498 pliny's natcjral histoet. [Book XXXI. 



curative also of scab in. sheep, and imparts additional softness 



to tlio wool. 



CH.IP. 34. now ARTIFICIAL SEA-WATER MAT BE MADE IN PLACES 



AT A DISTANCE FROM THE SEA. 



I am by no means unaware that these details may very 

 possibly appear superfluous to persons who live at a distance 

 from the sea ; but scientific research has made provision against 

 this objection, bj^ discovering a method of enabling every one 

 to make sea-water^'' for himself. It is a singular fact in con- 

 nexion with this discovery, that if more than one sextarius of 

 salt is put into four sextarii of water, the liquefying proper- 

 ties of the water will be overpowered, and the salt will no 

 longer molt. On the other hand, again, a mixture of one sex- 

 tarius of salt witli four sextarii of water, acts as a good substi- 

 tute for the efficacy and properties of the very saltest sea-water. 

 The most reasonable proportion, however, is generally thought 

 to be eight cyathi of salt, diluted in the quantity of water 

 above mentioned ; a preparation which has been found to 

 have a warming effect upon the sinews, without in any degree 

 chafing the body. 



CHAP. 35. HOW THALASSOMELI IS MADE. 



There is also a composition made to ripen for use, known as 

 " thalassomeli," ^^ and prepared with equal parts of sea- water, 

 honey, and rain-water. For this purpose, also, the water is 

 brought from out at sea, and the preparation is kept in an 

 earOien vessel w^U pitched. It acts most efficiently as a pur- 

 gative, and without in the least fatiguing the stomach ; the 

 taste, too, and smell of it, are very agreeable. 



CHAP. 36. HOW HYDROMELI IS MADE. 



Hydromeli,''^ also, was a mixture formerly made with pure 

 rain-water and honey, and was prescribed for patients who 

 were anxious for wine, as being a more harmless drink. For 

 these many years past, however, it has been condemned, as 

 having in reality all the inconveniences of wine, without the 

 advantages. 



■'" The ancients being unable to analyze sea- water, conld only imitate it 

 very clumsily. ''^ " Sea-water honey." 



■•^ Sec B. xiv. c. 20, and B. xxii. c. 51. He is speaking, probably, of 

 fermented hydromel, a sort of mead. 



