102 BRITISH FERNS. 



bearing the leafy portion of the frond, the other its fructifica- 

 tion : the leafy portion is pinnate, the pinnae vary in number 

 from three to eight pairs ; they are somewhat fan-shaped, with 

 the exterior margin slightly crenate ; the veins in these pinnae 

 are branched irregularly, and extend almost to the margin, but 

 are never united at their extremities : the fruitful branch of the 

 rachis is pinnate, the pinnae generally somewhat corresponding in 

 number with those of the leafy frond : these lateral branches, or 

 pinnae, are frequently again divided, and bear a number of nearly 

 globular thecae, which, having attained maturity, open trans- 

 versely, and gaping wide, allow the seeds to fall out. 



I have seen many singular varieties of this plant : in some of 

 these, one, two, or three of the barren pinnae have been converted 

 into fertile ones. Three varieties are thus noticed in the English 

 Flora. " j3 has a branched stalk, bearing several leaves, and 

 compound spikes alternately disposed ; y is a very slight variety, 

 with more jagged leaflets than ordinary; S has pinnatifid 

 leaflets, and a more spreading habit. All these varieties, and 

 perhaps others, are found occasionally intermixed here and there 

 with the plant in its common or proper form : but never, as far 

 as I can learn, so numerously distinct, as to have the appearance 

 of a diflerent species." 



It is rather amusing than instructive to read the virtues 

 ascribed by Dioscorides, and other ancient writers, to nearly the 

 whole family of ferns. Of the present species much has been 

 written, and the most wonderful magical properties have been 

 assigned to it. This we may trace, in a great measure, to the 

 singular form of the pinnae ; all those plants whose leaves bore 

 even a fancied resemblance to the moon — and the name clearly 

 implies that this was the case in the present instance — were 

 formerly regarded with a most superstitious veneration. From 

 all record we find that they were to be gathered by the light of 

 the full moon, or half their powers would be lost. In the 

 present day such fancies are entirely confined to works of the 

 imagination. 



Then rapidly, with foot as light 

 As the young musk roes, out she flew, 

 To cull each shining leaf that grew 

 Beneath the moonlighi's hallowing beams. 



Again- 



And the white mooii-Jlowcr, as it shows 

 On Screndib's high crags, &c. 



