Chap. 92.] THE ANAGALLTS. 137 



t^o kinds of it, the male^^ plant, with a red blossom, and the 

 female," with a blue flower. These plants do not exceed a 

 palm in height, and have a tender stem, with diminutive 

 leaves of a rounded form, drooping upon the ground. They 

 grow in gardens and in spots covered with water, the blue 

 anagallis being the first to blossom. The juice^ of either 

 plant, applied with honey, disperses films upon the eyes, 

 suffusions of blood ^^ in those organs resulting from blows, and 

 argema^ with a red tinge : if used in combination with Attic 

 honey, they are still more efficacious. The anagallis has the 

 eflfect also of dilating" the pupil ; hence the eye is anointed 

 with it before the operation of couching^^ for cataract. These 

 plants are employed also for diseases of the eyes in beasts of 

 burden. 



The juice, injected into the nostrils, which are then rinsed 

 with wine, acts as a detergent upon the head : it is taken also, 

 in doses of one drachma, in wine, for wounds inflicted by ser- 

 pents. It is a remarkable fact, that cattle will refuse to touch 

 the female plant ; but if it should so happen that, deceived by 

 the resemblance — the flower being the only distinguishing 

 mark — they have accidentally tasted it, they immediately have 

 recourse, as a remedy, to the plant called " asyla," ^^ but more 

 generally known among us as " ferus oculus.'"^'^ Some persons 

 recommend those who gather it, to prelude by saluting it 

 .before sunrise, and then, before uttering another word, to take 

 care and extract the juice immediately ; if this is done, they 

 say, it will be doubly efficacious. 



As to the juice of euphorbia, we have spoken ^^ of its pro- 

 perties at sufficient length already. In cases of ophthalmia, 



=2 Identified with the Anagallis arvensis of Linnaeus, with a red flower, 

 the Red pimperrfel, Corn pimpernel, or Shepherd's weather-glass. 



^ The Anagallis caeruleo flore of Tournetbrt, the VAne pimpernel. 



^ In reality they are destitute of medicinal properties. It is said, 

 though apparently on no sufficient grounds, that red pimpernel is poisonous 

 to small birds. 



5^ Or " blood-shot eyes." ^^ A disease of the pupil. 



*' Belladonna, a preparation from the Atropa belladonna, is now gene- 

 rally used for this purpose. ^^ " Paracentesis." 



^^ This plant is unknown. Fee suggests that Pliny may have made a 

 mistake, and that the account from which he copies may have been, that 

 when cattle have been stung by the asilus, or gadfly, they have recourse to 

 the Anagallis. ^^ " Savage eye." 



61 In c. 38 of this Book. 



