236 Flint's natural histoet. [Book XXVII. 



CHAP. 30. (8.) THE BALLOTES, MELAMPEASION, OB BLACK LEEK: 



THREE REMEDIES. 



The Greeks give to the ballotes* the other name of " melam- 

 prasion/' meaning " black leek."* It is a branchy plant, with 

 black angular stems, covered with hairy leaves, larger and darker 

 than those of the leek, 'and possessed of a powerfol smell. The 

 leaves, bruised and applied with salt, are highly efB.caciou8 for 

 bites inflicted by dogs : cooked iipon hot ashes and applied in 

 a cabbage leaf, they are curative of condylomata. Mixed with 

 honey, this plant acts as a detergent upon sordid ulcers. 



CHAP. 31. BOTEYS, AMBfiOSIA, OB AETEMISIA : ONE REMEDY . 



Botrys'^ is a shrublike plant, which has small yellow 

 branches, with the seed growing all round them, and leaves 

 resembling-^ those of endive. It is found upon the banks of 

 running streams, and is used for the cure of hardness of 

 breathing. The people of Cappadocia cdll this plant ** am- 

 brosia," others again, " artemisia." 



CHAP. 32. THE BRABYLA : ONE REMEDY. 



The brabyla^ is possessed of astringent properties like those 

 of the quince, but beyond this, authors give no particulars 

 relative to it, 



CHAP. 33. BHYON MAEITIMUM : FIVE REMEDIES. 



Sea bryon'*^ is a plant, no doubt," with leaves like those of 



* The EaUota nigra of Linnaeus, the Fetid ballota, or Stinking black 

 horehound; see B. xx. c. 89. 



* He is in error here, as the word " melamprasion " means "black 

 horehound." " Black leek " would be " melamprason." 



^ " Horehound," properly. The Ballota is of a stimulating nature, and 

 contains a considerable quantity of essential oil. 



'' The Chenopodium botrys of Linnaeus, Cut-leaved goose foot, or oak 

 of Jerusalem. See B. xxv. c. 36, and c. 11 of this Book. 



^ There is no such resemblance. The name "botrys" was given to 

 the plant from the little clusters formed by the blossoms. 



^ Identified by Fee with the Prunus domestica of Linnaeus, var. j3, or 

 Damascena, the Damascene plum or damson. Desfontaines considers it 

 to be the Prunus instititia, the Bullace plum. Holland mentions in a Note, 

 " Bullois, skegs, or such like wild plums." 



10 The Ulva lactuca of Linnaeus, Lettuce laver ; see B. xiii. c. 49, B. 

 xxiv. c, 17, and B. xxxii. c. 36. 



^1 He probably says this in reference to the opinion expressed by Thee- 



