296 pliny's natural ni story. [Book XX. 



region of the uterus, it acts as a diuretic ; and used as a liniment 

 with parsley, upon the lower regions of the abdomen in infants, 

 it has a similar effect. 



CHAP. 95. — fennel: twenty-two remedies. 



Fennel has been rendered famous by the serpent, which 

 tastes it, as already ^^ stated, when it casts its old skin, and 

 sharpens its sight with the juice of this plant : a fact which has 

 led to the conclusion that this juice must be beneficial, also, in a 

 high degree to the human sight. Fennel -juice is gathered when 

 the stem is swelling with the bud ; after which it is dried in 

 the sun and applied as an ointment with honey. This plant 

 is to be found in all parts of the world. The most esteemed 

 preparation from it, is that made in Iberia, from the tear-like 

 drops which exude '^ from the stalk and the seed fresh-ga- 

 thered. The juice is extracted, also, from incisions made in 

 the root at the first germination of the plant. 



CHAP. 96. HiPPOMAKATHKON, OR MYRSINETJM : FIYE REMEDIES. 



There is, also, a wild" variety of fennel, known by some 

 persons as *' hippomarathron," and by others as ''myrsineum;" 

 it has a larger kaf and a more acrid taste than the other kind. 

 It is taller, also, about the thickness of a walking-stick, and 

 has a white root: it grows in warm, but stony localities. 

 Diodes speaks, too, of another''^ variety of hippomarathron, 

 with a long narrow leaf, and a seed like that of coriander. 



The seed of the cultivated fennel is medicinally employed in 

 wine, for the stings of scorpions and serpents, and the juice of 

 it, injected into the ears, has the effect of destroying small 

 worms that breed there. Fennel is employed as an ingredient 

 in nearly all our seasonings,'* vinegar'^ sauces more particu- 

 larly : it is placed also beneath the undercrust of bread. The 



"0 See B. viii. c. 41. This plant is the Anethura feniculuin of Lin- 

 naeus. The seed and roots are still used in medicine, being sudorific, 

 diuretic, and aperitive. 



^1 This resinous juice of fennel is no longer employed, or indeed known, 

 Fee says, to the curious. 



72 "Horse marathrum :" the Cachrys Libanotis of Linnaeus, probably. 



■^3 The Seseli tortuosum of Linnaeus, probably. 



'* It is sometimes used at the present day for condim.ents, as a substitute 

 for anise. Pliny's account of its medicinal virtues, Fee says, is replete with 

 errors. 



76 a Oxyporis :" perhaps " salad-dressings." 



