in botany, a genus of the cryptogamia filices class. The parts of fructification are situated in the small sparse line under the disk of the leaves. There are 24 species, five of which, viz., the scolopendrium or hart's tongue, the ceterach or spleenwort, the trichomanes or common maiden-hair, the viride or green maiden-hair, are natives of Britain. The ceterach is recommended for promoting urine, and as a pectoral.