Chap 7.] CHAPLET PLANTS. 395 



gustus himself was also presented by the senate with the obsi- 

 dional crown, upon the ides 34 of September, in the consulship 35 

 of M. Cicero the Younger, the civic crown being looked upon 

 as not commensurate with his deserts. Beyond these, I do not 

 find any one mentioned as having been rewarded with this 

 honour. 



CHAP. 7. REMEDIES DERIVED FROM OTHER CHAPLET PLANTS. 



No plant 36 in particular was employed in the composition of 

 this crown, such only being used as were found growing ou 

 the spot so imperilled ; and thus did they become the means, 

 however humble and unnoted themselves, of conferring high 

 honour and renown. All this, however, is but little known 

 among us at the present day ; a fact which I am the less sur- 

 prised at, when I reflect that those plants even are treated 

 with the same indifference, the purpose of which it is to pre- 

 serve our health, to allay our bodily pains, and to repel the 

 advances of death ! And who is there that would not visit 

 with censure, and justly visit, the manners of the present day ? 

 Luxury and effeminacy have augmented the price at which 

 we live, and never was life more hankered after, or worse 

 cared 37 for, than it is at present. This, however, we look upon 

 as the business of others, forsooth ; other persons must see to it, 

 without our troubling ourselves to request them, and the phy- 

 sicians must exercise the necessary providence in our behalves. 116 

 As for ourselves, we go on enjoying our pleasures, and are con- 

 tent to live a thing that in my opinion reflects the highest 

 possible disgrace by putting faith in others. 39 



Nay, even more than this, we ourselves are held in derision 

 by many, for undertaking these researches, and are charged 

 with busying ourselves with mere frivolities ! It is some 

 solace, however, in the prosecution of these our boundless 

 labours, to have Nature as our sharer in this contempt : Na- 

 ture who, as we will prove beyond a doubt, has never failed 

 in coming to the assistance of man, and has implanted 40 reme- 



34 13th of September. 35 A.TT.C. 723. 



36 Hence we may conclude that the word " gramen" signified not only 

 "grass," but any plant in general. 



37 By reason of the luxury and sensuality universally prevalent. 



38 This is said in bitter irony. 



39 Trusting to the good faith and research of the physician. 



40 " Inseruisse." 



