ROUGH EQUISETUM. 
19 
tended for representations of Equisetmn hyemale, have adorned 
the upper part of each stem with whorls of short branches, which 
give the plant a very extraordinary appearance, and suggest the 
idea of their being intended for Equisetumjluviatile or Hippu- 
ris vulgaris^ the upper part of the stems much resembling the 
latter plant ; and it may be added that Tragus assigns to his fi- 
gure the name of Hippuris. It should however be observed 
that one of these figures is a servile copy from the other, the 
outline having been traced and transferred to another block, by 
which the figure has been reversed. The figure in Matthiolus,^ 
also supposed to refer to this species, may possibly be intended 
for the E. variegatum of this work ; but I can only venture this 
as a suggestion, for it is by no means characteristic of any plant 
wdth which I am acquainted. Gerarde’s figuref evidently repre- 
sents variegatum, the specimen selected for the purpose being 
more than usually divided : the learned author however ascribes 
to his plant the property usually assigned exclusively to the 
present species, speaking of it as the “ small and naked shave- 
grasse wherewith Fletchers and Combemakers doe rub and 
polish their work.”J Camerarius§ also represents variegatum. 
The figure in ^ English Botany ’ 1| appears to me to be spoiled 
by an attempt to represent the roughness of the stem, which of 
course cannot be accomplished. That in the ^ Flora Londinen- 
sis ’ H is the most characteristic I have met with. 
The medicinal and other properties of this Equisetmn have 
been amply recorded by the earlier herbalists, but most of them 
appear to quote Galen as their authority. In consequence of 
the confused nomenclature and very indifferent figures of these 
authors, the properties alluded to become very doubtful as in- 
tended for the present species ; and even were they so intended, 
all faith in them, as far as regards medicine, has long been ex- 
ploded. Tragus tells us that it is most useful as a medicine, 
taken internally or externally ; internally its properties are some- 
what astringent : the expressed juice put into the nostrils and 
applied at the same time on the neck, stops bleeding at the 
* Matt. Valg. ii. 375. f Ger. Em. 1113. f Ger. Em. 1. c. 
§ Camer. Epit. 772. |1 Eng. Bot. 915. ^ FI. Lond. 161. 
