MOSS. 361 



There is a kind of lichen which L'Obeliua 

 entitles Muscus pyxidatos, and to which Ge- 



rard gave the English name of Cup or Chalice 

 moss, on account of the little cup-like leaves 

 which it produces. It is found in dry, gravelly, 

 and barren banks, of a yellowish white : this 

 was formerly given to children for the chin- 

 cough. 



There is a great number of aquatic mosses, 

 all of which, as well as the marine moss, have 

 their various uses in medicine. The spe- 

 cies called Sea oak, Quercus marinus, is used 

 with success to assuage scrofulous swellings : 

 it is found on most parts of the coast, but 

 particularly in the neighbourhood of Wor- 

 thing, where immense banks of it are washed 

 on shore in the autumn. It may be known 

 by the little bladders on its leaves, which are 

 similar to the blight on oak leaves ; and from 

 thence, we surmise, its name originated. 

 Laver bread is a sort of food made of the sea 

 liver-wort, or oister, green Ulvce ; it is much 

 used in Glamorgan and other parts of Wales, 

 from whence it is often sent to London in 

 earthen pots. It is gently opening, and an- 

 tiscorbutic. 



