346 PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. [aNNO 1754. 



nites, to show the inner structure. 1 3. A belemnites without a cavity, only a small 

 perforation. ]4. A nucleus of a belemnites. 15. A belemnites, with a very 

 small cavity. 



XCnil. On the Jgaric, applied after imputations, with Regard to deter- 

 mining its Species. By Mr. William Watson, F. R.S. p. 811. 



The agaric applied as a styptic after amputations, and which had been 

 brought from France, Mr. W. did not believe to be the common agaric of the 

 oak, as had been imagined by the French surgeons. What is called the com- 

 mon agaric is a parasitical plant, found growing on the oak, and on several other 

 trees; and is denominated by Caspar Bauhin, fungus in caudicibus nascens, 

 unguis equini figura ; of which touchwood or spunk, and the amadoue ordinaire 

 of the French, is usually prepared. He 'thought it impossible, by any process, 

 to prepare from the common agaric a substance perfectly similar to the French 

 agaric, which should exactly answer the description, which Breynius (Ephem, 

 Nat. Curios. Ann. 45, obs. 130) gives of the fungus coriaceus quercinus 

 haematodes. 



Mr. Ray, in his Synopsis Stirpium Britann. on the authority of the late Dr. 

 Sherard, says, that this fungus coriaceus quercinus haematodes is found on putrid 

 oaks in Ireland, where it is called oak-leather; and that the country people there 

 collect and preserve \\. to dress ulcers with. Dr. S. makes no doubt but that it 

 may be found in England; and Mr. Ray had some sent him from the late Dr. 

 Eales in Hertfordshire. Dr. Richardson, in Yorkshire, found it growing on the 

 ash ; and Dr. Dillenius observes, that in Virginia it is used as leather, to spread 

 plasters on; and that, besides its being a soft substance, sitting easy on the af- 

 flicted part, it has a healing property. 



XCIX. Ttvo Letters concerning the Use of y^garic, as a Styptic. Letter 1. — 

 From Mr. J. Warner, F. R. S. and Surgeon to Guy's Hospital, p. 813. 



In the first of these letters Mr. W. states that he had received from Mr. 

 Fellowes, an account of the styptic effects of the agaric, in a case under the 

 <^re of Mr. Gooch, and that he (Mr. Warner) had contiimed to use the same 

 application with the greatest success. 



Letter 2. — Addressed to Mr. Warner by Mr. B. Gooch. — After returning 

 thanks for the agaric of the oak, which he had received by Mr. Fellowes, the 

 writer of this letter proceeds to give an account of the effects he had observed 

 from it. Two or 3 days after Mr. G. received it, he was desired by an ingenious 

 surgeon to be with him on business. He carried some of the agaric with him, 

 and he was pleased with the opportunity of trying it in an amputation below the 

 knee of a boy of about 10 years old. They applied it according to the direc- 



