CHEILANTHES AND MAIDENHAIR. 245 



human foot in outline. The name of maidenhair was 

 originally applied to Adiantum Capillus-Veneris.diR& is 

 said to be in allusion to the slender black stalks. Some, 

 however, would derive the name from the colour and 

 appearance of the roots. 



Our plant has some repute as a pectoral and Kalm is 

 authority for the statement that the Indians of eastern 

 America commonly used it in all cases of difficult breath- 

 ing. The fronds have also been much used as an ingredi- 

 ent in " Syrup of Capillare," for compounding which the 

 following recipe is given. 



Maidenhair Leaves, 5 oz. 

 Liquorice root, peeled, 2 " 

 Boiling water, 5 pints. 



Let stand six hours and then add 



Loaf sugar, 13 Ibs. 



Orange water, i pint. 



The maidenhair is found from Canada to the northern 

 portions of the Gulf States and as far west as Arkansas. 

 It is also found in Utah, California 

 and northward near the coast to 

 Alaska, and again appears in eastern 

 Asia. In British Columbia a form is 

 found with deeply cleft, longer stalked 



and more erect pinnules. It is not 



n . r , f ., , AJFRUITING PINNULE. 



very well known and further study 



may result in its being made a separate species. At 

 present it is called the variety rangiferinum. Our plant 

 takes readily to cultivation and may be propagated with- 

 out any difficulty. If the branches of the rootstock are 

 separated and planted by themselves, they will soon form 

 strong clumps. 



