Chapter 678

1731Also calledἀκόνη.

1732Generally identified with the Salvia argentea of Linnæus, Silver sage, or else with the Salvia Æthiopis, Woolly sage. It must not be confounded with the plant of the same name mentioned in B. xxiv c. 102.

1733See B. xxv. c. 73.

1734See c. 16 of this Book.

1735“Not growing old.” It is identified by Fée and Desfontaines with the Achillæa ageratum of Linnæus, Sweet milfoil or Maudlin. Littré gives as its synonym, the Hypericum origanifolium.

1736See B. xx. c. 67.

1737The ancients probably included under this name several distinct species of the aloe. They were well acquainted, Fée says, with the Indian aloe, but probably not with that of Africa. As described by Pliny, he identifies it with the Aloe perfoliata of Linnæus: Desfontaines gives the Aloe umbellata.

1738See B. xxi. c. 68.

1739“Asia.”

1740See B. xxv. c. 102. The aloe is still grown in large wooden vessels, in this country, at least; but only as an ornament.

1741He alludes to the bitumen of Judæa, much used by the Egyptians for the purposes of embalmment.

1742He is speaking of the prepared aloes of commerce.

1743It is still used for this purpose.

1744There is no foundation, Fée says, for this statement.

1745It would appear that it is still employed in India for this purpose, but it is no longer used in Europe.

1746Identified by Fée with the Malva alcea of Linnæus, the Vervain mallow, an emollient and, comparatively, inert plant. Littré gives as its synonym the Malope malachoïdes, Marsh mallow. Sibthorp identifies it with the Hibiscus trionum, and Anguillara with the Althæa cannabina of Linnæus. It is probably the same plant as the Alcima, mentioned several times in B. xxvi.

1747See B. xxv. c. 59.

1748Identified with the Globularia alypum of Linnæus, the Three-toothed leaf Globularia, or Turbith.

1749Identified by Sprengel with the Cerastium aquaticum, and by other authorities with the Alsine media of Linnæus, the Common chickweed. Desfontaines suggests the Stellaria nemorum, the Broadleaved stitchwort, but Fée prefers the Parietaria Cretica of Linnæus, Cretan pellitory, as its synonym.

1750“Mouse-ear.”

1751From the Greekἄλσος, a “grove.”

1752In c. 80 of this Book.

1753The Parietaria officinalis; see B. xxii. c. 19.

1754He has previously stated that it grows in the woods. The fact is, M. Fraäs says, that it grows equally upon garden walls, heaps of rubbish, in plains, upon shady rocks, and upon mountains, below an elevation of 15OO feet.

1755Generally supposed not to be a vegetable production, but a Madrepore. Fée identifies it with the Madrepora acetabulum of Linnæus

1756“Man’s blood.” Identified by Sprengel with the Hypericum montanum, and by Sibthorp and Fée with the Hypericum perforatum, of Linnæus, Perforated tutsan or St. John’s wort.

1757See B. xxvi cc. 53, 54

1758Identified with the Ambrosia maritima of Linnæus, the Sea ambrosia.

1759The “cluster” plant. It still figures in the Materia Medica. See B. xxv. c. 36, and c. 31 of this Book.

1760See B. xxi. c. 58.

1761“Dispelling lassitude.” Identified with the Anagyris fœtida of Linnæus, the Stinking bean trefoil. It is a purgative, and its seeds are emetic.

1762See B. viii. c. 41, B. x. c. 95, B. xi. cc. 24, 28.

1763It has not been identified, Pliny being the only author that has mentioned it. The Ajuga pyramidalis of Linnæus, and the Ajura iva have been suggested.

1764“Anonymos,” or “nameless.”

1765See B. xviii. c. 44, and B. xxiv. c. 116. It is identified with the Galium Aparine of Linnæus, Ladies’ bedstraw, Cleavers, goosegrass, hariff, or catch weed. Its medicinal properties are next to nothing.

1766“Navel-fruit.”

1767“Man-loving.” See B. xxiv. c. 116.

1768See Note 53 above.

1769Brotero and Linnæus identify it with the Arctium lappa of Linnæus, the Burdock or clot-burr: Sibthorp with the Conyza Candida, the White fleabane: others, again, with the Celsia arcturus of Linnæus, and Sprengel with the Verbascum ferrugineum of Linnæus, the Ferruginous mullein; between which two last, Fée is unable to decide.

1770See B. xxv. c. 73.

1771So called from its supposed property of consuming the spleen. It is generally identified with the Asplenium ceterach of Linnæus, Spleenwort, or miltwaste. The Asplenium hemionitis of Linnæus, Mule’s fern, and the Asplenium scolopendrium of Linnæus, Hart’s tongue, have also been suggested; but Fée prefers the first-named plant.

1772The “mule’s plant.” These animals were said to be very fond of it.

1773This is incorrect: the Ceterach has a large quantity of seed, but it is concealed beneath a kind of downy substance.

1774Possibly the Asclepias vincetoxicum of Linnæus, the Common white-flower swallow-wort; though Fée considers it somewhat doubtful.

1775Those of Swallow-wort have no such resemblance.

1776See B. xviii. c. 44.

1777Desfontaines suggests the Inula bubonium, but Fée adopts the opinion of Jussieu and Sprengel, that it is the Aster amellus of Linnæus, the Italian starwort. It is probably the same plant as the Inguinalis, mentioned in B. xxvi. c. 59.

1778Identified by Fée and Desfontaines with the Hypericum androsæmum of Linnæus, the Common tutsan, or Park leaves. Littré gives as the synonym the Hypericum perforatum of Linnæus, the Perforated St. John’s wort; which last is also preferred by Sprengel. Fuchsius and Mathioli think that it is the Hypericum montanum of Linnæus.

1779See B. xxvi. c. 53.

1780It is considered to be identical with the Ascyron.

1781“Man’s blood.” See c. 10 of this Book.

1782Different probably from the plant of a similar name mentioned in B. xxi. cc. 52, 59. Fée identifies it with the Vetch, mentioned in B. xviii. c. 37. Littré gives as its synonym the Vicia cracca of Linnæus, the Tufted vetch, and Desfontaines the Lathyrus aphaca, the Yellow vetchling, or bindweed.

1783Fée considers it to be the same plant as the Anchusa or Archebion, mentioned in B. xxii. c. 25. Desfontaines identifies the Alcibium with the Echium rubrum of Linnæus. Holland observes here that Pliny “hath here forgotten himself.”

1784“Cock’s comb.” The Rhinanthus crista galli of Linnæus, Yellow rattle, or cock’s comb.

1785“Crest” or “Comb.”

1786Identified by Desfontaines with the Symphytum officinale, or Great comfrey. Fée, however, considers it to be the Coris Monspeliensis of Linnæus, Montpellier coris. Lobel identifies it with the Prunella vulgaris of Linnæus, Common self-heal, and Cæsalpinus with the Hyssopus officinalis of Linnæus. See B. xxvi. c. 26.

1787Fée reiterates his assertion here that this “rock” symphytum is a totally different plant from the Symphytum officinale, or Comfrey, though they appear to have been generally considered as identical by Scribonius Largus, Plinius Valerianus, Apuleius, and other writers.

1788See B. xxvi. c. 26.

1789This account of its medicinal properties applies properly to the Symphytum officinale, or Great comfrey, a plant which would appear to have been confounded by Pliny with the Alum, if Fée is right in his conjecture.

1790Hence its Latin name “consolida,” and its French name “consoude.” Fée says that Comfrey still figures in the French Materia Medica, and that the lower classes use it in most of the cases mentioned by Pliny; he states also, that it is destitute of energetic properties, in a medicinal point of view.

1791Σύμφυτον, “consolidating.”

1792See B. xiii. c. 48, and B. xxvi. c. 66.

1793The Actæa spicata of Linnæus, Herb-christopher or bane-berries, is mentioned by Desfontaines; but Fée is inclined to identify it with the Sambucus ebulus of Linnæus, the Dwarf elder, wall-wort, or dane-wort.

1794See B. xxiii. c. 14.

1795In B. xxi. cc. 33, 38.

1796The Artemisia Santonica of Linnæus, Tartarian southernwood.

1797The Artemisia Pontica of Linnæus, Little wormwood, or Roman wormwood.

1798See B. xi. c. 75.

1799The Artemisia absinthium of Linnæus, Common wormwood.

1800Upon which occasion a sacrifice was offered on the Alban Mount. See further as to this Festival, in B. iii. c. 2.

1801In B. xiv. c. 19. Wine of wormwood is still used medicinally.

1802“Dilutum.” An infusion.

1803It contains a small quantity of essential oil.

1804See B. xx. c. 18.

1805See B. xviii. c. 14.

1806See B. xxi. c. 19.

1807See B. xxii. c. 30.

1808“Puls.” See B. xviii. c. 19.

1809From a passage in Scribonius Largus, c. 191, it has been concluded that by the word “visco,” he means the juice of the Ixias or Chamæleon, mentioned in B. xxii. c. 21.

1810See B. ix. c. 43, and B. xxxii. c. 53.

1811This, Fée observes, is not the case.

1812The Artemisia maritima of Linnæus, Sea wormwood: see B. xxxii. c. 31

1813The Ballota nigra of Linnæus, the Fetid ballota, or Stinking black horehound; see B. xx. c. 89.

1814He is in error here, as the word “melamprasion” means “black horehound.” “Black leek” would be “melamprason.”

1815“Horehound,” properly. The Ballota is of a stimulating nature, and contains a considerable quantity of essential oil.

1816The Chenopodium botrys of Linnæus, Cut-leaved goose foot, or oak of Jerusalem. See B. xxv. c. 36, and c. 11 of this Book.

1817There is no such resemblance. The name “botrys” was given to the plant from the little clusters formed by the blossoms.

1818Identified by Fée with the Prunus domestica of Linnæus, var.β, or Damascena, the Damascene plum or damson. Desfontaines considers it to be the Prunus instititia, the Bullace plum. Holland mentions in a Note, “Bullois, skegs, or such like wild plums.”

1819The Ulva lactuca of Linnæus, Lettuce laver; see B. xiii. c. 49, B. xxiv. c. 17, and B. xxxii. c. 36.

1820He probably says this in reference to the opinion expressed by Theophrastus, Hist. iv. 7, that it was a name for sea-weed in general, and not a specific plant.

1821In reality, it is destitute of medicinal properties. Some kinds of laver are considered a dainty food.

1822See B. xxii. c. 35.

1823See B. xx. c. 67.

1824Dioscorides speaks of two kinds of Catanance; one of which has been identified by Sprengel with the Ornithopus compressus of Linnæus, and the other with the Astragalus pugniformis. Fée expresses his doubts as to the correctness of these conclusions.

1825“As if it would catch women, and hold them fast perforce.”—Holland.It has been suggested that the Coronopus, or “crow’s foot,” mentioned in B. xxi. c. 59, was so called for a similar reason.

1826Prosper Alpinus identifies it with the Plantago Cretica of Linnæus, and Sprengel with the Micropus erectus of Linnæus. Fée considers it to be the Gnaphalium leontopodium of Lamarck.

1827Other readings are “calsa,” and “calla;” but “calyx” is supported by the text of Dioscorides, B. iv. c. 23. The first kind has been generally identified with the Arum arisarum of Linnæus, Hooded arum, or Monk’s hood, and is identical probably with the Aris aros of B. xxiv. c. 94.

1828See B. xxiv. c. 93.

1829Probably the Anchusa tinctoria of Linnæus, Dyer’s alkanet. See B. xxii. c. 23.

1830“Flore polentæ.” See B. xviii. c. 14.

1831Sprengel identifies it with the Asclepias nigra, Black swallow-wort, but Fée considers it to be the Circæa Lutetiana of Linnæus, Parisian circæa, or enchanter’s nightshade. Other authorities have suggested the Capsicum annuum of Linnæus, Indian or Guinea pepper, and the Celosia margaritacea of Linnæus, Pearly celosia, or cock’s comb. M. Fraäs suggests, though with some doubt, the Cynanchum Monspeliacum, the Montpellier dog’s-bane.

1832See B. xxi. c. 105.

1833Identified with the Carduus parviflorus of Linnæus, the Small-flowered thistle.

1834See B. xxv. c. 40.

1835Identified by Fée and Desfontaines with the Polygonum persicaria of Linnæus, the Spotted persicaria, red-shanks, fleawort, or lakeweed. Littré gives the Crucianella Monspeliaca of Linnæus, Montpellier petty madder.

1836Hence its name, signifying that it strengthens the generative powers.

1837See B. xxvi. c. 91.

1838See B. xxiv. c. 72. Littré remarks that Pliny is in error here, for that the Cratægos of Theophrastus is the Cratægos azarolia of Linnæus, the Parsley-leaved hawthorn, while the Aquifolia of Pliny is the Holly. As to the latter point, see B. xvi. cc. 8, 12.

1839Hist. Plant. B. iii. c. 15.

1840Desfontaines identifies it with the Centaurea crocodileum of Linnæus, and Littré with the Carduus pycnocephalus of Linnæus. Ruellius considers it to be the same plant as the Leucacantha of Dioscorides; which Sprengel identifies with the Cnicus Casabonæ. Fée expresses himself at a loss as to its identity.

1841See B. xxii. c. 21.

1842“Dog’s testicle.” Considered to be a synonym merely of the Orchis, mentioned in B. xxvi. c. 62.

1843This comparison is totally incorrect.

1844See B. xxvi. c. 62.

1845Or onions.

1846A tissue of groundless superstitions.

1847“Golden vegetable.” Supposed to be identical with the Atriplex of B. xx. c. 38, our Orage.

1848Cultivated orage, probably.

1849“Earth rennet.” This plant has not been identified. Lobelius has made aguessat the Serapias abortiva of Linnæus, the Helleborine. It is pretty clear that it was unknown to Pliny himself.

1850The same, probably, as the Trychnon of B. xxi. cc. 52, 105, Solanum nigrum or Black nightshade. In the former editions the reading is “cuculus.”

1851The “strumous” or “scrofula” plant.

1852Possibly the Conferva rivularis, or the C. glomerata of Linnæus, the River conferva or River sponge, or the Green cluster conferva.

1853On account of its asserted agglutinative properties. In reality it is an inert plant, and is never used in medicine.

1854Fée considers this statement as fabulous in every respect.

1855See B. xiii. c. 35.

1856“Coccus.” See B. xvi. c. 12.

1857This is not the case. Sillig is of opinion that the passage is imperfect.

1858The same plant as the Labrum Venereum of B. xxv. c. 108. It is used for carding cloth, but is no longer employed in medicine.

1859Hence its name “Venus’ bath.”

1860“Collyrii.”

1861The same plant, probably, as the Polypodion of B. xxvi. c. 37. Littré, however, identifies it with the Asplenium adiantum nigrum of Linnæus, the Black maiden-hair, or spleenwort.

1862It is the root that is sweet, andnotthe leaves.

1863It has no such properties.

1864The “oak-killer.” Fée thinks that it may possibly be the Convallaria uniflora of Linnæus. Desfontaines names the Cochlearia draba and Littré the Lepidium draba of Linnæus.

1865See B. xv. cc. 7, 37, and B. xxiii. c. 83.

1866Desfontaines and Fée identify it with the Antirrhinum spurium of Linnæus, Bastard toad-flax, calves’ snout, or snapdragon. Littré gives the Linaria Græca as its synonym.

1867See B. xxii. c. 19.

1868See B. xviii. c. 14.

1869Fée, with Sprengel, identifies it with the Salsola polychlonos of Linnæus, Branchy saltwort or glasswort; Bauhin with the Passerina polygalifolia. The Crithmum maritimum of Linnæus, Sea samphire, has been suggested by Desfontaines. Littré gives the Frankenia pulverulenta of Linnæus. Holland suggests Saxifrage.

1870“Calculus-breaking.”

1871See B. xiii. c. 35.

1872Sprengel suggests the Marsilea quadrifolia of Linnæus; Columna the Botrychium lunaria of Linnæus; G. Bauhin the Ornithogalum Narbonense of Linnæus, Narbonese star of Bethlehem; and Talius the Caltha palustris of Linnæus, the Marsh marigold. Fée considers its identification impossible.

1873Because it was said to be a cause of sterility.

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