THE COMMON HART'S-TONGUE FERN. 143 
at which the plant will exist in inland situations. It ascends from 
the coast to an altitude of from 500 to 600 feet, and though widely 
dispersed and abundant in some situations, is scarcely to be consi- 
dered a common Fern. It occurs more sparingly in Scotland than 
in England, and is again more abundant in Ireland and the Channel 
Isles. The Hart's-Tongue is a highly ornamental plant, delighting 
to grow in moist shady hedge banks, amongst underwood, and found 
also on rocks and on damp masonry, such as the ruins of old bridges 
or aqueducts, or in the mouths of old wells or caverns, covering the 
surface with its drooping fronds which form a 
“Dark green frill of long lank weeds." 
Though not a maritime species, its recorded. stations in the northern 
provinces are mostly on or near the coast line; and it does not 
appear to be met with inland in the glens or valleys of the High- 
lands, where the humid climate and sheltering rocks would seem to 
be well adapted to its growth, and where the general vegetation is 
similar to that of Orkney and Shetland, in which it is found. The 
number of variations which occur is remarkable ; and though they are 
often found either solitary, or but few together, yet they are for the 
most part permanent and easily propagated, so that they become per- 
petuated in gardens where they are highly ornamental objects. The 
Channel Islands, Devonshire, Somersetshire, Sussex, and Ireland, 
seem to be most prolific of remarkable varieties. The following 
sketch of the distribution of this species will indicate its range ; but 
it is too generally diffused to admit of ns: like a complete record 
of habitats being given :— 
Peninsula.—Cornwall: Enys Penryn, G. Dawson. Devonshire: 
Bideford; Marwood, Rev. F. Mules. Somersetshire: Nettlecombe, 
C. Elworthy ; Selworthy; Frenchay, near Bristol, Z. H. Thomas ; 
Banwell, Rev. W. M. Hind. 
Channel.—Hampshire : Fareham. Isle of Wight. Sussex: 
Littlehampton, G. B. Wollaston; Findon, T. M.; Arundel T. M. 
Dorsetshire: Glanville’s Wootton, G. B. Wollaston. Wiltshire. 
Thames.- Hertfordshire. Middlesex: Twickenham, Hounslow, 
dc. Kent: Sturry, T. M. Surrey: Barnes Common; Wimbledon 

