29 
up till you have got what you want. In the poly - 
schides the frond is narrow* blunt at the end* and 
lobed* serrated* or crenate* along the margins. It 
is fertile. 
Uses. — The genus is an astringent. The juice 
compounded with lard or other vehicle of that 
nature is made into an ointment* and used by the 
country people for wounds* scalds* or burns* and 
for assuaging hemorrhage. Taken internally the 
qualities of the plant act on the lower viscera. 
A decoction of the fern turns iron to a black colour. 
It has also been recommended as a strengthener of 
the bowels ; as relieving the breast or windpipe ; 
and as being favorable in removing obstructions of 
the liver and spleen. 
Where found. — Where not found? The Scolo- 
pendrium is very abundant in this neighbourhood. 
Where every hedge-bank produces it* to mention 
localities is scarcely necessary. It is plenty in 
Cox’s lane. 
Culture.— It grows easily* especially in loamy 
soil and a shady spot. The varieties generally re- 
main constant ; and cultivation in a soil richer than 
what it has been accustomed to* will often con- 
vert the plain fern in its normal state into a variety* 
especially the multifid. 
The best way to cultivate ferns in the house is to 
prepare some flower-pots by putting some potsherds 
in the lower part* and then filling up with light 
loamy soil to about an inch from the rim. The top 
surface should be rough and not pressed. On this 
sow the spores* and cover over with a piece of glass. 
The compost should be made of half peat earth and 
half loam* mixed with a quarter or an eighth part 
of clean sand or gravel. No manure is wanted. 
The water should be given at the bottom. The 
ripe ferns easily shed their spores in the room or 
greenhouse* and they soon grow if they alight on 
the sides of the flower-pots* or even on a wet piece 
of porous stone. 
