194 



MALE FERN. 



Linnean Society, and is figured on the preceding page. It is 

 precisely analogous to the Lonchitiform specimens of Polysti- 

 clium aculeatum, the frond being simply pinnate, the margins 

 of the pinnte waved, and quite undivided : it does not appear 

 to be a young or seedling plant, being as fully fruited, in pro- 

 portion to its size, as fronds of larger growth. Dr. Johnstone, 

 in his ' Terra Liudisfarnensis,' has the following passage on 

 this frond : — "It was iirst described in my 'Flora of Berwick,' 

 (ii. p. 11) : and I gave Mr. "Winch his specimen. He seems to 

 have omitted the habitat, viz., Ennis, Clare, Ireland, where it 

 was gathered in abundance by the Eev. John Baird." 



CttltttW. 



The male fern is remarkably easy of culture ; it enjoys rich 

 and light soil of any kind, and does not require SA\y protection. 

 Is has a very beautiful appearance when grown under trees. 



The medicinal properties of the male fern were formerly 

 highly extolled. All our herbalists, ancient and modern, from 

 Dioscorides to DeCandolle, agree as to its value as a vermifuge. 

 Tragus x^rescribes the root for this purpose, (p. 517) ; and 

 Gerarde, quoting the authority of Dioscorides, writes thus : — 

 " The root of the Male Feme, being taken to the weight of 

 half an ounce, driveth forth long flat worms as Dioscorides 

 writeth, being drunke in Mede or honied water, and more effec- 

 tually if it be given with two scruples or two third parts of a 

 dram of Scamonie or of Black Hellebore : they that will use it 

 must first eat Garlicke. The root hereof is reported to be good 

 for them that have ill spleenes, and being stamped with swines 

 grease and applied it is a remedy against the pricking of the 

 reed." — Ger. Em. 1130. Tragus has a very curious passage 

 on the subject of its curing wounds inflicted by reeds, and says, 

 that so great is the antipathy of the male fern and the reed to 

 each other, that where one grows the other will not. The same 

 author recommends a piece of the root of this fern to be laid 



