Chap. 86.] MELISSOPHTLLUM. 373 



deed, there is no plant known that better deserves to form an 

 ingredient in the medicament known to us as the " alexiphar- 

 macon :" w though there are some who say that it is injurious to 

 the stomach and is apt to stuff the head, and that it produces 

 abortion assertions which 86 others, again, totally deny. 



There is a superstitious observance also, to the effect that, 

 for cataract, it ought to be attached to the neck the moment 

 it is found, every precaution being taken not to let it touch the 

 ground. The same persons state too that the leaves of it are 

 similar to those of thyme, except that they are softer and more 

 white and downy. Beaten up with wild rue in rain water, it 

 is said to assuage the pain of the sting of the asp ; it is quite 

 as astringent too as the flower 87 of the pomegranate, and as 

 efficacious for closing wounds and preventing them from 

 spreading. 



CHAP. 85. THREE REMEDIES DERIVED FROM THE HOLOCHRYSOS. 

 SIX REMEDIES DERIVED FROM THE CHRYSOCOME. 



The holochrysos, 88 taken in wine, is a cure for strangury, 

 and it is employed in liniments for defluxions of the eyes. 

 Mixed with burnt lees of wine and polenta, it is curative of 

 lichens. 



The root of the chrysocome 89 is warming and astringent ; it 

 is taken in drink for affections of the liver and lungs, and a 

 decoction of it in hydromel is good for pains of the uterus. It 

 acts as an emmenagogue also, and, administered raw, draws off 

 the water in dropsy. 



CHAP. 86. TWENTY-ONE REMEDIES DERIVED FROM MELIS- 



SOPHYLLUM. 



If the bee-hives are rubbed all over with melissophyllum 90 



85 The "protection against poisons." 



86 We have adopted Sillig's emendation of this passage; the words 

 "aiunt, quod alii" being evidently required by the context. 



87 " Cytinus" appears to be a preferable reading here to " cyanus," the 

 "blue-bell." 



88 See c. 24 of this Book. Its medicinal properties, Fee says, are next 

 to nothing. 



89 See c. 26 of this Book. If it is the Chrysocoma linosyris, it has no 

 peculiar medicinal properties, Fee says. All these statements are found in 

 Dioscorides. 



90 Sec B. xx. c. 45, and c. 41 of this Book. It is a plant of somewhat 

 stimulating properties, and may possibly be useful, Fee thinks, for nervous 

 affections. 



