{ 256 .) 
Befides the names above-mentioned, this plant has alfo been called 
hemionitis and phyllitis: it is fwppofed to poffefs medicinal qualities 
in common with feveral other fpecies of the fame genus, as golden 
- antl common maiden hair, wall-rue, and common {pleen-wort, which 
were termed the five capillary herbs, and formerly held in great efti- 
mation. ‘To the tafte they are flightly aftringent, mucilaginous, and 
fweetifh ; and they change a folution of iron to a black colour ; their 
{mell is inconfiderable, except the feolopendrium, which, when recent, 
and rubbed, manifefts a difagreeable odour. ; 
They have been formerly ufed to ftrengthen the vifcera, reftrain 
hemorrhages, and alvine fluxes, expel gravel, and to open obftruc- 
tions of the liver and fpleen; as well as for the general purpofes of 
demulcents and peétorals, as noticed when fpeaking of common 
maidenhair, which with the prefent plant are the only two of the 
five capillary herbs retained in the Materia Medica of the Edinburgh 
Pharmacopoeia. ls 
= 
The other Medicinal Plants of this Order, are 
SvsTEMATIC NAMES. . | OFFICINAL. | - Encursm. 
Pteris aquilina _ Filix femina - SF _ Common Fern 
Adiantum capillus veneris Capillus veneris True Maidenhair 
Afplenium Ceterach - _——Ceterach Common Spleenwort _ 
Afplenium ruta muraria -—-—Ruta muraria - », +. Wall-me se 
Equifetum arvenfe  Equifetum of Corn Horfe-tail 
t 
ALG 
