Chapter 668

147“Cauliculi foliorum primi.”

148“Extrahuntque per fistulas.”

149In B. xvi. c. 74.

150See B. xvi. c. 25. The blossoms of the linden-tree are the only part of it employed in modern medicine. Fée thinks, with Hardouin, that Pliny has here attributed to the linden, or Philyra of the Greeks, the properties which in reality were supposed to belong to the Phillyrea latifolia, a shrub resembling the wild olive. Dioscorides, in his description of its properties, has not fallen into the same error.

151“Ground elder” or “marsh elder;” the Sambucus ebulus of Linnæus, or dwarf elder. The other kind mentioned by Pliny is the Sambucus nigra of Linnæus, or black elder.

152Fée says that though some of the assertions as to its medicinal properties made by Pliny are unfounded, it is still an opinion among the moderns that the leaves of the elder are purgative, the inner bark an emetic and hydragogue, the berries laxative, and the flowers emollient.

153According to Hardouin, this would appear to be the measles; but according to Festus, swellings on the legs were so called. The shingles is probably the malady meant.

154Fée speaks of a decoction of the inner bark as having been recently in vogue for the cure of dropsy.

155This so-called cedar, Fée says, is in reality itself a juniper. The medicinal properties of all the varieties of the juniper are not identical. The essential oil of the leaves acts with a formidable energy upon the human system.

156This is identified by Fée with the Juniperus communis of Lamarck, varietyα, the Juniperus communis of Linnæus.

157Identified by Fée with the Juniperus nana of Willdenow, the Juniperus communis of Lamarck, varietyβ. The Spanish juniper, mentioned in B. xvi. c. 76, he identifies with the Juniperus thurifera of Linnæus.

158Virgil says this of the fumes of the cedar, Georg. III. 414; an additional proof, Fée says, that under the name of “cedrus,” the juniper was really meant. The smoke of the juniper is not known to have the effect upon serpents here described.

159The berries of the juniper contain sugar, mucilage, and a small proportion of essential oil; a rob is prepared from them, Fée says, under the line of “extract of juniper.”

160It is a well-known fact, that juniper berries are diuretic; they impart also to the urine the odour of the violet, a property which is equally possessed by turpentine. All the other properties here attributed to the juniper, are, in Fée’s opinion, either hypothetical or absurd.

161See B. xvi. c. 68.

162Neither this downy substance nor the seeds are now employed for any purpose. The bark of the willow has some strongly-pronounced properties, but all other parts of it are totally inert.

163A kind of manna, Fée says. The other juices here mentioned are secreted from the sap.

164The leaves have no effect whatever as an antaphrodisiac.

165See B. xvi. c. 69.

166The Vitex agnus castus of Linnæus, the tree of chastity.

167The “chaste” tree. It is no longer used in medicine; the fruit has somewhat the flavour of spice, Fée says, and taken internally it would have the converse of an antaphrodisiac effect. The other parts of it are quite inert.

168An Attic festival celebrated yearly in honour of Demeter, which lasted four or five days. It was also celebrated in other parts of Greece.

169The Vitex agnus castus of Lamarck, varietyβ, Elatior.

170The Vitex agnus castus of Linnæus, the type.

171It may possibly, Fée says, have this effect, but the other properties here attributed to it are wholly imaginary.

172Travelling on horseback, probably. A similar superstition is mentioned as to the poplar, in c. 32 of this Book.

173Probably the Erica arborea of Linnæus; see B. xiii. c. 35. It has not, however, a leaf similar to that of rosemary, with the sole exception, Fée says, of the Erica cinerea of Linnæus.

174See B. xiii. c. 37.

175It has no such effect, in reality.

176See B. xvi. c. 69. The kind here alluded to is the Spanish broom, Fée thinks.

177In B. xix. c. 2. Vol. IV. p. 135.

178Iliad, B. ii. l. 135. See B. xix. c. 6, where Pliny states it as his opinion that in this passage Homer is speaking of flax.

179See B. xix. c. 7. Fée thinks that the plant under consideration in this Chapter is the Spanish broom, Genista juncea of Lamarck, the Spartium junceum of Linnæus, a different plant from the Spartum of B. xix. c. 7, the Stipa tenacissima of Linnæus. He is of opinion also, that Homer in the passage referred to alludes, not to flax, but to the Genista juncea. See this question further discussed, in the additional Note at the end of B.xxvii.

180Fée says that the blossoms and seed of the junciform genista and other kinds are of a purgative nature; indeed, one variety has been called the Genista purgans by Lamarck. None of them, however, are so potent in their effects as Pliny in the present passage would lead us to suppose.

181See B. xiii. c. 37, and Note 968; where it is stated that, in Fée’s opinion, several plants were united by the ancients under this one collective name—brooms for instance, heaths, and tamarisks. He thinks, however, that under the name “Myrica,” Pliny may possibly have intended to comprehend the larger heaths and the Tamarix Gallica of Linnæus. M. Fraäs, as Littré states, gives the Tamarix Africana as the probable synonym of the Myrica of Pliny.

182Of this broom-plant of Ameria nothing is known.

183Thiscannotapply to any of the heaths of Europe. The tamarisk grows to a much larger size, and barrels and drinking-vessels are made of the wood.

184“Gravis.” He does not, however, show hisgravityin the present instance.

185In B. xvi. c. 45.

186See B. xiii. c. 37.

187Identified by Fée with the Tamarix Gallica.

188The “brya,” spoken of in B. xiii. c. 37, as growing in Achaia also, the Tamarix orientalis of Delille. Buttherehe implies that it does not produce any fruit when it grows in Egypt.

189“Flower compositions.”

190It may possibly be of some use for this purpose, being of an astringent nature.

191This seems to be the meaning of “Idem cum libeat accendere resolvitur,” though in the French translations it is rendered, “It crumbles into ashes when an attempt is made to kindle it.” Holland seems to have rightly understood the passage, which probably bears reference to some current superstition.

192“Magi.” He probably alludes in this passage to the Magi of the East.

193See B. xvi. cc. 30, 43.

194The cornel, probably. It was looked upon as “infelix,” or ill-omened, because it was sacred to the Deities of the infernal regions.

195See B. xvi. c. 31. If this is the Salix vitellina. Fée says, all that Pliny here states as to its medicinal properties does not merit the slightest attention.

196See B. xii. c. 51. The botanical characteristics, Fée says, and the medicinal properties of the privet, differ essentially from those of the Cypros or Lawsonia inermis. The leaves of the privet are bitter and astringent.

197Fée says, that on reading this passage it is impossible to preserve one’s gravity.

198In B. xvi. c. 62. The ivy is but little used for any of the purposes of modern medicine. It is said by some authorities that a decoction of the leaves will kill vermin, and that the berries are purgative and emetic.

199“Nervis.”

200Fée states that in reality no such similarity exists; but that acetic acid is sometimes developed by the rapid fermentation of the juices of a great number of vegetable substances.

201“Golden fruit.” See B. xvi. c. 62.

202The same substance which he speaks of at the end of this Chapter as the gum of ivy, called “hederine,” Fée says, in modern chemistry. It is a gum resin, mixed with ligneous particles.

203The Cistus pilosus of Linnæus, the wild eglantine, or rock-rose.

204The Cistus salvifolius of Linnæus.

205In B. xxvii cc.31,49,87, and90.

206“Red-berried” or “red-leaved ivy.” See B. xvi. c. 62. This kind, Fée says, appears not to have been identified.

207“Ground-ivy.” See B. xvi. c. 62; Note 2601. M. Fraäs adopts Sprengel’s opinion that it is the Antirrhinum Azarina, the bastard asarum.

208See B. xvi. c. 63.

209“Flower-bearer.”

210In B. xvi. c. 63.

211Sprengel thinks that this is the Clematis viticella, but Fée identifies it with the Clematis vitalba of Linnæus, the climber, or traveller’s joy.

212The leaves of it, Fée says, are of a caustic nature, and have been employed before now by impostors for producing sores on the skin of a frightful appearance, but easily healed.

213In B. xvi. c. 34.

214Sympathies and antipathies existing in plants. See c. 1 of this Book.

215Not a reed, Fée thinks, but some other monocotyledon that has not been identified. See B. xii. c. 48.

216See B. xx. c. 3.

217See B. xvi. c. 66.

218Celsus also speaks of the root of the reed as being efficacious for this purpose, B. v. c. 26.

219Fée says that neither of these last assertions is true.

220See B. xiii. c. 21. It is no longer used in medicine.

221These statements as to the virtues of the ashes of papyrus, Fée says are absurd.

222See B. xii. c. 8. Desfontaines is inclined to identify the tree here spoken of with the Diospyros ebenaster of Kœnig.

223See c. 91 of this Book; the Artemisia dracunculus of Linnæus.

224“Erodentia.” Fée remarks upon the singularity, that with this property attributed to it, it should be recommended for diseases of the eyes.

225The “rose-tree.” Our rose-bay or oleander.

226“Rose-laurel.”

227See B. xvi. c. 33. It is, Fée says, an energetic poison, but as injurious to man as it is to animals.

228See B. xiii. c. 13. The sumach-tree; the Rhus coriaria of Linnæus.

229Identified by Fée with the Coriaria myrtifolia of Linnæus, or myrtle-leaved sumach. It is used in the preparation of leather, Fée says, and is intensely poisonous.

230The sumach-tree.

231Or “mouth-medicine.” See B. xxii. c. 11, and B. xxiii. cc. 58 and 71.

232See B. xxiii. c. 71.

233Or “ros.” See B. xiii. c. 13

234Fée says that this is still done in some parts of Turkey.

235“Asperitati linguæ.”

236“Red rose;” our madder. See B. xix. c. 17. Beckmann is of the opinion that the “sandix” of B. xxxv. c. 12, is our madder, and identical with the Rubia. It is not improbable, however, that in reality it was a mineral. See Beckmann’sHist. Inv.Vol. II. p. 110,Bohn’s Ed.

237Fée says that it does not possess this property.

238Madder has no colouring matter which can produce any effect upon the hair.

239Or “anti-frantic” plant. C. Bauhin identifies it with the Rubia silvestris lævis, or wild madder; Fée is at a loss for its identification, but is inclined to think that it was a species of cultivated madder.

240In B. xix. c. 18. The Gypsophila struthium, or soap-plant, possibly. Its identity is discussed at great length by Beckmann,Hist. Inv.Vol. II. p. 98-102,Bohn’s Ed.

241“Aureum poculum.”

242Desfontaines says that it is the Periploca angustifolia; Fée gives the Apocynum folio subrotundo of C. Bauhin, round leafed dogsbane.

243This is the fact; and hence one of its names “cynanche,” or “dog-strangle.”

244This, Fée says, is the fact. The plant is rich in essential oil, and is consequently a powerful excitant. See B. xix. c. 62.

245In B. xvi. c. 11.

246A gall or fungoid production, or, in some instances, a catkin. Fée says that Pliny has committed an error here in attributing a cachrys to rosemary, the Libanotis stephanomaticos, which, in reality, belongs to the Libanotis canchryphorus or Libanotis prima.

247So called from the Greekβραδύ, “slow,” according to some authorities; by reason of the slowness of its growth.

248Identified by Fée with the Sabina vulgatior of Lobelius, or Juniperus Sabina, varietyβ, of Lamarck.

249The Sabina baceifera of J. Bauhin, the male savin, the type of the plant.

250See Ovid’s Fasti, B. i. l. 341, as to this custom, and Virgil’s “Culex,” l. 403.

251It is still a common notion, though Fée says an ill-founded one, that it produces abortion. Indeed we find Galen stating to the same effect.

252Fée ridicules this notion with considerable zest.

253The Lycopodium selago of Linnæus, upright club-moss, or fir-moss, according to Sprengel. Fée, however, dissents from that opinion, for the Lycopodium, he says, is but some three inches in height, while savin, with which the Selago is here compared, is more than eight or ten feet high. De Théis (Gloss. Botan.) thinks that it must have been a succulent plant; but upon what grounds he bases that conjecture, Fée declares himself at a loss to conjecture.

254Evidently a superstition derived from the Druids.

255Sprengel thinks that it is the Samolus Valerandi of Linnæus, the round-leaved water-pimpernel, and Anguillara identifies it with the Anemone pulsatilla, or pasque-flower. Fée inclines to the opinion that it is the Veronica beccabunga of Linnæus, the brook-lime.

256In B. xiii. c. 20.

257Gum is still used, Fée says, for this purpose.

258It is of no use whatever for burns, or as a diuretic.

259Fée says that it is not different in any way from the gum of other trees.

260Fée remarks, that gum is injurious as a cosmetic.

261Gum is of no use whatever in such a case.

262In B. xiii. c. 19. In speaking there, however, of this gum, the Acacia Nilotica of Linnæus, he makes no mention whatever of Arabia; for which reason Sillig concludes that this passage is corrupt.

263The Onopordum acanthium of Linnæus, the cotton-thistle, or woolly thistle.

264The Mimosa Nilotica of Linnæus; see B. xiii. c. 19. Fée seems inclined to identify the white thorn with the Cratægus oxyacantha of Linnæus, the white hawthorn, or May. In the present passage, however, it is doubtful whether the colours apply to the varieties of gum, or to the trees which produce them. Sillig considers the passage to be corrupt.

265The Prunus spinosa of Linnæus, Fée thinks, the sloe, or black thorn.

266Fée says that the difference in appearance is very considerable between them.

267The leaves containing little or no tannin.

268In India, the bark of the Acacia Arabica is still used for tanning leather.

269This juice, Fée says, obtained from the Prunus spinosa, is known at the present day in commerce by the name of Acacia nostras.

270Fée queries, without sufficient foundation, it would appear, whether he is here speaking of syphilitic affections.

271Fée suggests that this may be the Dipsacus fullonum of Linnæus, the fuller’s thistle.

272See B. xix. c. 18, and c. 58 of this Book.

273In B. xii. c. 52. But in that passage he makes the Aspalathos to beidenticalwith the Erysisceptrum, which he here distinguishes from it. Fée thinks that there can be no identity between the common thorn here mentioned, and the Aspalathos. This latter, as mentioned in B. xii., according to Fée, is the Convolvulus scoparius of Linnæus, the broom bindweed, but Littré says that M. Fraäs has identified it with the Genista acanthoclada.

274See the preceding Note. Fée identifies this Aspalathos with the Spartium villosum of Linnæus, making that of B. xii. c. 52, to be the Lignum Rhodianum of commerce, probably the Convolvulus scoparius of Linnæus.

275The corresponding passage in Dioscorides hasβαρύς, “heavy,”i.e.the most solid in the stem.

276In B. xii. c. 52.

277“Ozænas.”

278The Berberis vulgaris of Linnæus, or barberry, Fée thinks.

279Identified by Fée with the Mespilus pyracantha of Linnæus, the evergreen thorn. It receives its name probably from the redness of its berries, which are the colour of fire.

280Fée considers this to be the Paliurus aculeatus of Decandolle, and not identical with the Paliurus mentioned in B. xiii. c. 33.

281Fée thinks that the copyists have made a mistake in this passage, and that the reading should be “aquifolia,” the same plant that is mentioned afterwards under that name. He identifies them with the Ilex aquifolium, or holly. See B. xvi. cc. 8, 12, where Pliny evidently confounds the holm oak with the holly.

282Dioscorides says, B. i. c. 119, “the branches of therhamnus, it is said, placed at the doors and windows, will avert the spells of sorcerers.” It is not improbable that Pliny, in copying from some other author, has mistaken the one for the other.

283An exaggeration, no doubt. The Cissampelos Pareira of Lamarck, an Indian plant, abounds in mucilage to such an extent, that an infusion of it in water becomes speedily coagulated.

284One would be induced to think that this story is derived from some vague account of the properties of the Boomerang. Although supposed by many to have been the invention of the natives of Australasia, representations of it are found on the sculptures of Nineveh. It is not improbable that Pythagoras may have heard of it from the Magi during his travels in the East. SeeBonomi’s Nineveh, p. 136.

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