Chap 57.] CRETACEOUS EABTHS. 299 



in the sun ; after which, they are again triturated in water, 

 and left to settle : this done, they are divided into tablets. 

 They are usually boiled in earthen vessels, which are well 

 shaken every now and then. 



CHAP. 56. — CHiAN earth; three remedies, seltnusian earth; 



THREE REMEDIES. PNIGITIS; NINE REMEDIES. AMPELITIS; EOUE 

 REMEDIES. 



Among the medicinal substances, there is the white earth of 

 Chios also, the properties of which are the same as those of 

 Samian earth. It is used more particularly as a cosmetic for 

 the skin of females; the Selinusian^^ earth being also employed 

 for a similar purpose. This last is of a milk-white colour, 

 and melts very rapidly in water : dissolved in milk, it is em- 

 ployed for whitening the plaster coats on walls. Pnigitis^^ is 

 very similar to Eretrian earth, only that it is found in larger 

 masses, and is of a glutinous consistency. Its effects are 

 similar to those produced by Cimolian^* earth, but are not so 

 energetic. 



Ampelitis^^ is an earth which bears a strong resemblance to 

 bitumen. The test of its goodness is its dissolving in oil, like 

 wax, and preserving its black colour when submitted to the 

 action of fire. Its properties are emollient and repercussive ; 

 for which reason, it is used in medicinal compositions, those 

 known as '' calliblephara,"^^ more particularly, and in prepara- 

 tions for dyeing the hair. 



CHAP. 57. (17.) — cretaceous earths USED FOR SCOURING CLOTH. 

 CIMOLIAN EARTH ; NINE REMEDIES. SARDINIAN EARTH. UM- 

 BRIAN EARTH. SAXUM. 



Of cretaceous^^ earths there are several varieties ; and among 



'* It appears to be a matter of doubt whether it was found at Selinus, 

 in Sicily, or the place of that name in Cilicia. See B. iii. c. 14, and B. v. 

 c. 22, ^ , 



35 Agricola is of opinion that this earth had its name from the place 

 called Pnigeum, in the Libyan Mareotis. Other commentators would have 

 it to be derived from Trviyo, " to suffocate," such being its effect if taken 

 internally. ^^ See the next Chapter. 



37 So called from a/iTreXoc, a " vine ;" either because it was applied to 

 vines to kill the insects, or because its admixture with the soil was favour- 

 able to the cultivation of the vine. 



38 " Washes for beautifying the eye-brows." See B. xxi. c. 73, B. xxiii. 

 0. 51, and B. xxxiii. c. 34. 



39 Cimolian earth, known in modern chemistry as Cimolite, is not a 



