BOVISTA. 97 
According to Withering, it is snow-white when young, and 
white within; black in decay; opens with a very large aperture, 
the diameter being about two inches. 
According to Buchner, when growing, it is white when 
young. 
GrocrapuicaL Distrtpution.—Most parts of Europe, Great 
Britain, Germany, France, Sweden, N. orway, Russia, and Asia 
Minor. 
Locatrries.—In dry meadows and on downs. (In Kensing- 
ton Gardens, from the size of a pea to twenty or thirty inches in 
circumference. Sowerby). 
Parts usep 1In Mepicinz, AnD Mopr or PREPARATION.-— 
The whole plant. To prepare a powerful mother-tincture, we 
must commence with a dry trituration of the seeds (the black 
dust), and to this add alcohol gradually until the trituration 
commences to be fluid; then add an equal weight of alcohol. 
The whole to be put away for some days in a dry place, to be 
left at rest, and afterwards filtered. The season for collecting 
this fungus for medicinal purposes is in the months of August 
and September.* 
Mepicat Uses (Homaoparutc).—Bovista is especially indi- 
cated in irritable, juvenile, or debilitated systems, with great 
variability of the circulatory and nervous systems, as well as for 
florid, scrofulous, or nervo-venous individuals, more especially 
for such as have a tendency easily to take cold, with disturbance 
of circulation, or swelling of the glands. In such, Bovista is 
Most especially specific in affections of the skin, and in diseases 
of the heart. Papulous, squamous, and vesiculous eruptions 
of the skin. Lichen, especially agrius. Prurigo. Psoriasis, 
even diffused. Pityriasis. Herpes (with dry and humid spots). 
Erythema. Intertrigo. Impetigo. Acne. Eruptions at the 
corner of the mouth, and ulceration of the lips. Ulcers on 
the fingers. Intermittent fevers. Catarrhal and rheumatic 
* Care must be taken to gather the true Bovista, and not the Lycoperdon 
giganteum or proteus, which is much larger and more tuberculous. 
