84 FILICES 



solution of the latter producing a blue color with iodine. Unlike the gum 

 of chondrus, it furnishes but a trace of mucic acid when treated with nitric 

 acid. Boiling with dilute acids converts the mucilage into sugar solution. 

 A solution of Iceland moss is precipitated by alcohol. The bitter principle, 

 cetraric acid (cetrarin, CisHieOs), forms yellow salts, which are equal in 

 bitterness to quinine; this bitter principle may be removed by prolonged 

 maceration in water, or, still better, by treating the drug with twenty-four 

 times its weight of a weak solution of an alkaline carbonate. Demulcent, 

 nutritive, and, if the bitter principle be present, tonic; used in advanced 

 stages of phthisis when stronger remedies are unsuitable. Dose: 30 to 60 

 gr. (2 to 4 Gm.). 



Preparation of Cetrarin: Boil drug with alcohol; express and add acidulated 

 (HC1) water to the nitrate; then allow cetrarin to deposit. 



10. LITMUS. A fermented coloring extract from various species of lichens 



(e.g., Lecanora tartar ea}, other varieties of which also yield the dyes orchil 

 and cudbear. Habitat: Northern Europe and African coast, and adjacent 

 islands. Litmus is in about J to I inch rectangular cakes, blue, light, friable, 

 finely granular. Unlike most vegetable dyes, it is not turned green by 

 alkalies. It is turned red by acids, for which it is used as a test in the form 

 of infusion (tincture), or litmus paper, made by dipping unsized paper in the 

 strong infusion. 



10 a. Orchil is a purplish-red, thickish liquid, with an ammoniacal odor. 



10 b. Cudbear (Persio, N.F.) is a purplish-red powder, sometimes used to 

 color preparations. 



POLYTRICACEJE 



11. POLYTRICHUM JUNIPERUM Hedwig. HAIR-CAP Moss. This common 

 moss is a powerful diuretic; in full doses given at very short intervals it has 

 proved very beneficial in dropsy. Dose: I to 2 dr. (4 to 8 Gm.), in infusion. 



FILICES. Ferns 



Leafy plants with the fronds raised on a stipe (petiole) rising from a rhizome, 

 circinate in vernation. The spore-cases are found on the under side of the frond. 

 The life history of the fern is as follows: 



When the minute spore from the sporangium on the frond drops to the ground, 

 it germinates into a more or less heart-shaped body called a prothallus. The 

 under surface of this body is provided with root-hairs and also female organs of 

 generation, archegonia, and male organs, antheridia; the frond-stage is a direct 

 outgrowth from the fertilized archeogonia. 



Synopsis of Drugs from the Filices 



A. Rhizome. C. Hairs. E. Leaves. 

 ASPIDIUM, 12. Cibotium, 14. Polypodium, 15. 



B. Herb. D. Root. 

 Adiantum, 13. Osmunda, 1 6. 



12. ASPIDIUM. ASPIDIUM 



MALE FERN. 



The dried rhizome of Dryop'teris fil'ix-mas Schott, and of Dryop'teris margina'lis 

 Asa Gray (family Polypodiacea?). Collected in autumn, freed from the 

 roots and dead portions of rhizome and stipes, and dried at a temperature 

 not exceeding 70 C. 



BOTANICAL CHARACTERISTICS. Fruit-dots round, borne at the back of the veins; 

 indusium covering the sporangia. Stipe continuous with the root-stock. 



