298 PLINY's NATURAJi HISTOBT. [Book XX, 



Hempseed,*'^ it is said, renders men impotent : the juice of 

 this seed will extract worms from the ears, or any insect 

 which may have entered them, though at the cost of producing 

 head-ache. The virtues of hemp, it is said, are so great, that 

 an infusion of it in water will cause it to coagulate :^ hence it 

 is, that if taken in water^ it will arrest looseness in beasts of 

 burden. A decoction of the root in water, relaxes contractions 

 of the joints, and cures gout and similar maladies. It is ap- 

 plied raw to burns, but it must be frequently changed, so as 

 not to let it dry. 



CHAP. 98. FENNEL-GIANT *. EIGHT HEMEDIES. 



Fennel-giant^ has a seed similar to that of dill. Thai 

 which has a single stem, bifurcated^ at the top, is generall}- 

 thought to be the female plant. The stalks of it are eaten 

 boiled ;" and, pickled in brine and honey, they are recom- 

 mended as particularly beneficial to the stomach f^ if taken, 

 however, in too large quantities, they are apt to produce 

 head-ache. The root of it in doses of one denarius to twc 

 cyathi of wine, is used in drink for the stings of serpents, and 

 the root itself is applied topically for the same purpose, as 

 also for the cure of gripings of the stomach. Taken in oil 

 and vinegar, it is used as a check for excessive perspirations, 

 in fevers even. The inspissated juice of fennel- giant, taker 

 in quantities the size of a bean, acts as a purgative f^ and the 

 pith^" of it is good for the uterus, as well as all the maladies 

 previously mentioned. To arrest haemorrhage, ten of the 

 seeds are taken in drink, bruised in wine, or else with the 



63 He is speaking of the hemp marsh-mallow here, and not the real 

 hemp ; thougli at the same time he mingles with his statement severa. 

 facts which are stated hy Dioscorides with reference to the genuine hemp. 

 See B. xix. c. 56. 



** This is evidently stated in reference to the hemp-mallow. 



®^ For an account of the Ferula, see B. xiii. c. 42. 



.^ An accidental circumstance, Fee says, and no distinctive mark of ses 

 or species. 



>^'' Fee thinks that Pliny's meaning is, that it is eaten as a confection, 

 similar to those of angelica and parsley stalks at the present day. That, 

 however, would hardly appear to be the sense of the passage. In B. xix. 

 c. 56, he speaks of it being dried and used as a seasoning. 



s** Fennel-giant is considered to be a good stomachic. 



^^ This, Fee tliinks, is jjrobably the fact. 



^" The pith, in reality, of the TJmbclliferae, is insipid and inert. 



