FAMILY HERBAL 235 



Moss of an Human Skill. Musciis ex cranio 

 humano. 



There is not any particular kind of moss that 

 grows upon the human skull, nor docs any moss by 

 growing upon it acquire any particular virtues, 

 whatever fanciful people may have imagined. In 

 England, we commonly use the moss just described, 

 when it happens to run over an human skull, 

 that has been laid by accident, or has been laid 

 on purpose in its way : in other places, they use 

 the sort of white moss, that grows upon our old 

 apple trees. Both these are in their own nature 

 astringents, but they are as good if taken from trees, 

 or oft' the ground, as if found upon these bones. 

 They have been supposed good against disorders of 

 the head, when gathered from the skull, but this is all 

 fancy. 



MoTUETt OF A MY ME. ScTpylllWl. 



A common wild little plant, but very pretty, very 

 fragrant, and of great virtues. It grow*; in little 

 tufts by way sides, and on dry hillocks ; the stalks 

 are round slender, reddish, and six or eight inches 

 long, but thc\ do not stand upright. The leaves are 

 very small, and of an oval figure ; they grow two 

 at each joint, arid they are smooth, and of a bright 

 green. The flowers are of a pale red, and stand in 

 little tufts at the tops of the stalks, the whole plant 

 has a very fragrant smell, and an aromatic and 

 agreeable taste. 



It is a better medicine in nervous cases than 

 most that are used ; the fresh plant or dried, may 

 be drank as tea ; it is verv agreeable to the taste, 

 and bv a continuance, will cure the common nerv- 

 ous disorders. The night marc is a very trouble* 



