Philosophical transactions, Vol. L. Part II. For the year 1758. / Giving some account of the present undertakings, studies, and labours, of the ingenious, in many considerable parts of the world.

by Various; Royal Society

3. Lichenes pyxidati.

Such as consist of a firm tough flexible matter, formed into simple tubular stalks, whose tops are expanded into the form of little cups.

This division contains the cup-mosses of authors; the second order of coralloides of Dillenius; great part of the first order of lichens in Haller; the 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th order in Micheli; and the lichenes schyphiferi of Linnæus. Dr. Hill has constituted a genus intirely of these cup-mosses, under the name of pyxidium.

They are common with us on heaths, and other dry and barren places. Some of them are proliferous, even to the third degree, and form a very beautiful appearance. Some have tubercles on the edges of the cups, of a beautiful scarlet colour.

The cup-moss[94] was a long time in great and established use for coughs, and especially for the whooping cough in children; for which it was long accounted a specific. To this end it was given in various forms. Gerard and Parkinson recommend the powder to be taken for several days together. Dr. Willis was particularly one of its patrons. He has given us[95] several forms for its exhibition, as that of the powder, a decoction, and a syrup from it.

The present practice has quite exploded it, and very justly perhaps, as in any degree specific in the above disorder. Nevertheless, it seems to have sustained that character with as great a reputation, and perhaps with as good a title to it, as almost any of the specifics of that age. It has been observed before, on another occasion, that this tribe of mosses have in general an astringent property; as such, the cup-mosses are consequently of a strengthening nature: it is no wonder, therefore, that they should be helpful in this disorder, merely as corroborants. That they were useful in some measure can scarcely be doubted; and our very eminent Dr. Huxham[96], in treating upon this obstinate complaint, seems to allow this of the cup-moss in preference to other idle specifics. Happily for us, the Peruvian bark supplies a remedy of infinitely more use, where such analeptics are required.

Dr. Lister, in some ingenious observations of his, printed in the Philosophical Transactions[97], touching colours and dyes, observes, that the scarlet heads of these mosses, upon the affusion of lye, will strike a purple which will stand.