380 pli:n-t's natural HISTOET. [Book XXI. 



is a cure for tooth-ache : a decoction of it is good, too, for 

 defluxions of the eyes,^^ and effaces the scars left by wounds. 

 The Magi have attributed many very wonderful properties to 

 these plants : they recommend it to be gathered at the earliest 

 moment in the year that it is seen, and certain words to be 

 repeated, to the effect that it is being gathered as a remedy for 

 tertian and quartan fevers ; after which the flower must be 

 wrapped up in red cloth and kept in the shade, in order to be 

 attached to the person when wanted. The root of the ane- 

 mone with a scarlet flower, beaten up and applied to the body 

 of any animated being,^^ produces an ulcer there by the agency 

 of its acrid qualities ; hence it is that it is so much employed 

 as a detergent for ulcerous sores. 



CHAP. 95. (24.) — SIX EEMEDIES DERIVED FKOM THE (ENANTHE. 



The cenanthe" is a plant which is found growing upon 

 rocks, has the leaf of the parsnip, and a large root with nu- 

 merous fibres. The stalk of it and the leaves, taken with 

 honey and black wine, facilitate delivery and bring away the 

 after-birth : taken with honey, also, they are a cure for cough, 

 and act as a powerful diuretic. The root of this plant is cura- 

 tive of diseases of the bladder- 



CHAP. 96. (25.) ELEVEX REMEDIES DERIVED PROM THE 



HELICHRYSOS. 



The helichrysos is by some persons called the " chrysan- 

 themon.^** It has small, white branches, with leaves of a 

 whitish colour, similar to those of the abrotonum. The clusters, 

 disposed around it, and glistening like gold in the rays of the 

 sun, are never known to fade ; hence it is that they make 

 chaplets of it for the gods, a custom which was most faithfully 

 observed by Ptolemseus, the king of Egypt. This plant grows 

 in shrubberies : taken in wine, it acts as a diuretic and emme- 

 nagogue, and, in combination with honey, it is employed topi- 

 cally for burns. It is taken also in potions for the stings of 

 serpents, and for pains in the loins; and, with honied wine, it 



12 As Fee remarks, it would be very dangerous to use it. 



^^ " Cuique aniraalium." 



1* The (Enanthe pimpinellifolia of Linnaeus. If taken internally, Fee 

 says, it would tend to aggravate the disease so treated, in a very high 

 degree. ii* See c. 38. Also B. xxvi. c. 55. 



