MALE SHIELD FERN. 17 



covered by a soft downy substance, which may be 

 compared to a fleecy coat. Like the stems of other 

 ferns, the inner parts are soft and pulpy, and have a 

 sort of flesh-colour ; the sap is also of a rich red hue, 

 resembling blood ; so that from these materials the 

 inventions of the wonder-loving peasantry of Tartary 

 formed the fable which met with ready belief from 

 the credulous traveller, who was strongly imbued with 

 the love of the marvellous, so common in the age in 

 which he lived. This fern, however, possesses astrin- 

 gent properties in a somewhat greater degree than 

 other species, and was formerly in repute as a styptic. 

 Fresh plants were often brought to the markets at 

 Macao, but none ever reached this country alive. 



Aspidium Filix Mas has been often employed in 

 brewing, as a substitute for hops, and has been found 

 to be one of the most successful ingredients in beer 

 when hops are absent. 



VARIETIES. 



ASPIDIUM FILIX MAS INCISA is a larger and more 

 striking plant than the normal form, more robust, and 

 sometimes growing to a height of three or four feet. 

 The fronds are directly bipinnate and lanceolate, not 

 contracting abruptly at the apex. The vernation is 

 more distinct and clearly developed. The pinnules 

 are longer, narrower, and more distant j the first 

 upper pinnule is generally much longer than the first 

 inferior. This variety is called by many writers Las- 

 trea erosa, or Aspidium Filix Mas erosa. 

 



