COMMON POLYPODY. 
37 
Like our Common Brakes and many other ferns, 
the Common Polypody contains a large quantity of 
potash, which caused it to be used in former days 
by glass manufacturers. It had also a reputation as 
a medicine, its mucilaginous nature recommending it 
in pulmonary diseases. In Paris, even now, it is used 
as a domestic remedy for colds and coughs. Mr. 
Newman says he has seen women collecting it in 
Herefordshire as a specific in hooping-cough. It is 
gathered in October and November, when full of 
seed: the barren fronds are rejected. It is then 
hung up in the cottages to dry, and when required 
for use, is slowly boiled with raw sugar. The poor 
people call it “Maiden’s Hair,” or “Golden Locks.” 
The ancient reputation of this species of Polypody 
is very curious. Pliny says that it is good for chaps 
on the toes, and also recommends the root dried and 
powdered to be snuffed up the nose, to consume a 
polypus. It is doubtless the “ rheum-purging poly¬ 
pody ” of Shakspeare. 
The foreign species of Polypodium are much larger 
than our own ; and in the South Sea Islands there is 
one which is called by the natives “Pigs-god,” and is 
the presiding deity of these animals. 
Dr. Joseph Hooker mentions that, during his resi¬ 
dence in India, he frequently partook of shrimp curry, 
into which the young tops of the common Polypodium 
entered. 
This fern well repays any trouble that may be 
