22 KKV. ALFEEI) T. BRYANT. 



than the extract of male fern (N. filix-mas). Yet the Zulu 

 doctor had in use a numljer of indigenous species of this 

 Nephrodium (N. filix-mas, N. athamanticum, etc.), 

 generically called by him iNhoniankoma,?b'& his principal specific 

 for tape-worm from time immemorial. He was probably aware 

 of their vermifugal powers long before we were. Of course 

 his cure, being administered only in the raw state, in the form 

 of the dry and powdered root (a level dessert-spoonful to the 

 dose), proves much less efficient than the concentrated extrac-t 

 of our druggists. 



Other native vermifuges are the uMahlahathihevh, of whose 

 small roots a handful is thoroughly pounded into a paste and 

 eaten in a cupful of thin Kafir-corn porridge, a full meal of 

 this latter being taken immediately after to assist the action. 

 Others eat raw a good quantity of the leaves or black berries 

 of the iBMnini bush (Emboli a kraussii). Both of these 

 plants are specifics for tape- and round-worms alike. For the 

 tape-worm alone, besides the above, we have the roots of the 

 iDololenhonyane (Rumex ecklonianus), and of the uiit- 

 Nuhamhhiha (Glaus en a ina3qualis), and the leaves of 

 uMdkhuthula (Agrimonia eupatoria) shrub, of which a 

 handful are thoroughly pounded and drunk in a little cold 

 water. 



Round- and thread-worms are expelled also by the leaves 

 of the umQaqongo (Clerodendron glabrum), or by a 

 couple of tablespoonfuls of the ripe berries of the uMaguqu 

 (Maes a sp.) dried and ground. This latter belonging to the 

 same botanical group as the /i^/rnrnr/ above, it is probable that 

 this class of plant really has some vermifugal powers. 



The umQalotlii (Strychnos henningsii) and the uHlnm- 

 hhihloshane (Gerbera kraussii) and the iNccoiui (Othonna 

 natalensis) are described as worm-cures, but it is just as 

 possible (though not proven) that their action is simply an 

 alleviation of the flatulence and other stomach pains due to 

 indigestion, and erroneously attributed by the natives to 

 worms. Of the nHlamhhiJiloshanf, ahont ten leaves are taken, 

 pounded, and mixed with a cupful of water, which is drunk. 



