168 



POPULAR HISTORY OP LICHENS. 



Switzerland, over the greater part of North America, in 

 Chili and other parts of South America, and in India ; in 

 the southern hemisphere however it occurs only on the 

 island of Juan Fernandez, the fabled scene of Robinson 

 Crusoe's adventures ; and in the Arctic regions its place is 

 taken by the preceding species. Its specific name is de- 

 rived from its celebrity at one time in the cure of hydro- 

 phobia; it formed the basis of the "pulvis antilyssus" 

 \avriy against, and \varcra, canine madness) of Dr. Mead, 

 which consisted chiefly, in addition, of black pepper. It 

 was so lauded as a sovereign cure, that it was admitted 

 into the London Pharmacopoeia in 1721 ; but, w r e may add, 

 very properly expunged in 1788. In the History of the 

 Royal Society it is mentioned that several rabid dogs be * 

 longing to the Duke of York were preserved by its means. 

 In estimating the chances of its efficacy, it is interesting to 

 consider the circumstances under which the worthy doctor 

 prescribed it : the patient was bled and directed to take, 

 for four consecutive mornings, in warm milk, a dose of his 

 favourite powder; thereafter he was instructed to take a 

 cold bath every morning for a month, and for a fortnight 

 subsequently three times a week ! * 



* Sir Hans Sloane, in Phil. Trans., vol. xx. : Mortimer, in Phil. Trans. : 

 Dr. Mead on Poisons, 5th ed., 1818. 



