BIOLOGICAL BEGINNINGS I I 



for love potions. It is administered in wine or vinegar; they cut little balls 

 of it, as of radishes, and making a string of them hang them up in the 

 smoke over must. 



Of hellebore both root a'nd fruit are useful for the same purposes, — if 

 it is true, as is said, that the people of Anticyra use the fruit as a purge: 

 this fruit contains the well-known drug called sesamodes. 



Various parts of all-heal are also useful, and not all for the same pur- 

 poses; the fruit is used in cases of miscarriage and for disorders of the 

 bladder, while the juice is used in cases of miscarriage and also for sprains 

 and such-like troubles; also for the ears, and to strengthen the voice. The 

 root is used in childbirth, for diseases of women, and for flatulence in beasts 

 of burden. 



Of cyclamen the root is used for suppurating boils; also as a pessary for 

 women and, mixed with honey, for dressing wounds; the juice for purgings 

 of the head. They say also that the root is a good charm for inducing rapid 

 delivery and as a love potion. 



Of 'wild cucumber' (squirting cucumber) the root is used for white 

 leprosy and for mange in sheep. 



Of germander the leaves pounded up in olive-oil are used for fractures 

 and wounds and for spreading sores; the fruit purges bile, and is good 

 also for the eyes; for ulcers in the eye they pound up the leaf in olive-oil 

 before applying it. 



OF ROOTS POSSESSING REMARKABLE TASTE OR SMELL 



The differences between roots are shown in their tastes and in their 

 smells: some are pungent, some bitter, some sweet: some again have a 

 pleasant, others a disagreeable smell. The plant called yellow water-lily is 

 sweet: it grows in lakes and marshy places. It has a large leaf which lies 

 on the water: and it is said that it acts as a styptic if it is pounded up and 

 put on the wound: it is also serviceable in the form of a draught for 

 dysentery. 



Liquorice is also sweet; some indeed simply call it 'sweet root.' It is use- 

 ful against asthma or a dry cough and in general for troubles in the chest: 

 also, administered in honey, for wounds: also it has the property of quench- 

 ing thirst, if one holds it in the mouth. 



These then are sweet: other roots are bitter, and some unpleasant to 

 the taste. 



Aladder has a leaf like ivy, but it is rounder: it grows along the ground 

 like dog's-tooth grass and loves shady spots. It has diuretic properties, 

 wherefore it is used for pains in the loins or hip disease. 



The root of polypody is rough and has suckers like the tentacles of the 

 polyp. It purges downward: and, if one wears it as an amulet, they say 

 that one does not get a polypus. 



