42 FERNS OF THE LAKE COUNTRY 



much larger than the commoner typical form of the 

 plant, with the same general features, only larger in 

 every part, its pinnules more elongated and tapering 

 more deeply cut along their margins, the branchings 

 of its venules more numerous, and its sori covering a 

 larger surface, reaching almost to the apex of the pin- 

 nules. Another variety, L. PALEACEA is remarkable for 

 the abundant and usually golden scales clothing its 

 stipes and rachis. This variety is very distinct and 

 permanent. 



The typical Male Fern, also its Incised and Golden- 

 scaled varieties, may be found, though not at any very 

 great elevation, over the whole of British ground and 

 throughout Europe from Scandinavia to the Isles of 

 Greece. In Asia it extends from the Caucasus to Lake 

 Baikal, and from the Ural Mountains to the Himalayas 

 and to Assam. It is found also in Northern Africa and 

 in Madeira. And in the Americas, in Newfoundland 

 and in Mexico, from California to Peru and Brazil. 

 But, it is said, not in the United States. Its culture is 

 not at all difficult ; it will grow in any shady places, in 

 almost any kind of soil, the best a sandy loam, moist 

 but not wet. 



The Male Fern has long had and still retains a 

 medicinal reputation as a specific against tape-worm. 

 Galen used it ; Pliny also, who also called it Filix- 

 mas. Its astringent stems have been employed in tan- 

 ning leather, and its ashes in bleaching linen, and mak- 

 ing glass and soap. Bishop Gunner speaks of the young 

 curled fronds being boiled and eaten like asparagus, 

 and says that the poor Norwegians cut off the succulent 



