( 103 ) 
which ought always to be given to hiltories 
of a marvellous kind. In former ages we 
might probably have received from travellers 
a grave account of a tree, bearing gloves* 
and {lockings, and caps, growing in Caffraria; 
the report of which was fo general as to ex- 
cite the attention of Dr. Thunberg, when 
travelling in that country. With his ufual 
affiduity he unveiled this myflery, and found 
all this wearing apparel to be nothing more 
than the downy leaves of the Bupleurum 
giganteum, which, by a little dexterous ma- 
nagement, were converted into thofe various 
articles, which were aflerted to grow upon the 
plant. 
In fome countries the roots of different 
fpecies of fern are ufed in the procefs of mak- 
ing bread. Captain Cook relates, that in 
New Zealand the common fern (pteris aqui- 
lina) is chofen for that purpofe. Bread is 
alfo made from a fpecies of fern by the inha- 
bitants of Palma, one of the Canary ifles > 
when corn is lcarce, and is laid to. be little 
inferior to that made from wheat. 
But to proceed to the fecond order of Cryp- 
togamia. The moffes (mufci) are divided ac- 
cording to their anttvers, being calyptred, or 
not calyptred^ being on the fame, or feparate 
plants^ 
