Ophioglossum Vulgatum, Linn . 
ADDER’S TONGUE. 
Root —Long, branching, and brittle. 
Fronds —Of two kinds, barren and fertile on one stalk; 
the barren one being a fleshy, green, ovate, pointed leaf, 
rising from a thin succulent stipes. The stipes is about 
twice the length of the frond, and nearly the whole of it is 
in the earth. The spore-bearing frond consists of a narrow, 
spike-shaped single or branched tongue, rising from the base 
of the barren frond, lying in the hollow of it, and becoming 
eventually taller. The spike consists of two parallel rows of 
globular capsules ; filled with fine dust-like spores, which, 
when ripe, burst in a similar manner to Botrychium Lunaria. 
Habitat —Pastures and meadow land, common. Matlock - 
Bath and other places. 
24 
