[Illustration: Moonwort. _Botrychium Lunaria_. Details]

The moonwort was formerly associated with many superstitions and was
reputed to open all locks at a mere touch, and to unshoe all horses that
trod upon it. "Unshoe the horse" was one of the names given to it by the
country people.

"Horses that feeding on the grassy hills,
Tread upon moonwort with their hollow heels,
Though lately shod, at night go barefoot home
Their maister musing where their shoes be gone."

In dry pastures, Lake Superior and northward, but rare in the United
States. Willoughby, Vt., where the author found a single plant in 1904, and
St. Johnsbury, Vt. Also New York, Michigan and westward.

In England said to be local rather than rare. Sometimes called Lunary.

"Then sprinkled she the juice of rue
With nine drops of the midnight dew
From Lunary distilling."
DRAYTON.

(2) LITTLE GRAPE FERN. _Botrychium símplex_

Fronds two to four inches high, very variable. Sterile segment
short-petioled, usually near the middle, simple and roundish or pinnately
three to seven lobed. Veins all forking from the base. Fertile segments
simple or one to two pinnate, apex of both segments erect in the bud.