Wayside, Seaside, and Rock Ferns 



to find in our sea-cave is the True Maidenhair Fern, 

 which, however, is confined mostly to the South of 

 England and the West of Ireland. It has fronds from 

 4 to 12 inches long, and two or three times pinnately 

 cut. The pinnules are for the most part fan-shaped in 

 outline. The leafstalks, which are alternately branched, 

 are very slender, black, shining, and quite bare of 

 scales. To the ultimate divisions of the leafstalks, 

 which are almost hairlike, the fan-shaped pinnules are 

 attached. The creeping rootstock is also very slender 

 but scaly. The short oblong sori are borne on the 

 edges of the upper pinnules, which curve over and 

 so serve as indusia. This native Maidenhair Fern can 

 be easily recognised, when found, from its similarity 

 to the many foreign species now cultivated in Britain. 

 The ailments which this fern was formerly believed to 

 cure were many and varied. It was esteemed a valuable 

 specific for troublesome coughs, jaundice, swollen joints, 

 and diseases of the lungs, while a preparation of which 

 it formed one of the chief ingredients was formerly 

 much recommended as a hair- restorer. The scientific 

 name of this fern is Adiantum Capillus Veneris. The 

 derivation of Adiantum has already been given. Capillus 

 Veneris, meaning, " the hair of Venus," obviously refers 

 to the delicate leafstalks and branches. 



