MALE FERN 



397 



each consisting of two parallel and contiguous cells, but the scale 

 does not bear any glandular hairs, excepting sometimes two at its 

 base ; this is an important diagnostic character of the drug (Lauren, 



FIG. 216. A, margin of scale from petiole of A. Filix-mas ; 

 B, from that of A. spinulosum. Magnified. (Lauren.) 



1896). When broken the petioles should be (if recently dried) green 

 internally, and the smooth section should exhibit about eight (usually 

 seven, eight, or nine) steles arranged in a diffuse circle. 



The rhizome itself should also be green internally, and exhibit 

 in section about as many principal steles as the petiole. The drug 

 has a disagreeable, nauseous, bitter taste. 



Constituents. The chief constituent of male fern rhizome is about 

 5 per cent, of a yellow, amorphous substance of acid nature termed 



filmarone, to which the vermifuge 

 properties of the drug are ap- 

 parently to be attributed. Filicic 

 acid, aspidinol, flavaspidic acid, 

 flavaspidinol, and albaspidin are also 

 contained in it, as well as fixed oil 

 (6 per cent.), filicitannic acid (7*8 per 

 cent.), resin, and starch. Some of 

 these constituents are formed by the 

 remarkable secreting cells produced 

 by the rhizome and petioles in 

 intercellular spaces in the parenchy- 

 matous tissue. The drug yields about 

 4 per cent, of ash. 



Filmarone, which is said to be anthel- 

 mintic but not toxic, is insoluble in water, 

 sparingly soluble in alcohol and petroleum 



spirit, but readily soluble in acetone, chloroform, and ether. Dissolved in 

 acetone or alcohol it slowly decomposes into the comparatively inert filicic 

 acid and aspidinol, both of which substances are present in the drug. This 

 decomposition also takes place in the dried drug, as well as in the liquid 



FIG. 217. Male Fern rhizome. 

 Transverse section, magnified 3 

 diam. y, steles. (Berg.) 



