234 PLINY'S NATURAL HISTORY. [Book XX. 



sons among us the name of "ambula." In Egypt, the wild 

 endive is known as " cichorium," 66 the cultivated kind being 

 called " seris." This last is smaller than the other, and the 

 leaves of it more full of veins. 



CHAP. 30. CICHORIUM OR CHRESTOX, OTHERWISE CALLED 



PANCRATION, OR AMBULA I TWELVE REMEDIES. 



Wild endive or cichorium has certain refreshing qualities, 67 

 used as an aliment. Applied by way of liniment, it disperses 

 abscesses, and a decoction of it loosens the bowels. It is also 

 very beneficial to the liver, kidneys, and stomach. A decoc- 

 tion of it in vinegar has the effect of dispelling the pains of 

 strangury; and, taken in honied wine, it is a cure for the 

 jaundice, if unattended with fever. It is beneficial, also, to 

 the bladder, and a decoction of it in water promotes the 

 menstrual discharge to such an extent as to bring away the 

 dead foetus even. 



In addition to these qualities, the magicians 68 state that 

 persons who rub themselves with the juice of the entire plant, 

 mixed with oil, are sure to find more favour with others, and 

 to obtain with greater facility anything they may desire. ' 

 This plant, in consequence of its numerous salutary virtues, 

 has been called by some persons " chrestou," 69 and "pancra- 

 tion" 70 by others. 



CHAP. 31. HEBYPN01S : FOUR REMEDIES. 



There is a sort of wild endive, too, with a broader leaf, 

 known to some persons as "hedypno'is."' 1 Boiled, it acts as 

 an astringent upon a relaxed stomach, and eaten raw, it is pro- 

 ductive of constipation. It is good, too, for dysentery, when 

 eaten with lentils more particularly. This variety, as well as 



66 The foundation of the Greek name, ci^wpioj/, and the Arabic 

 "Schikhrieh." 



67 The medicinal properties of endive vary, according as it is employed 

 wild or cultivated, and according to the part employed. The leaves are 

 more bitter than the stalk, but not so much so as the root. The juice of 

 all the varieties is very similar, probably, to that of the lettuce ; but, as 

 Fee says, little use has been made of it in modern times. 



e 8 Or else, "Magi." 



89 The "useful/' 70 "The all-powerful.' 1 



71 The Cichorium luteum of C. Bauhin, the Leontodon palustre of Lin- 

 neeus : known to us as the " dandelion," or by a coarser name. 



