Chapter 669

285“Recubitu” seems preferable to “cubitu.”

286This is very doubtful, Fée says.

287See B. xvi, c. 71.

288See B. xvi. c. 71.

289Blackberries are still used in the country, Fée says, as an astringent medicine, and all here stated that is based upon that property is rational enough. The same cannot, however, be said of the greater part of the other statements in this Chapter.

290See B. xx. cc. 23, 81, and B. xxiii. cc. 12, 18.

291See B. xx. c. 81, B. xxii. c. 13, and B. xxiii. c. 23.

292Cabbage-sprouts. See B. xix. c. 41.

293Or “mouth-medicine.” See B. xxiii. c. 71.

294See B. xxvi. cc.31,49,87, and90.

295The spider called “phalangium” is meant, Fée says. See B. xi. c. 28.

296Astringents.

297“Lapidescunt.”

298The eglantine. See B. xvi. c. 71.

299He alludes to “bedeguar,” a fungous excrescence found on the wild rose-tree, and produced by the insect known as the Cynips rosæ. It is somewhat rough on the exterior, like the outer coat of the chesnut.

300The fruit, Fée says, of the wild eglantine. See B. xxv. c.6.

301Or “dog-bramble.”

302“Dog-strangle,” apparently.

303“Drawn with a string.” Fée thinks that Pliny has confused the account given of this plant with that of the Aglaophotis, mentioned in c. 102 of this Book, and that the Cynosbatos is only a variety of the Rubus or bramble. Other authorities identify it with the Rubus caninus, or with the Rosa sempervirens. Desfontaines thinks that it is the Ribes nigrum, or black currant; and Littré is of opinion that some gooseberry or currant tree is meant.

304See B. xiii. c. 44.

305“Thyrsus.” Fée thinks that the allusion is to the produce of the caper, while Hardouin says that it is the first cynosbatos that he is speaking of. Hardouin is probably right.

306The blossom, perhaps, of the Rubus fruticosus, or blackberry.

307See B. xii. c. 60.

308Fée says that they have no such property, and that the blossoms of the bramble are entirely destitute of any known medicinal qualities. The roots and leaves are somewhat astringent.

309The raspberry; see B. xvi. c. 71.

310There is one variety which is very diminutive, and entirely destitute of thorns, the Rubus Idæus lævis of C. Bauhin, the Rubus Idæus non spinosus of J. Bauhin.

311See B. xvi. c. 71.

312Of the bramble genus.

313In reality, as Fée says, there is no botanical affinity between the Rubus, or bramble, and the Rhamnus.

314Sprengel identifies this plant with the Zizyphus vulgaris of Linnæus, the jujube, and Desfontaines is of the same opinion. Fée, however, takes it to be the Rhamnus saxatilis of Linnæus, the rock buckthorn.

315Identified by some authorities with the Paliurus aculeatus of Decandolles, mentioned in c. 71. Sprengel is in doubt whether it may not be the Rhamnus lycioides of Linnæus.

316Not a characteristic, Fée says, of the genus Rhamnus of modern Botany.

317Or “Lycian” extract. See B. xii. c. 15.

318See B. xii. c. 15. Fée identifies this with the modern Catechu, a decoction from the Acacia catechu, a leguminous plant of the East Indies.

319The Rhamnus lycioides of Linnæus, our buckthorn. The Indian plant from which catechu is extracted is of a similar nature. See B. xii. c. 15.

320This Fée looks upon as an exaggeration.

321See B. xii. c. 15.

322I.e.the choice part of it; see B. xii. c. 15. Catechu is adulterated at the present day with starch and argillaceous earths. As a medicament it is not possessed of a very powerful action.

323“Clavos.”

324This statement is quite correct.

325See B. xiii. c. 20.

326The Penæa sarcocolla is not a thorny tree.

327Fée says that this is not the case. It is no longer used in medicine.

328Or conserve of fruits. An electuary.

329Seed of the sumach. See B. xiii. c. 13.

330“Ground oak.” See B. xiv. c. 19; where it is identified with the Teucrium chamædrys of Linnæus. Littré, however, informs us, that M. Fraäs considers it to be the Teucrium lucidum of Linnæus; because, as we learn from Dioscorides, it grows on rocky places, is a remarkably diminutive shrub, and has a fine odour, all of which are characteristics of the latter plant, and not of the Teucrium chamædrys, commonly known as the dwarf oak or germander.

331An invention attributed to Dædalus, in B. vii. c. 57.

332The Teucrium chamædrys is a bitter plant, which has been successfully used for fever, and it acts as a tonic and vermifuge. Beyond these, it has no medicinal properties whatever.

333See B. xiv. c. 19.

334Or “ground-laurel.” Fée considers this to be identical with the Alexandrian laurel, mentioned in B. xv. c. 39. It is no longer used in medicine, but the roots of a plant of kindred nature, the Ruseus aculeatus, or butcher’s broom, are diuretic.

335Or “ground olive.” See B. xiii. c. 35.

336This, Fée says, is consistent with modern experience; indeed it is drastic to a dangerous extent.

337“Albugines.”

338Or “ground fig.” The Euphorbia chamæsyce, or annual spurge.

339The juices are irritating and acrid, and would in reality be highly dangerous to the eyes.

340Owing to its caustic powers, it really is good for the removal of warts.

341Or “ground-ivy.” See B. xvi. c. 62, and c. 49 of this Book.

342Fée says that this comparison is not strictly correct.

343The “ground-poplar.” See B. xxvi. c.19. Identified with the Tussilago farfara of Linnæus; our colt’s-foot.

344Or “tube”—“infundibulum.” Colt’s-foot is still smoked, either by itself or in conjunction with tobacco. Fée says, however, that to inhale the smoke in the manner here described, would be enough to create a cough if it did not exist before.

345“Ground-pine” or “ground pitch-tree.” Identified by Sprengel with the Stohelina chamæpeuce of Willdenow, a corymbiferous plant of the Isle of Candia.

346“Ground-cypress.” Identified with the Euphorbia cyparissias of Linnæus, the cypress spurge. Taken internally, it is a corrosive poison.

347Or “vine-leek.” The Allium ampeloprason of Linnæus, the great round-headed garlic. It is no longer used in medicine, and all that Pliny states as to its medicinal properties is quite unfounded, Fée says.

348Fée thinks that Pliny has committed an error here, and that the word “marrubii” should be substituted, our “horehound.” He identifies it with the Stachys Germanica of Linnæus, or base horehound; which is more commonly found in the South of Europe than in Germany.

349Or “bed-foot.” The Clinopodium vulgare of Linnæus, our wild basil. It has some useful properties attributed to it; but what Pliny here states respecting it is erroneous.

350This seems to be the meaning of “orbiculato foliorum ambitu.”

351Turner and C. Bauhin identify it with the Gnaphalium Germanicum of Lamarck, and Sprengel with the Polygonum convolvulus of Linnæus. If so, Fée says, the synonym here given by Pliny is erroneous; for the Greek clematis, there can be little doubt, is the Clematis cirrhosa of Linnæus. See the account given of the Gnaphalion in B. xxvii. c. 61.

352All that Pliny states as to its medicinal properties, Fée says, is erroneous.

353Probably the Asclepias nigra of Linnæus, black swallow-wort.

354The Asclepias nigra has no such medicinal effects as those mentioned by Pliny.

355The Vinca major and Vinca minor of Linnæus, the greater and smaller periwinkle. Fée is at a loss to know why it should be called “Egyptian,” as it is a plant of Europe.

356“Laurel-shaped” and “many-cornered.”

357In B. xix. c. 30.

358Fée says that the Dracontion of the Greeks and the Dracunculus of the Latins are identical, being represented in modern Botany by the Arum dracunculus of Linnæus, the common dragon.

359From “draco,” a “dragon” or “serpent.” Fée says, that it is not to its roots, but to its spotted stem, resembling the skin of an adder, that it owes its name.

360“Virus.” Fée says that the Arum dracunculus has a strong, fetid odour, and all parts of it are acrid and caustic, while the Arum colocasia has an agreeable flavour when boiled.

361This, Fée says, is fabulous.

362Though no longer used in medicine, the account here given of the properties of the Arum colocasia is in general correct, a few marvellous details excepted.

363Sillig thinks that there is a lacuna here, and that the name “Cleophantus” should be supplied.

364Fée thinks that, thus employed, it would be more injurious than beneficial. Though Pliny is treating here of the Arum colocasia or Egyptian Arum, he has mingled some few details with it, relative to the Arum dracunculus, a plant endowed with much more energetic properties. See Note 360 above.

365See B. viii. c. 54, as to the use alleged to be made by animals of this plant.

366Fée says that this is very doubtful.

367In c. 91 of this Book. This story is owing merely to its appearance, which somewhat resembles the skin of a serpent.

368“Demonstratum mihi est.”

369Identified by Fée with the Arum Italicum of Lamarck.

370Fée queries whether this may not be the Arum maculatum of Linnæus, wake-robin, cuckoo pint, or lords and ladies.

371Identified by C. Bauhin with the Calla palustris of Linnæus.

372The Arum arisarum of Linnæus, hooded arum or friar’s cowl, a native of the coasts of Barbary and the South of Europe.

373Or “ten thousand leaves.” The Myriophyllum spicatum of Linnæus, according to most authorities, though Fée considers it very doubtful.

374Possibly the Achillea millefolium of Linnæus, our milfoil or yarrow. It is still said to have the property of healing wounds made by edge-tools, for which reason it is known in France as the “carpenter’s plant.”

375This assertion, as Fée remarks, is more than doubtful.

376“Bastard turnip.” Desfontaines identifies it with the Bunium aromaticum; Fée queries whether it may not be the Pimpinella tenuis of Sieber, found in Crete. The Berberis vulgaris has been also suggested.

377Desfontaines identifies it with the Scandix odorata of Linnæus. Hardouin says that it is musk chervil, the Chærophyllum aromaticum of Linnæus, in which he has followed Dodonæus. Fuchsius suggests the Chærophyllum silvestre of Linnæus: Fée expresses himself at a loss to decide.

378Probably the Hedysarum onobrychis of Linnæus, our sainfoin.

379They arevery muchlarger than those of the lentil, in fact. This diversity has caused Fée to express some doubts whether it really is identical with sainfoin. The Polygala officinalis has also been suggested.

380Dalechamps considers these appellations to mean the “virgins’ plant,” and the “plant of beauty.”

381The Cissampelos Pareira, as already stated, abounds in mucilage to such a degree, as to impart a consistency to water, without impairing its transparency. See c. 72 of this Book.

382The reading of this word is doubtful. Hardouin thinks that it is the same as the Minyanthes mentioned in B. xxi. c. 88.

383Fée says that the only cases known of a phænomenon resembling this, are those of the Dictamnus albus, white dittany, which attracts flame momentarily when in flower, and of the Tropæolum majus, or great Indian cress. He thinks, however, that there are some trees so rich in essential oil, that they might possibly ignite as readily as naphtha.

384In B. ii. c. 109.

385Another reading here is “aproxis,” which seems more probable.

386“The work of his own hands,” according to Hesychius.

387“Admiration of man.” It is impossible to say what plant is meant under this name, but the pæony, Pæonia officinalis, has been suggested; also the Tropæolum majus. Desfontaines queries whether it may not be the Cæsalpinia pulcherrima, a native of the East. Some authors, Fée says, have identified it with the “Moly” of Homer.

388So called from Achæmenes, the ancestor of the Persian kings. Fée thinks that it was a variety of the Euphorbia antiquorum, or else a nightshade.

389“Food for the gods.”

390See B. xii. c. 30; also the Introduction to Vol. III.

391“Venerable” or “majestic.”

392“Hard as a diamond.”

393The Spina Ariana is mentioned in B. xii. c. 18.

394See B. xx. c. 65, where a plant is mentioned by this name.

395Dalechamps thinks that an Euphorbia is meant under this name.

396“Serpent-plant.” Fée thinks that a hemlock may possibly be meant, or perhaps the Arum serpentaria; see c. 93 of this Book.

397“Brightness of the sea.” A narcotic plant, Fée thinks, probably a night-shade.

398Hardouin suggests “potamitis,” river-plant.

399It is not impossible that this may in reality be an allusion to the effects of opium, or of hasheesh.

400“Messenger of the gods,” apparently.

401“Laughing leaves.” Possibly, Fée thinks, the Ranunculus philonotis, the Herba Sardoa or Sardonic plant of Virgil, known by some authorities as the Apium risus, or “laughing parsley.” Desfontaines suggests that hemp (prepared in the form ofhasheesh) is meant.

402“Convivial” plant. Desfontaines identifies it with the Areca catechu, which is chewed in India for the benefit of the teeth and stomach, and as a sweetener of the breath.

403“Brother” plant.

404“Bride of Dionysus or Bacchus.”

405“Sun-flower.” Not the plant, however, known to us by that name.

406“Beauty of the sun,” apparently.

407“Mixture of Hermes,” apparently.

408Previously mentioned in this Chapter.

409As Fée remarks, it has been a notion in comparatively recent times, that it is possible to procreate children of either sex at pleasure.

410The “bashful” plant. An Acacia, Fée thinks; see B. xiii. c. 19. The Mimosa casta, pudica, and sensitiva, have similar properties: the Sensitive Plant is well known in this country.

411Fée queries whether this may not be the Silene muscipula of Linnæus, the fly-trap.

412The “wine-tamer.”

413Hardouin thinks that he alludes to the Grammarian Apion. Dalechamps thinks that it is either Apion or Apollodorus.

414The “returning” plant. Fée says that the Sedum Telephium of Linnæus, or orpine, is called in the dictionaries by this name. He queries whether it may not be the Sedum anacampseros, or evergreen orpine, as Hesychius says that it continues to live after being taken up from the earth; a peculiarity, to some extent, of the house-leek.

415He probably alludes to his remarks upon Magic, in Books xxix. and xxx.

416Fromἔριφος, a “kid.” Ruellius has attempted to identify this plant with one of the Ranunculaceæ; but there is little doubt, as Fée says, that both plant and insect are imaginary.

417“Herba lanaria.” See B. xix. c. 18.

418Hardouin identifies it with the Ulva lactuca of Linnæus; but that plant, Fée says, contains no milky juice, and does not act as an emetic. One of the Euphorbiaceæ is probably meant.

419“Military” plant. Hardouin identifies it with the Achillea millefolium of Linnæus, mentioned in c. 95 of this Book. Fée, however, does not recognize the identity.

420“Soldier” plant. Cæsalpinus identifies it with the Salvinia natans; but Fée thinks, with Sprengel, that it is the Pistia stratiotes of Linnæus, great duckweed or pondweed.

421“Always living.” See B. xix. c. 58.

422It is pretty clear that in relating this absurdity he is not speaking of one plant solely, but of any plant which may chance to grow on the head of a statue. Numerous mosses grow upon marble; and statues are gradually covered, Fée says, with the Byssus antiquitatis.

423“Tongue” plant. Fée identifies it with the Scolopendrium officinarum of Willdenow, the Lingua cervina of other botanists. See B. xxv. c. 84.

424In B. xiv. c. 3.

425Or “vine-supporting.”

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