280 FILICKS — FERNS. 



Hahval. — Li rocky woods, from Lake Hujicrior wc^fward ; common in 

 Euroi5(\ 



A' .dium marginal e Swartz. — Mcmjwal Shi(id-J''rn. 



D.. ripliori. — Fruit-dots similar to the preccdiii<^, but placed close to 

 the I lar 'in of the fertile pinnules. Fronds evergreen, almost coriaceous, 

 ova. ;-ol)long, 1 to 2 feet high, bii)innate, the pennin lanceolate, broadest 

 at the base ; pinnules oblong or oblong-soythe-shapcd, obtuse, entire or 

 jbscurely cronately toothed. Stijies chafty at the base. Rootstock similar 

 tt the pi'eccuiiig. 



J/alutat. — On rocky hills ; common. 



J'aj't Uacd. — The rhizome of both species. Official name : Aspidium 

 — United Siuli'.a lliai'Diacnpiria. 



Gondii nnilt<. — Proximate analysis of male-fern has yiidded different ro- 

 f»ults to dift'erent chemists. For practical purposes it is sufficient to k;; .\v 

 that its active principles reside in an oleo-resin, and that its other consti- 

 tuents are unimportant. 



Pri'para'ions. — Oleo-resina aspidii — oleo-resin of aspidium. — Um'fr' 

 Sfalas PharniacoiHvic . 



Mi'dlral Propcrtir-i jvd C'se-S'. — Oleo-resin of male-fern is one of t' ^ 

 best known remedies for tapeworm, and also one of the most ctrudctit. 

 Doubtless much of the disappointment experienced with it is attributable 

 to inefficient j)rep: ligations. Since, however, it has been demonstrated 

 that A. marginale is <niite as efficient, and, as Ihis species is very ab. ;,- 

 dant, there is now no good reason why reliable preparations should net 

 be the rule rather than, as heretofore, the exci>2)tion. 



m 



OSMUNDA.— Flowkiunc; Feiin. 



Osmunda regalis Linne. — Flou-crhuj Po-ik 



Ihvcription. — Sporangia naked, globular, short-pedicclled, densely ag- 

 gregated along the margins of the very much contra(;ted upper pininiles of 

 the frond, the whole appearing to the casual observer Tike a mass of minute, 

 tawny flowers. Fronds 2 to 5 feet high, clustered, very smooth, pale green, 

 bipinnate ; sterile pinnules, 13 to 25, oblong-oval, or lance-oblong, mi- 

 nutely serrulate, occasionally crenately-lobed at the base. 



Habitat. — In swamps and wet places ; common both here and in 

 Europe. 



Part Used. — The rhizome— not official. 



Cojistituoits. — Mucilaginous and astringent prin('i2)les.. 



Preparations. — Used in decoction. 



Medical Properties and Uses. — Flowering fern was at one time consid 

 ered efficacious in rachitis, but it is now believed to be nearly inert, and 

 is rai'ely if ever employed medicinally. 



