VOL. L.] PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. '25() 



true. It must be confessed that Dr. Mead's exhibition of it seems too much 

 complicated with other means to leave room for judging fully of its real efficacy ; 

 and it may really be questioned whether bleeding, pepper, and cold bathing, 

 have not had more to do in the case than the lichen. 



The muscus pulmonarius officinarum, * tree-lungwort, or oak-lungs, belongs 

 to this order. It is found about old oaks, and on rocks and stones overgrown 

 with moss, in many of our thick woods in England ; but not in any great plenty. 

 Few perhaps of the antiquated simples were in more repute in their day than 

 this plant. It was celebrated for ages, on account of its supposed prevalence in 

 pulmonary complaints of almost all kinds; and yet on inquiry into the original of 

 its use in such cases, it would probably appear that it arose more from a fancied 

 resemblance they found in the plant to the lungs themselves, than from any real 

 and well-grounded proofs of its efficacy. As a gentle astringent, like most other 

 species of the family, it would doubtless contribute to relieve in many cases where 

 the lungs were affected, as in haemoptoes, and some others : but it does not 

 seem by any means to deserve that high character in medicine which has been- 

 given to it. .<;.: 



Conclusion. 



• Dr. W. remarks, by way of conclusion, that we have in this genus of plants a 

 convincing instance of the utility which may result from the study of natural 

 science in general, and even of its minuter and hitherto most neglected branches. 

 From a view of the foregoing memoir it is evident that the economical uses of 

 the lichens, in the various parts of the world, are already very considerable and 

 important; and though it does not appear that the sensible qualities of any of 

 them, or the experience of former ages, will warrant our ascertaining any singu- 

 lar powers to them in a medicinal way, yet posterity will doubtless find the means 

 of employing them to many valuable purposes in human life to us unknown. 



XCII. On the Fossil Bones of an Alligator, found on the Sea-shore, near Whitby 

 in Yorkshire. By Capt. Wm. Chapman, p. 688. ' ; 



In Jan. 7? 1758, was discovered on the sea-shore, about half a mile from 

 Whitby, part of the bones of a large animal. The ground they laid in was what 

 they call alum-rock; a kind of black slate, that might be taken up in flakes, 

 and was continually wearing away by the surf o^ the sea, and the washing of 

 stones, sand, &c. over it every tide. The bones were covered 5 or 6 feet with 

 the water every full sea, and were about Q or 10 yards from the cliffy, which was 

 nearly perpendicular, and about 6o yards high, and was continually wearing 



* Lichenoides pulmonium reliculatum vulgare marginibus peltiferis. Dill. Hist. Muse. 212. Li- 

 chenoides peltatum aiboreum maximum. Rail Syn. p, 76. Muse, pulmonarius C. B. — Orig. 



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