Chap. 36.] THE TRAGION. 201 



other respects, which is very similar to the partitions of the 

 cells in the honeycomb, is much the same in all. Of those 

 that have a kernel there are five kinds, the sweet, the acrid, 

 the mixed, the acid, and the vinous : those of Samos and 

 Egypt are distinguished into those with red, and those with 

 white foliage. 82 The skin, while the fruit is yet sour, is held 

 in high esteem for tanning leather. The flower of this tree is 

 known by the name of " balaustium," and is very useful for 

 medicinal purposes ; 83 also for dyeing cloths a colour which 

 from it has derived its name. 85 



CHAP. 35. (20.) THE TREES OF ASIA AND GEEECE ; THE EPIPACTIS, 



THE ERICA, THE CNIDIAN GRAIN OR THYMEL^A, PYROSACHNE, 

 CNESTRON, OR CNEORON. 



In Asia and Greece are produced the following shrubs, the 

 epipactis, 86 by some known as " elleborine," the leaves of 

 which are of small size, and when taken in drink, are an 

 antidote against poison ; just in the same way that those of 

 the erica 87 are a specific against the sting of the serpent. 



(21.) Here is also found another shrub, upon which grows 

 the grain of Cnidos, 8S by some known as " linum ; " the name 

 of the shrub itself being thymelsea, 89 while others, again, call it 

 " chamelsea, 90 others pyrosachne, others cnestron, and others 

 cneorum ; it bears a strong resemblance to the wild olive, but 

 has a narrow leaf, which has a gummy taste in the mouth. 

 The shrub is of about the size of the myrtle ; its seed is of the 

 same colour and appearance, but is solely used for medicinal 

 purposes. 



CHAP. 36. THE TRAGION : TRAGACANTHE. 



The island of Crete is the only place that produces the 



82 See B. xxiii. c. 57. 83 See B. xxiii. c. 60. 



85 " Puniceus," namely, a kind of purple. 



86 See B. xxvii. c. 52. Sprengel thinks that this is the Neottia spiralis 

 cf Schwartz; but Fee is of opinion that it has not hitherto been identified. 



87 Probably the Erica arborea of Linnaeus, or " heath " in its several 

 varieties. 



88 Granum Cnidium. The shrub is the Daphne Cnidium of Linnaeus. 



89 The "thyme-olive.". 



90 The "ground olive," or " small olive." Dioscorides makes a dis- 

 tinction between these two last ; and Sprengel has followed it, naming the 

 last Daphne Cnidium, and the first Daphne Cneorum. 



