Chap. 37.] THE MELILOTE. 335 



seed and from cuttings, being more long-lived than the pre- 

 ceding plants, and possessed of a more agreeable smell. The 

 amaracus, like the abrotonum, has a great abundance of seed, 

 but while the abrotonum has a single root, which penetrates 

 deep into the ground, those of the other plant adhere but 

 lightly to the surface of the earth. Those of the other plants 

 which love the shade, water, and manure, are generally set 

 at the beginning of autumn, and even, in some localities, in 

 spring. 



CHAP. 36. THE 2TTCTEGRETON, CHENOMYCHE, OR NTCTALOPS. 



Democritus has regarded the nyctegreton 31 as one of the 

 most singular of plants. According to that author, it is of a 

 dark red colour, has leaves like those of a thorn, and creeps 

 upon the ground. He says that it grows in Gedrosia 32 more 

 particularly, and that it is taken up by the roots immediately 

 after the vernal equinox, and dried in the moonlight for thirty 

 days ; after which preparation it emits light by night. He 

 states also, that the Magi and the kings of Parthia em- 

 ploy this plant in their ceremonies when they make a vow to 

 perform an undertaking ; that .another name given to it is 

 " chenomyche," 33 from the circumstance that, at the very 

 sight of it, geese will manifest the greatest alarm ; and that by 

 some persons, again, it is known as the " nyctalops," 3 * from the 

 light which it emits at a considerable distance by night. 



CHAP. 37. WHERE THE MELILOTE IS FOUND. 



The melilote 35 is found growing everywhere, though that 

 of Attica is held in the highest esteem. In all countries, how- 

 ever, it is preferred when fresh gathered ; that too, the colour 

 of which is not white, but approaches as nearly as possible to 



31 The " night- watcher." According to Sprengel, this is the Caesalpina 

 pulcherriraa of Linnaeus. But, as Fee says, that is entirely an Indian 

 plant, and has only been introduced but very recently into Europe. Har- 

 douin identifies it with a plant called " lunaria" by the naturalists of his 

 day, which shines, he says, with the moon at night. 



32 The Caesalpina pulcherriraa is not to be found in or near Gedrosia (in 

 ancient Persia), but solely on the shores of the Bay of Bengal. 



33 From x^ ve ^ "geese," and fti>x > a " comer;" because geese run 

 into a corner on seeing it. 



3i As to the meaning of this word, see B. xxviii. c. 47. 

 35 See c. 29 of this Book. 



