330 



ADDER S TONGUE. 



that in some parts of England it is almost as abundant as the 

 herbage amongst which it grows." — Anal. 66. Dr. Lindley, 

 writing of the Ophioglossace^e, says : — " The herbage is muci- 

 laginous, whence the species have been employed in broths. 

 Ophioglossum vulgatum and Lunaria botryoides have been 

 used in medicine as vulneraries, but they seem to possess that 

 quality as little as the magical virtues once ascribed to them. 

 Helminthostachys dulcis is regarded in the Moluccas as a 

 slight aperient, is used as a pot-herb, and its young shoots as 

 asparagus. The Haytians fancy Botrychium cicutarium to be 

 an alexipharmic." — V. K. 77. From Dr. Lauder Lindsay's 

 paper, already so frequently quoted, it would appear that it is 

 of no account with medical men of the j)resent day. However, 

 notwithstanding this neglect on the part of the profession, we 

 find that a poet has embalmed its curative powers in immortal 

 verse : — • 



" For them tliat are with newts or snakes or adders stung, 

 He seeking out an herb that's called Adder's-tongue, 

 As Nature it ordain 'd, its own lUie hurt to cure, 

 And sportive did herself to niceties inure." 



