186 BRITISH FERNS, 
48. MOONWORT, Borriontum tunarta, 
Osmunda lunaria, Linneus. B. F’, 313, 316, 319. 
The roots and candex of the Moonwort. differ 
essentially from those of true ferns; the roots are 
stout, succulent and brittle, and cannot be properly 
efined as rootlets: the caudex is about the same size 
perpendicularly, and the roots issue from it at right 
angles, principally at two points, and arranged in a 
Spring, the frond exists in a quiescent state, but per- 
feetly formed; it then appears like a simple stem, 
searcely an inch in length and perfectly erect: on a 
closer inspection, the component parts of the future 
frond will be clearly perceived: the stalk is swollen 
and rather stouter than the upper part, the two 
As the spring advances the frond rapidly increases in 
_ Size, until, in April, it makes its appearance above 
