Chaps. 59-91.

Chap. 59.—Hierabotane, Peristereon, or Verbenaca; Two Varieties of It: Ten Remedies.

But among the Romans there is no plant that enjoys a more extended renown than hierabotane [“Holy plant.”] known to some persons as “peristereon,” [“Pigeon plant.”] and among us more generally as “verbenaca.” [Our “vervain.” It was much used in philtres, and was as highly esteemed as the mistletoe by the people of Gaul. It is no longer used in medicine.] It is this plant that we have already [In B. xxii. c. 3.] mentioned as being borne in the hands of envoys when treating with the enemy, with this that the table of Jupiter is cleansed, [On the occasion of the Feasts of Jupiter in the Capitol, prepared by the Septemviri.] with this that houses are purified and due expiation made. There are two varieties of it: the one that is thickly covered with leaves [The Verbena supina of Linnæus, Recumbent vervain.] is thought to be the female plant; that with fewer leaves, [The Verbena officinalis of Linnæus, Vervain or holy plant.] the male. Both kinds have numerous thin branches, a cubit in length, and of an angular form. The leaves are smaller than those of the quercus, and narrower, with larger indentations. The flower is of a grey colour, and the root is long and thin. This plant is to be found growing everywhere, in level humid localities. Some persons make no distinction between these two varieties, and look upon them as identical, from the circumstance of their being productive of precisely similar effects.

The people in the Gallic provinces make use of them both for soothsaying purposes, and for the prediction of future events; but it is the magicians more particularly that give utterance to such ridiculous follies in reference to this plant. Persons, they tell us, if they rub themselves with it will be sure to gain the object of their desires; and they assure us that it keeps away fevers, conciliates friendship, and is a cure for every possible disease; they say, too, that it must be gathered about the rising of the Dog-star—but so as not to be shone upon by sun or moon—and that honey-combs and honey must be first presented to the earth by way of expiation. They tell us also that a circle must first be traced around it with iron; after which it must be taken up with the left hand, and raised aloft, care being taken to dry the leaves, stem, and root, separately in the shade. To these statements they add, that if the banqueting couch is sprinkled with water in which it has been steeped, merriment and hilarity will be greatly promoted thereby.

As a remedy for the stings of serpents, this plant is bruised in wine.

Chap. 60.—The Blattaria: One Remedy.

There is a plant very similar in appearance to verbascum, [See c. 73 of this Book.] so much so, indeed, as to be frequently gathered for it by mistake. The leaves, [Mostly identified with the third Phlomos, mentioned in c. 74 of this Book. Littré gives as its synonym the Phlomis fruticosa of Linnæus, Jerusalem sage, or tree-sage.] however, are not so white, the stems are more numerous, and the flower is of a yellow colour. Thrown upon the ground, this plant attracts black beetles [“Blattæ.”] to it, whence its Roman appellation “blattaria.”

Chap. 61.—Lemonium: One Remedy.

Lemonium [Not the “Limonion” of B. xx. c. 28, as the Statice limonium emits no juice. Desfontaines identifies it with the Scolymos or Limonia of B. xxii. c. 43; but Fée is inclined to think that Pliny is speaking of the Atractylis gummifera, but has made a mistake in the name.] furnishes a milky juice, which thickens like gum. It grows in moist, watery localities, and is generally administered, in doses of one denarius, in wine.

Chap. 62.—Quinquefolium, Known Also as Pentapetes, Pentaphyllon, or Chamæzelon: Thirty-three Remedies.

There is no one to whom quinquefolium [Or “five-leaved.” Most probably the Potentilla reptans of Linnæus, our Cinquefoil, or Five-leaved grass. Sprengel, however, identifies it with the Tormentilla reptans of Linnæus, the Tormentil; and other authorities with the Potentilla rupestris of Linnæus.] is unknown, being recommended by a sort of strawberry [Its fruit is dry, and bears no resemblance to the strawberry.] which it bears: The Greeks give it the name of pentapetes, [“Five-leaved.”] pentaphyllon, [“Five-leaved.”] and chamæzelon. [“Creeping on the ground.”] The root, when taken up, is red; but as it dries it becomes black and angular. Its name is derived from the number of its leaves: it puts forth and withers with the leaves of the vine. This plant also is employed in the purification of houses.

Chap. 63.—The Sparganion: One Remedy.

The root, too, of the plant known as the sparganion, [Identified by Fée with the Sparganium ramosum of Linnæus, or Branchy burr-reed. Littré gives the Butonus umbellatus of Linnæus, the Flowering rush, or Water gladiole.] is taken in white wine, as a remedy for the stings of serpents.

Chap. 64.—Four Varieties of the Daucus: Eighteen Remedies.

Petronius Diodotus has distinguished four kinds of daucus, which it would be useless here to describe, the varieties being in reality but two [Fée remarks, that the account given by Pliny has not the same precision as that of Dioscorides, who describes three varieties of the Daucus.] in number. The most esteemed kind is that of Crete, [Fée is inclined to identify the Daucus of Crete and Achaia with the Daucus Creticus of Fuchsius, the Athamanta annua of Linnæus. Desfontaines identifies it with the Athamanta Cretensis of Linnæus.] the next best being the produce of Achaia, and of all dry localities. It resembles fennel in appearance, only that its leaves are whiter, more diminutive, and hairy on the surface. The stem is upright, and a foot in length, and the root has a remarkably pleasant taste and smell. This kind grows in stony localities with a southern aspect.

The inferior sorts are found growing everywhere, upon declivities for instance, and in the hedges of fields, but always in a rich soil. The leaves are like those of coriander, [This kind is identified by Fée with the Seseli ammoïdes of Linnæus, and by Littré with the Ammi majus of Linnæus, the Common or Greater bishop’s weed.] the stem being a cubit in length, the heads round, often three or more in number, and the root ligneous, and good for nothing when dry. The seed of this kind is like that of cummin, while that of the first kind bears a resemblance to millet; in all cases it is white, acrid, hot, and odoriferous. The seed of the second kind has more active properties than that of the first; for which reason it should be used more sparingly.

If it is considered really desirable to recognize a third variety of the daucus, there is a plant [Identified by Sprengel with the Daucus Mauritanicus, and by Brotero and Desfontaines with the Daucus carota, var. α, our Common carrot. Fée seems inclined to identify it with the Athamanta cervaria of Linnæus, Mountain carrot, or Broad-leaved spignel. The account given by Pliny is, however, a mass of confusion.] of this nature very similar to the staphylinos, known as the “pastinaca [Or “wild parsnip.” See B. xix. c. 27.] erratica,” with an oblong seed and a sweet root. Quadrupeds will touch none of these plants, either in winter or in summer, except indeed, after abortion. [For the purpose of expelling the dead fœtus, according to Dioscorides, B. iii. c. 83.] The seed of the various kinds is used, with the exception of that of Crete, in which case it is the root that is employed; this root being particularly useful for the stings of serpents. The proper dose is one drachma, taken in wine. It is administered also to cattle when stung by those reptiles.

Chap. 65.—The Therionarca: Two Remedies.

The therionarca, altogether a different plant from that of the Magi, [See B. xxiv. c. 102. The plant here spoken of has not been identified, but the Epilobium angustifolium, montanum, tetragonum, &c., varieties of the Willow-herb, have been suggested. They are destitute, however, of all poisonous qualities.] grows in our own climates, and is a branchy plant, with greenish leaves, and a rose-coloured flower. It has a deadly effect upon serpents, and the very contact of it is sufficient to benumb [Hence its name—“Benumbing wild beasts.”] a wild beast, of whatever kind it be.

Chap. 66.—The Persolata or Arcion; Eight Remedies.

The persolata, [Fée thinks that there is an error in the name, and that it is the “personata” that is here spoken of, the plant already mentioned in c. 58 of this Book. Hardouin identifies it with the Tussilago petasites—the Butter-burr, according to Nemnich—but apparently without any sufficient authority.] a plant known to every one, and called “arcion” by the Greeks, has a leaf, larger, thicker, more swarthy, and more hairy than that of the gourd even, with a large white root. This plant also is taken, in doses of two denarii, in wine.

Chap. 67.—Cyclaminos or Tuber Terræ: Twelve Remedies.

So too, the root of cyclaminos [Fée identifies it with the Cyclamen hederæfolium of Aiton, the Ivy-leaved sow-bread; Littré with the Cyclamen Græcum of Lamarck.] is good for injuries inflicted by serpents of all kinds. It has leaves smaller than those of ivy, thinner, more swarthy, destitute of angles, and covered with whitish spots. The stem is thin and hollow, the flowers of a purple colour, and the root large and covered with a black rind; so much so, in fact, that it might almost be taken for the root of rape. This plant grows in umbrageous localities, and by the people of our country is known as the “tuber terræ.” [“Tuberosity of the earth.”] It ought to be grown in every house, if there is any truth in the assertion that wherever it grows, noxious spells can have no effect. This plant is also what is called an “amulet;” and taken in wine, they say, it produces all the symptoms and appearances of intoxication. The root is dried, cut in pieces, like the squill, and put away for keeping. When wanted, a decoction is made of it, of the consistency of honey. Still, however, it has some deleterious [“Suum venenum ei est.” Gerard seems to have had a worse opinion of it than our author; for he states in his Herbal, p. 845, that he had experienced great misfortunes owing to his imprudence in having cultivated Cyclamen in his garden.] properties; and a pregnant woman, it is said, if she passes over the root of it, will be sure to miscarry.

Chap. 68.—The Cyclaminos Cissanthemos: Four Remedies.

There is also another kind of cyclaminos, known by the additional name of “cissanthemos;” [“Ivy-flowered.” It resembles the other plant in nothing but the name. Fée is inclined, with Desfontaines, to identify it with the Lonicera caprifolium of Linnæus, the Italian honeysuckle, though that plant bears no resemblance in either leaf or flower to the ivy. The Lonicera periclymenum of Linnæus, the Common woodbine or honeysuckle, has been also suggested, as well as the Bryonia alba, Solanum dulcamara, and Cucubalus bacciferus.] the stems of it, which are jointed, are good for nothing. It is altogether different from the preceding plant, and entwines around the trunks of trees. It bears a berry similar to that of the ivy, but soft; and the flower is white and pleasing to the sight. The root is never used. The berries are the only part of it in use, being of an acrid, viscous taste. They are dried in the shade, after which they are pounded and divided into lozenges.

Chap. 69.—The Cyclaminos Chamæcissos: Three Remedies.

A third kind [According to Brotero, it is the Parnassia palustris of Tournefort, an opinion with which Fée is inclined to agree. Sprengel considers it to be the same as the Convallaria bifolia of Linnæus, our Small lily of the valley, and identifies it with the one-leafed Ceratia of B. xxvi. c. 34. Littré names the Antirrhinum asarina of Linnæus, the Bastard asarum.] of cyclaminos has also been shown to me, the additional name of which is “chamæcissos.” It consists of but a single leaf, with a branchy root, formerly employed for killing fish.

Chap. 70.—Peucedanum: Twenty-eight Remedies.

But in the very first rank among these plants, stands peucedanum, [The Peucedanum officinale of Linnæus, Sulphur-wort, or Hog’s fennel. It receives its name from a fancied resemblance between its fruit and that of the “Peuce,” or pitch-tree.] the most esteemed kind of which is that of Arcadia, the next best being that of Samothrace, The stem resembles that of fennel, is thin and long, covered with leaves close to the ground, and terminating in a thick black juicy root, with a powerful smell. It grows on umbrageous mountains, and is taken up at the end of autumn. The largest and tenderest roots are the most esteemed; they are cut with bone-knives into slips four fingers in length, and left to shed their juice [This juice, Fée remarks, is no longer known.] in the shade; the persons employed taking the precaution of rubbing the head and nostrils with rose-oil, as a preservative against vertigo.

There is also another kind of juice, which adheres to the stems, and exudes from incisions made therein. It is considered best when it has arrived at the consistency of honey: the colour of it is red, and it has a strong but agreeable smell, and a hot, acrid taste. This juice, as well as the root and a decoction of it, enters into the composition of numerous medicaments, but the juice has the most powerful properties of the two. Diluted with bitter almonds or rue, it is taken in drink as a remedy for injuries inflicted by serpents. Rubbed upon the body with oil, it is a preservative against the attacks of those reptiles.

Chap. 71. (10.)—Ebulum; Six Remedies

A fumigation, too, of ebulum, [Or Wall-wort. See B. xxiv. c. 35. and B. xxvi. c. 49.] a plant known to every one, will put serpents to flight.

Chap. 72.—Polemonia: One Remedy.

The root of polemonia, [See c. 28 of this Book.] even worn as an amulet only, is particularly useful for repelling the attacks of scorpions, as also the phalangium and other small insects of a venomous nature. For injuries inflicted by the scorpion, aristolochia [See c. 54 of this Book.] is also used, or agaric, in doses of four oboli to four cyathi of wine. For the bite of the phalangium, vervain is employed, in combination with wine or oxycrate: cinquefoil, too, and daucus, are used for a similar purpose.

Chap. 73.—Phlomos or Verbascum: Fifteen Remedies.

Verbascum has the name of “phlomos” with the Greeks. Of this plant there are two principal kinds; the white, [Identified by Fée with the Verbascum thapsus of Linnæus, Great mullein, High-taper, or Cow’s lung-wort.] which is considered to be the male, and the black, [Identified by Fée with the Verbascum sinuatum of Linnæus. Desfontaines considers this to be the male plant of Pliny, and the V. thapsus to be the female.] thought to be the female. There is a third [Fée considers this to be the same as the Blattaria mentioned in c. 60, and identifies it with the Verbascum phlomoïdes of Linnæus. Sprengel and Desfontaines consider it to be the Phlomis lychnitis of Linnæus. Littré gives the Phlomus fruticosa of Linnæus, the Jerusalem sage, or Tree sage.] kind, also, which is only found in the woods. The leaves of these plants are larger than those of the cabbage, and have a hairy surface: the stem is upright, and more than a cubit in height, and the seed black, and never used. The root is single, and about the thickness of the finger. The two principal kinds are found growing in champaign localities. The wild verbascum has leaves like those of elelisphacus, [See B. xxii. c 71.] but of an elongated form; the branches are ligneous.

Chap. 74.—The Phlomis: One Remedy. The Lychnitis or Thryallis.

There are also two [Fée identifies these two kinds with the Phlomis fruticosa of Linnæus; Sprengel and Desfontaines consider the second kind to be the Phlomis Italica of Smith; on insufficient grounds, Fée thinks. Littré mentions the Sideritis Romana and S. elegans of Linnæus.] varieties of the phlomis, hairy plants, with rounded leaves, and but little elevated above the surface of the earth. A third kind, again, is known as the “lychnitis” [The “Lamp plant.” It is mostly identified with the Verbascum lychnitis of Linnæus, the White mullein. Fée is somewhat doubtful on the point. It is doubtful whether it is not the same as the Thryallis, mentioned in B. xxi. c. 61. Littré identifies it with the Phlomis lychnitis.] by some persons, and as the “thryallis” by others: it has three leaves only, or four at the very utmost, thick and unctuous, and well adapted for making wicks for lamps. The leaves of the phlomos which we have mentioned as the female plant, if wrapped about figs, will preserve them most efficiently from decay, it is said. It seems little better than a loss of time to give the distinguishing characteristics of these three [In the last paragraph he is speaking of the Phlomos, here he evidently reverts to the Phlomis.] kinds, the effects of them all being precisely the same.

For injuries inflicted by scorpions, an infusion of the root is taken, with rue, in water. Its bitterness is intense, but it is quite as efficacious as the plants already mentioned.

Chap. 75.—The Thelyphonon or Scorpio: One Remedy.

The thelyphonon [Or “Female killer.” See B. xxvii. c. 2.] is a plant known as the “scorpio” to some, from the peculiar form of its roots, the very touch of which kills [Dioscorides states, somewhat more rationally, that this plant strikes the scorpion with torpor, and that the contact of hellebore revives it.] the scorpion: hence it is that it is taken in drink for stings inflicted by those reptiles. If a dead scorpion is rubbed with white hellebore, it will come to life, they say. The thelyphonon is fatal to all quadrupeds, on the application of the root to the genitals. The leaf too, which bears a resemblance to that of cyclaminos, is productive of a similar effect, in the course of the same day. It is a jointed plant, and is found growing in unbrageous localities. Juice of betony or of plantago is a preservative against the venom of the scorpion.

Chap. 76.—The Phrynion, Neuras, or Poterion; One Remedy.

Frogs, too, have their venom, the bramble-frog [“Rubetis.” A kind of toad, probably. See B. viii. c. 48, B. xi. c. 16, and B. xxxii. c. 18.] in particular, and I myself have seen the Psylli, in their exhibitions, irritate them by placing them upon flat vessels made red hot, [Schneider, on Nicander’s Alexiph. p. 277, says that he cannot understand this passage. There is little doubt that Sillig is right in his conjecture that it is imperfect, for the pith of the narrative, whatever it may have been, is evidently wanting. The Psylli were said to be proof against all kinds of poisons. See B. viii. c. 38, and B. xi. c. 30; also Lucan’s Pharsalia, B. ix. l. 192, et seq.] their bite being fatal more instantaneously than the sting even of the asp. One remedy for their poison is the phrynion, [See also B. xxvii. c. 97. Fée identifies it with the Astragalus Creticus of Lamarck, Desfontaines with the Astragalus poterium.] taken in wine, which has also the additional names of “neuras” [The “nerve-plant” and the “drinking-plant,” apparently.] and “poterion:” it bears a small flower, and has numerous fibrous roots, with an agreeable smell.

Chap. 77.—The Alisma, Damasonion, or Lyron: Seventeen Remedies.

Similar too, are the properties of the alisma, [Sprengel identifies it with the Alisma Parnassifolium of Linnæus; but as that plant is not found in Greece, Sibthorp suggests the Alisma plantago of Linnæus, the Great water-plantain. It has no medicinal properties, though it was esteemed till very recent times as curative of hydrophobia.] known to some persons as the “damasonion,” and as the “lyron” to others. The leaves of it would be exactly those of the plantago, were it not that they are narrower, more jagged at the edges, and bent downwards in a greater degree. In other respects, they present the same veined appearance as those of the plantago. This plant has a single stem, slender, a cubit in height, and terminated by a spreading head. [“Capite thyrsi.”] The roots of it are numerous, thin like those of black hellebore, acrid, unctuous, and odoriferous: it is found growing in watery localities.

There is another kind also, which grows in the woods, of a more swarthy colour, and with larger leaves. The root of them both is used for injuries inflicted by frogs and by the sea-hare, [See B. ix. c. 72, and B. xxxii. c. 3.] in doses of one drachma taken in wine. Cyclaminos, too, is an antidote for injuries inflicted by the sea-hare.

The bite of the mad dog has certain venomous properties, as an antidote to which we have the cynorrhodos, of which we have spoken [In c. 6 of this Book.] elsewhere already. The plantago is useful for the bites of all kinds of animals, either taken in drink or applied topically to the part affected. Betony is taken on similar occasions, in old wine, unmixed.

Chap. 78.—Peristereos: Six Remedies.

The name of peristereos [“Pigeon-plant.” The same as Vervain, already described in c. 59 of this Book.] is given to a plant with a tall stem, covered with leaves, and throwing out other stems from the top. It is much sought by pigeons, to which circumstance it owes its name. Dogs will never bark, they say, at persons who have this plant about them.

Chap. 79.—Remedies Against Certain Poisons.

Closely approaching in their nature to these various kinds of poisons, are those which have been devised by man for his own destruction. In the number of antidotes to all these artificial poisons as well as to the spells of sorcery, the very first place must be accorded to the moly [See c. 8 of this Book.] of Homer; next to which come the mithridatia, [By “Mithridatia” he probably means the antidotes attributed to Mithridates in c. 3 of this Book, and in B. xxix. c. 8, and not the plant previously mentioned in c. 26.] scordotis, [See c. 27 of this Book.] and centaury. The seed of betony carries off all kinds of noxious substances by stool; being taken for the purpose in honied wine or raisin wine, or else pulverized, and taken, in doses of one drachma, in four cyathi of old wine: in this last case, however, the patient must bring it off the stomach by vomit and then repeat the dose. Persons who accustom themselves to take this plant daily, will never experience any injury, they say, from substances of a poisonous nature.

When a person has taken poison, one most powerful remedy is aristolochia, [See c. 54 of this Book.] taken in the same proportions as those used for injuries inflicted by serpents. [See c. 55.] The juice, too, of cinquefoil is given for a similar purpose; and in both cases, after the patient has vomited, agaric is administered, in doses of one denarius, in three cyathi of hydromel.

Chap. 80.—The Antirrhinum, Anarrhinon, or Lychnis Agria: Three Remedies.

The name of antirrhinum [Generally identified with the Antirrhinum Orontium of Linnæus, Small toad-flax, Calf’s snout, or Lesser wild snapdragon. Desfontaines mentions the Antirrhinum purpureum, and Littré the A. majus of Linnæus, the Common snapdragon, or Greater calf’s snout.] or anarrhinon is given to the lychnis agria, [“Wild lychnis.”] a plant which resembles flax in appearance, is destitute of root, has a flower like that of the hyacinth, and a seed similar in form to the muzzle of a calf. According to what the magicians say, persons who rub themselves with this plant improve their personal appearance thereby; and they may ensure themselves against all noxious substances and poisons, by wearing it as a bracelet.

Chap. 81.—Euclea: One Remedy.

The same is the case, too, with the plant to which they give the name of “euclea,” [Theophrastus says, B. ix. c. 21, speaking of the last-mentioned plant, “The same too, with reference to glory and consideration.” Pliny, singularly enough, has mistaken the Greek word “eucleia” (glory) for the name of a plant, and has fabricated one accordingly: a similar blunder to that made by him with reference to “hippace,” in c. 44 of this Book.] and which, they tell us, rubbed upon the person, will ensure a more extended consideration. They say, too, that if a person carries artemisia [See c. 36 of this Book.] about him, he will be ensured against all noxious drugs, the attacks of wild beasts of every kind, and sunstroke even. This last plant is taken also in wine, in cases of poisoning by opium. Used as an amulet, or taken in drink, it is said to be particularly efficacious for injuries inflicted by frogs.

Chap. 82.—The Pericarpum; Two Varieties of It: Two Remedies.

The pericarpum is a kind of bulbous plant. There are two varieties of it; one with a red [Fée is inclined to identify it with the Bulbine of B. xx. c. 41 probably the Hyacinthus botryoïdes of Linnæus, the Blue grape hyacinth. Brotero and Desfontaines name the Hyacinthus comosus, the Purple grape hyacinth. Littré mentions the Ornithogalum nutans of Linnæus, the May star of Bethlehem.] outer coat, and the other, [Identified by Fée with the Bulbus vomitorius or Bulb emetic of B. xx. c. 41, the same, in his opinion, with the Narcissus jonquilla, the Emetic jonquil. Sprengel, however, would identify the Bulbus vomitorius with either the Narcissus orientalis or the Pancratium Illyricum; and Sibthorp considers its synonym to be the Ornithogalum stachyoïdes of Aiton. Littré gives the Muscari comosum.] similar is appearance to the black poppy, and possessed of greater virtues than the first. They are both, however, of a warming nature, for which reason, they are administered to persons who have taken hemlock, a poison for which frankincense and panaces are used, chironion [See c. 13 of this Book.] in particular. This last, too, is given in cases of poisoning by fungi.

Chap. 83. (11.)—Remedies for Diseases of the Head. Nymphæa Heraclia: Two Remedies.

But we shall now proceed to point out the various classes of remedies for the several parts of the body, and the maladies to which those parts are subject, beginning in the first place with the head.

The root of nymphæa heraclia [See c. 37 of this Book, and B. xxvi. c. 28.] effects the cure of alopecy, if they are beaten up together, [There seems to be an hiatus here. From the words of Dioscorides, B. iii. c. 138, it would appear that pitch was the other ingredient, to be beaten up with the plant.] and applied. The polythrix [The same as the Polytrichos of B. xxii. c. 30.] differs from the callitrichos [In B. xxii. c. 30, he makes them to be the same plant, and it is most probable that they may be both referred to the Asplenium trichomanes of Linnæus.] in having white, rushlike suckers, larger leaves, and more numerous; the main stem, [“Frutice.”] too, is larger. This plant strengthens the hair, prevents it from falling off, and makes it grow more thickly

Chap. 84.—The Lingulaca: One Remedy.

The same is the case too with the lingulaca, [See B. xxiv. c. 108.] a plant that grows in the vicinity of springs, and the root of which is reduced to ashes, and beaten up with hog’s lard. Due care must be taken, however, that it is the lard of a female, of a black colour, and one that has never farrowed. The application is rendered additionally efficacious, if the ointment is applied in the sun. Root, too, of cyclaminos is employed in the same manner for a similar purpose. A decoction of root of hellebore in oil or in water is used for the removal of porrigo. For the cure of head-ache, root of all kinds of panaces [See c. 11 of this Book.] is used, beaten up in oil; as also aristolochia [See c. 54 of this Book.] and iberis, [See c. 49 of this Book.] this last being applied to the head for an hour or more, if the patient can bear it so long, care being taken to bathe m the meanwhile. The daucus, too, is curative of head-ache. Cyclaminos, [See c. 67 of this Book.] introduced into the nostrils with honey, clears the head; used in the form of a liniment, it heals ulcers of the head. Peristereos, [Or Vervain.] also, is curative of diseases of the head.

Chap. 85.—The Cacalia or Leontice: Three Remedies.

The name of “cacalia” [Sprengel identified this plant at first with the Buplevrum longifolium of Linnæus, the Long-leaved hare’s ear, but at a later period with the Mercurialis tomentosa, the Woolly mercury. Fée suggests the Cacalia petasites or albifrons, though with diffidence. Littré gives the Cacalia verbascifolia of Sibthorp.] or “leontice” is given to a plant with seed resembling small pearls in appearance, and hanging down between large leaves: it is mostly found upon mountains. Fifteen grains of this seed are macerated in oil, and the head is rubbed with the mixture, the contrary way to the hair.

Chap. 86.—The Callitrichos: One Remedy.

A sternutatory, too, is prepared from the callitrichos. [See c. 83 of this Book; also B. xxii. c. 30, and B. xxvii. c. 111.] The leaves of this plant are similar to those of the lentil, and the stems resemble fine rushes; the root is very diminutive. It grows in shady, moist localities, and has a burning taste in the mouth.

Chap. 87.—Hyssop: Ten Remedies.

Hyssop, [There has been much discussion on the identification of the Hyssopum of the ancients, their descriptions varying very considerably. It has been suggested that that of the Egyptians was the Origanum Ægyptianum; that of the Hebrews, the Origanum Syriacum; that of Dioscorides, the Origanum Smyrnæum; and that of the other Greek writers, the Teuerium pseudo-hyssopus, or else the Thymbra verticillata and spicata. Fée is inclined to identify that here mentioned by Pliny with the Thymbra spicata of Linnæus, and the Garden hyssop of Dioscorides, with the Hyssopus officinalis of Linnæus. Littré states, however, that this last is a stranger to Greece, and that M. Fräas (Synopsis, p. 182) identifies the hyssop of Dioscorides with the Origanum Smyrnæum or Syriacum.] beaten up in oil, is curative of phthiriasis and prurigo of the head. The best hyssop is that of Mount Taurus in Cilicia, next to which in quality is the produce of Pamphylia and Smyrna. This plant is injurious to the stomach: taken with figs, it produces alvine evacuations, and used in combination with honey, it acts as an emetic. It is generally thought that, beaten up with honey, salt, and cummin, it is curative of the stings of serpents.

Chap. 88.—The Lonchitis: Four Remedies.

The lonchitis [Generally identified with the Serapias lingua of Linnæus.] is not, as most writers have imagined, the same plant as the xiphion [The same, most probably, as the Gladiolus of B. xxi. c. 67. See also the next Chapter in this Book.] or phasganion, although the seed of it does bear a resemblance to the point of a spear. The lonchitis, in fact, has leaves like those of the leek, of a reddish colour near the root, and more numerous there than on the upper part of the stem. It bears diminutive heads, which are very similar to our masks of comedy, and from which a small tongue protrudes: [This was a characteristic feature of the masks used in the Roman Comedy.] the roots of it are remarkably long. It grows in thirsty, arid soils.

Chap. 89.—The Xiphion or Phasganion: Four Remedies.

The xiphion [See Note 837 above. The medicinal properties here attributed to the Xiphion, or Gladiolus communis, our common Red corn-flag, are very doubtful, as Fée remarks.] or phasganion, on the other hand, is found growing in humid localities. On first leaving the ground it has the appearance of a sword; the stem of it is two cubits in length, and the root is fringed like a hazel nut. [With the outer coat on, of course.]

This root should always be taken up before harvest, and dried in the shade. The upper part of it, pounded with frankincense, and mixed with an equal quantity of wine, extracts fractured bones of the cranium, purulent matter in all parts of the body, and bones of serpents, [Dalechamps is probably right in preferring the reading “carpentis” to “serpentis,” in which case the meaning would be, “or bones when accidentally crushed by the wheels of vehicles.”] when accidentally trodden upon; if is very efficacious, too, for poisons. In cases of head-ache, the head should be rubbed with hellebore, boiled and beaten up in olive oil, or oil of roses, or else with peucedanum steeped in olive oil or rose oil, and vinegar. This last plant, made lukewarm, is very good also for hemicrania [Or “meagrim.”] and vertigo. It being of a heating nature, the body is rubbed with the root as a sudorific.

Chap. 90.—Psyllion, Cynoïdes, Crystallion, Sicelicon, or Cynomyia; Sixteen Remedies. Thryselinum: One Remedy.

Psyllion, [Identified with the Plantago Psyllium of Linnæus, our Fleawort Fleaseed, or Fleabane.] cynoïdes, crystallion, sicelicon, or cynomyia, has a slender root, of which no use is made, and numerous thin branches, with seeds resembling those of the bean, at the extremities. [Nothing, Fée says, can be more absurd than this description of the plant.] The leaves of it are not unlike a dog’s head in shape; [Whence its name “cynoïdes” and “cynomyia.”] and the seed, which is enclosed in berries, bears a resemblance to a flea—whence its name “psyllion.” This plant is generally found growing in vineyards, is of a cooling nature, and is extremely efficacious as a dispellent. The seed of it is the part made use of; for head-ache, it is applied to the forehead and temples with rose oil and vinegar, or else with oxycrate; it is used as a liniment for other purposes also. Mixed in the proportion of one acetabulum to one sextarius of water, it is left to coagulate and thicken; after which it is beaten up, and the thick solution is used as a liniment for all kinds of pains, abscesses, and inflammations.

Aristolochia is used as a remedy for wounds in the head; it has the property, too, of extracting fractured bones, not only from other parts of the body, but the cranium in particular. The same, too, with plistolochia.

Thryselinum [This plant has not been identified; Wild water-parsley, perhaps a kind of Sium, has been suggested.] is a plant not unlike parsley; the root of it, eaten, carries off pituitous humours from the head.

Chap. 91. (12.)—Remedies for Diseases of the Eyes.

It is generally thought that the greater centaury [All the plants here mentioned are of a more or less irritating nature, and would greatly imperil the sight.] strengthens the sight, if the eyes are fomented with it steeped in water; and that by employing the juice of the smaller kind, in combination with honey, films and cloudiness may be dispersed, marks obliterated, and small flies removed which have got into the eye. It is thought also that sideritis is curative of albugo in beasts of burden. As to chelidonia, [See c. 50 of this Book.] it is marvellously good for all the affections above mentioned. Root of panaces [See c. 11 of this Book.] is applied, with polenta, [See B. xviii. c. 14, and B. xxii. c. 59.] to defluxions of the eyes; and for the purpose of keeping them down, henbane-seed is taken, in doses of one obolus, with an equal proportion of opium, in wine. Juice, too, of gentian is used as a liniment, and it sometimes forms an ingredient in the more active eyesalves, [“Collyriis.”] as a substitute for meconium. Euphorbia, [A most dangerous application, in reality.] applied in the form of a liniment, improves the eyesight, and for ophthalmia juice of plantago [A comparatively harmless, though useless application.] is injected into the eyes.

Aristolochia disperses films upon the eyes; and iberis, [See c. 49 of this Book.] attached to the head with cinquefoil, is curative of defluxions and other diseases of the eyes. Verbascum [See c. 73 of this Book.] is applied topically to defluxions of the eyes, and vervain is used for a similar purpose, with rose oil and vinegar. For the treatment of cataract and dimness of sight, cyclaminos is reduced to a pulp and divided into lozenges. Juice, too, of peucedanum, as already mentioned, [In c. 70 of this Book.] mixed with meconium and oil of roses, is good for the sight, and disperses films upon the eyes. Psyllion, [See c. 90 of this Book.] applied to the forehead, arrests defluxions of the eyes.