MOONWORT. 187 
ground, and in May or June attains its perfect de- 
velopment. Mr. Wilson observed, as long ago as 
1830, that within the stem of the growing frond, 
at its base, was enclosed the frond of the ensuing 
ear; and again, within this, also at its base, the 
frond for the next following year. Mr. Wilson having 
most kindly communicated to me this very interesting 
observation, I had the opportunity of carefully ex- 
amining an abundant supply of specimens. I find 
the frond of the ensuing year in every respect per- 
fectly formed; indeed, exactly in the same state in 
which it is found in the early spring, as above de- 
scribed, but somewhat smaller. The frond for the 
next following year was less perfectly formed, and its 
component parts were not to be made out without some 
difficulty; still it is evidently double, the fruitful and 
leafy portions being distinct from each other. These 
observations were made in May, while the frond for 
the current year was still growing with apparent 
gour; so that we have the fronds for three suc- 
@essive years before us at the same time. In the 
plants I examined, the fronds were placed alternately ; 
t is, having laid all the specimens before me, with 
fruit on the right hand, and the leafy portion on 
left, then the frond for the succeeding year in- 
had the fruit on the left and the leafy portion 
-right: the frond for the next year was again 
d, having the. fruit on the right and the leafy 
