14 
clusters of fruit are on a spike separate from, but attached 
to the leaf or frond, it is one of the Tongue worts {Ophio- 
glossacece) , If the clusters are in a large panicle at the 
ends of the fronds or of portions of the fronds, it is one of 
the Osmunds {Osmundacecd) , If on the back of the leaflets 
of a frond with or without a cover, it is one of the Polypods 
(JPolypodiacece) . Thus we discover the three Sub-orders or 
tribes of Ferns. 
I. Tongue worts. Ophioglossacece, Clusters on a spike 
separate from, but attached to the frond. There is no 
elastic ring to the not-transparent bags of spores, neither 
are the buds of the plants rolled in (circinate) . 
II. Osmunds. Osmundacece, Clusters at the ends of 
the fronds or of portions of the frond. Bags of spores have 
frequently a lid-like ring. Buds rolled in. 
III. Polypods. JPolypodiacecB, Clusters on the back of 
the frond* with or without a cover. Bags of spores with' 
a jointed elastic ring. Buds rolled in. 
We will next proceed to consider the genus and species 
of each Sub-order. If we meet with a plant having a leaf 
and a spike undivided, and growing in wet clay or loamy 
fields, it is most probably an Adderstongue, Oghioglossum, 
but if we meet with one having a pinnatifid leaf and a 
clustered spike on a dry sandy or peaty soil, we should 
inspect it and see whether it be the Moonwort, BotrycTiium, 
Thus we determine the genera of the first Sub-order. 
I. TONGBEWOETS. Ophioglossacece, 
1. Adderstongues. Ophioglossa, Clusters of fruit on 
a two-rowed spike attached to an undivided frond. 
2. Clustered Tongueworts. Botrychia, Fructification 
on a clustered spike with a deeply divided frond. 
♦ Some genera have the clusters on a columnar receptacle arising from their side 
veins. These not found here. 
