332 DICTIONARY OF POPULAR NAMES POLYPODY 



form of an umbel, thus differing from the primrose, which is 

 one-flowered ; there are many fine varieties cultivated by ama- 

 teurs. Polyanthus having become a familiar English name, must 

 not be confounded with the genus Folianthes, which means 

 city-flower. (See Tuberose.) 



Polypody, an ancient name for Polypodmm vulgare, a fern 

 common in this country and throughout Europe, growing on 

 trees, rocks, old walls, etc. By the ancients and our old her- 

 balists many medicmal virtues were ascribed to the common 

 Polypody. In some countries it is used as a cure for ringworm, 

 and in this country an infusion of the fresh rhizome (creeping 

 stem) is still regarded as a mild laxative, and is occasionally 

 used as a remedy for colds and coughs. Its fronds yield 

 carbonate of potash. 



Pomegranate {Puiiica Granatum), a bushy deciduous tree, 

 20 to 30 feet high, of the Myrtle family (^lyrtaceae), native of 

 Korthern India and Western Asia, extending westward to the 

 countries of the Mediterranean. It has been long cultivated in 

 Spain and other countries of the South of Europe, and is also 

 abundant in the West Indies and America. The fruit is usually 

 about as large as a full-sized apple, having a hard rind of a 

 yellowish colour ; it contains a pulp which is highly prized for 

 makiuCT coolinsj drinks. In Persia a wine is made from it in 

 sufficient quantities for exportation. The rind, as well as the 

 flowers, is used medicinally as a powerful astringent. The 

 former contains a large quantity of tannin, which is used in the 

 manufacture of morocco leather. A decoction of the bark and 

 root is a powerful remedy for tapeworm. The Pomegranate is 

 recorded as being introduced into this country in 1548. It grows 

 freely under the protection of walls, but suffers in severe winters. 

 In January 1838 all the trees in the neighbourhood of London 

 were killed to the ground. The Pomeofranate is of ancient 

 renown, bemg mentioned in the Bible as one of the fruits of the 

 Land of Promise, and is also described by Theophrastus 300 

 years before the Christian era. 

 Pomeloes. {See Shaddock.) 



