34 FERNS. 



i 



perfect ; the feathery pinnae of the one, and the glossy 



tongues of the other. Long narrow 

 spore-masses following the course 

 of the side-veins, and bearing 

 coverings which split up the middle, 

 are the characteristics of this Fern 

 (Scolopendrium vulgare, Plate 

 III, fig. 9). 



The variety called crispum has 

 scolopendrium. the edges frilled, and is a very 



pretty plant for ferneries. The variety named Polyschides 

 is also popular with Fern-fanciers ; it is much narrower 

 than the common form, and less graceful. We found 

 some plants in the wood with the fronds forked at the 

 ends. 



The common Hart's tongue used to be valued as a 

 medicine in England, and is still so in France and Scot- 

 land. The Male-Fern, too, and the Brake, were once 

 used medicinally. In tropical climates the pith of Ferns 

 is a general article of food, and there is scarcely one well- 

 defined group, that does not boast an edible species. 



We presently reached the top of the wood, and, climb- 

 ing over a wall, found ourselves in a good footpath. Fol- 

 lowing this, and passing through gaps in the wall, called 

 stiles, and certainly invented before crinoline, we entered 

 a little copse, bordering on the grounds. Here, under the 

 Birch trees, grew Ferns of an entirely different description 

 to any I had yet seen. Three or four erect fronds, of about 

 one foot to one and a half in height, rose from the centre 

 of the plant ; the pinnae simple and narrow, and bearing 

 a line of fruit on either side the midvein. All these pinnae 



