ajdbek’s tongue. 
the perm; 
fronds spring up 
the majority of < 
from three to ei^ 
consisting of a s 
separated into tw 
COMMON moonwort. [Plate xn. fig. 3.] 
The usual name of the Moonwort is Botrychium Lunar a. _ 
«.» was formerly called Osmunda Lunaria. 
T his is a very peculiar, almost stemless plant, furnished - 
with a few coarse brittle fibres, and a bud springing from 
the permanent point which represents the stem The new 
Lally, and perish before winter, and m ; 
are not very conspicuous ; they vary 
r ten inches in height, the lower half 
;h, hollow stipes; above, the frond is 
inches, one of which is spreading, pm- 
the pinnae • crescent-shaped, or some- 
oaching to lunate, filled with a radiafe- 
iins. The other branch is erect, fertile, 
divided into branches corresponding with the pmuee, and 
these into another series of branchlets, on which, distinct,' 
but clustered, the globose stalkless spore-cases are produced. 
The spore-cases are two-valved, and open transversely when 
ripe; the valves are concave. . 
This species is widely distributed, but local, occurring m 
open heaths and. pasture, where the soil is peaty or sandy, 
and not wet. The same plant occurs in other parts of Europe* 
and also in North America. . 
The Moonwort is not very easily cultivated. It may, 
however, be preserved in pots in a cold frame, if transplanted 
while dormant, or when just starting, into peaty or sandy 
loamv soil, and kept from either of the extremes ot drought 
or saturation. The roots should not be disturbed When once 
CHAPTER XXH. 
