37 
shoes would come off — such a strong effect had it 
upon iron. It is strange how such an absurd belief 
should hare originated, and still more strange how 
it should for a day have maintained its ground, so 
easy would it have been to have disproved it. The 
Alchymists, we are told, thought they could turn 
quicksilver into pure silver with it. Aside — did they 
ever try ? It was used as a remedy in dysentery. 
Made into ointment it was employed for cuts and 
wounds. Its qualities were better if gathered by 
moonlight. 
Where found. — Salcombe Hill. Said to grow 
on the sides of Bulverton Hill. 
Culture. — Prepare a soil made of peat earth and 
sandy loam, which place in a cold frame. The roots 
should be transferred to it during the winter or early 
spring, before revivification has commenced. The soil 
should be kept only slightly moist. But some Bota- 
nists declare this plant to be a grass parasite ; and 
that if its radicles, at the time of transplantation, be 
separated from the roots of the grass, among which 
they associate themselves in the meadows, it will not 
long survive the separation. Hence it has been re- 
commended to take up a sod with the plant in it, 
which sod, grass and all, may be fitted into a pot or 
box, without manure, and placed in the open air. 
The grass must be kept short with scissors. 
