ACROGENJS. 



709 



nation, barren or fertile. Sporangia or capsules arranged in 

 a spike-like form {fig, 1088, a) on the margins of a contracted 

 frond {fig. 1088), distinct, 2-valved {fig. 1088, <5>), exannulate. 

 EaHxmples : — Ophioglossum, Botrychium. 



Distribution and Numbers. — The plants 

 of this order are more or less distributed 

 over the globe, but they are most abun- 

 dant in moist mild regions. In the north- 

 ern hemisphere they are herbaceous plants, 

 but in the southern hemisphere and in the 

 tropics they are sometimes arborescent, 

 having stems occasionally fifty feet or 

 more in height, and with the general habit 

 of Palms, There are upwards of 2,000 

 species. 



Properties and Uses. — Several species of 

 ferns have farinaceous rhizomes or stems, 

 which, "when roasted or boiled, form articles 

 of food in some parts of the world, but 

 generally only in times of scarcity. The 

 rhizomes of Pteris esculenta, Diiylaziicm es- 

 ctdentum, Nephrodium escidentum, and Ma- 

 rattia alata, are those which are tlius princi- 

 pally used. The leaves of several species 

 possess slightly bitter, astringent, and 

 aromatic properties, and those of others 

 are mucilaginous. The rhizomes of some 

 ferns are astringent and tonic, and a few 

 possess well-marked anthelmintic proper- 

 ties. The silky hairs found on the rhi- 

 zomes and lower portions of the caudex of 

 some species have been used for stuffing cushions, &c., and as 

 mechanical styptics. 



Acrostkhum Iluacsaro. — The rhizome of this specie« constitutes the 

 middling Calaguala or Little Cord, which is used medicinally in Peru. (See 

 Polvpodium.) 



Adiantum. — The fronds and rhi/omes of ^. CapiUus Veneris, True Maiden- 

 hair, and those of A. pedatiim, Canadian Maiden-hair, possess mucilaginous, 

 bitter, slightly astringent, and aromatic properties, and have been employed 

 as pectorals in catarrhs. The latter plant is most esteemed. Syrup of Capil- 

 laire is properly prepared, by adding to an infusion of Maiden-hair some 

 sugar and orange-flower water ; but it is fi'eqnently made by simply adding 

 sugar to orange-flower water. The fi'onds of A. melanocaiilon are reputed 

 to have tonic properties ; and various qualities have beea attributed to 

 other species. 



Aspidium fraffans.— The fronds possess aromatic and slightly bitter pro- 

 perties, and have been used as a substitute for tea. 



Cibotiuni. — The silky hairs coverim? the lower portion of the caudex of 

 C. Barometz, the Scythian Lamb of old writers, have been imported r.nder 

 the name of Penawar or Penghatcar Jnmbie. (See Dicksonia.) This has 

 been used in Holland and Germany as a styirtic. It has also been employed 



Fig. 1088, a. Barren and 

 fertile fronds of the 

 Conininn Adder' s-tonpue 

 ( Ophiofjlo-tstim vulfta- 

 tum). b. Portion of the 

 fertile frond of the 

 saiDP, with 2-vaived dis- 

 tinct burst sporangia or 

 capsules. 



