13 
divide into branches above. Its height is from three to ten 
inches. The bags of spores on the clustered spike are quite 
distinct. There are generally as many branches on each side 
of the spike, as there are leaflets on each side of the frond. 
The stalk of the spike is about as long as the branched part. 
There are from three to seven pairs of leaflets. The stalk 
is smooth and hollow, and nearly as long as the frond and 
fruit-bearing spike. The plant rises up every year and dies 
before winter. It has a truly fibrous root, which, as in the 
case of the preceding species, is very different from every 
other Tern. There is a sheath-like scale to the stem, more 
like that of the horsetails, (Equiseta) than of the Ferns. 
Great medicinal virtues are ascribed in olden times to 
Ferns. As the divisions of this have a resemblance to cer- 
tain phases of the moon, and as that satellite of the earth 
was considered to have great influence on human affairs, the 
superstitious and credulous were wont to gather it by moon- 
light. In the days of witchcraft and wizards, those who 
dealt in the magic arts would, doubtless, be seen searching 
for this Moon Fern by moonlight, as they considered the 
herb would then be more potent, and its wonderful virtues 
enhanced, Not only did such persons endeavour to deceive 
others, but were themselves deceived into a belief, that 
strange things were brought about by peculiar plants picked 
at the right time. In this enlightened age we have ourselves 
been told, that if we wish to hoard apples, we must be sure 
to take them off the tree at the rise of the moon. Parkinson 
says It hath been formerly related by impostors and false 
knaves, and is yet believed by many, that it will loosen locks, 
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 Fern rises and there stand for three hours 
and say that within that time the Fern bears flower after 
the seed. God knows better. JDeus melius scit.^^ AVe do 
not apprehend, that any medicinal virtue is attached to it at 
the present day. 
