EQUISETACES, 749 
it possesses most activity in a recent state. The rhizome of Aspidium mar- 
ginale, a native of the United States, is said to possess similar properties, 
and is official as well as the former in the United States Pharmacopeeia. 
The rhizome of Aspidium athamanticum, under the names of Panna and Un- 
comocomo, is also much esteemed by the Zulus as an anthelmintic. The fronds 
of A. fragrans, possess aromatic and slightly bitter properties, and have been 
used as a substitute for tea. 
Cibotium.—The silky hairs covering the lower portion of the caudex of 
C. Barometz or Aspidium Barometz, the Scythian Lamb of old writers, have 
been imported under the name of Pakoe Kidang. This has great reputation 
in India as a styptic, and has been used for a like purpose (see Cyathea) in 
Holland, Germany, and other countries. It has also been employed for 
stuffing cushions, &c. It is obtained from Sumatra. Analogous hairs 
imported from the Sandwich Islands, under the name of Pulu, may be em- 
ployed for similar purposes as the preceding. Pulu is said to be derived 
from three species of Cibotium, viz. C. glaucum, C. Chamissoi, and C. Men- 
ziesii ; but other species also produce somewhat similar hairs. 
Cyathea.—From the caudex of C. Smithii, a native of Sumatra, woolly 
hairs are obtained, which are imported under the name of Penghawar 
Djambi ; they are used for similar purposes as Pakoe Kidang and Pulu. 
Ophioglossum vulgatum, the Common Adder’s-tongue, has been employed 
asavulnerary. In some parts of England it is used in the preparation of a 
popular ointment. 
Osmunda regalis, the Flowering or Royal Fern.—In Westmorland and 
some parts of Lancashire, this plant is known under the name of ‘bog 
onion.’ The rhizomes when beaten, and macerated all night in cold spring 
water, are much esteemed as an application to bruises, sprains, &c. 
Polypodium.—The rhizomes of P. Calaguala, Genuine or Slender Cala- 
guala; of P. crassifolium, Thick Calaguala or Deer’s Tongue ; and those 
of Acrostichum Huacsaro (see Acrostichum), are used medicinally in Peru, 
and are said to possess sudorific, diuretic, febrifugal, and anti-venereal pro- 
perties.—P. Phymatodes.—The fronds, under the names of ‘ Male Fern,’ and 
‘Female Fern,’ are employed in Siberia in nephritis, dysuria, and other 
kidney complaints. 
Pteris aquilina, the Common Brake, is reputed to possess anthelmintic 
properties. 
Order 2. EquisETACcE, the Horsetail Order.—Character. 
Herbaceous plants with striated, hollow, jointed, simple or 
verticillately branched, aerial siliceous erect shoots or stems, 
arising from slender creeping persistent rhizomes. The joints 
are surrounded by membranous toothed sheaths (fig. 13), which 
are generally regarded as modified leaves. When branched, 
the branches arise in a whorled manner from the axils of the 
teeth of the sheaths and correspond in number with them. 
Stems barren or fertile. Fructification borne in cone-like or 
club-shaped masses at the termination of the erect shoots or 
stems (fig. 13). Each mass is composed of peltate scales bearing 
the sporangia or capsules on their under surface (fig. 810), 
each of which dehisces internally by a longitudinal fissure. Spores 
surrounded by elastic club-shaped elaters (figs. 811 and 812). 
(See pages 367 and 368 for a more detailed account of the 
fructitication. ) 
Distribution and Numbers.—These plants are found in 
a or watery places in most parts of the world. There is 
SS 
