148 CERATOPTERIS TIIALICTROIDES. THE HORNED FERN. 



surface. Besides this, buds appear in die angles of the divisions 

 of the frond, and, falHng at maturity, make distinct plants. 



In the uniform dnt of green and heavy divisions of the frond, 

 there is absent the usual beauty of ferns. But WhitUer tells us 

 that — 



"Art's perfect forms no moral need, 

 And beauty is its own excuse ; 

 But for the dull and flowerless weed 

 Some healing virtue still must plead, 

 And the rough ore must find its honors in its use." 



His lines are especially applicable to this " dull weed," which 

 has been put to more honorable use than most of its sister ferns. 

 Gaudichaud, a disdnguished botanist, who edited the botany of 

 Captain Freycinet's voyage of the "Uranie " and '' Physician " in 

 a French expedition round the world in 18 10, notes that it is 

 regarded as a choice salad by the inhabitants along the river 

 Argana; and Sir W. J. Hooker states that, "in the Indian Archi- 

 pelago, this fern is boiled and eaten by the poor as a vegetable." 

 It o-rows in shallow ponds or in wet, marshy places, often cover- 

 ino- the whole surface with its green fronds. 



Explanations of the Plate.— i. Growing plant showing (la) perfectly developed barren 

 frond, {l/?) the growing frond and stipes of older ones. 2. An undivided segment of the 

 frond showing, (2r?) enlarged, its venation. 3. An enlarged drawing of a finely-divided 

 pinnule. 



