NOTOLEPEUM CETERACH. 281 



on the back of the vein ; it should, however, be observed, that 

 the capsules seated on the vein nearest the rachis of the frond 

 are placed in a position opposite to that of the rest, and, in this 

 instance, the dehiscence of the involucre naay be said to take 

 place towards the rachis. Immediately adjoining the insertion 

 of the capsules, and attached to the back of the vein, is an 

 erect, white, very narrow, membranous involucre, exactly cor- 

 responding in length with the line of cai^sules with which it is 

 connected. 



€\\Mt 



This is a ticklish fern to cultivate, and succeeds best when 

 planted in the interstices of a mortared wall, after the mortar 

 has begun to crumble, but this only in a tolerably pure atmo- 

 sphere ; near London it soon dies. In pot culture, much trou- 

 ble is necessary ; the soil should be prepared with great care, 

 using one-third of old crumbled mortar, one-third of peat earth 

 and one-third of limestone or oolite broken very small : it 

 should have but little water, and this little should never be 

 allowed to stagnate about the roots : neither should any water 

 be suifered to remain upon the fronds ; for although in a state 

 of nature the plant appears to receive much nutriment through 

 them, since its radicles are scarcely accessible to the influence 

 of rain water, yet, in the still, water-laden atmosphere of a 

 greenhouse the case is diiferent, the atmosphere itself convey- 

 ing a supply that is abundantly sufficient, and water from ex- 

 traneous sources being apt to remain on the fronds until it 

 causes decay. Although this fern will bear full exposure to 

 the South, it attains greater luxuriance in a northern aspect, or 

 when protected by artificial means from the rays of the sun. 



The medicinal properties of Ceterach were formerly supposed 

 to be of great value, but, like those of its congeners, they have 

 greatly fallen into disrepute. It was at one time thought very 

 efficacious applied externally to wounds and ulcers. It has, 



2 o 



