Chapter 679

1874Identified with the Dentaria enneaphylla of Linnæus, the Nine-leaved tooth-wort.

1875From this remark, Fée is of opinion that he had in view more particularly the Pteris aquilina and the Blechnum spicatum of Linnæus, plants in which the seed is not easily detected.

1876Identified by Fée with the Polypodium filix mas of Linnæus, the Male fern.

1877Dioscorides says ithasa somewhat unpleasant smell, and this is nearer the truth.

1878“Female fern.” Identified by Fée with the Polypodium filix fæmina of Linnæus, Female fern or Pteris aquilina.

1879See B. xviii. c. 59.

1880Fée remarks that root of fern is an undoubted remedy for tapeworm, and that it is worthy of remark that we owe to the ancients the two most efficient anthelmintics known, fern-root, namely, and pomegranate rind.

1881The Femur bubulum has not been identified. C. Bauhin has suggested the Leonurus cardiaca of Linnæus, Motherwort.

1882It has been suggested that this plant is the same as the Lamium, mentioned in B. xxii. c. 16, but Fée is not of that opinion. He identifies the Galeopsis with the Lamium purpureum of Linnæus, the Purple arch-angel, or dead-nettle. Littré gives as its synonym the Scrofularia peregrina of Linnæus, the Foreign figwort.

1883Fée thinks that it may possibly be the Astragalus glaux of Linnæus, or Milk vetch, as originally suggested by Clusius. Littré gives as its synonym the Sennebierra coronopus of Poireau.

1884The “Good milk” plant.

1885See B. xviii. cc. 19, 20.

1886See B. xx. c. 78, where a similar plant is mentioned. Fée identifies this plant with the Glaucium hybridum, or Chelidonium of Linnæus, the Violet-coloured celandine, or horned poppy. Littré gives the Glaucium flavum of Linnæus as its synonym.

1887This is a yellow, acrid, caustic juice; it is no longer used in medicine.

1888The Peony; described in B. xxv. c. 10.

1889See B. xx. c. 25, and B. xxii. c. 2.

1890See B. xxv. c. 10.

1891In reality it is destitute of smell.

1892See B. xxv. c. 10.

1893Or, as Holland says, would “be ready to job out their eyes.”

1894In reality, the peony has no medicinal virtues whatever.

1895“Suppressionibus nocturnis”.

1896Sprengel identifies it with the Santolina maritima, Sea cudwort or cotton-weed. Fée considers its identification as doubtful.

1897Identified by Hardouin and Desfontaines with the Dipsacus pilosus of Linnæus, the Shepherd’s rod, or small white teasel. Fée is doubtful on the subject

1898See B. xxii. c. 18.

1899See B. xxv. c. 28.

1900Identified with the Hordeum murinum of Linnæus, and the same, most probably, as the Mouse barley of B. xxii. c. 65.

1901Whence its name, from the Greekἕλκω, “to draw.”

1902“Swine’s endive.” It is generally identified with the Centaurea nigra of Linnæus; though, as Fée says, on very insufficient grounds, as the black centaury has but little similarity to endive.

1903The “all-bone” plant. Desfontaines identifies it with the Plantago coronopus of Linnæus, the Buckshorn plantain; but Fée prefers the Plantago holostea of Lamarck, the Grass-leaved plantain. Littré names the Holosteum umbellatum. The Plantago albicans of Linnæus has been also mentioned.

1904Because there is no hardness in it.

1905Τὰ γλύκεα.

1906See B. xxiv. c. 68. In B. xvi. c. 92, Fée identifies this plant with the Calcitrapa stellata of Lamarck. He also suggests that it may possibly be the second “Hippophaes,” mentioned in B. xxii. c. 14. Desfontaines identifies it with the Cnicus stellatus, the Star-thistle. Littré gives as its synonym the Centaurea spinosa, Prickly centaury; in accordance with the opinion of M. Fraäs, who admits, however, that the statement that it has neither stem nor flower, would hardly seem to indicate a species of centaury.

1907The Ruscus hypoglossum of Linnæus, the Double tongue.

1908The Hypecoüm procumbens of Linnæus, Horned cummin.

1909Fée thinks that “Idæa herba,” “plant of Ida,” may possibly be one of the synonyms of the Alexandrian laurel. See B. xv. c. 39. Should that identity not hold good, he prefers the Uvularia amplexifolia of Linnæus.

1910See B. xv. cc. 7, 37, and B. xxiii. c. 83.

1911Fée suggests the Corydalis claviculata of Decandolle. Littré mentions the Fumaria capreolata of Linnæus.

1912Or kidney-bean. See B. xxiv. c. 40.

1913Or Gith. See B. xx. c. 71.

1914The Euphorbia lathyris of Linnæus, the Caper plant, or Caper spurge.

1915There is no such resemblance, except that they both contain a milky juice, the properties of which are, however, very different. It is a plant of an energetic and even dangerous nature, and must never be mistaken for the real caper.

1916Mostly thought to be the same plant as the Leontopodium of B. xxvi. c. 34. Littré, however, identifies it with the Evax pygmæus of Linnæus.

1917Probably the Echium Italicum of Linnæus, Italian viper’s tongue.

1918There is no resemblance between the Echium and the lettuce.

1919Identified by Fée and Desfontaines with the Lithospermum officinale of Linnæus, Gremil, gromwell, or stone-crop. Littré mentions the Lithospermum tenuiflorum of Linnæus.

1920“Jove’s wheat,” or the “plant of Hercules.”

1921This description applies to the variety of Gremil, known as the Coix lacryma of Linnæus, Job’s tears, originally an Indian plant; but it may have been known in Italy in Pliny’s time.

1922A poor compliment to Nature, as Fée remarks.

1923It has in reality no medicinal properties to speak of; but its name, “stone seed,” and its appearance, would, of course, ensure its reputation as an efficient cure for calculus.

1924Some kind of lichen, probably, but what in particular it is impossible to say.

1925Ring-worm or tetter.

1926Hardouin says that this herpetic disease is called “cantharides,” because it attacks the body as the cantharis attacks wheat. See B. xviii. c. 44.

1927It would be superfluous to look for sense in this silly formula.

1928Anguillara and C. Bauhin identify it with the Ranunculus thora of Linnæus, and other authorities with the Doronicum pardalianches of Linnæus. Pliny is the only writer that mentions it; and if it really had any existence, it would seem quite impossible, as Fée says, to identify it with correctness.

1929“Venenum cervarium.”

1930See B. xxv. c. 25.

1931“Salivati.” Holland renders this, “A mash wherewith they used to drench cattle.”

1932Identified with the Lamium of B. xxii. c. 16.

1933See B. xxv. c. 18. The resemblance, Fée says, is by no means a striking one.

1934The “white” plant.

1935“White in the middle.”

1936Identified by Fée with the Cerinthe of B. xxi. c. 41. Sprengel, however, considers it to be the Carduus leucographus of Linnæus.

1937Fée identifies it with the Campanula Medium of Linnæus, our Canterbury or Coventry bells; but this flower is blue, while the colour of the Medion is purple. Littré gives the Convolvulus althæoides of Linnæus. Sibthorp has named the Campanula laciniata; and other authorities the Michauxia campanuloïdes.

1938See B. xx. c. 32.

1939“Mouse-ears.” Fée identifies it with the Myosotis Scorpioïdes of Linnæus, Scorpion-grass, or mouse-ear, which is not of a corrosive nature, as Pliny says, but emollient and soothing. Littré names the Asperugo procumbens of Linnæus, Wild bugloss, German madwort, or great goose-grass.

1940Sprengel identifies it with the Alyssum sativum, the Garden madwort; Fée with the Camelina sativa of Crantz, the Cultivated cameline. Littré gives the Neslia paniculata as its synonym.

1941Or “Nigina,” in some editions. It is utterly unknown.

1942Possibly a fabulous plant; though it is generally identified with the Ononis natrix of Linnæus. Poinsinet de Sivry derives its name from the Celto-Germanic words,nat, “night,” andris, “wand;” a name given to it, according to him, for its efficacy in dispelling the illusions of the night.

1943Or “Fauni,” the same as our nightmare.

1944Probably the Euphrasia odontites of Linnæus, the Red eye-bright.

1945“Inter feni genera.”

1946See c. 91 of this Book. There is no resemblance between them.

1947On the contrary, it grows in arid, sterile spots.

1948Hence its name “odontitis,” “tooth-wort.”

1949Its synonym is unknown. Sprengel has identified it with the Tagetes patula of Linnæus, but that is purely an American plant!

1950Probably one of the Borragineæ, Fée thinks, but beyond that he considers it impossible to say. Desfontaines identifies it with the Onosma echioides of Linnæus, the Hairy onosma.

1951See B. xxii. c. 23.

1952If it is the plant above-mentioned, this is incorrect.

1953Fée suggests that it may be identical with the Onopyxos of B. xxi. c. 56. Desfontaines, also, identifies it with the Onopordon acanthium of Linnæus, the Cotton thistle or woolly thistle.

1954Probably the Osyris alba of Linnæus, the Poet’s cassia. Anguillara and Dodonæus have mentioned the Chenopodium scoparia of Linnæus, the Summer cypress, or line-leaved goosefoot, but without any good reason, it is thought. Holland calls it “toad-flax.”

1955“Smegmata.”

1956The “sour” plant. Mostly identified with the Oxalis acetosella of Linnæus, Cuckoo’s meat, three leaved sorrel, or wood-sorrel.

1957“Enterocele.”

1958The “many-flowered” plant. Probably the Ranunculus polyanthemos of Linnæus. See B. xxv. c. 109.

1959The “frog” plant.

1960“Vitiligines”.

1961“Many-seeded.”

1962“Blood plant.”

1963Identified by Fée with the Polygonum aviculare of Linnæus, the Knot-grass.

1964“Many-knotted.” Scribonius says that it received its name, “polygonos,” from its being found everywhere.

1965Or “mountain” plant. Fée considers it to be the same as the second kind above mentioned, and to correspond with the female Polygonos of Dioscorides. He identifies it with the Hippuris vulgaris of Linnæus, Mare’s tail, or female horse-tail; Littré gives the Equisetum pallidum of Bory as its synonym.

1966Identified by Fée with the Ephedra distachya of Linnæus, the Great shrubby horsetail.

1967See B, xix. c. 7.

1968“Scillam pusillam.” Fée considers it to be a squill, the variety with the red root of the Scilla maritima of Linnæus, the Sea-squill. Littré gives as its synonym the Pancratium maritimum of Linnæus, the Sea-daffodil.

1969Probably the Euphorbia peplis of Linnæus; see B. xx. c. 81. It is a strong purgative.

1970“Fig-plant,” “poppy-juice,” and “poppy-froth.” In reference, no doubt, to its milky juice.

1971See the Clymenus, B. xxv. c. 33.

1972In B. xviii. c. 44. It was also called “securidaca.”

1973See B. xx. c. 71.

1974We learn from Galen that it formed an ingredient in the great antidote of Mithridates.

1975Fée thinks that it may possibly be the Polygala vulgaris of Linnæus, the Common milk-wort. Desfontaines mentions the Polygala amara of Linnæus, the Bitter milkwort of the South of Europe; and Littré gives the Polygala venulosa of Sibthorp.

1976See B. xxv. c. 76.

1977The “sinew” plant.

1978Generally identified with the Anthericum or Hemerocallis liliastrum of Linnæus, the Savoy anthericum or Spider’s-wort. M Fräas says, however (Synopsis, p. 288), that that plant has not been found in Greece; and relying upon the description of Dioscorides, he prefers the Lloydia Græca, which grows commonly in Attica, the isles of Greece, and the Peloponnesus, as its synonym. It is found upon elevations of 1500 feet.

1979“White flower.”

1980“White thorn.”

1981Hence its name. See B. viii. c. 41, B. x. c. 95, and B. xi. cc. 24, 28, 29.

1982Most probably the Reseda phyteuma of Linnæus, the Crosswort.

1983See B. xxii. c. 91. Fée thinks that it is two plants, the Cnicus Casabonæ, and the Thelygonum cynocrambe of Linnæus, that are here spoken of. Littré gives the Mercurialis perennis of Linnæus, Dog’s mercury, as its synonym.

1984Linnæus has given to the Fine-leaved water-hemlock the name of Phellandrium aquaticum, but the seeds of that plant are an active poison. It is probable that the Phellandrium, or “Male-cork-plant” of Pliny, still remains unknown.

1985Possibly the Phalaris aquatiea of Linnæus, the Water canary-grass. Littré gives as its synonym, the Phalaris nodosa of Linnæus, Knotted canary-grass. See Beckmann, Hist. Inv. Vol. I. p. 34,Bohn’s Ed.

1986This is an exaggeration; Dioscorides says “millet.”

1987Possibly the plant mentioned in B. xxv. c. 54; though the Aristolochia has not leaves like those of the myrtle.

1988Supposed to be identical with the Polygonos, mentioned above in c. 91.

1989See B. ix. c. 42, and B. xxvi. c. 11. From this passage it would appear that the mæna was preserved in a somewhat similar way to our Sardines.

1990See B. xxvi. c. 11.

1991The reading of this word is very doubtful. It is generally supposed to be the Rheum Rhaponticum of Linnæus, Pontic rhubarb.

1992The shores of the Euxine.

1993See B. xii. c. 25.

1994“Fulvum,” probably, “tawny-coloured,” not white, red, or black; see B. xiv. cc. 11, 18.

1995Possibly the Reseda alba of Linnæus.

1996“Reseda, morbos reseda.” A pun upon the name of the plant, and the verb “resedo.”

1997Like the silly charm itself, “neither head nor tail.”

1998See B. xxvi. c. 27.

1999The Stœchades. See B. iii. c. 11, and B. xxxii. c. 11.

2000See B. xxi. c. 105, and c. 44 of this Book. The black nightshade is neither astringent nor cooling, but a narcotic poison.

2001De Re Med. ii. 33.

2002See B. xix. cc. 48, 62. It is generally identified with the Smyrnium perfoliatum of Linnæus, the Perfoliated alexander.

2003“Anethi” is a preferable reading to “apii,” “parsley.”

2004See B. xxiv. c. 60.

2005See B. xxi. c. 21.

2006See B. xxi. c. 86.

2007See B. xxvi. c. 60.

2008“Fish-sauce.” See B. ix. c. 30, and B. xxxi. c. 43.

2009Possibly the same plant as the Sison of Dioscorides, identified with the Sison amomum of Linnæus, Field hone-wort, or stone-parsley.

2010Identified by Fée with the Sedum Telephium of Linnæus, the Orpine or livelong; by Desfontaines with the Sedum anacampseros, the Ever-green orpine; and by Littré with the Cerinthe aspeva, the Prickly honey-wort.

2011“Vitiligini.”

2012The same plant as the Callitrichos of B. xxv. c. 86.

2013See B. xxii. c. 30.

2014Identified by Fée and Desfontaines with the Thalictrum minus of Linnæus, the Small meadow rue. Littré gives the Thalictrum flavum of Linnæus, the Common meadow rue.

2015In its colour.

2016Fée identifies it with the Thlaspi campestre of Linnæus, the Wild bastard-grass; Littré with the Thlaspi bursa pastoris of Linnæus, Shepherd’s purse, otherwise known as Capsella bursa pastoris. Desfontaines gives as the Thlaspi of Galen, the Cochlearia draba of Linnæus.

2017“Peltarum specie.” The “pelta” was a small, light shield, of various forms, but most commonly, perhaps, that of a crescent.

2018Fromθλάω, “to break.”

2019“Persian mustard.” The Lunaria annua of Linnæus, the Annual moon-wort, honesty, or satin-flower, has been suggested by Sprengel, but its identity is very doubtful.

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