fi
and Gleichenia Eermanni ; and it is worth remark that these
species represent almost aU the principal groups into which
Eerns are scientifically divided.
But while the child of nature turns to the Eern for food,
his more civilized brother seeks in it a medicine ; and he
finds it ! Two of our common native species, the Filix-mas
and the Bracken, especially the former, have the reputation
of being remedies against intestinal worms, in consequence
of their bitter and astringent qualities, which properties are
possessed by the stems of many other species. Another
native Eern, the Eoyal Eern, has been successfully used m
cases of rickets. Erom the astringent mucilage present in
the green parts of many of the species, they are reckoned
pectoral and lenitive; and both the native Adiantum.
CapiUus-Veneris, and the American Adiantum pedatum, are
thus employed in the form of capillaire, which is prepared
from them by pouring boiling syrup over the fronds, and
flavouring it with orange flowers; this preparation is considered
undoubtedly pectoral, though if too strong it is said
to be emetic. Other species of Adiantum, as well as some
Pohjpodiums, Acrosticliums, and NothoeUænas, are reported
to possess medicinal properties.
Both the common Bracken and the Male Eern abound
in alkali, and are applied to various economic uses, as
the manufacture of soap and glass, the dressing of leather,
&c. These species have also been used in the preparation
of beer; and the Aspidium fragrans has been employed as
a substitute for tea.
The bruised leaves of Angiopteris evecta and Polypodium
phymatodes are said to yield an aromatic oil, employed in
perfuming the cocoa-nut oil of the South Sea Islands.
Deserving of especial mention in this place is the vegetable
curiosity called the Barometz, Boranez, or Tartarian or
Scythian lamb, of which marvellous tales have been told.
This “ lamb” consists merely of the decumbent shaggy
rhizome of a Eern, what it has been supposed is that of the
Cibotium Barometz; when turned upside doira, the bases of
four of its fronds being retained as legs, by the aid of a httle
manipulation, this not inaptly resembles some smaR animal,
and may fairly rank as a vegetable curiosity.
The 'traveller’s tale’ on this subject is, that, on an elevated,
uncultivated salt plain, of vast extent, west of the
Volga, grows a wonderful plant, with the shape and appearance
of a lamb, having feet, head, and tail distinctly formed,
and its skin covered with soft dowm. The ' lamb’ grows
upon a stalk about tliree feet high, the part by winch it is