670 



MEDICAL BOTANY. 



Fig. 322. 



P. vulgare. 



and P. crassifolium, both natives of Peru, according to 

 Ruiz are possessed of very efficient deobstruent, sudorific, 

 and anti-venereal properties, and were highly esteemed 

 by the inhabitants. They are used in decoction or infu- 

 sion. The experiments made with them in Europe by 

 Carminati, resulted in his belief that they were not more 

 active than the P. vulgare; but Ruiz states that he must 

 have used some other species, as the roots imported into 

 Europe come from the Isle of France. When genuine, 

 they are extremely bitter. P. phymatodes is employed 

 in the South Sea Islands to perfume cocoa-nut oil; and 

 P. repandum and P. simile, in China, as astringents, an- 

 thelmintics, &c, according to Loureiro (Fl. Cochin. 827). 

 Acrostichum huacsaro is stated to have much the 

 same powers as the Peruvian species of Polypodium, 

 just noticed. A. fiavens, is used in South America as 

 a laxative, and A. fucatum, is a favourite food among 

 the aborigines of New Holland ; the root is. very large. 

 The rhizomes ofPteris esculenta, Diplazium esculentum, 

 Cyathea medullaris, and Gleichenia hermanni are also 

 used for the same purpose in different countries. Pteris 

 aquilina is stated to be anthelmintic, and Osmunda 

 regalis to be tonic and styptic, and to have been found 

 serviceable in rachitis. 



Nephrodium. — Richard. 

 Sori roundish, scattered. Indusium obiculari-reniform, fixed by the sinus. 



N. filix mas, Richard. — Fronds bipinnate, pinnules oblong, obtuse-serrated ; stalk and 

 midrib chaffy. Sori near the central nerve. 



Richard, Elem. Hist. Mat. Med. i. 290; Lindley, Flor. Med. 619; Pe- 

 reira, Mat. Med. ii. 56 ; Polypodium filix mas, Linn. Sp. PI. 1551 ; 

 Aspidium filix mas, Schwartz, Syn. 55; Eng. Bot. 1558; Hooker, Fl. 

 Scot. 154. 



Fig. 323. 



N. filix mas. 



A. Pinnule with sori. B. Magnified portion with sporangia. b b Sporangia partially covered by c 

 indusium. C. Magnified sporangium, a Stalk, b Ring. c. Membranous sac. D. Sporangium 

 ruptured and spores escaping. 



This fern occurs in many parts of Europe, Asia, North of Africa, and in 

 the United States, growing in woods and in shady places. The part used is 

 the rhizome; this as found in the shops, is of various sizes, the largest of 



