150 FILICES 
The Maiden-hair seems to have been universally regarded as a cure for 
cough and difficulty of breathing; and Kalm relates that the American 
Indians have used it from time immemorial for this purpose. John Ray cites 
it as a cure for innumerable maladies; and later herbalists praised the 
decoction of the Maiden-hair, not as a remedy only for cough and other 
pectoral complaints, but as also a cure for jaundice, swollen joints, and many 
other diseases ; and affirmed that it “stayeth the falling or shedding of the 
hair, and causeth it to grow thick, fair, and well-coloured ;” though, in the 
preparation of the plant for this purpose, the herb termed smallage, which is 
our wild celery, was added, and both were boiled in oil and wine. 
The Canadian species of Maiden-hair (Adiantum peddtum) was introduced 
into this kingdom by John Tradescant. It grows in Canada in such 
profusion, that when the French were in possession of that country they were 
accustomed to send over large quantities of the plant to France, merely as a 
package for goods, and hence the druggists of Paris used this fern extensively 
instead of the True Maiden-hair. Both plants possess some astringency, and 
in France are still taken for coughs ; but the chief use of Maiden-hair in our 
times is in the preparation of Capillaire, which is made by boiling the fern 
into a syrup with sugar, and flavouring it with orauge-flowers. The French 
term our native species Capillaire de Montpellier, but they also call it Adianthe ; 
while the Dutch and Germans term it Venus-haar, and the Spaniards and 
Italians Adianto. It is a safer plant to use in decoction than the Canadian 
species, as that has some emetic properties, if taken in any quantity. Our 
beautiful plant grows in great abundance in the South Isles of Arran, off the 
coast of Galway, covering the rocks with its light-green fronds ; and the 
people of these isles use it as a substitute for tea. 
Sub-Order II. HyMENOPHYLLACEA. 
15. BristLE FERN (Trichémanes). = 
Rooting Bristle Fern (7. radicans).—Fronds three or four times pin- 
natifid, segments alternate, linear, entire, or two-cleft, obtuse ; involucres 
solitary in the axils of the upper segments. This is an exceedingly beautiful 
fern, both in its form and in the delicate transparency of its texture. Hum- 
boldt remarks that every traveller mentions the elegant 'Trichomanes which 
covers the walls and roofs of the antique houses and chapels at Teneriffe, 
which, he says, in their deserted condition offer great treasures to the 
botanist. He adds that the ferns are nourished by the fogs which abound in 
the neighbourhood. Specimens from Madeira are to be found in the her- 
baria of most persons who have visited that island, more luxuriant, perhaps, 
but not more beautiful, than those found at Killarney. Our Bristle Fern 
delights in shade and moisture. It is found in several stations in Ireland— 
the Turk Waterfall, near Killarney, being one often visited by botanists, who 
have recorded the enthusiastic delight with which they have looked on the 
hundreds of delicate fronds which form green masses there. It was formerly 
seen by Mr. Newman very near the waterfall, but the guide of the place has 
sold so many pieces of this rare treasure to visitors that the plant is almost 
exterminated at that spot. It occurs, however, in several other localities, 
