803 



although the rupture be great and of long continuance : it likewise 

 profiteth much those that are wounded into the body, and the decoc- 

 tion of the herbe made in wine, prevaileth mightily in healing inward 

 wounds, as myselfe haue likewise proved.' (Historic of Plants, p. 

 939). 



" Ray also furnishes us with a proof of the medicinal virtue of the 

 Gerania. When he tells us that Geranium molle and robertanium 

 are added to vulnerary potions and fomentations to stay fluxes and ef- 

 fusions of blood, and to relieve the pains of cholick, and of the stone 

 and gravel, he merely gives us a summary of preceding observation; 

 but he speaks from his own knowledge, when he details the case of 

 his host at Carlisle, who, subject to frequent severe paroxysms of pain 

 from calculus, found in nothing so much relief as from a decoction of 

 Ger. robertanium. (Syn. p. 361.) In a subsequent work, after re- 

 peating its virtues as a vulnerary herb, Ray mentions that a decoction 

 of the same species is used by shepherds to cure their cattle passing 

 bloody urine. (Hist. Plant, ii. p. 1059). 



" Geiger informs us that G. pratense and sanguineum were formerly 

 ofiicinal, the root and herb being used, both having an unpleasant 

 odour, and a very astringent taste, which is contrary to Dr. Edgar's 

 information. Other compilers repeat the same tale of the astringency 

 of the Gerania in general, and of their popular use in fluxes and dis- 

 eases of relaxation ; but it is foreign to my purpose to enter farther on 

 the subject than what is sufficient to show that the virtue ascribed 

 to our district species is not imaginary." 



Occurrence of Poly podium calcareum at Coldwell Rocks, Hereford- 

 shire. By W. H. PuRCHAS, Esq. 



In the ' Phytologist ' for October last is a blunder of mine, which I 

 will thank you to correct. I have, at page 650, said that Polypodium 

 Diyopteris grows plentifully at the Coldwell Rocks ; it should be P. 

 calcareum. The Penyard station only belongs to P. Dryopteris. 



W. H. PuRCHAS. 

 Ross. 



[Mr. Purchas has kindly sent me a specimen, which I find to be 

 the rarer species as mentioned above. — Edward Newman.^ 



