OPHIOGLOSSUM. 
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planted while dormant, or when just starting, into peaty or 
sandy loamy soil, and kept from either of the extremes of 
drought or saturation. The roots should not often be dis¬ 
turbed when once established. 
The Moonwort is the Osmunda Lunar ia of Linnaeus. 
Genus XIX. OPHIOGLOSSUM, or ADDERS- 
TONGUE. 
This is very nearly related to the Moonwort, though at 
first sight having a very different aspect. The points in 
which it agrees are, that the parts are folded up straight in 
the incipient state, and the fronds are two-branched, one 
branch being leafy, the other fertile. Ophioglossum differs 
from Botrychium, most obviously, in its parts being all 
simple, while those of Botrychium are compound. Its 
habit of growth is precisely the same, but the fructification 
is very different, consisting of a distichous spike of imbedded 
spore-cases. There are but two native species. 
The name Ophioglossum , literally means Adders-tongue, 
which is the English name borne by this plant. It is 
