LASTREA FILIX-MAS. 23o 



mas. L. Jilix-mas is a large coarse Fern, L. propinqua being 

 much more compact, and more beautiful in its outline. The L. 

 pseudo-mas is usually less in size, although there are some 

 varieties that are anything but dwarf. 



These three species, in their normal form, appear to grow- 

 well in almost every conceivable situation. In dry woods or 

 wet woods, in shady lanes, by the side of running water, or 

 amongst rocks, almost immaterial what the nature of the soil, 

 or the peculiar circumstances under which they have to grow. 



The Male Fern is abundant throughout Europe. Also found 

 in Africa, Madeira, Newfoundland, California, Guatemala, 

 Mexico, Equador, New Grenada, Peru, Brazil, and the Caraccas. 



It has long been esteemed as a medical plant: Theophrastus, 

 Dioscorides, Pliny, and Galen, each speak of its medicinal 

 virtues. Madame Nouffer sold to Louis the Sixteenth, for 

 eighteen thousand francs, her secret for the treatment of tape- 

 worm, ( Tcenia solium,) and this proved to be the L. Jilix-mas. 

 It has also been put to other economic uses, namely, the tanning 

 of leather, the manufacture of glass, the bleaching of linen, 

 the young stems eaten like asparagus, the bases of the young 

 stalks brewed into beer by the Norwegians, and the fronds 

 cut and dried as fodder and litter for cattle. 



Lastrea Jilix-mas is an effective plant in a fernery, and 

 some of the varieties are exceedingly beautiful. 



A deciduous Fern, varying from four or five inches in the 

 dwarf varieties, to four or five feet in those with more robust 

 habits. 



The rhizoma large, firm, and woody, covered with thick 

 brown imbricated scales, and having numerous long black 

 tough roots. 



The fronds are broadest in the middle, narrowing towards 

 the base, and to an acute point at the apex. 



Pinnae from ten to fifty, mostly remote near the base, 

 becoming more approximate upwards, and running together at 

 the apex. 



Pinnules largest at the base, decreasing upwards till they 

 run together, losing themselves in the point or apex of the 

 pinnae. 



Sori abundant and larcre, and covered with an indusium. 



