304 
THE PERN PARADISE. 
tance together above-ground in the form of a 
stem, before separating into the leafy and the 
fertile branches, in most instances start separately 
from the ground. Like its relative Vulgatum, 
the Little Adders-tongue has a stem to its seed¬ 
bearing spike which rises above the barren frond. 
At the top of the spike begins the fructification; 
an arrangement of two rows of cases—one on 
each side of the stalk supporting them. In these 
cases are the dust-like spores, which, as they 
ripen, escape through the crevices formed by the 
splitting of their little prison-houses. 
One peculiarity must be noted in the Little 
Adders-tongue. Vulgatum first sends up its 
frond in May, from which time it remains until 
the late summer, when it disappears—the root 
remaining dormant—until the succeeding spring ; 
but Lusitanicum starts into life and vitality in 
dreary January, lasts only a short two or three 
months, and perishes very early in the season,— 
even before the actual commencement of summer. 
This modest little Fern only reaches a height 
of two or three inches. It is, indeed, even more 
unpretending than Vulgatum. But its habitats 
