90 FERNS OP GREAT BRITAIN. 



eulogize its efficacy as an outward application to wounds. 

 It appears to be the true Spleenwort of tlie ancients, and 

 the plant to which they attributed so great an effect in 

 disorders of the spleen. The Cretan swine, when feeding 

 upon it, were said to lose that organ altogether, and it 

 was believed that, when taken to excess, the same injury 

 was experienced by the human constitution. It has of 

 late years been recommended as a good medicine in 

 cases of jaundice. The fern is evergreen, and it grows 

 to a much larger size in warmer regions than in our 

 country. It seems, however, to be the same plant, 

 owing its luxuriance to the climate. The author has 

 seen a specimen of the Scaly Spleenwort brought from 

 Madeira, in which some fronds of the tuft were fourteen 

 inches long, though our native fronds are usually about 

 three or four inches in length. The synonyms of this 

 fern are, Grdmmitis Ceterach, Scoloj)endrium Ceterach, or 

 Notolepeum Ceterach. 



12. Blechnxjm (Hard Fern). 



1. B. boredle (Northern Hard Fern). — Barren fronds 

 pinnatifid, with broad blunt segments ; fertile fronds 

 pinnate, with narrow acute segments. Our only native 

 species of this fern grows in handsome clumps, attract- 

 ing the notice of the lovers of plants by the marked dif- 

 ference between the barren and fertile fronds which 

 spring from the same roots. It is by no means a rare 

 fern; and many a rambler, intent on forming a wild 

 nosegay, gathers its bright green leaves to mingle with 

 his branch of ling, or heath flowers, " or bonnie 

 broom." Cowper had, perhaps, admired this among 



