Chap. 66.] P1PEB1TIS, OR SILIQTTASTHUM. 267 



more velvety leaf, and branches covered with thorns ; when 

 rubbed it has just the smell of honey, and it adheres to the 

 fingers when touched. There is another kind, again, known 

 to us as " libanotis," 15 a name which it owes to the resem- 

 blance of its smell to that of frankincense. Both of these plants, 

 taken in wine or vinegar, are antidotes for the stings of serpents. 

 Beaten up in water, also, and sprinkled about a place, they kill 

 fleas. 16 



CHAP. 65. CULTIVATED CUNILA ; THREE REMEDIES. MOUNTAIN 



CUNILA; SEVEN REMEDIES. 



Cultivated cunila 17 has also its medicinal uses. The juice 

 of it, in combination with rose oil, is good for the ears ; and 

 the plant itself is taken in drink, to counteract the effects of 

 violent blows. 18 



A variety of this plant is the mountain cunila, similar to wild 

 thyme in appearance, and particularly efficacious for the stings of 

 serpents. This plant is diuretic, and promotes the lochial dis- 

 charge : it aids the digestion, too, in a marvellous degree. Both 

 varieties have a tendency to sharpen the appetite, even when 

 persons are troubled with indigestion, if taken fasting in drink : 

 they are good, too, for sprains, and, taken with barley-meal, and 

 vinegar and water, they are extremely useful for stings inflicted 

 by wasps and insects of a similar nature. 



We shall have occasion to speak of other varieties of liba- 

 notis 19 in their appropriate places. 



CHAP. 66. (17.) PIPERITIS, OR SILIQUASTRUM : FIVE REMEDIES. 



Piperitis, 20 which we have already mentioned as being called 

 " siliquastrum," is taken in drink for epilepsy. Castor 21 

 used to give a description of it to the following effect : " The 

 stalk of it is long and red, with the knots lying close together ; 

 the leaves are similar to those of the laurel, and the seed is white 



15 A yariety of Couyza. See B. xxi. c. 32. 



16 Dioscorides, B. iii. c, 136, says the same of the Kovvfa /mcpa, 01 

 " small conyza." 



17 The Satureia thymbra of Linnaeus. See B. xix. c. 50. 



18 " Ictus," possibly " stings." 



19 See the preceding Chapter : also B. xix. c. 62, and B. xxi. c. 32. 



20 Perhaps Indian pepper, the Capsicum annuum of Botany. See B. 

 xix. c. 62. 



21 For some account of Castor, the botanist, see the end of this Book. 



