250 THE BRITISH FERNS. 
temperate parts of North America: e.g. Florida, Arkansas, Alabama, 
California, Texas; in South America: Mexico, Guatemala, San- 
tarem, Para, Caraccas, Chili; in the West Indies: Trinidad, St. 
Vincent’s, Dominica, Jamaica; in the Sandwich Islands, in New 
Caledonia, and in the New Hebrides at Anieteum. These habitats, 
those of the New World especially, include several gradations of a 
deeply-lobed form, which in its most marked condition is the var. 
B. (incisum) of Sir W. J. Hooker. 
This plant like many other Ferns had formerly a high medicinal 
reputation, which has not been sustained. This was especially em- 
ployed as a diuretie and expeetorant. It is now only used in the 
preparation of Capillaire, to which it gives its name and a slight flavour. 
This preparation, known in the shops as Syrup of Capillaire, is made 
by pouring boiling syrup upon the freshly gathered fronds, and is per- 
fumed with orange flowers. Dr. Deakin states that an infusion of the 
plant is also used, in the form of tea, and that it makes a pleasant 
drink in cases of fever. "Though abundant in the south of Europe, 
where Capillaire is chiefly made, the A. pedatum of North America is 
often substituted for it, being cultivated for the purpose according to 
Mr. Johnson. Both species are astringent, and regarded as useful 
in coughs, &e., but a strong decoction of the North American kind is 
stated to possess emetic properties. Capillaire is known throughout 
Europe as a refreshing beverage, when diluted with water. In 
Arran a decoction of the leaves is used instead of tea. 


The Maidenhair grows freely in a moist close greenhouse, or in a 
hothouse, the temperature of which it enjoys. It grows very readily 
in. baskets, and is also well suited for pot-culture. When grown in 
pots, it should be planted in the usual light compost used for Ferns, 
with abundant drainage; and the caudex should not be buried in the 
soil, but kept at the surface. The best compost of this nature, is made 
of small broken lumps of turfy peat, with a small proportion, not 
more than one-fourth, of light mellow loam, and an abundant 
admixture of silver sand. The small size and exceedingly elegant 
character of the Maidenhair renders it well suited for a Wardian 
case, for which also its habit is quite adapted. The plants are 
injured by severe cold, even when in a closed house, so that it 















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