THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 
Eebruaky 12. 
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innersycle. It liatli leaves lyke iii figure unto Scolo- 
pendra, the beste, whicli also called Centipes, is not 
unlike a great and rough palmer’s wonne.” 
There is no doubt that it is the Asjilenium mentioned 
by Dioscorides and others of the old Greek writers, who 
attributed to it a marvellous iiiHueuco over the spleen ; 
so marvellous that Vitruvius tells us it destroyed that 
organ in the Cretan swine which fed upon it. This 
opinion of the “ jMiltwasting ” power of this Eern lasted 
until the time of Elizabeth ; for Gerarde, then writing, 
says, “ ’I'here be Empericks or blinde practitioners of 
this age, who teach, that with this herhe not only the 
hardnesse and swelling of the Spleene, but all iilfirmities 
of the liver also may bo effectually, and in very short 
time removed, insomuch that the sodden liver of a beast 
is restored to his former constitution againe, that is, 
made like unto a raw liver, if it bee boylcd againe with 
this herbe. 
“ Rut this is to bo reckoned among tbc old wives fables, 
and that also which Dioscorides telleth of, touching 
the gathering of Splcenewoort in the night, and other 
most vaine things, which are found here and there 
scattered in old books: from which most of the later 
writers do not abstaino, who many times fill up their 
pages with lies and frivolous foies, and by so doing do 
not a little deceive young students.” 
Although neglected as a medicinal herb, it is still of 
some commercial value, being used as a bait for rock- 
cod fishing on the coast of Wales. The Rev. Hugh 
Davies says, it was becoming very scarce about Holy- 
head, owing to its consumption for that purpose. 
This and some other Ecrus are extremely retentive of 
life, of which we have this testimony from Dr. Daubeny, 
Professor of Agriculture, at Oxford. 
“ 1 have a specimen of Hijmcnophijlhun Tanhridjense 
which has been preserved in a bottle, corked and 
sealed over, for more than three years, and which, even 
now, judging from its appearance, would seem to be 
living. Eor the first two years it looked as fresh as 
when first introduced; and although some of the 
fronds have now become black and shrunk, many arc 
still fresh and c.xpandcd. 
“ On communicating this circumstance to a corres¬ 
pondent, I received the following statement, which may 
be worth recording as an example of tenacity of life 
among Eerns, in common with their allies the mosses;— 
A lady in Ireland found among her dried specimens one 
of the Gramnilis Cvleravh, which had been above two 
years in a port folio in a very dry, warm room, and after 
planting it in a pot and covering it close, she had the 
satisfaction to sec it come again to life. Afterwards a 
fresh young frond came u}), which continued to flourish 
at the time this information was given, and all the old 
ones have now withered away.” 
Dr. Daubeny, it will be seen, calls the Celerach 
offinnanan by another name, GnimmUis Cciemch. It 
is so called by some botanists, whilst by others it is 
known as Scolopcudrium Cclcruch, Asplenium Ceteruch, 
Notolepeiim Cetemch, and Gymnopteris Ceterach. 
A JiEEXiNG of the Barrisu Pomologicai. Society was 
held at the Rooms, 20, Bedford Street, Covent Garden, 
on Monday, the 4th inst. Mr. Glendinning in the 
chair. 
Specimens of two varieties of Grapes were received 
from IMr. Tillery, gardener to the Duke of Portland, at 
Welbeck. 'freJnana is said by Mr. Tillery to be one of 
the best late White Grapes, keeping in good condition 
to the end of March. Erom the condition of those 
exhibited it was considered an excellent variety ; tbe 
berries, though not quite plump, were well llavoured, 
and were considered by the Society very good for the 
season. This variety requires fire-heat iu September 
and October, to get tbe fruit thoroughly coloured before 
the sun loses its power. Blade Tripoli is one of those 
varieties planted at Welbeck by Speechley. It closely 
approximates to the Black Hamburgh, and is allowed 
to be a variety of it; but many of the members jiresent 
were inclined to think it was identical with that variety. 
The general opinion, however, was that it was not 
identical, but a sub-variety. 
Mr. Ptivers, of Sawbridgeworth, had a very interesting 
collection of the new Belgian Pears which are now in 
season. The most remarkable of them were Joaephinc 
(le Malines and Louise Gregoire, both of which we 
intend to illustrate and describe iu our next number, 
and shall, therefore, suspend our remarks till then- 
Beurre Tjangdier, a large and well llavoured Pear for 
I this season. Jeancle Witte, very rich, sugary, and cxcel- 
j lent. Doyenne Gris d'Hirer, coarse Heshed, and inferior 
1 in llavour. Easter Beurre, grown under glass, was very 
j inferior to specimens of the same variety grown against 
I a wall or on standards; and it was elicited, during the 
conversation, that Pears generally do not acquire their 
true llavour under glass. Inconncaii Van Mans, IMr. 
Rivers stated, was a variety ho received, many years ago, 
from Van Mons, without a name, and being unknown 
to him, he gave it the above appellation. Though it was 
i somewhat coarse-llcshcd and gritty at the core, the 
i juice was richly and fulMlavoured, with an agreeable 
perfume. Bezi Esperen, a richly-flavoured, sugary, and 
juicy Pear, and said to be a veiy abundant hearer. 
Beurre Slerlemanns was coarsc-fleshed, crisp, and hard, 
and not equal to its usual character. 
Collections of Apples and Pears wero received from 
Mr. .Perry, of Algarkirk, nenr Spalding, and Mr. Houlis- 
ton, of Wolvcrston Park, near Ipswich. 
, Dr. J.bivies, of Pershore, sent specimens of Burdon's 
I Rcinettc, and a seedling Apple, which he requested 
! should have its merits fully tested by the Society; but 
' it was found to be inferior to many otbers already in 
cultivation, and, consequently, was not recommended. 
! Mr. Bnrratt, of Wakefield, sent a collection of Pears 
! without names, and which w'cro remarkable for their 
! small size. They w'ero, nevertheless, of excellent flavour, 
' particularly Easter Beurre, Beurre de Ranee, and Knight's 
j Monarch. 
\ Rev. Mr. Kitto, of Chadw'cll, nenr Grays, produced 
! excellent specimens of Cluster Golden Pippin and Searlet 
j Nonpare'd. 
