C 685 3 
of applying it both to the purpofes of food and of 
phyfic. 
Ray has long fince informed us (4), from Bartho- 
line, that in the fpring time, while it is young, it 
will purge ; in confequence of which it is uled as 
common fpring phylic i his quality it lofes in a 
' fhort time ; and what ferves for phyfic in the fpring, 
is converted the remaining part of the year into food. 
They collect large quantities of it, grind it into meal, 
and make both pottage and bread of it It is in 
common ufe not only with the iflanders, but in fe- 
veral parts of Sweden alfo, where it is found to be 
a very appropriate diet in phthifical cafes (5). Thefe 
accounts of the excellent ufe of this lichen corre- 
fpond perfectly well with the laft accounts of it in 
Mr. Horrebow’s Natural Hiftory of Iceland, juft 
publifhed; and which I fhall take the liberty of 
tranferibing as follows : “ There is another herb, 
“ called mu feus catharticu s ijlanditf. or mountain- 
“ grafs, which they cook up into a delicate diih I 
“ have often eat of it ; at ff ft out of curiofity, but 
« afterwards for its palateablenefs and wholefomenefs. 
“ The excellent qualities of this herb are deferibed 
“ in the Me moires of the Society of Arts and Sci- 
“ ences in Sweden. It grows in great abundance ; 
“ and thofe that live near the places, where it is 
« found, gather great quantities for their own ufe, 
t£ and to fend to market. People that live at a 
“ great diftance will fend and fetch horfe- loads 
“ a way. Many ufe no meal or flour at all, when 
tc they 
(4) Raii Hift. Plant, p. 114. 
(5) Flor. Lappon. N°. 445. 
