A Fern Reference in Seventeenth Century Literature

Abstract

word does not seem to occur at all in the King James' version Bible and is found only once in Shakespeare-in the oft-quoted reference in Henry I to fern seed as a prescription for invisibility. Shakespeare does have a reference to brakes in Venus and Adonis, by it seems likely that this does not mean a species but is a synonym for thickets. But if ferns are neglected in these two English classics of the seventeenth century, their mention in another type of literature of the period may be cited. An interest in log cabin life of early colonial times led me to a search for descriptions of various crafts of the period, including cooking equipment and recipes, and this, in turn, led to a cookbook by a most unexpected author. In a book auction list, a title by Sir Kenelm Digby, The Closet of Sir Kenelm Digby Knight Opened was intriguing in itself. Sir Kenelm is cited in most histories of science as the author of several essays. One, The powder of sympathy was given as an address before the Royal Philosophical Society about 1650. In this he ascribes to blue vitriol the virtue of healing wounds at a distance, and cites from his own experience the case of a stubborn duelling wound which was readily healed when a bloodied cloth was treated with the powder. In another essay on plant growth, he describes how the calcined ash of a plant can be caused to reconstruct the original plant. From this he reasons easily to conclusions regarding the resurrection of the bodies of departed saints, even those who may have been eaten by cannibals. 55