159 



G51. LASTRJEA FILIX-MAS, Presl; ASPIDIUM FILIX MAS, Swartz. 

 Fern.) 



a. Hhizome. 



b. Ethereal extract. (Oil of Male Fern.) 



Note. The rhizomes are distinguished from the similar ones of 

 Athyrium Filix fcemina, Lastrroa Oreopteris, and Lastrtea spinulosa, by 

 the Bectiou of the leaf-base showing eight vascular bundles, while in the 

 other ferns named there are only two. The rhizome yields about 8 per 

 cent, of ethereal extract. See Phannacographia, p. 669. See Bentley 

 and Trimen, Med. Plants, tab. 800. 



652. POLYPODIUM CALAGUALA, Ruiz. 



a. Rhizome. 



Note. The rhizome of this, and other species, is used in Peru as a 

 diuretic and febrifuge, also in syphilis. Bentley, Man. Hot., p. 692. For 

 fig. of the root, see Hist, dts Drog., t. ii., p. 73 ; and Goebel und Kunze, 

 pt. a, taf. 11, fig. 2. 



LYCOPODIACK-E. 

 658. LTCOPODIUM CLAVATUM, L. 



a. Spores. (Lycopodium, Vegetable Sulphur.) 

 Note. The spores are used for rolling pills in ; as a dusting powder for 

 infants' sores ; for imitation of lightning in theatres, by blowing the pow- 

 der across a jet of flame, and also in fireworks. The spores have a 

 peculiar structure, by which they can easily be distinguished under the 

 microscope from all other substances. Phannacographia, p. 667. For 

 fig. of spores, see Berg, Anat. Atlas, taf. xlix., fig. 132 ; Per. Mat. Med., 

 vol. ii., pt. i., p. 67. See Bentley and Trimen, Med. Plants, tab. 299. 



LICHENES. 



654. CETRARIA ISLANDICA, L. 



a. Thallus. (Iceland Moss.) 



Note. This foliaceous lichen is indigenous in the north of Britain, 

 and is easily distinguished by its fronds being minutely fringed. None is 

 exported from Iceland. It yields 70 per cent, of licheuin a substance 

 resembling starch which swells up in cold water, and turns blue with io- 

 dine. Its bitterness may be removed by a solution of carbonate of soda. 

 Pharmacographia, p. 671. Treated with sulphuric acid, Iceland moss 

 yields 72 per cent, of glucose. See Bentl. & Trim., Med. Plants, tab. 302. 



655. CLADONIA RANGIFERINA, Hoffm. 



a. Reindeer moss. 



Note. This fruticulose lichen is common in heathy places. It i used 

 iu this country chiefly by bird-stuffers for oinamenting the inside of 

 cases. For fig. of plant, see Per. Mat. Med.,.\ol. ii., pt. i., p. 21. 



656. GYROPHORA PUSTULATA, Acli. 



a. Thallus. 



Note. Several species are employed as food in the Arctic region*,, 

 under the name of tripe de roche. This species is common on boulders 

 and subalpine rocks from Devonshire to Scotland. It is easily recog- 

 nised by its mealy appearance, and saucer-shaped, blistered thallus, 

 attached only by a central point. It is a foliaceous lichen. 



