10 adder's-tongue. 



It must be sought for from the latter end of April to the be- 

 ginning of June, after which time it entirely withers and dis- 

 appears. Plate I., fig. 1., («) the spike which has burst and 

 discharged the seeds ; (b) the seeds magnified. 



J. Bauhin observes, that a variety is sometimes found with 

 two or three spikes. 



The generic name Ophioglossum is derived from the Greek 

 opios, of a snake, and yXucraa, a tongue, in reference to the spike 

 of fructification. 



Adder's-tongue cannot be considered a poisonous plant, but 

 it would appear from the character of its associates, in the 

 following lines, that it was looked upon with some suspicion. 



" 9th Hag. And I ha' been phicking (plants among) 

 Hemlock, henbane, adder's-tongue, 

 Night-shade, moone-wort, libbard's-bane ; 

 And twise by the dogs, was like to be ta'en." 



Jonson's Masque of Queenes, 3 charme. 



Medical Properties. — This plant has been esteemed from 

 time immemorial as an excellent application to wounds *, whe- 

 ther taken inwardly or applied externally. Ray speaks of it as 

 possessing this property. 



The most usual method of employing it is by infusing the 

 leafand spike of the plant in olive oil. This has been applied 

 to wounds as a kind of balsam, and is, as Gerard remarks, of so 

 beautiful a green, that many have supposed it made of verdigris. 



An ointment may also be made with olive oil a pint, white wax 

 four ouncesj spermaceti three ounces : melt them over a slow 

 fire, and when quite dissolved, add a good handful of the Adder's- 

 tongue, till it becomes shrivelled ; then strain through a coarse 

 cloth. Take care that the plant be not burnt. 



In modern practice, these greasy applications are very little 

 employed ; but the ointment above mentioned may be used to 

 advantage in old ulcers, and the oil or balsam of Adder's-tongue 

 is good in the most violent sore throats. 



• It is not unlikely that it first obtained this character from the resem- 

 blance of the spike to an adder's tongue, and thus, according to the doctrine 

 of signatures, such a plant was a remedy for wounds occasioned by the 

 adder. If so, its use would be soon extended to other wounds, ulcers, &c. 

 Of the fanciful doctrine of signatures we shall say more in our subsequent 

 pages. 



