Chap. 55.] riLix OK FEiiisr. 245 



has a thin, black root, with a powerful smell. It grows in 

 humid soils. This plant also has certain astringent and cool- 

 ing properties, but females must be on their guard ®^ against 

 it. The leaves, beaten up in wine, prevent the bosom from 

 growing too large in young girls. 



CHAP. 54. THE ENNEAPHYLLON : TWO EEMEDIES. 



The enneaphyllon^^ has nine long leaves, and is of a caustic 

 nature. It is employed topically, but when used it is wrapped 

 in wool to prevent it from cauterizing further than desirable, 

 for it blisters immediately. For lumbago and sciatica it is of 

 the greatest utility. 



CHAP. 55. TWO VARIETIES OF FILIX OR FEEN, KNOWN TO THE 



GREEKS AS PTERIS, OR BLACHNON, AND AS THELYPTERIS, OR 

 NYMPHS PTERIS : ELEVEN REMEDIES. 



Of fern there are two varieties, equally destitute of blossom 

 and of seed.^^ The Greeks give the name of "pteris," and 

 sometimes *' blachnon," to the kind^' in which numerous shoots 

 take their rise from a single root, exceeding two cubits even in 

 length, and with a not unpleasant smell :®® this plant is thought 

 to be the male fern. 



The other kind is known to the Greeks as *' thelypteris,'"'^ 

 and sometimes, '* nymphcea pteris :" it has a single stem only, 

 with comparatively few branches, is shorter, softer, and more 

 tufted than the other, and has channelled leaves growing near 

 the root. Swine are fattened upon the roots of either kind. 

 The leaves of both kinds are arranged on either side in the 

 form of wings, whence the Greek name ''pteris." The roots 

 are long, run obliquely, and are of a swarthy colour, more par- 



^^ Because it was said to be a cause of sterility. 



^5 Identified with the Dentaria enneaphylla of Linnaeus, the Nine-leaved 

 tooth-wort. 



66 From this remark, Fee is of opinion that he had in view more par- 

 ticularly the Pteris aquilina and the Blechnum spicatum of Linnseus, plants 

 in which the seed is not easily detected. 



^"^ Identified by Fee with the Polypodium filLx mas of Linnaeus, the Male 

 fern. 



^ Dioscorides says it has a somewhat unpleasant smell, and this is nearer 

 the truth. 



69 " Female fern." Identified by Fee with the Polj'podium filix ftemina 

 of Linnaeus, Female fern or Pteris aquilina. 



