MAIDEN HAIR FERN. 35 



rocks whicli close the Yalle\' to the north. It is worth 

 while to collect the indigenous plants in the valley of 

 Gorbio. ^Vrdoino, author of the "Flore des Alpes Mari- 

 times", mentions more than a thousand wild species as 

 occurring in the valle\'s \vhich open near Alentone. It 

 would be necessary to search the whole of Ireland or 

 Sweden to obtain as man^' plants as are to be found 

 here in an area of 15 square miles. The valleys of 

 Mentone are exceptionalh' rich in Orchids, and these 

 nearh' all flower in the spring. ManA" Ferns, rare else- 

 where, are to be found here. Maiden Hair Fern (Ad/'- 

 antitin Capillus ]'cjien's, Fig. p. 13) is always a favourite 

 with non-botanical people, adorning as it does with its 

 graceful and delicate fronds the damp recesses of the 

 rocks. The wedge-shaped pinnules of this fern seem to 

 be borne on shin\', black wire, and wave and tremble 

 with ever\' breath of air. Not inappropriatel}- did the 

 Romans liken this prettA' plant to the hair of \'enus. 

 Formerly it was used in medicine, and even now an 

 infusion of its bitter-sweet and rather astringent leaves 

 is occasionalh" emploA'ed in chest complaints. Prepared 

 with sugar, the fronds of the Maiden Hair Fern make 

 the "S\'rupus Capillorum Veneris", which is said to be 

 a specific for chest affections. 



An old paved road through the Olive trees forms a 

 short cut up the vallc^'. At one of its bends Gorbio 

 suddenh' bursts upon the view close at hand. It crowns 

 a steep hill completely clothed in Olive trees. An 

 amphitheatre of mighty rocks encloses the view, giving 

 it an exceptionally picturesque appearance. We soon 



