262 Pliny's natural history. [Book XXVII. 



mentioned, they facilitate delivery, and bring away the after- 

 birth. 



CHAP. 95. PELECINON : ONE REMEDY. 



We have already^-^ spoken of pelecinon as growing in corn- 

 fields, a. plant which throws out a number of shoots from 

 thin stems, and has leaves like those of the chick-pea. The 

 seed, which is contained in pods of a curved shape, like 

 diminutive horns and three or four in number, is similar to 

 gith^^ in appearance, bitter, and an excellent stomachic. It is 

 used as an ingredient in antidotes. ^^ 



CHAP. 96. POL YG ALA : ONE REMEDY. 



Polygala^ is a palm in height, with leaves like those of the 

 lentil at the extremity of the stem. It has an astringent taste ; 

 taken in drink, it increases the milk in nui'sing women. 



CHAP. 97. POTERION, PHRYNION, OR NEURAS I FOUR REMEDIES, 



Poterion,^ or, as some call it, '' phrynion" or '* neuras,'"^ 

 throws out numerous branches, is shrivelled and prickly, and 

 covered with a thick down. The leaves of it are small and 

 round ; the branches long, soft, thin, and flexible ; and the 

 blossom elongated, and of a grass-green colour. The seed is 

 never used, but it has a pungent flavour and a powerful smell : 

 the plant is found growing upon moist, watery, elevations. 

 The roots are two or three in number, some two cubits in 

 length, sinewy, white, and firm. It is dug up in autumn, and 

 the stem yields a juice like gum, when cut. The root is said 

 to be of wonderful efficacy as an application for the cure of 

 wounds, more particularly of the sinews, even when severed. 

 A decoction of it is also taken, with honey, for relaxations of 

 the sinews, and for weakness or wounds of those parts. 



''^ In B, xviii. c. 44. It was also called " securidaca." 



«* See B. XX. c. 71. 



ss We learn from Galen that it formed an ingredient in the great anti- 

 dote of Mithridates. 



66 Fee thinks that it may possibly be the Polygala vulgaris of Linnaeus, the 

 Common milk-wort. Desfontaines mentions the Polygala amara of Lin- 

 najus, the Bitter milkwort of the South of Europe ; and Littre gives the 

 Polygnla venulosa of Sibthorp. 



" See B. XXV. c. 76. ^* The ** sinew" plant. 



