Chap. 59.] HIERABOTAXE. 121 



Henbane, pounded with the leaves on, is taken in wine, for 

 the sting of the asp in particukir. 



CHAr. 59. HIERABOTANE, PERISTEREOX, OR VERBENACA ; TWO 



YAKIETIES OF IT I TEN EEMEDIES. 



But among the Eomans there is no plant that enjoys a more 

 extended renown than hierabotane,^^ known to some persons 

 as *' peristereon,"^^ and among us more generally as '* verbe- 

 naca."^ It is this plant that we have already ^^ mentioned as 

 being borne in the hands of envoys when treating with the 

 enemy, with this that the table of Jupiter is cleansed,^- with 

 this that houses are pui'ified and due expiation made. There 

 are two varieties of it : the one that is thickly covered with 

 leaves^^ is thought to be the female plant ; that with fewer 

 leaves,^ the male. Both kinds have numerous thin branches, 

 a cubit in length, and of an angular form. The leaves are 

 smaller than those of the quercus, and narrower, with larger 

 indentations. The flower is of a grey colour, and the root 

 is long and thin. This plant is to be found growing every- 

 where, in level humid localities. Some persons make no 

 distinction between these two varieties, and look upon them as 

 identical, from the circumstance of their being productive of 

 precisely similar effects. 



The people in the Gallic provinces make use of them both for 

 soothsaying purposes, and for the prediction of future events ; 

 but it is the magicians more particularly that give utterance to 

 such ridiculous follies in reference to this plant. Persons, they 

 tell us, if they rub themselves with it will be sure to gain the 

 object of their desires ; and they assure us that it keeps away 

 fevers, conciliates friendship, and is a cure for every possible 

 disease ; they say, too, that it must be gathered about the 

 rising of the Dog-star — but so as not to be shone upon by sun 

 or moon — and that honey-combs and honey must be first pre- 

 sented to the earth by way of expiation. They tell us also 



« " Holy plant." « " Pigeon plant." 



^ Our "vervain." It was much used in philtres, and was as highly 

 esteemed as the mistletoe by the people of Gaul. It is no longer used in 

 medicine. ^^ In B, xxii. c. 3. 



=2 On the occasion of the Feasts of Jupiter in the Capitol, prepared by 

 the Septemviri. 



■^^ The Verbena supina of Linnaeus, Recumbent vervain. 



^ The Verbena officinalis of Linnaeus, Vervain or holy plant. 



