossum vulgatum, Linn. Common 
Adder’s-tongue* 
Caudex small, deeply rooting ; frond simple, ovate ; capsules 
on a spike ; spike simple stalked. 
