CHAPTER II 
LIFE HISTORY OF THE MALE FERN [DRYOPTERIS 
(ASPIDIUM OR NEPHRODIUM) FILIX-MAS] 
The Male Fern along with the Marginal Fern {Dryopteris margin- 
alis) have long been known to the pharmaceutical and medical pro¬ 
fessions as the source of the drug Aspidium, a most valuable remedy 
for the expulsion of tapeworm. The parts of these plants employed 
are the rhizome and stipes which are collected in autumn, freed of 
the roots and dead portions and dried at a temperature not exceeding 
7o°C. 
HISTORY OF THE SPOROPHYTE OR ASEXUAL GENERATION 
Gross Structure of Stem. —The main axis of Dryopteris Filix-mas 
is the creeping underground stem or rhizome which is oblique or 
ascending in habit. It gives off numerous roots from its lower and 
posterior portions and fronds from its upper and anterior portions. 
Behind the fronds of the present year are to be noted the persistent 
stalk bases of fronds of previous seasons. Lateral buds are frequently 
to be noted connected with these. The roots are slender and brown 
with semi-transparent apices. They are inserted on the bases of 
the fronds, close to their junction with the stem. The growing end 
of the rhizome is called the anterior extremity and is marked by the 
presence of an apical bud overarched by young fronds. The opposite 
end is known as the posterior extremity and in the living plant is 
constantly decaying, as the anterior portion elongates. 
Histology of Mature Stem (Rhizome). —Passing from periphery 
toward the center the following structures are to be observed: 
1. Epidermis, a protective outer covering tissue, composed of a 
single layer of brownish polyhedral cells from which are given off 
scaly hairs. 
2. Outer Cortex (hypodermis), a zone of several layers of thick- 
walled lignified cells separating the epidermis from the inner cortex 
beneath. Its main function is to support the epidermis. 
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