PERNS OP GREAT BRITAIN. 47 



pinnule. On the brancli whicli is towards the topmost 

 part of the pinnule the fructification is placed in circular 

 clusters, and these form a line down each . side of the 

 mid-vein, even with it, but a little distant from it. The 

 clusters long retain the indusium, which is distinctly 

 visible. It is kidney-shaped, lead-coloured, and at- 

 tached to the vein just at the point where the stalks of 

 the capsules are situated. 



This species, like others of its kindred, has been 

 included by various writers in the genus Polypddium, 

 Aspidium or Polystichum, but it has always retained its 

 specific name of Mlix-mds. It was very early called 

 Male Fern in this and several of the continental coun- 

 tries ; and Gerarde described it by that name, which was 

 probably given because its habit is more robust than 

 that of the graceful Lady Fern. The Italians caU this 

 plant Feli Maschia, and the Spaniards term it Polypodia 

 Selecho Maseulino. In France it is called Fougere. It 

 grows throughout Europe, and is of old renown, not 

 alone for some supposed medicinal virtues, but because 

 connected with various superstitious practices. Gerarde, 

 who praises the plant for its efficacy in several maladies, 

 quoting also from Dioscorides, adds that the "root 

 hereof is reported to be good for them that have ill 

 spleenes; and being stamped with swine's grease, and 

 applied, it is a remedy against the pricking of the reed," 

 An old notion prevailed that this fern had an antipathy to 

 the Reed, just as Ivy was fancied to have an antipathy to 

 the Vine. Tragus said that the Male Fern and the Reed 

 would not grow together, and. that where one grew the 

 other was sure to be absent. Later herbalists tell also 



