198 XIV. ADIAMTUM. 
like short stiff bristles. The texture of the frond is 
thin and delicate, and the colour a cheerful green. The 
venation is peculiar, and consists of a series of dichotomous 
ramifications of the rachis, the first ramification forming 
the extreme base of the pinnule, and the branches be- 
coming again and again forked, so as to occupy the pin- 
nule with a series of contiguous radiating venules. In 
the sterile portion of the fronds one of the venules is di- 
rected to each marginal serrature, in which it terminates, 
but in the fertile parts they each terminate in the* axis of 
the lobes, where they become united with the sporan- 
giferous receptacle which is continued across the indu- 
-imu. The sori are small roundish, soon becoming con- 
rtuent into an interrupted linear series, lying crosswise 
near the apices of the reflexed bleached portion of the 
lobes, which serves as an indusium. The fructification 
becomes mature about July. 
This most delicate and graceful Fern is very local, being 
found in moist caves and attached to moist rocks, chiefly 
in the vicinity of the sea, preferring, it would seem, a per- 
pendicular surface. It occurs principally in Cornwall and 
Devon, in South Wales, and in Ireland ; and has other- 
wise a wide geographical range, comprehending the warmer 
parts of Europe, Asia, northern Africa, the Canary and 
de Verd Islands, and North America. 
It is reported to possess expectorant and diuretic virtues, 
and to be the plant from which the syrup called Capillaire 
is prepared ; Adiantum pedatum and Asplenium Tri- 
chomanes being also said to furnish it. The people of the 
south isles of Arran use a decoction of the leaves in place 
of tea. 
This fern does not bear exposure, but flourishes in a 
confined damp atmosphere, attaining its greatest luxu- 
riance when supplied with a moderate degree of warmth. 
It is essentially a shade-loving plant, and is peculiarly 
fitted for a Wardian case. 
