THE WOOD FERNS. 



137 



toward the apices and the rather large 

 sori are borne near the mid-vein instead 

 of on the margin. The fronds are 

 somewhat thinner than those of the 

 marginal shield fern, have not the 

 peculiar blue-green colour and are not 

 evergreen. From the way in which 

 its fronds stand in close circles, it is 

 sometimes called the basket fern. 

 Among its other names are knotty 

 brake fern, sweet brake and vermifuge, 

 the latter referring to its anthelmintic 

 properties. 



The stem and roots are bitter and 

 astringent and have been used in lieu 

 of hops in brewing. Its ashes have 

 also been used in glass making. The 

 curious " St. John's hands " once sold 

 to the credulous as charms against 

 magic and witchcraft were made from 

 the rootstock and unexpanded fronds 

 of this species. The rootstock yields 

 the Filix-mas of the pharmacist. 



Goldie s Shield Fern. 



In an order of plants so varied in form v 

 and texture as the ferns, there may 

 easily be several standards of beauty. 

 Some, indeed, can scarcely be called beautiful except 

 when seen in masses, others only when taken singly, while 

 still others owe much of their attractive appearance to 

 the setting of mossy rock or shaded brook and lose 



THE MALE FERN. 

 Aspidium filix-mas. 



