THE WOOD FERNS. 139 
toward the apices and the rather large 
sori are borne near the mid-vein instead - 
of on the margin. The fronds are 
somewhat thinner than those of the 
marginal shield fern, have not the 
peculiar blue-green colour and are not 
evergreen. From the way in which 
its fronds stand in close circles, it is 
sometimes called the basket fern. 
Among its other names are knotty 
brake fern, sweet brake and vermifuge, 
the latter referring to its anthelmintic 
properties. ? 
The stem and roots are bitter and pgs 
astringent and have been used in lieu ue: 
of hops in brewing. Its ashes have Nie 
also been used in glass making. The Cees Bp ti 
curious ‘St. John’s hands” once sold 
to the credulous as charms against WREga% 
magic and witchcraft were made from @ 
the rootstock and unexpanded fronds } 
of this species. The rootstock yields 
the Filix-mas of the pharmacist. 
Goldies Shield Fern. Ron 
3 
In an order of plants so varied in form 
and texture as the ferns, there may THE MALE FERN. 
easily be several standards of beauty. ABER CI SEE TA 
Some, indeed, can scarcely be called beautiful except 
when seen in masses, others only when taken singly, while 
still others owe much of their attractive appearance to 
the setting of mossy rock or shaded brook and lose 
