20 



pinnules distinct, elongate, narrow, acuminate, deeply incised, the 

 lobes serrated. Sori extending nearly the entire length of the 

 pinnules. Lastrea Filix-mas, /3. incisa, Moore, Handbook Brit. 

 Ferns, 50. Aspidium Filix-mas, /3. erosum, Hooker and Arnott. 

 Dryopteris affinis, Newman, Hist. Brit. Ferns, 187. 



2. abbreviata. Frond small, lanceolate, pinnate. Sori confined 

 to the base of contracted or obsolete pinnules, forming a linear 

 series on each side of the midvein of the pinnae. Lastrea Filix-mas, 

 /3. abbreviata, Babington. Polystichum abbreviatum, DeCandolle. 



3. Borreri. Frond narrow lanceolate. Rachis clothed with 

 ruddy-golden scales and hairs. Sori few, large, two or three pairs 

 at the base of each pinnule. Dryopteris Filix-mas, var. Borreri, 

 New. -nan, Hist. Brit. Ferns, 189. 



Of these, the variety incisa is far from uncommon ; abbreviata 

 has been found on Ingleborough, Yorkshire, on the basaltic cliffs 

 of Teesdale, and in the Peak district, Derbyshire, everywhere appa- 

 rently in dry localities ; Borreri seems to be common, though first 

 observed by Mr. Borrer in Devonshire, as a variety " with more 

 copious and brighter coloured scales on the rachis, and with a 

 bright golden-yellow tinge on the whole frond." Brit. Flora. 



Abbreviata retains its distinguishing features in all soils and 

 under different treatment in cultivation, and may perhaps even- 

 tually prove a separate species. 



The rhizoma of this species has been employed as an anthel- 

 mintic ever since the time of Theophrastus, and it is still a favourite 

 remedy in worm cases in many parts of the Continent. The 

 attention of modern medical practitioners was probably first directed 

 to it, in consequence of its being the ostensible remedy of Madame 

 Nouffer of Switzerland, who sold her secret method of expelling 

 the tape-worm to Louis XVI. for 18,000 francs. The inner parts 

 of the rhizoma, carefully dried and reduced to powder, and a de- 

 coction and ethereal tincture of the same and of the unexpanded 

 fronds or fern buds, are the preparations employed, but in this 

 country they are now rarely resorted to, because other medicines 

 have been found more effectual. The anthelmintic property resides 

 in an essential oil, and is lost by keeping the powder otherwise than 

 in well-stopped bottles, hence the fresh preparations are always 

 preferred. 



There is no difficulty in the way of cultivating the Male Fern ; 

 it will grow readily in the common soil of a garden, but is ren- 

 dered more luxuriant by planting it in the compost described in our 

 introduction, and selecting a shady and moist situation. Its com- 

 pact growth, large size, and bright green hue are well adapted to 

 contrast with the naked trunks of trees in plantations, and to 

 break the uniformity of shrubberies and wilderness walks, but it 

 should be so planted that its natural growth may not be disturbed 



