ADDER’S TONGUE. 191 
branches is somewhat in the form of a whorl; at the 
lower end of the caudex I have invariably found a 
single horizontal root, of very considerable length, 
even as much as ten inches: I have procured large 
pieces of turf filled with these plants and their roots, 
and have carefully removed the earth, expecting to 
find a connection between the plants by means of — 
these horizontal roots: yet, though I constantly found 
them in contact, I never detected anything like union, 
but those of the upper series are frequently attached 
to the radicles of the grasses among which they grow. 
The detached external bud at the base of the stem 
ontains the frond for the ensuing year in a perfectly 
erect position, and having the leafy part of the frond 
wrapped round the spike of fructification. The frond 
) ve in every direction by irregular veins, 
united at their extremities, forming a num- 
closed cells. The spike is distinctly 
stalk being sometimes three or four inches 
generally scarcely more than one inch: 
rather stouter at the base, and very 
ring to the tip; it is composed of two 
and nearly circular cavities, which 
