(796 ORD. LIL. Filices. POLYPODIUM FILIX MAS.. 
each extremity, terminating above in an acute point; the partial, 
or second leaves, are from fifteen to forty pairs, remote on the 
lower part, growing gradually nearer upwards,“and running to- 
gether at the top: the lobes are from seven to fifteen pairs, which 
are largest at the bottom, and regularly decrease towards the top, 
where they unite into a point; each lobe is of an oval shape, and 
a little indented at its upper extremity: the seed-vessels are placed 
in two rows on the back of the lobes, in number from three to six, 
of a kidney-shape, and covered with a pellicle; they are at first 
white, and afterwards change to a bluish or ash-colour; when the 
seeds are ripe, the pellicle bursts, and after the discharge of the 
seeds the vessels become brown, and appear as if covered with 
dust. It is a native of Britain, and grows about the borders of 
woods near rivulets, and in stony rocky places. 
The root of the male fern has lately been greatly celebrated for 
its effects upon the tape-worm, or Tenia lata, of Linnzus; and this 
vermifuge power of fern-root ‘seems to have been known. to the 
ancients ;* and is since commended by different practical writers.* 
Yet notwithstanding the virtues of this root are thus recorded, its 
use was very generally neglected till some years ago. Madame 
Noufer, a surgeon’s widow, in Switzerland, acquired great ce- 
lebrity, by employing a secret remedy as a specific in the cure of 
the tape-worm. This secret was thought of such importance by 
same of the principal physicians in Paris,“ who were deputed to 
make a complete trial of its efficacy, that it was purchased by the 
French king, and afterwards published by his order.* The method. 
of cure has been stated as follows: After the patient has been pre- 
pared by an emollient clyster, and a supper of panada, with butter 
_* Dioscorid. M. M. lib. 4. cap, 186. Theophrast. Hist. Plant. lib. 9. Galen 
de Simp. Med. lib. 8, Pliny. lib. 28. cap. 9. 
of, Hoffman, atid others. 
suse Macquer, De La Motte, Jussieu, Carburi, and Cadet. 
* Précis du Traitement contre le Tenias ou Vers solitaires, pratiqué 2 Morat 
en Suisse, examjné et apprové 4 Paris. Publi¢ par ordre du Roi; a Paris, 1775. 
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