Family Herbal - Electric Scotland

FAMILY HERBAL 235
Moss of an Human Skill. Musciis ex cranio
humano.
There is not any particular kind of moss that
grows upon the human skull, nor docs any moss by
growing upon it acquire any particular virtues,
whatever fanciful people may have imagined. In
England, we commonly use the moss just described,
when it happens to run over an human skull,
that has been laid by accident, or has been laid
on purpose in its way : in other places, they use
the sort of white moss, that grows upon our old
apple trees. Both these are in their own nature
astringents, but they are as good if taken from trees,
or oft' the ground, as if found upon these bones.
disorders of
They have been supposed good against
the head, when gathered from the skull, but this is all
fancy.
MoTUETt OF A MY ME.
ScTpylllWl.
A common wild little plant, but very pretty, very
fragrant, and of great virtues. It grow*;
in little
tufts by way sides, and on dry hillocks ; the stalks
are round slender, reddish, and six or eight inches
long, but thc\ do not stand
upright. The leaves are
very small, and of an oval figure ; they grow two
at each joint, arid they are smooth, and of a bright
green. The flowers are of a pale red, and stand in
little tufts at the tops of the stalks, the whole plant
has a very fragrant smell, and an aromatic and
agreeable taste.
It is a better medicine in nervous cases than
most that are used ; the fresh plant or dried, may
be drank as tea ; it is verv agreeable to the taste,
and bv a continuance, will cure the common nerv-
ous disorders. The night marc is a very trouble*