1066 



as a vermifuge (1777) ; and " look upon a bed of the green plant as 

 a sovereign cure for the rickets in children." The ancients used a 

 decoction of the root as a diet-drink. 



Scolopendrmm vulgare is also astringent ; hence it has been used, 

 in the form of ointment, as a vulnerary (Lightfoot and Smith). 



To enter more minutely into your queries : — 



1. I have shown that, at least, one species is used in medicine, at 

 the present day, to a very considerable extent ; and it is very pro- 

 bable that other ferns, having similar astringent properties, are em- 

 ployed as vulgar nostrums in many of the more remote parts of our 

 Island. 



2. The species used (above referred to) is undoubtedly the Lastrea 

 Filix-mas ; though it is very probable that, in shops, the roots of other 

 ferns, and especially Athyrium Filix-fcemina, are substituted for it ; 

 thus partially accounting for the great variety observed in its action 

 in the hands of different practitioners. The ferns which most resem- 

 ble this Lastrea in chemical constituents, and are therefore most likelv 

 to possess similar therapeutic powers, are Pteris aquilina, and various 

 species of Lastrea, Polypodium, and Asplenium. But this I hope 

 soon to make the subject of experiment. 



3. I have shown that many species are useful, and might become 

 more so, on account of the large quantity of tannic and gallic acids 

 they contain ; hence their astringency and anthelmintic powers. 

 From their also containing considerable amounts of starch, sugars, 

 and gums, fixed and volatile oils, and bitter extracts, I am satisfied 

 that a large proportion of our indigenous ferns might be made avail- 

 able in therapeutics, as tonics, styptics, astringents, vermifuges, and 

 demulcents. The virtues attributed to some species, however, are 

 purely imaginary, and directly traceable to " ancient predilections ;" 

 e. g., Botrychium Lunaria and Adiantum Capillus-Veneris. 



4. It is exceedingly difficult to determine th^s point ; but it is pro- 

 bable the use of the Lastrea, as an anthelmintic, will increase. There 

 appears to be a tendency at the present day to give a due amount of 

 credit to indigenous plants for their curative powers, as depending on 

 ascertained chemical properties. It has too long been the habit of 

 pharmaceutists and medical men, of this and other countries, greedily 

 to accept G\' Qxy th\r\^ foreign , that is lauded for its supposed virtues, 

 and add it to their Materia Mcdica ; entirely overlooking the more 

 humble and more despised, in consequence of being more easily 

 attainable, denizens of our woods, fields, and moors, which, never- 

 theless, probably possess equally useful pro])ertics. In this respect. 



