284 PLINY'S NATUHAL HISTOHY. [Book XX. 



the size of the leaf. The cultivated mallow with large leaves 

 is known to the Greeks by the name of " malope," " the other 

 being called " rnalaehe," 1 from the circumstance, it is gene- 

 rally thought, that it relaxes 2 the bowels. The wild 3 mallow, 

 again, with large leaves and white roots, is called " althaea," 

 and by some persons, on account of its salutary properties, 

 " plistolochia." 4 Every soil in which mallows are sown, is 

 rendered all the richer thereby. This plant is possessed of re- 

 markable virtues, 5 as a cure for all kinds of stings. 6 those of 

 scorpions, wasps, and similar insects, as well as the bite of the 

 shrew-mouse, more particularly ; nay, what is even more than 

 this, if a person has been rubbed with oil in which any one of 

 the mallows has been beaten up, or even if he carries them on 

 his person, he will never be stung. A leaf of mallow put upon 

 a scorpion, will strike it with torpor. 



The mallow is an antidote, also, against the poisonpus effects 

 of white 7 lead ; and applied raw with saltpetre, it extracts 

 all kinds of pointed bodies from the flesh. A decoction of it 

 with the root, taken in drink, neutralizes the poison of the 

 sea-hare, 8 provided, as some say, it is brought off the stomach 

 by vomiting. 



Other marvels are also related in connection with the mallow, 

 but the most surprising thing of all is, that if a person takes 

 half a cyathus of the juice of any one of them daily, he will be 



99 The Malva silvestris of Linnaeus, or wild mallow. 



1 The Malva rotundifolia of Linnaeus, or round- leaved mallow. 



2 From jjLcjtXdaao), to " soften," or "relax." 



3 These wild varieties are the same in every respect as the cultivated 

 kinds; their essential characteristics not being changed by cultivation. 

 See further as to the Althaea or marsh mallow, at the latter end of this 

 Chapter. 



4 The meaning of this name appears to be unknown. " Pistolochia" is 

 a not uncommon reading. 



5 Mallows were commonly used as a vegetable by the ancients ; and are 

 so in China and the south of France, at the present day. The mucila- 

 ginous principle which they contain renders them emollient and pectoral ; 

 they are also slightly laxative. 



6 The only benefit resulting from the application of mallows would be 

 the reduction of the inflammation ; the plant having no efficacy whatever 

 in neutralizing the venom. 



7 Sub-carbonate of lead. The mallow would have little or no effect in 

 such a case. 



8 See B. ix. c. 72, and B. xxxii. c. 3. 



