THE RINGED FERNS. 



115 



less astringent, emetic, or purgative. The following are a 

 few of the most important. Adiantum capillus -veneris is 

 widely dispersed through both tropical and temperate coun- 

 tries, varying slightly in form in different localities. In Italy, a 

 syrup called Capillaire is made from it, and used medicinally 

 for coughs, &c. Lastrea Filix-mas^ one of the most common 

 British species, has long had great medical reputation for its 

 astringent and vermifuge qualities. 



Common Bracken [Pteris aquilind). Its thick, creeping 

 underground stems are of some utility as food ; but it is only 

 in Australasia that it is much used by the natives. Its ashes 

 contain a large amount of alkali. 



Cyathea medullaris is one of the noblest of tree ferns, in 

 some of the Pacific isles and on the east coast of Australia 

 and New Zealand, where it forms an important article of food 

 to the natives. The part eaten is the pulpy substance in the 

 centre of the stem. This is of a starchy, mucilaginous nature, 

 and to obtain it the trees have to be destroyed. 



Balantium culcita. The beautiful, soft, silky hairs of this 

 plant are used by the natives of Madeira and the Azores for 

 stuffing cushions. 



Cihotium Menziesit, and probably one or two other species, 

 natives of the Sandwich Islands, produce the substance called 

 Pulu, which is the woolly covering of their stems. Some years 

 ago this substance was collected in large quantities, and ship- 

 loads of it sent to Australia and California. The hairs of 

 Cihotium Barometz and other Eastern species are used as 

 styptics. C. Barometz is a native of China and other parts 

 of eastern Asia. Its woolly stems lying on the ground re- 

 semble some wool-clad animal, which gave rise to the fabulous 

 story of " Barometz^'' or " Tartarian Bamb^'' being described as 

 " an animal fixed to one spot, and eating the grass around it." 



Ferns have of late years become great faVburites with 

 cultivators. The number of exotic species already intro- 

 duced and cultivated in this country amount to about 1000. 

 Forty-six species are considered to be natives of Britain, but 

 they are also found in other countries. 



i2 



