E. Cobham Brewer 18101897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Lamb (The Vegetable) or Tartarian lamb;
technically called Polypodium Barometz. It is a Chinese fern with a decumbent root, covered with a soft, dense yellow wool. Sir Hans Sloane, who calls it the Tartarian lamb, has given a print of it; and Dr. Hunter has given a print which makes its resemblance to a lamb still more striking. The down is used in India for staunching hæmorrhage.