192 
ON THE HABITS AND PECULIARITIES OF BRITISH PLANTS, 
AND ON THE DERIVATIONS OF THEIR LATIN NAMES. 
By T. B. Hall. 
(Continued from p. 141.) 
Asplenium.—Ao-ttAwov, from < 2 , negative, and cni Aw, the spleen, because it 
was supposed to be efficacious in removing disorders of the spleen. 
Asplenium filix-foemina Female Shield-fern, Lady Fern.—The beauty of this 
common plant occasioned its name of Lady Fern, contrasting as it does with the 
robust habit of jilix-mas , the Male Fern. Its natural habitation is in swampy 
woods and damp hedge-rows, or, as Sir Walter Scott incidentally remarks in 
his novel of Waverley — 
“ Where the copse-wood is the greenest, 
Where the fountain glistens sheenest, 
Where the morning dew lies longest, 
There the Lady Fern grows strongest.” 
Asplenium lanceolatum , Lanceolate Spleenwort.—A very distinct and hand¬ 
some species of Fern, little known except in some parts of England and France. 
Asplenium trichomanes , Common Maiden-hair Spleenwort, Wall Spleenwort.— 
This is a pretty Fern, not unworthy of a place on shady rockwork, and about 
grottos and fountains. Its medical virtues are very doubtful. It has been used 
as a substitute for the Maidenhair of warmer climates, Adiantum capillus " 
veneris , from which a syrup is made, perfumed with Orange-flowers, and called 
syrup of capillaire. 
Aster. — From xcrr^ a star, because the flowers have a stellate, or radiated 
form. 
Aster tripolium , Sea Starwort.—It is not unfrequently gathered and sold for 
Samphire, either by mistake, or from its being collected without hazard; but it is 
supposed not to possess the like detersive qualities. Called tripolium because, 
according to Dioscorides, the flower changes its colour thrice in one day; but no 
such phenomenon is observable in our climate. 
Astragalus. —From xo-rpxyxXos, a bone of the foot, which the legume of this 
plant somewhat resembles. 
Astragalus glycyphyllos , Sweet Milk-vetch, Wild Liquorice.—From the resem¬ 
blance of a cluster of the pods to the fingers of an open hand, this plant has been 
called Ladies’-fingers; or Crow-toes, from their fancied similitude to the toes of 
that bird. The more proper English name has been derived from its being 
supposed to increase the quantity of rich milk in Cows feeding on it. It has the 
advantage of growing on the poorest soil, even on obdurate Clays, where scarcely 
any other plant will vegetate. It will grow as tall as Clover, and make exceed- 
