ACROGEN^, 705 



has been used from the earliest times as an anthelmintic. It possesses most 

 activity in a recent state. The rhizome oiLastrcea (Aspidium) Athamanticum, 

 under the names of Panna and Uncomocomo, is also much esteemed by the 

 Zoolu Caffres in Southern Africa as an anthelmintic. 



Aspidium fragrans. — The fronds possess aromatic and slightly bitter pro- 

 perties, and have been used as a substitute for tea. 



Cibotium. — The silky hairs covering the lower portion of the caudex of 

 C. Barometz, the Scythian Lamb of old writers, have been imported under the 

 name of Fenawar or Penghawar Jambie. This drug has been used in 

 Holland and Germany as a styptic. It has also been employed for stuflSng 

 cushions, &c. It is produced in Sumatra. Analogous hairs imported from the 

 Sandwich Islands under the name of Pulu, may be employed for similar pur- 

 poses as the preceding. Pulu is said to be derived from three species of 

 Cibotiujn, viz. C. glaucum, C. chamissoi, and C. Menziesii. Other species pro- 

 duce somewhat similar hairs. 



Balanttum chrysotrichum. — The silky hairs found on the caudex of this 

 fern may be employed in like cases to "the preceding. They are imported 

 under the name of Pakoe Kidang, from Java. B. Citlcita and other species, 

 as well as some other allied ferns, produce analogous hairs. 



Ophioglossum vulgatum, the Common Addf-r's-tongue, has been employed 

 as a vulnerary. In some districts it is used in the preparation of a popular 

 ointment. 



Natural Order 287. Eqdtsetace^. — The Horsetail Order. 

 — Herbaceous plants, Avith striated, hollcvw, jointed, simple or 

 verticillately branched, aerial, siliceous stems, arising from slen- 

 der creeping rhizomes or underground stems. The joints are 

 surrounded by membranous toothed sheaths, which are regarded 

 by some botanists as modified leaves, but in general the plants 

 of the order are considered leafless. When branched, the 

 branches arise in a whorled manner from beneath 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 stem {fig. 157). 

 Each mass is composed of peltate scales bearing numerous 

 sporangia on their under surface {fig. 787), which dehisce 

 internally by a longitudinal fissure. Spores surrounded by 

 elastic club-shaped elaters (figs. 788 and 789). (See page 371 

 for a more detailed account of the fructification.) 



Distribution, ^c. — These plants are found in marshy or watery 

 places in most parts of the world. There is but 1 genus 

 (Equisetum), which includes about 10 species, the greater num- 

 ber of which are indigenous. 



Properties and Uses. — Of little importance either in a medical 

 or economic point of view. They were formerly regarded as 

 slightly astringent, diuretic, and emmenagogue, but are never 

 employed at the present day. The rhizomes contain a good 

 deal of starchy matters in the winter months, and might there- 

 fore, in case of need, be used as food, like those of ferns. Sile.K 

 is abundant in their epidermal tissues ; this is especially the case 

 in Equisetumhyemale, Rough Horse-tail, which is largely imported 

 from Holland under the name of Dutch Rushes, and employed by 

 cabinet makers, ivory turners, white smiths, &c., for smoothing 

 the surface of their work. 



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