TEE MALE FERN. 
63 
of Moore. L. pseudo-mas, of Wollaston, is remarkable 
for the abundance of its usually-golden coloured 
scales, clothing its stipes and racbis. Most forms of 
this section are very distinct and permanent. 
Another variety, L. F.-mas var. abbreviates of Moore, 
(L. PROPINQUA of Wollaston) is a sub-Alpine plant 
easily known by its thinner texture, smaller size, and 
the more shining surface of its pinnules. The neces¬ 
sity for elevating this and the foregoing variety into 
species or sub-species, is becoming more apparent 
every year; the vars. of these vars. having already 
become almost as numerous as those of the specific 
form. The chief objection to this is, that occasionally 
a plant is met with, on which it is impossible to 
decide with certainty to which section it belongs* 
Such plants however are of rare occurrence. 
The typical Male Fern, also its incised and golden- 
scaled varieties, may be found, though not at any very 
great elevation, over the whole of British ground and 
throughout Europe from Scandinavia to the Isles of 
Greece. In Asia it extends from the Caucasus to Lake 
Baikal, and from the Ural Mountains to the Himalayas 
and to Assam. It is found also in Northern Africa 
and Madeira. And in the Americas, in Newfound¬ 
land and in Mexico, from California to Peru and 
Brazil. But, it is said, not in the United States. 
Its culture is not at all difficult; it will grow in any 
sandy places, in almost any kind of soil, the best a 
sandy loam, moist but not wet. 
The Male Fern has long had and still retains a 
medicinal reputation as a specific against tape-worm, 
