POlypody is so tearmed, because many knots and tubercles, like the Fishes called Polypi, grow on its roots. It is also called Dentropteris, or tree fern, because it grows on trees, and some∣times on umbrous stones, mossy walls, and such humid places.
It is an herb without stalk, flower, and seed, consisting onely of a root and leaves like masculine fern, but lesser, and maculated on the under side with yellow spots. Its root is hirsute and long, about the crassitude of a little finger, extending it self obliquely, and exaspe∣rated with many lumps; within it is porraceous and virid, like a Pastick nut; its sapour is very sweet, subamare, austere, and some∣what aromatical; but it doth not much affect the tongue.
It doth not calefy in the third degree, as Mesue thought; but it's probable that it exsiccates in the second; it deterges, digests, and ficcates crass and viscid humours, educes melancholick and viscid flegm, and that even from the articles, if it be copiously assumed. It sustains much coction, and is seldome given alone, but mixed with