FERN TRIBE 121 
early rains and winds by the shaggy scales, which, in their more advanced 
stage, clothe the lower part of the stalk in abundance, gradually lessening in 
_ size and number towards the higher portion of the frond. Their green 
sprays are fully open by the time that the hawthorn-tree is decked with its 
snowy wreaths of May flowers; but if the spring has been cold, many a 
young shoot was nipped by the winds, though, as several survive, and many 
new ones make their appearance later, the midsummer sun shines on their 
luxuriance, while their masses of fructification of rich rust-brown colour lie 
on their under surfaces. The fronds are generally about ten or twelve in a 
circle, and most are fertile ; though in some clumps of the plant all prove 
barren, and then they are of a fuller green tint, and often taller and broader 
than the fertile leaves : in no case, however, is the Male Fern of a deep dark 
green hue. The frond is broadly lanceolate, but slightly narrowed downward, 
and may be described as twice-pinnate, though the upper portion of the frond 
is pinnatifid, and, in the pinnz, those pinnules only which are nearest the 
main stem are quite distinct from each other. All the pinne are slender and 
tapering, the pinnules of a bluntly oblong form, and serrated at the edge ; 
and all, except the lowest ones, united to each other at the base. The mid- 
vein of each pinnule is slightly winding, having alternate lateral veins, either 
simple or forked, or dividing into three branches at different parts of the 
pinnule. On the branch which is towards the topmost part of the pinnule 
the fructification is placed in circular clusters, and these form a line down 
each side of the mid-vein, even with it, but a little distance from it. The 
clusters long retain the indusium, which is distinctly visible. It is kidney- 
shaped, lead-coloured, and attached to the vein just at the point where the 
stalks of the capsules are situated. 
This species, like others of its kindred, has been included in various 
genera, but it has always retained its specific name of filiz-mds. It was very 
early called Male Fern in this and several of the continental countries ; and 
Gerarde describes it by that name, which was probably given because its 
habit is more robust than that of the graceful Lady Fern. It grows through- 
out Europe, and is of old renown, not alone for its supposed medicinal virtues, 
but because connected with various superstitious practices. Gerarde, who 
praises the plant for its efficacy in several maladies, quoting also from 
Dioscorides, adds that the “root hereof is reported to be good for them 
that have ill spleenes ; and being stamped with swine’s grease, and applied, 
it is a remedy against the pricking of the reed.” An old notion prevailed 
that this fern had an antipathy to the reed, just as ivy was fancied to have 
an antipathy to the vine. Tragus said that the Male Fern and the reed 
would not grow together, and that where one grew the other was sure to be 
absent. Later herbalists tell also how the roots of this and the Lady Fern 
boiled in oil made “very profitable ointments to heal wounds.” The green 
leaves were recommended to be eaten as a cure for some disorders ; and an 
old writer says, referring to this plant: ‘“‘Fern being burned, the smoke 
thereof driveth away serpents, gnats, and other noisome creatures, which in 
fenny countries do, in the night time, trouble and molest people lying in 
their beds with their faces uncovered.” ‘The use of this plant as a medicine, 
was at one time patronised by the French Government, and this fern has 
Iv.—16 
