142 PLINY'3 NATUEAL HISTOET. [Book XXV. 



eye from time to time, it removes the disease called " plum- 

 bum,"®^ which affects that organ. 



CHAP. 98. THE FIBST KIND OF CAPNOS, KNOWN ALSO AS CHICKEn's 



FOOT : ONE EEMEDT. 



The first kind of capnos,^^ known also as ''chicken's foot,"^^ is 

 found growing on walls and hedges: it has very thin, 

 straggling branches, with a purple blossom. It is used in a 

 green state, and the juice of it disperses films upon the eyes ; 

 hence it is that it is employed as an ingredient in medicinal 

 compositions for the eyes. 



CHAP. 99. THE AEBOEESCENT CAPNOS : THEEE EEMEDIES. 



There is another kind®^ of capnos also, similar both in name 

 and properties, but different in appearance. It is a branchy 

 plant, is extremely delicate, has leaves like those of coriander, 

 is of an ashy colour, and bears a purple flower : it grows in 

 gardens, and amid crops of barley. Employed in the form of 

 an ointment for the eyes, it improves the sight, producing 

 tears in the same way that smoke does, to which, in fact, it 

 owes its name. It has the effect also of preventing the eye- 

 lashes, when pulled out, from growing again. 



CHAP. 100. THE ACOEON OE AGEION I F0X7ETEEN EEMEDIES. 



The acoron^^ has leaves similar to those of the iris,^^ only 

 narrower, and with a longer stalk ; the roots of it are black, 

 and not so veined, but in other respects are similar to those of 

 the iris, have an acrid taste and a not unpleasant smell, and 

 act as a carminative. The best roots are those grown in 

 Pontus, the next best those of Galatia, and the next those of 



^* *' Lead disease," apparently; livid spots on the eyelids, Hardouin 

 thinks. 



"^ Or " smoke-plant ;" so called from its smell, which resembles that of 

 smoke or soot. 



^'"' " Pedes gallinacei." Identified by Fee with the Corydalis digitata of 

 Persoon, or else the C. bulbosa, or C. fabacea, several varieties of Fu- 

 mitory, 



^■^ Identified by Fee with the Fumaria parvifolia of Lamarck, Small- 

 leaved fumitory, or Earth-smoke. Other varieties of Fumitory have also 

 been mentioned. 



"^ The Acorus calamus of Linnjeus, Sweet cane, or Sweet-smelling flag. 

 See B. xii. c. 48. 69 See B. xxi. c. 19. 



