710 STSTEIMATIC BOTANY. 



for stuffing cusliious, &c. It is produced in 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 CiboUum, viz. G. glaucum, C. Chamissoi, and C. Men- 

 ziesii. Other species produce somewhat similar hairs. 



Mcksonia {Balantium). — From the caudex of D. Culcita, a native of 

 Madeira, and from D. chnjsotricha, a native of Java, silky hairs are 

 obtained. The latter are imported under the name of Pakoe Kidang, By 

 some authors these hairs are said to constitute the substance known as 

 Penghmvar Djamhi (see Cibotium) ; they are used for similar purposes as that 

 substance and Pulu. 



Lastrea.— The dried rhizome with the bases of the petioles and portions of 

 the root fibres of Lastrea (Aspidium or Nephrodium) Filix-mas constitute the 

 officinal male Fern of the British Pharmacopoeia. This has been used from 

 the earliest times as an anthelmintic ; it possesses most activity in a recent 

 state, and should be collected in the summer. The rhizome of Lastrea 

 (Aspidium) Athamanticum, under the names of Panna and Uncomocomo, is 

 also much esteemed by the Zoolu Caffi-es in Southern Africa as an anthel- 

 mintic. 



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

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

 ointment. 



Osmunda regalis, the Flowering or Royal Fern.— In Westmoreland 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 for bniises, sprains, &c. 



Polypodiiim. — The rhizomes of P. Calaguala, Genuine or Slender Cala- 

 guala ; of P. crassifoUuin, Thick Calaguala, or Deer's Tongue ; and those of 

 Acr'ostichum Huacsaro (see Acrostichum), are used medicinally in Peru, and 

 are said to possess sudorific, diuretic, febrifugal, and anti-venereal pro- 

 perties. 



Pteris aquilina, the Common Brake, is reputed to possess anthehnintic 

 properties. 



Natural Order 287. Equisetaceje. — The Horsetail Order. 



Character. — Herbaceous plants with striated hollow-jointed 



simple or yerticillately branched aerial siliceous stems, arising 

 from slender creeping rhizomes or underground stems. The 

 joints are surrounded by membranous toothed sheaths (Jiff. 11), 

 which are regarded by some botanists as modified leaves, but in 

 o-eneral 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 

 (fia. 11). Each mass is composed of peltate scales bearing 

 numerous sporangia or capsules on their under surface (fig. 790), 

 each of which dehisces internally by a longitudinal fissure. 

 Spores surrounded by elastic club-shaped elaters (fiffs. 791 and 

 792). (See page 362 for a more detailed account of the 

 fructification.) 



JDistribution, cfc. — 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, most of which are 

 indigenous. 



Froperties and Uses. — Of little importance cither in a medical 



