410 PLINY'S NATUHAL HISTORY. [Book XXII, 



CHAP. 24. THE PSEUDOANCHUSA, ECHIS, OK DORIS I THREE 

 REMEDIES. 



There is another plant, similar to the preceding one, and 

 hence known as the " pseudoanchusa," 29 though by some it is 

 called " echis," 30 or "doris," as well as by many other names. 

 It is more downy than the other plant, however, and not so 

 substantial ; the leaves, too, are thinner, and more drooping. 

 The root of it, treated with oil, does not give out any red juice, 

 a sign by which it is distinguished from the genuine anchusa. 

 The leaves of this plant, or the seed, taken in drink, are ex- 

 tremely efficacious for the stings of serpents ; the leaves, too, 

 are applied topically to the wound ; and the powerful smell of 

 them will keep serpents at a distance. A preparation of this 

 plant is taken, also, as a potion, for affections of the vertebras. 

 The Magi recommend that the leaves of it should be plucked 

 with the left hand, it being mentioned at the same time fqr 

 whom they are being gathered : after which, they are to be 

 worn as an amulet, attached to the person, for the cure of tertian 

 fevers. 31 



CHAP. 25. (21.) THE ONOCHILON, ARCHEBION, ONOCHELIS, 



RHEX1A, OR ENCHRYSA I THIRTY REMEDIES. 



There is another plant, too, the proper name of which is 

 " onochilon," 33 but which some people call " anchusa," others 

 " archebion," and others, again, " onochelis," or "rhexia," 

 and, more universally, " enchrysa." This plant has a diminu- 

 tive stem, a purple flower, rough leaves and branches, and a 

 root the colour of blood at harvest-time, though dark and 



29 The Anchusa Italica of Linnaeus, according to Fee, false alkanet, or 

 wild bugloss. Though resembling the genuine plant in its external 

 features, it has no colouring properties. Sprengel identifies it with the 

 Lithospermum fruticosura of Linnaeus, a plant, as Fee remarks, very dif- 

 ferent in its appearance from the genuine alkanet. 



30 In erroneously giving it this name, Fee remarks that Pliny has con- 

 founded the pseudoanchusa with the f %tov of the Greeks, the Echium rubrum 

 of Linnaeus, and has attributed to it the characteristics of the latter plant. 



31 Fee remarks, that all that Pliny says of the medicinal properties of 

 this plant does not merit the honour of a discussion. 



32 Fee identifies it with the Echium Creticum of Linnseus. * Desfon- 

 taines takes it to be the Anchusa tinctoria of Linnceus. Fee is of opinion 

 that the name really given to this plant was "enchrysa," and not "an- 

 chusa." 



