22 
fetters, and shoes from those horses’ feete that goe in the 
places where it groweth, and have been so audacious to con- 
test with those that have contradicted them, that they have 
both known and seen it to do so. But what observation 
soever such persons doe make, it is all but false suggestions 
and mere lyes.” Jacobus de Manliis relates “ Some of the 
moderns have said, that in St. John’s night some go to the 
place where the Bern rises and there stand for three hours 
and say that within that time the Fern bears flower after 
the seed. God knows better. Deus melius scit.^^ We do 
not apprehend that any medicinal virtue is attached to it at 
the present day. 
This is not a very conspicuous Fern, and is generally 
distributed throughout Great Britain, though rather local. 
It generally grows in dr^ open heaths and elevated pastures, 
where the soil is either sand or peat. The same position is 
unfavourable for other Ferns except Brake. Moonwort is 
rather difiicult to be cultiyated. Some have considered it 
a parasite, attached to grass roots. Care should therefore 
be taken not to separate it from the surrounding roots. It 
should also be planted before it begins to raise its fronds, 
and not be placed in any rich mould. Too much moisture 
or drought is alike to be guarded against. The most likely 
periods of the year for finding this plant are the months of 
May, June, and July. This Fern may probably be met with 
on Colyton, Stockland, and our other high hills, but 
The known localities of this Fern are — 
Axminster; 'New Park. 
* Hawkchurch ; south of Fishpond bottom, near Lam- 
bert’s Castle. 
* Southleigh ; Cafetle Down near Wiscombe Park. 
