54 THE MOONWORT AND ITS ALLIES. 
ing to the “Doctrine of Signatures” the shape of its 
pinnules showed this plant to be under the influence of 
the moon and therefore good for all diseases of a peri- 
odic character and especially valuable for the cure of 
lunacy which was supposed in some way to be caused 
by that luminary. To be efficient, it had to be gathered 
at full moon and by its light. 
“Then rapidly with foot as light 
As the young musk roe’s, out she flew, 
To cull each shining leaf that grew 
Beneath the moonlight’s hallowing beams.” 
The moonwort is a boreal species. It is found in 
Greenland, Alaska and in the United States as far south 
as Connecticut, New York, Michigan and Colorado. 
Near its southern limits it is extremely rare, the records 
usually resting upon avery limited number of specimens. 
In British America it is said to be not uncommon. It is 
also found in Northern Europe and Asia. Across the 
water its habitat is given as ‘‘open heaths, moors and 
elevated rocky pastures.” It is regarded as “local, 
rather than rare” in England. 
The Common Grape Fern. 
The common grape fern (Botrychium obliquun) is not 
rare in eastern America, but owing to its retiring dis- 
position cannot always be found when wanted. It de- 
lights to grow in half-cultivated lands where some 
friendly rock or stump protects it from the tread of cat- 
tle and the implements of the farmer. One often finds 
it as he climbs over an old stone wall or crosses a bushy 
pasture, especially if the spot be moist, but on other 
occasions he may search the countryside in vain for 
specimens. 
