Chapter 548

2521“Contrahat ventrem.” It would not act, Fée says, as an astringent, but would have the effect of imparting nutriment in a very high degree, without overloading the stomach.

2522A harmless, or, perhaps, beneficial, superstition.

2523The synonym of this plant is probably unknown. Dalechamps identifies it with the Sagittaria sagittifolia, C. Bauhin with the Centaurea calcitrapa, and Clusius, Belli, and Sprengel, with the Poterium spinosum. None of these plants, however, are prickly and aquatic, characteristics, according to Theophrastus, of the Stœbe: Hist. Plant. B. iv. c. 11. Fée considers its identification next to impossible.

2524Probably the Hippophaës rhamnoides of Linnæus. This, however, Fée says, has no milky juice, but a dry, tough, ligneous root. Sprengel identifies it with the Euphorbia spinosa of Linnæus, on account of its milky juice; but that plant, as Fée remarks, does not bear berries, properly so called, and the fruit is yellow and prickly.

2525See B. xxvii. c. 66. It is identified by Fée with the Carduus stellatus or Centaurea calcitrapa of Linnæus, the common star-thistle.

2526As compounds ofἵππος, a “horse.” Hardouin, however, thinks that the namesἱπποφαὲςandἱππόφαιστονhave another origin, and that they are compounds ofφάος, “lustre,”—from the brilliancy which they were said to impart to cloths—andἵππος, in an augmentative sense, meaning “great lustre.”

2527See B. xxi. c.55. Only two species of the nettle, Fée remarks, were known to the ancients, the Urtica urens and the U. dioica; and these have been confounded by Pliny and other writers.

2528In B. xv. c. 7. The Urtica urens has no oleaginous principles, and the oil of nettles, as Fée says, must have been a medicinal composition, the properties of which are more than hypothetical. The plant boiled, he remarks, can have no medicinal properties whatever, and it is with justice excluded from the modern Materia Medica. It is, however, still employed by some few practitioners, and the leaves are used, in some cases, to restore the vital action, by means of urtication.

2529“Cicutæ.”

2530Mercury, as already mentioned in a previous Note, is not poisonous.

2531“Testudinis.” He may, possibly, mean a turtle.

2532See B. x. c. 86.

2533The process of “urtication,” alluded to in Note2528.

2534Fée considers this extremely doubtful.

2535An abominable refinement (if we may use the term) in gluttony, which would appear to have been practised among the Romans; though Fée thinks it possible that such a practice may have been considered advisable in the medical treatment of certain maladies. Be this as it may, the system of using vomits has prevailed to some extent in this country, and during the present century, too, among persons in the fashionable world, when expected to play their part at several entertainments in one evening.

2536“Sapa.” Grape-juice boiled down to one-third.

2537De Morb. Mul. text. 47.

2538See B. xviii. c.13.

2539See B. xxi. c.55.

2540See Hippocrates, Hippiatr.

2541In B. xxi. c. 55.

2542The Lamium maculatum of Linnæus: dead nettle, or archangel. The same as the Leuce, mentioned in B. xxvii. c. 77.

2543“Cum micâ salis.”

2544The Spartium scorpius of Linnæus, or the Scorpiurus sulcata of Linnæus: scorpion-grass, or scorpion-wort.

2545Its properties are entirely inert, and it has no such virtues as those here mentioned. As Fée remarks, we might be quite sure, however, from the form of the seeds, that this property would be ascribed to it in the Materia Medica of the ancients.

2546Supposed to be the Salsola tragus of Linnæus, kali, or glass-wort.

2547Not the Asparagus officinalis, Fée says, but the Asparagus acutifolius, the stem of which is somewhat prickly.

2548See B. xxi. cc.56and104, in which last Chapter it is called “leucanthes.” Desfontaines suggests that it may be either the Carduus leucographus, or the Cnicum Casabonæ.

2549Literally, “many-cornered.” “Leucacantha” means “whitethorn,” and “Leucanthes” “white-flowered.”

2550Fée thinks this very improbable.

2551It must not be confounded, Fée says, with the Helxine, a tuberous root, mentioned in B. xxi. c. 56. He thinks also that Pliny is in error in giving it the name of “Perdicium,” which may possibly have been a synonym of the other Helxine. Fée comes to the conclusion that the Perdicium of B. xxi. c. 62, if not the same as the Helxine of c. 56, cannot be identified; that the Helxine of B. xxi. c. 56, is the Acarna gummifera; and that the Helxine here mentioned is identical with the Perdicium of this and the next Chapter, being the Parietaria officinalis of Linnæus, parietary or wall pellitory. The confusion has probably arisen from the similarity of the name of theἰξίνη, the plant mentioned in B. xxi. c. 56, and theἑλξίνη, the Helxine of the present Chapter.

2552“Perdices.” As stated in the last Note, the name has probably been given in error to the Helxine or pellitory.

2553Or horehound.

2554See B. xxi. c.64.

2555Fromἕλκω, to “drag.”

2556In c. 56. Properly the “Ixine.” See Note2551above.

2557Pellitory possesses no colouring properties whatever.

2558It has no medicinal virtues beyond acting, possibly, in some degree, as a diuretic.

2559The Parthenium of Celsus, mentioned by Pliny in B. xxi. 104, is not identical with this Perdicium (though there also he gives it that name), but is the Matricaria Parthenium of Linnæus, a different plant. See Notes to c.19. B. xxii

2560In reference to what was said at the beginning of the preceding Chapter.

2561Or “pitcher plant.”

2562See c.16of this Book.

2563Plutarch, in his life of Pericles, tells the same story about the slave, but does not speak of the appearance of Minerva. He relates a story, however, of her appearance to Sylla, pointing out a spot near the Acropolis, where the Parthenium grew.

2564Or “Virgin” plant, Minerva being called “Parthenos,” the “virgin.”

2565One who “cooks entrails.” See B. xxxiv. cc. 19 and 31.

2566See B. xxi. c.56. The white is identified with the Acarna gummifera of Linnæus, the dark or black with the Brotera corymbosa of Linnæus.

2567See B. xii. c. 33.

2568Viscus.

2569Olivier states (Voyage dans l’Empire Ottoman, i. 312) that the women in the isles of Naxos and Scio still chew this glutinous substance, in the same manner that mastich is used in other places.

2570Fée is inclined to doubt this, and thinks that, as it is a creeping plant, the name may have been derived fromχαμαί, “on the ground.”

2571Theophrastus, Galen, and Dioscorides state to the same effect, and Fée thinks it possible it may possess a certain degree of activity.

2572Fée says that it possesses no such poisonous properties.

2573Rheum, or catarrhs.

2574Fromοὖλον φόνον, “dreadful death,” a name which, Fée observes, it does not merit, its properties not being poisonous.

2575Fromκυνὸς ὄζη“smell of a dog.” This is a more justifiable appellation, as the smell of it is very disagreeable.

2576The Cochlearia coronopus of Linnæus, crow’s-foot, or buck’s-horn plantain.

2577The Anchusa tinctoria of Linnæus, alkanet, orcanet, or dyers’ bugloss.

2578See B. xii. c. 46.

2579This plant is no longer used for medicinal purposes; but Fée thinks that, as the leaves in all probability contain nitrate of potash, they may have diuretic properties.

2580The Anchusa Italica of Linnæus, according to Fée, false alkanet, or wild bugloss. Though resembling the genuine plant in its external features, it has no colouring properties. Sprengel identifies it with the Lithospermum fruticosum of Linnæus, a plant, as Fée remarks, very different in its appearance from the genuine alkanet.

2581In erroneously giving it this name, Fée remarks that Pliny has confounded the pseudoanchusa with theἔχιονof the Greeks, the Echium rubrum of Linnæus, and has attributed to it the characteristics of the latter plant.

2582Fée remarks, that all that Pliny says of the medicinal properties of this plant does not merit the honour of a discussion.

2583Fée identifies it with the Echium Creticum of Linnæus. Desfontaines takes it to be the Anchusa tinctoria of Linnæus. Fée is of opinion that the name really given to this plant was “enchrysa,” and not “anchusa.”

2584The Lithospermum fruticosum of Linnæus; cromill, or stone-crap.

2585Fée, adopting the opinion of Sibthorpe, thinks that under these names Pliny is speaking ofseveralvarieties of the Anthemis, or camomile, and he identifies them as follows: the Leucanthemis, or white camomile, he considers to be the same as the Anthemis Chia of Linnæus; the Eranthemis to be the Anthemis rosea of Sibthorpe; the Melanthion to be the Anthemis tinctoria, or dyers’ camomile of Sibthorpe: and the Chamæmelon to be the Matricaria chamomilla of Linnæus, the common camomile. Sprengel differs from these opinions as to the identification of the several varieties.

2586“Spring flower.”

2587“Ground apple.”

2588“Black flower.”

2589“Malinis,” apple-colour.

2590See Note2585.

2591“Fruticis.” The camomile is still extensively used in medicine for fomentations, and the decoction of it is highly esteemed, taken fasting, as a tonic.

2592Il. xiv. 347.

2593The Melilotus officinalis of Linnæus. See B. xiii. c. 32, and the Notes.

2594White specks in the black of the eye, with a red tinge.

2595Or “Mother of the Lotus;” the Nymphæa lotus of Linnæus. See B. xiii. c. 32. “Ex loto sata” may probably mean that it springs from the seed of the lotus, in which case, as Fée remarks, it must be identified with the Lotus.

2596B. xviii. c. 67, and B. xix. c. 58.

2597This apparent marvel is owing to the necessity of light to certain flowers for the purposes of fecundation, while those which open at night require more moisture than light for their reproduction.

2598Or “three-grained,” probably, Fée says, from the three cells in the capsule. He identifies this plant with the Croton tinctorium of Linnæus, the turnsole, or sun-flower.

2599Fée identifies it with the Heliotropium Europæum of Linnæus, the heliotrope, or verrucaria. The Heliotropium of Ovid and other poets, with a violet or blue flower, is, no doubt, a different plant, and is identified by Sprengel, Desfontaines, and Fée with the Hesperis matronalis of Linnæus, rocket or julian, or, as we not inaptly call it, from its pleasant smell, cherry-pie. Pliny speaks of his Heliotropium as having a “blue flower,” cœruleum. This is probably an error on his part, and it is supposed by commentators that he read in the Greek textὑποπόρφυρον, “somewhat purple,” by mistake forὑπόπυῤῥον, “somewhat red,” as we find it.

2600As known at the present day, they grow to a much greater height than this.

2601This, Fée remarks, cannot apply to either the Heliotropium Europæum or the Croton tinctorium. He thinks it not improbable that Pliny may have named one plant, and given a description of another.

2602The Heliotropium Europæum, Fée says, has no medicinal properties.

2603Midday, namely.

2604“Sic firmior.”

2605The “wart plant;” from “verruca,” a “wart.”

2606This notion arose probably, Fée thinks, from the clusters of its flowers resembling the tail of a scorpion in appearance.

2607Probably an inflammation of the membranes of the brain.

2608At the beginning of this Chapter.

2609“Scorpion’s tail.” Dioscorides gives this name to the Helioscopium, or great Heliotropium.

2610Fée is surprised that no mention is made of its colouring properties, it being extremely rich in the colouring principle, and having been much used in former times for dyeing purposes.

2611This notion, Fée says, was long attached to the Heliotropium Europæum, and to it, it is indebted for its present name of “verrucaria.”

2612“Cortex seminis.”

2613Fée identifies it with the Asplenium trichomanes of Linnæus, spleen-wort, or ceterach. The Adiantum of Hippocrates and other Greek writers, he takes to be the Adiantum capillus Veneris of Linnæus, Venus’ hair, or maiden hair. Though Pliny would seem not to have been acquainted with the latter plant, he ascribes to the first one many of its properties and characteristics, deriving his information, probably, from a writer who was acquainted with both. See B. xxi. c.60.

2614Fromἀ, “not,” andδιαίνω, “to wet.” This is owing, Fée remarks, to the coat of waxen enamel or varnish with which the leaves are provided. The same is the case also with the leaf of the cabbage and other plants.

2615The Asplenium trichomanes, Fée says, would not admit of being clipped for ornamental gardening.

2616“Fine hair,” and “thick hair.” These names originated more probably in the appearance of the plant than in any effects it may have produced as a dye for the hair.

2617On the contrary, Fée says, the root is composed of numerous fibres.

2618“Stone-breaking.”

2619Fée is of opinion that they possess no such property.

2620Loss of the hair.

2621See B. xxi. c.65. The Picris asplenioides of Linnæus, Fée thinks, though Sprengel identifies it with the Helminthia echioides of Linnæus; but the leaves of that plant are not round.

2622See B. xxi. c.67.

2623See B. xxi. c.68.

2624“Plant of the heroes.”

2625Mere varieties of the plant, so called with reference, probably, to the relative energy of their properties.

2626Regarded in a medicinal point of view the bulb of the asphodel possesses some emollient properties, and nothing more. As an application to sores and abscesses it may reduce the inflammation, and being rich in mucilage, the pulp may form a nourishing food. All the other statements as to its medicinal properties are, as Fée remarks, quite fabulous.

2627Theriaca, p. 39.

2628In B. xxi. c. 68.

2629This practice, as Fée remarks, was based on sound principles, the acrid properties of the bulbs being removed by boiling.

2630Most medicinal roots are gathered at this period, their properties being, as Pliny says, most fully developed in the autumn.

2631See B. xvi. c. 11.

2632Other readings are Diocles, Socles, and Socrates. If “Sophocles” is the correct reading, all memorials of this physician have perished, beyond the mention made of him by Cælius Aurelianus, Chron. c. i.

2633“Vitia.”

2634The Atriplex halimus of Linnæus, sea orach. Belon says that it is found in great abundance in Candia, the ancient Crete, where it is known as “halimatia,” and the tops of the stalks are used as food.

2635Hence its name,ἅλιμον, fromἅλς, the “sea,” and not, as Pliny says, from its salt taste.

2636“Mitius.” Fée says that if this word means “cultivated,” the plant mentioned cannot be the Atriplex halimus; in which case he is inclined to identify it with the Atriplex portulacoides of Linnæus; the leaves and young stalks of which, preserved in vinegar, have an agreeable taste.

2637Some other plant, probably, Fée thinks.

2638As to the Acanthus or thorn, in a more general sense, see B. xxiv. c. 66, and the Notes.

2639Pliny the Younger speaks of the Acanthus being used for a similar purpose, Epist. B. v. Ep. 6.

2640The Acanthus spinosus of Linnæus.

2641The Acanthus mollis of Linnæus; the brankursine.

2642“Lad’s love.”

2643“Black-leafed.” Fée thinks it probable that this name may have been given to the variety “niger,” of Miller, which grows in great abundance in Sicily and Italy.

2644“Bull’s side,” apparently. Fée says that the identification of this plant is quite uncertain; the Buplevrum rigidum of Linnæus, the Buplevrum Baldense of Willdenow, and the Ammi majus of Linnæus, having been suggested. The first, he thinks, could never have been used as a vegetable, and the second is only found on Mount Baldo in Carniola, and in Croatia. Though the Ammi majus is more than a cubit in height, and could never have been used as a vegetable, he looks upon it as the most likely of the three. The seeds of it were formerly used as a carminative.

2645Sprengel and Desfontaines consider it to be the Buplevrum rotundifolium: but Fée is of a contrary opinion, and thinks that it is impossible to identify it.

2646Though Hardouin attempts to defend him, it is more than probable that it is Pliny himself who is in error here; and that he has confounded the plant Buprestis with the insect of that name, which belongs to the class of Cantharides, and received its name (burn-cow) from its fatal effects when eaten by cattle.

2647See B. xxx. c. 10.

2648“Stag’s food.” Fée adopts the opinion of Sprengel and Sibthorpe, that this is the Pastinaca sativa of Linnæus, the cultivated parsnip. Desfontaines identifies it with the Sium sisarum; but, as Fée says, that plant is but rarely found in Greece.

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