Chap. 52.] GITH. 195 



country, but at the present day it is grown everywhere. The 

 cultivated kind is the sweetest of the two, but is far from 

 powerful ; by some persons it is known as " panax." Cra- 

 teuas, a Greek writer, gives this name, however, to the plant 

 known to us as " cunila bubula;" 92 and others, again, call 

 the conyza 93 or cunilago, cunila, while they call cunila, 94 

 properly so called, by the name of " thymbra." With us 

 cunila has another appellation, being generally known as 

 " satureia," and reckoned among the seasoning plants. It is 

 usually sown in the month of February, and for utility rivals 

 wild marjoram. These two plants are never used together, 

 their properties being so extremely similar ; but it is only 

 the wild marjoram of Egypt that is considered superior to 

 cunila. 



CHAP. 51. DITTANDER. 



Dittander, 95 too, was originally an exotic plant : it is usually 

 sown after the west winds have begun to prevail. As soon as 

 it begins to shoot, it is cut down close to the ground, after 

 which it is hoed and manured, a process which is repeated the 

 succeeding year. After this, the shoots are fit for use, if the 

 rigour of the winter has not injured them; for it is a plant 

 quite unable to withstand any inclemency 96 of the weather. It 

 grows to the height of a cubit, and has a leaf like that of the 

 laurel, 97 but softer ; it is never used except in combination 

 with milk. 



CHAP. 52. GITH. 



Gith 98 is employed by bakers, dill and anise by cooks and 

 medical men. Sacopenium," so extensively used for adulter- 



92 " Ox cunila." One of the Labiatae, probably; but whether one of 

 the Satureia or of the Thymbra is not known. See B. xx. cc. 60, 61 



93 See B. xi. c. 32. 



94 Scribonius Largus gives this name to savory, the Satureia hortensis 

 of Linnaeus. The whole of this passage is very confused, and its mean- 

 ing is by no means clear, 



95 The Lepidium sativum of Linnaeus. See B. xx. c. 70. 



96 It is an annual, in fact. 



97 Its leaf has no resemblance whatever to that of the laurel. 

 18 The Nigella sativa of Linnaeus. See B. xx. c. 71. 



99 Or sagapenum. See B. xx. c. 75. It is mentioned also in B. xii. 

 c. 56, as being used for adulterating galbanum. As to laser, petfc. 15 of 

 the present Book. 



9 



