278 FILTCES — FERNS. 



on (lark-pnrple or black polisliod stipoH, (i to 15 inclios hipli ; tlioso fork at 

 the summit, and each Iji-nncli gives off on its upi)or side simple branches 3 

 to 9 inches long, wliicli are thi(!kly and regularly clothed ■\vitli alternate, tri- 

 angular or rhomboidal short-stalked pinnrc ; these are entire and vein-bear- 

 ing on their lower mai'gin, while their upper boi'der is lobed, and fruit- 

 bearing. The plant as a whole is extremely delicate and beautiful. 



IlahUaf. — In rich moist woods ; common. 



Pari ^ «■(/.— The leaves — not official. 



Cnnstitiumfs. — Unknown. 



Prrparafio}!,^. — Used in decoction and syrup. 



Medical Properlies and Uses. — Maidenhair has a bitterish, aromatic 

 taste, and has been esteemed demulcent and pectoral. An allied K2)ocies, 

 A. CapithiK-l'cncris, indigenous to Europe, and also found in Florida, was 

 formerly much used in chronic catarrhal atfoctious. 



rTEllIS.— BliAKK. 



« 



Pteris aquilina Limie. — Common P.ralv. 



Descriplion. — Fruit in a continuous line along the margin of the fertile 

 frond, and covered by its retlexed border. Fronds erect, on a stout stipe 

 2 to 3 feet high, ternate, the wide-spreading branches bijiiunate ; pinnre 

 oblong-lanceolate, the tipper undivided, the lower often deeply pinnatifid. 



Hahilal. — In dry situations along the border of woods ; common. 



Part U/^cd. — The entire plant — not ofHcial. 



Consliluents. — Unknown. 



Preparalions. — Used in decoction or infusion. 



Medical Properties and t'srw. — Brake is reputed astringent and anthel- 

 mintic, but is seldom used. Another indigenous species, P. atropin-purea 

 {Rock Brake), a much more delicate plant, possesses similar proj^erties. 



ASPLEXIUM. — Spleenwout. 



Asplenium filix-foemina Bernhardt. 



Dei^cription. — Fruit-dots short, variously cuiTed, at length confluent ; 

 often the fertile vein bears two sporangia, back to back, the delicate indu- 

 sium crossing the vein and covering both. Fronds luunerous, clustered, 

 from an ascending scaly rootstoek ; they are 1 to 3 feet high, ovate-oblong 

 or broadly lanceolate, bipinnate ; pinujc lanceolate ; pinnules confluent 

 upon the secoudaiy rachis by a narrow margin, oblong and doubly serrate 

 or elongate and incisely cut-toothed. A variable and beautiful species. 



ITahifat. — In moi.st shady places ; common. 



Part Vi^ed. — The rhizome — not oflTicial. 



It is supposed to possess properties, similar to those of male fern [As- 

 pidiiim fdix-ma>i), which see. 



Several other indigenous species of asplenium, oi widely difterent ap- 

 pearance, are supposed to possess medicinal properties. 



