CHEILANTHES AND MAIDENHAIR. 245 
human foot in outline. The name of maidenhair was 
originally applied to Adiantum Capillus-Veneris and is 
said to be in allusion to the slender black stalks. Some, 
however, would derive the name from the colour and 
appearance of the roots. 
Our plant has some repute as a pectoral and Kalm is 
authority for the statement that the Indians of eastern 
America commonly used it in all cases of difficult breath- 
ing. The fronds have also been much used as an ingredi- 
ent in “Syrup of Capillare,” for compounding which the 
following recipe is given. 
Maidenhair Leaves, 5 02. 
Liquorice root, peeled, 2 “ 
Boiling water, 5 pints, 
Let stand six hours and then add 
Loaf sugar, 13 lbs. 
Orange water, I pint. 
The maidenhair is found from Canada to the northern 
portions of the Gulf States and as far west as Arkansas. 
It is also found in Utah, California 
and northward near the coast to 
Alaska, and again appears in eastern 
Asia. In British Columbia a form is 
found with deeply cleft, longer stalked 
and more erect pinnules. It is not 
very well known and further study 
may result in its being made a separate species. At 
present it is called the variety rangzferinum. Our plant 
takes readily to cultivation and may be propagated with- 
out any difficulty. Ifthe branches of the rootstock are 
separated and planted by themselves, they will soon form 
strong clumps. 
A'FRUITING PINNULE. 
