76 EAGLE FEKN. 



botanical friend of our own, rather given to speculative 

 devices, sent us one day a dish, consisting of the 

 lower parts of the stem of this fern, cut off just below 

 the ground, so as to retain the white delicate appear- 

 ance of underground growth, assuring us it was quite 

 equal to asparagus. It was accordingly cooked, and j 

 served as seakale or asparagus, and pronounced to be 

 quite palatable, though not equal to either of the 

 other named vegetables. It might, however, well 

 form a substitute for them, and, being so easily and 

 inexpensively obtained, it is sui'prising that it does 

 not oftener find its way to the poor man's table. The 

 astringency of this fern is great, so much so that it 

 lias been recommended for dressing and preparing 

 chamois leather. As a material for packing fruit, &c., 

 it is invaluable. This plant was undoubtedly the 

 original fearn of our Saxon ancestors, from the abun- 

 dance of which the names of so many towns and 

 villages have originated ; such as Farnborough, Farn- 

 ham, &c. It is to this fern we may attribute chiefly 

 the many superstitions, legends, and proverbs con- 

 nected with ferns generally. It seems to have been 

 associated with our popular fancies for many a long 

 day. Shakspeare speaks of the " fern- seed by which 

 we walk invisible." Ben Jonson says 



" I had no medicine, sir, to walk invisible, 

 No fern-seed in my pocket. " 



There was a homely proverb, once in common use, 

 which we may quote : 



