198 COLONSAY 



Nathrach, C.) in the Outer Hebrides. All the local species 

 have a perennial root-stock. 



Hyme/iophyllum, Sin. 



H. tunbridgense, Sm. Filmy Fern. Kocky mossy banks 

 with a northern exposure; natural woods and plantations, 

 Kiloran. 



H. peltatwn, Desv. Recorded by Mr Grieve. 



Pteris, L. 



P. aquilina, L. Brake ; Bracken. ((F)raineach(mhor).) 

 Abundant in woods and pastures in well-drained situations. 

 On the exposed hill-tops it is scarcely a foot in height, but 

 in the sheltered gullies on the East Coast it grows to 7 or 8 

 feet. It is spreading rapidly and monopolising a good deal 

 of the best of the ground. It is cut and stacked for winter 

 bedding for cattle. Meal is prepared from the thick fleshy 

 roots (rhizomes) in Japan, where the young shoots are also 

 said to be eaten like asparagus. In Monmouthshire the 

 green tops were burned in the summer time and the ashes 

 moulded into balls for washing, before washing soda came 

 into such general use. 



Blechnum, L. 



B. Spicant, With. Hard Fern. ((F)raineach Chruaidh.) 

 Abundant in hilly pastures, under banks, and on rocky slopes 

 facing the north. 



Aspleniwn, L. 



A. Adianlum-nigrum, L. Black Spleenwort. (An 

 Raineach-uaine.) Commonly growing out of crevices and 

 joints in rocks in shady situations. 



A. marinum, L. Sea Spleenwort. ((F)raineach-na-Mara.) 

 Abundantly growing out of interstices in the sea locks on 

 the East Coast, sometimes down to high-water mark. 



A. Trichomanes, L. Maiden-hair Spleenwort. Dubh 



