Chap. 119.] DACTXLOS. 73 



useful for wounds inflicted by dragons." There are some 

 authorities which give the following prescription for the cure 

 of scrofulous sores and inflamed tumours : — From one, two, 

 or three stems, as many as nine joints must be removed, 

 which must then be wrapped in black wool with the grease in 

 it. The party who gathers them must do so fasting, and must 

 tben go, in the same state, to the patient's house while he is 

 from home. When the patient comes in, the other must say to 

 him three times, " I come fasting to bring a remedy to a fast- 

 ing man;" and must then attach the amulet to his person, re- 

 peating the same ceremony three consecutive days. The 

 variety of this plant which has seven*- joints is considered a 

 most excellent amulet for the cure of head-ache. For excru- 

 ciating pains in the bladder, some recommend a decoction of 

 gramen, boiled down in wine to one half, to*be taken imme- 

 diately after the bath. 



CHAP. 119. DACTYIOS; FIVE EEMEDIES. 



There are some authorities who mention three varieties of 

 the pointed gramen. That which has at the extremity five''^ 

 points at the utmost, is called **dactylos." Twisting these 

 points together, persons introduce them into the nostrils and then 

 withdraw them, with the view of preventing haemorrhage. 

 The second kind, which resembles aizoon,** is employed with 

 axle-grease for whitlows and hangnails, and for fleshy excres- 

 cences upon the nails : this also is called *' dactylos," because 

 it is so useful as a remedy for diseases of the fingers. 



The third*' kind, which is also known as " dactylos," is more 

 diminutive, and is found growing upon walls or tiles. It has 

 certain caustic properties, and arrests the progress of serpigi- 

 nous ulcers. By placing a wreath of gramen round the head, 

 bleeding at the nose is stopped. In Babylonia, it is said, the 

 gramen*'^ which grows by the wayside is fatal to camels. 



^^ ** Draconum." A peculiar kind of serpent. See Lucan's Pharsalia, 

 B. ix. 11. 727-8. ^- No such variety is known. 



*•'' Fee is somewhat at a loss as to its identity, but thinks that it may he 

 the Panicum sanguinale of Linnieus, or possibly tlie Cynodon dactyluii. 



^* See B. xix. c. 68, and B. xxv. c. 102. Possibly a Sedura or houseleek, 

 Fee thinks ; certainly not a grass. 



^^ Fee queries whether this may not be the Poa rigida of Linnaeus, hard 

 meadow-grass. 



'^''' i\ji Euphorbia, Fee thinks. 



