358 CULTIVATED VEGETABLES. 



The English name of this species of vege- 

 table, Liverwort, evinces the good opinion 

 our ancestors entertained of the lichens 

 virtue in all complaints of the liver. It 

 however, went entirely out of use until a few 

 years back, when it was again introduced 

 from Iceland, and was so generally recom- 

 mended by the faculty, that, during the 

 height of this medicinal fashion, Iceland- 

 moss became an article of considerable com- 

 merce ; and we are told, that vast quantities 

 of lichen were brought from the mountains 

 of Wales and Scotland, and sold in the me- 

 tropolis for the more northerly production ; 

 but the deception appears only to have af- 

 fected the purchaser in regard to price, as its 

 properties are nearly the same. It is said to 

 strengthen the lungs and create appetite, and 

 is recommended particularly after the hoop- 

 ing-cough. It was formerly given in inflam- 

 matory fevers, &c. The ancients recommend- 

 ed it as a remedy against lassitude, and used 

 it in baths and ointments. The grey ground 

 lichen was thought effectual against the bite 

 of a mad dog. It makes the basis of the 

 pulvis antilyssus, and it is the principal in- 

 gredient in Dr. Mead's receipt for the bite of 

 mad dogs. In the west of England it was 



