THE ADDERS-TONGUE. 
801 
base of the leaf in tlie Adders-tongue envelopes 
the seed-spike which rises erect from the point of 
junction, whilst the leaf—-which is somewhat egg- 
shaped, or more exactly, perhaps, pear-shaped— 
passes upwards in an oblique direction to a 
bluntish apex. The bare stem of the seed-bearing 
spike is usually about an inch in length, although 
it is sometimes more. Then commences the 
. fructification, which is arranged in two rows—one 
on each side of the spike—of seed-cases. These 
contain the dust-like spores, and when the latter 
are ripe the cases split across and release them. 
The spike, at its top, tapers to a point. 
The Adders-tongue is plentifully scattered over 
England, in such situations as those which have 
been named. It is not quite so plentiful either in 
Scotland, in Wales, or in Ireland. It will grow 
easily in the Fern garden, or in pots, if the proper 
amount of care be taken to transplant it properly, 
and to imitate as nearly as possible in cultivation 
the conditions under which it grows in a state of 
nature. As in the case of the Bracken and the 
Moonwort, it is necessary, in order to secure 
success, to take care in removing the plant to 
