394 PROPFRTIES AND USES. 



MoTiria tJiurifraga. 



A native of South Africa. When burnt it has the scent 

 of benzoin or olibanum, and is made into an ointment, and 

 used for burns, &c. 



Osmunda regalis. 



In some parts of England the fronds of this are in high 

 repute as an external application for bruises, sprains, and 

 the like ; the fleshy part of the rhizome is made into a 

 drink for internal injuries ; it also has the repute of being 

 a styptic. 



Angiopteris evecta. 



This, under different forms, is found in India, Malay, 

 Philippine, Pacific, and Polynesian Islands ; the caudex, as 

 also the thick part of the stipes, is of a mealy and mucila- 

 genous nature, which is eaten by the natives in times of 

 scarcity. The fronds possess a peculiar odour, and are 

 used by the women of Tahiti for making into crowns, 

 which they wear on feast days. 



Mamttia alata. 



The fleshy caudex of this is used in the Sandwich Islands 

 as food when better food is scarce. 



M. attenuata. In Fiji the fronds are used as a pot herb ; 

 they are very tender, and taste not unlike spinach. In 

 New Zealand the soft part of the stem is eaten. 



Botrychum virginicum. 



A widely diffused species ; the succulent fronds are eaten 

 by the natives of New Zealand and Upper India. 



