356 CULTIVATED VEGETABLES. 



The northern inhabitants still make couches 

 and beds of one kind of moss, which Dillen 

 calls Sphagnoji ; and the variety which he 

 names FontinaUs antipyretica, they use in 

 their hearths to prevent accidents, as, being 

 antipyretic, it will neither burn nor commu- 

 nicate fire. 



The common moss, Muscus terrestris vul- 

 garis, which is generally found in shady lawns, 

 or woods, and in other humid soils, is said 

 to be astringent, and excellent for stopping 

 haemorrhages. Gerard says, this moss made 

 into powder is good to stop the bleeding 

 of fresh wounds, and also conduces to the 

 cure of cuts, &c. J. Bauhin states, that the 

 empirics learnt this art from the bears, who, 

 when wounded, stop the blood by rolling 

 themselves in this moss. 



It is used by the ship-builders in France, to 

 calk their vessels ; and by all nurserymen, 

 to preserve the roots of trees and plants 

 which they transport from one place to 

 another, as it keeps them moist. It is also 

 used in pleasure-grounds, to form rustic ar- 

 bours, as it effectually excludes both the 

 heat and the wind. 



The moss called Wolf's Foot, Pes Lupi, 

 or Lycopodion, is very beautiful, producing 



