28 
[XXXIII] 
%|i0gtesrou Mgatarn. 
ADDER’S TONGUE. 
T first sight, this by no means resembles a fern, but is soon distinguished by its seed. 
It appears in the spring, and dies in the course of the summer. 
The roots are very long and penetrating. The rhizome hardly exists, as the stem almost springs 
from the roots. The stem is principally underground, and longer than the frond. The frond con¬ 
sists of a single leaf, two or three inches long, and ovate. Erom within the folds of this leaf, rises a 
stalk, longer than the leaf, and bearing on its top a spike of a double row of capsules. 
In swampy fields abundant, in some localities; but I have met with it in only two, namely, at 
Giya Clydach and Pen-y-Graig, near Neath, Glamorganshire. 
fratfe. 
A dwarf variety has been described as a separate species, under the name of O. Lusitanicum; 
but I have not heard of its occurrence in Wales. 
As the roots extend to a considerable depth, it is necessary to remove a large sod, in which it 
must be allowed to remain, supplying it plentifully with water, which should be slowly drained off. 
[XXXXV] 
MOOIVOET. 
|||HIS is another frequenter of meadow land, and in many respects resembles the last species. 
It appears about April, and dies down during the summer. 
The roots are succulent and brittle, the rhizome a mere point. The stem is mostly underground 
and about the same length as the frond. The frond is from two to four inches long, and consists of 
one fertile and one barren leaf. The barren leaf is pinnate, the plunge being half-moon shaped. The 
fertile leaf is bi-pinnate, and covered with globular capsules, which are yellowish brown when ripe. 
pMM 
It is found in dryer situations than the last species, but is rather local. I am only acquainted 
with a few of its localities in the neighbourhood of Neath. 
§mtm. 
A variety is described as B. Butaceum, but I have not heard of its being found in Wales. 
fyltm. 
This fern should be cultivated in the same manner as the last. 
