Chapter 552

3073As Fée says, this observation is quite unaccountable. He queries whether a sweet fruit may not possibly be meant, the sweet lime, for instance, the flavour of which is very sickly, and would require to be heightened by the assistance of an acid.

3074See B. xiii. c. 34; where, however, he has only distinguished them according to their flavour, sweet, vinous, &c.

3075“Without pips.” See B. xiii. c. 34.

3076This and the previous precaution given, Fée considers to be mere puerilities.

3077Than that of the ordinary grape, probably.

3078See B. xiii. c. 34.

3079The “leather apple,” apparently. It is more probable, as Hardouin says, that it was so called from the toughness of the rind.

3080“Pterygiis.”

3081See B. ix. c. 72, and B. xxxii. c. 3.

3082“Alumen scissum.” See B. xxxi. c. 39, and B. xxxv. c. 52.

3083See B. xii. c. 15, and B. xxiv. c. 77.

3084An absurd notion, without any apparent foundation.

3085All vegetable productions rich in tannin are thought to possess the property of acting as a vermifuge.

3086The calyx of the blossom of the pomegranate. Its properties are remarkably astringent.

3087This would be nearly an impossibility, as the calyx is hard and coriaceous, and of considerable size. Nothing, however, is allowed to stand in the way of superstition.

3088“Ipsa corpuscula.” Theexactmeaning of this expression is somewhat doubtful: Hardouin takes it to be the lower part of the cytinus.

3089In B. xiii. c. 34.

3090The corolla of the flower. Dioscorides, B. i. c. 152, makes the “balaustium” to be the blossom of the wild pomegranate, and the “cytinus” to be that of the cultivated fruit. Theophrastus, however, and Galen, give the same account of the cytinus as Pliny. Holland has this quaint marginal Note on the passage: “Here is Pliny out of the way;” not improbably in reference to the statement of Dioscorides.

3091Or Quinarius. See Introduction to Vol. III.

3092These statements, Fée says, are quite unfounded.

3093See B. xii. c. 15, and B. xxiv. c. 77.

3094Fée thinks that there is no doubt that this was really the pomegranate, left to grow wild. Dalechamps and Fée suggest that, misled by the resemblance of the Greek names, Pliny has here attributed to the wild pomegranate the properties attributed to the red poppy, or corn poppy. Hardouin, however, is not of that opinion, and thinks that the mention of therootsof the plant proves that Pliny has not committed any error here; as in B. xx. c. 77, he has attributed the narcotic effects of the poppy to the head only.

3095This depends considerably, as Fée says, upon the kind of pear.

3096See B. xv. c. 16.

3097There is no truth whatever in this statement.

3098They are equally inefficacious for the purpose,

3099See B. xxiv. c. 1. An absurdity, upon which Fée has uselessly expended a dozen lines of indignation.

3100In reality it has no affinity with vinegar or any other acid, and the fact that it curdles milk is no proof whatever that such is the case.

3101See B. xviii. c.17.

3102Being of a caustic nature, it might have this effect, Fée thinks. It is, however, no longer employed in medicine. He is also of opinion that the juice of the fig-tree might be useful in making cheese.

3103Here, also, the caustic nature of their juices might render them useful.

3104“Ceria:” now known in surgery as “favus.”

3105This and the next statement are equally untrue.

3106See B. xv. c. 19.

3107“Medicatæ.” See B. xvi. c. 51.

3108They produce heart-burn and flatulency.

3109“Ad carnes eos transtulit.” Dalechamps takes this to mean “showed them that the flesh was increased by eating figs.” This Pythagoras was probably the Samian pugilist who gained a victory in Ol. 48.

3110This herb is rich in mucilage, and of a soothing nature.

3111“Æris flore.”

3112“Pterygiis.”

3113This is the case, as they are remarkably rich in alkaline salts. The assertion, however, as to their properties, is, as Fée says, hypothetical.

3114“Thymos.”

3115Metallic ashes, or dross. See B. xxxiv. c. 52.

3116“Suavitatem.” Fée is justly at a loss to understand how this could be. It is doubtful whether Pliny does not mean that by the use of this substance meat waskept fresh.

3117See B. xviii. c.17.

3118Fée thinks that, owing to its acridity, it may possibly have this effect.

3119There is probably no foundation for this statement.

3120Favus.

3121Plutarch, Sympos. ii. 7, tells the same absurd story.

3122To “erineon,” the Greek for wild fig.

3123Supposed to be the Campanula rapunculus of Linnæus, the rampion; though Fée expresses some doubts. Guilandin has suggested the Hieracium Sabaudum of Linnæus, an opinion which Fée thinks not altogether destitute of probability.

3124The leaves of this tree contain a large proportion of tannin, to which they owe their astringent properties.

3125Prunes, the produce of the plum-tree, called the plum of Saint Julien, are still used as a purgative.

3126A most singular assertion, as Fée says, and one that universal experience proves to be unfounded.

3127On the contrary, it quenches thirst.

3128Fée thinks that, owing to the hydro-cyanic acid which the kernels contain, there may possibly be some foundation for this statement of their curative effects.

3129Both the root and the fruit are of an astringent nature. From this fruit an extract is prepared, Fée says, rich in tannin, and called in France Acacia nostras, from its resemblance to the juice of the Egyptian Acacia.

3130“Limus.” Fée thinks that this may possibly be the Evernia prunastri of modern botany. It has been suggested, however, that Pliny has committed an error here, and that in copying from the Greek source he has mistaken the author’s mention of the cure of lichens by the gum of the plum-tree, for an account of a lichen which grows on the tree. Such, in fact, is the statement of Dioscorides in B. i. c. 174, though he does not mention chaps and condylomata.

3131In B. xiii. cc, 14, 15, where he calls it a fig-tree. He alludes to the sycamore.

3132See B. xvi. c. 72.

3133This statement is entirely unfounded.

3134Considering that the leaves and bark are rich in tannin and gallic acid, it might be worth while to ascertain if there is any truth in this assertion.

3135But Horace says, Sat. B. ii. s. 4, l. 22, that mulberries are remarkably wholesome as a dessert.

3136In B. xvi. c. 41.

3137“All-healing,” “mouth-medicine,” and “medicine for the trachea.”

3138See B. xii. c. 60. A rob, or sirop of mulberries is prepared for much the same purposes at the present day, but without the omphacium, myrrh, or saffron. An “arteriace” is also mentioned in B. xx. c.79.

3139Hermolaüs Barbarus is possibly right in suggesting “cytini,” which name has been previously mentioned in connection with the calyx of the pomegranate.

3140From the account given by Dioscorides, B. i. c. 181, this appears to he the meaning of the passage, which is very elliptically expressed, if, indeed, it is not imperfect.

3141In a powdered state, probably, as mentioned by Dioscorides.

3142The use of the word “conluebant” would almost make it appear that he is speaking of a liquid.

3143The juice (if, indeed, Pliny intends to specify it as an ingredient) will not, as Fée remarks, combine with oil. Dioscorides says, B. i. c. 180, that theleavesare bruised and applied with oil to burns.

3144Black cherries, Fée says, bigaroons, and others, with a firm flesh, are the most unwholesome. See B. xv. c. 30.

3145This property. Fée says, is attributed by some, in modern times, not to the flesh, or pericarpus of the cherry, but to the stalks of the fruit.

3146See B. xv. c. 22.

3147See B. xv. c. 23.

3148They are no longer used in medicine, Fée says, but the buds of the pine and fir, the properties of which are analogous, are still used, though not in cases of hæmoptysis.

3149In a rancid state particularly, they would have this effect.

3150Fée thinks that the mixture might be useful in these cases.

3151See B. xv. c. 24.

3152“Hilariorem.” At the present day it is not a decoction of the root, but the fixed oil of the kernels, that is used as a cosmetic; for which purpose it is used with oil of sweet almonds and wax.

3153Their narcotic effect is owing to the prussic, or hydro-cyanic, acid which they contain.

3154Almonds were a favourite food with the monks in the middle ages; not improbably because they tended to dispel the fumes of wine. Almond milk, similar to our custard, was a standing dish at their “charities” and anniversaries.

3155See B. xviii. c.17.

3156They would he of no use whatever in these cases.

3157Otherwise turpentine.

3158See B. xxii. c.71.

3159See Note3154above. Plutarch tells us that Drusus, the brother of Tiberius, one of the greatest drinkers of his time, used almonds for this purpose. Fée will not believe that they have any such preventive effect.

3160Almonds will kill small animals, birds, for instance.

3161They are much more used in modern medicine than bitter almonds.

3162There is some ground, Fée says, for this assertion.

3163See B. xv. c. 24, where Pliny expresses himself at a loss as to their identification.

3164See B. xv. c. 24.

3165Κάρυα, fromκάρος, “heaviness,” orκάρη, the “head.” See Vol. III. p. 316.

3166A mere prejudice, no doubt.

3167The rancidity of the oil which they contain, renders them irritating to the throat and stomach.

3168Fée remarks, that it is difficult to see how this could be done.

3169This statement, as Fée remarks, is quite unfounded.

3170This assertion is also entirely imaginary.

3171“Cortex juglandium.” Fée says that by this term is meant, not the green outer shell, husk, or pericarpus of the walnut, but the bark of the tree.

3172This asserted use of them has not been verified by modern experience.

3173The various receipts for the preparation of this Mithridate or antidote differ very widely; and, indeed, the probability is, as Dr. Heberden says, that Mithridates was as much a stranger to his own antidote, as modern physicians have since been to the medicines daily advertised under their names. Mithridates is said to have so fortified himself against all noxious drugs and poisons, that none would produce any effect when he attempted to destroy himself—a mere fable, no doubt.

3174This, we are told by Galen, was regularly done by the Emperor Marcus Aurelius, De Antid. B. i. c. i.

3175See B. xv. c. 24.

3176An emulsion of them fresh, with honey, might be useful, Fée thinks, in such a case.

3177Either of these additions would certainly neutralize the good effects of the emulsion. The addition of raisin wine, however, is recommended by Dioscorides.

3178See B. xiii. c. 10.

3179They are of no efficacy whatever for such a purpose.

3180See B. xv. c. 25. They are no longer used in medicine, and, as Fée says, it is extremely doubtful if they possess any of the properties here attributed to them.

3181They are still looked upon as very nourishing, as, indeed, is the case with all the feculent fruits.

3182See B. xv. c. 26.

3183They are productive of colic and diarrhœa.

3184See B. xiii. c. 16.

3185See B. xv. c. 31.

3186The juice of the sap would, to all appearance, produce an acetate or oxide of iron.

3187See B. xv. c. 28.

3188All parts of the laurel, the berries in particular, are impregnated with an essential oil with a powerful odour and of an exciting nature. Upon this volatile principle, and nothing else, the whole of its medicinal properties are based.

3189This assertion, Fée says, is no better than fabulous.

3190See Lucan’s Pharsalia, B. ix. ll. 723, 776.

3191See the Pharsalia, B. ix. l. 719.

3192“Irino.” See B. xiii. c. 2.

3193This assertion, Fée says, is untrue.

3194See B. xv. c. 39.

3195All these statements as to the properties of the berries, Fée says, are hypothetical and more than doubtful.

3196The Laurus nobilis of modern botany.

3197A statement, Fée says, that is altogether illusory.

3198Of the berries, Fée thinks.

3199See c.45of this Book; also B. xxvii. c. 13.

3200Fée thinks that this oil, in conjunction with adipose substances, might be useful for the treatment of rheumatic affections.

3201The Ruscus hypophyllum of Linnæus. It is quite inodorous, Fée says, and has no analogous properties whatever with the next-mentioned plant.

3202See B. xv. c. 39.

3203In B. xv. c. 39.

3204The peasantry of France, Fée says, still use as a purgative the berries of the Daphne mezereum, and of the Daphne laureola; and in Aragon and Catalonia, the leaves of the Thymelea are used for a similar purpose. The employment of them, however, is not unattended with danger.

3205A variety with white berries, but which variety it appears impossible to say.

3206See B. xv. c. 37.

3207The leaves and berries are bitter, and rich in volatile oil.

3208This is consistent with fact.

3209A work of some kind, (perhaps a play, if the comic writer, Menander, is the person alluded to) the title of which means “the Women Dining together.” Hardouin, with justice, ridicules the notion of Ortelius that this is the name of some place or town.

3210The astringency communicated by the tannin which they contain would probably make them useful for dysentery; if at the same time, as Fée says, they are not too exciting, by reason of their essential oil.

3211See B. xi. c. 71.

3212“Succus seminis.” Sillig has “succus feminis,” apparently a misprint—the only one that has been met with thus far in his elaborate edition.

3213It might change the colour of the hair, but for a short time only.

3214See B. xv. c. 37.

3215Cerates, or adipose or oleaginous plasters.

3216In reality they have no such effect.

3217“Pterygia.”

3218Fée says here—“Pliny terminates, by a credulity quite unworthy of him, a Chapter, full of false or exaggerated assertions, relative to the properties of the myrtle.”

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