119 



moss growing on a skull that is exposed to the air, is a very 

 good astringent, and stops bleeding if applied to the parts, or 

 ei)en held in the hand^ 



OUamh. This was the highest degree, in the ancient Gaelic 

 system of learning, and before universities were established, in- 

 cluded the study of law, medicine, poetry, classics, &c. A suc- 

 cession of such an order of literati^ the Beatons, existed in Mull 

 from time immemorial, until after the middle of last century. 

 Their writings were all in Gaelic, to the amount of a large chest- 

 ful. Dr Smith says that the remains of this treasure were bought 

 as a literary curiosity for the library of the Duke of Chandos, and 

 perished in the wreck of that nobleman's fortune. If this lost 

 treasure could be recovered, we would have valuable material 

 for a more complete collection of Gaelic names of plants, and 

 information as to the uses to which they were applied, than we 

 now possess. 



Medicinal Plants. — The common belief that a plant grew 

 not far from the locality where the disease prevailed, that would 

 cure that disease, led to many experiments which ultimately 

 resulted in finding out the undoubted virtues of many plants ; 

 but wholesale methods were frequently adopted by gathering all 

 the herbs, or as many as possible, in that particular district and 

 making them into a bath. 



At the battle of " Magh Tuireadh," we are informed " that the 

 chief physician prepared a healing bath or fountain with the 

 essences of the principal herbs and plants of Erinn, gathered 

 chiefly in Lus-Magh, or the Plain of Herbs; and on this bath 

 they continued to pronounce incantations during the battle. 

 Such of the men as happened to be wounded in the fight were 

 immediately plunged into the bath, and they were instantly 

 refreshed and made whole, so that they were able to return and 

 fight against the enemy again and again." — Prof. O'Curry. 



Incantations with Plants. — Cures by incantations were 

 most common. A large number of plants were thus employed. 

 When John Roy Stewart sprained his ankle, when hiding after the 

 battle of Culloden, he said : — 



" Ni mi'n ubhaidh rinn Peadar do Phal, 

 'S a luighean air fas leum bruaich, 

 Seachd paidir n' ainm Sagairt a's Pap 

 Ga chuir ris na phlasd mu'n cuairt." 



