Chap. 55.] 
FILIX OK FERK. 
245 
has a thin, hlack root, with a powerful smell. It grows in 
humid soils. This plant also has certain astringent and cool- 
ing properties, but females must be on their guard against 
it. The leaves, beaten up in wine, prevent the bosom from 
growing too large in young girls. 
CHAP. 54. THE ENNEAPHYLLON : TWO EEMEDIES. 
The enneaphyllon^^ has nine long leaves, and is of a caustic 
nature. ' It is employed topically, but when used it is wrapped 
in wool to prevent it from cauterizing further than desirable, 
for it blisters immediately. For lumbago and sciatica it is of 
the greatest utility. 
CHAP. 55. TWO VAHIETIES OF FILIX OR FERN, KNOWN TO THE 
GREEKS AS PTERIS, OR BLACHNON, AND AS THELYPTERIS, OR 
NYMPHS PTERIS I ELEVEN REMEDIES. 
Of fern there are two varieties, equally destitute of blossom 
and of seed.^^ The Greeks give the name of ^^pteris,'' and 
sometimes blachnon," to the kind^*^ in which numerous shoots 
take their rise from a single root, exceeding two cubits even in 
length, and with a not unpleasant smell this plant is thought 
to be the male fern. 
The other kind is known to the Greeks as thelypteris,'"^'-^ 
and sometimes, nymph{Ba pteris it has a single stem only, 
with comparatively few branches, is shorter, softer, and more 
tufted than the other, and has channelled leaves growing near 
the root. Swine are fattened upon the roots of either kind. 
The leaves of both kinds are arranged on either side in the 
form of wings, whence the Greek name pteris." The roots 
are long, run obliquely, and are of a swarthy colour, more par- 
^ Because it was said to be a cause of sterility. 
^5 Identified with the Dentaria enneaphylla of Linnaeus, the Nine-leaved 
tooth-wort. 
66 From this remark, Fee is of opinion that he had in view more par- 
ticularly the Pteris aquilina and the Blechnum spicatum of Linnaeus, plants 
in which the seed is not easily detected. 
Identified by Fee with the Polypodium filix mas of Linnaeus, the Male 
fern. 
6^ Dioscorides says it has a somewhat unpleasant smell, and this is nearer 
the truth. 
69 " Female fern." Identified by Fee with the Pdlypodium filix faemina 
of Linnaeus, Female fern or Pteris aquilina. 
