THE BRACKEN. 



75 



written of herbes have affyrmed and holden that the 

 brake hath nether sede nor frute, yet have I dyvers 

 tymes proved the contrarrye. ... I have foure yeres to- 

 gether, one after another upon the vigill of Saynte John 

 the Baptiste . . . soughte for this sede of brakes upon 

 the nyghte and indeed found it earlye in the mornynge 

 before the daye brake. The sede was small, blacke and 

 like unto poppye. ... I gathered it after this manner. 

 I laid shetes and mollen 

 leaves underneath the 

 brakes which receyved 

 the sede that was by 

 shakyng and beatynge 

 broughte out of the 

 branches and leaves. . . 

 I went about this busy- 

 ness, all figures, conjur- 

 ings, saunter's charms, \ 

 wychcraft,andsorceryes y 



settasyde, takyngwyth 

 me two or three honest 

 men to bere me com- 



panye." If the charm failed to work, no doubt it was 

 because all " sorceryes " were " sett asyde." Those who 

 observed all the rules and waited for the small blue 

 flower, no doubt came home disappointed. '* Watching 

 the fern," as this practice was called, had too much of 

 black art in it to suit the Church, and in France a Synod 

 condemned all who should gather ferns or fern seed on 

 St. John's eve. 



This is also one of the few species for which uses have 

 been found. As a packing for fruit, fish and vegetables it 

 has the reputation of keeping off mildew and decay. In 



A FRUITING PINNA. 



