Chap. 43.] THE SCOLYMOS. 425 



taken in the form of a decoction ; the seed of it is taken in 

 wine, in doses of two drachmae. It disperses calculi in the blad- 

 der, and neutralizes the action of water which tends to their 

 formation. Used in the form of an injection, it is good for dy- 

 sentery, and applied topically, for the removal of freckles. It 

 is applied by females, at night, for the removal of spots on the 

 face, a result which it produces almost instantaneously. It 

 has the effect also of assuaging hernia, and is good for the scab 

 in horses. 



CHAP. 42. THE SILLYBUM. 



The sillybum 13 resembles the white chamaeleon, and is a 

 plant quite as prickly. In Cilicia, Syria, and Phoenicia, the 

 countries where it grows, it is not thought worth while to 

 boil it, the cooking of it being so extremely troublesome, it is 

 said. It is of no use whatever in medicine. 



CHAP. 43. THE SCOLYMOS OK LIMONIA : FIVE REMEDIES. 



The scolymos, 14 too, is used as an aliment 15 in the East, where 

 it has also the name of " limonia." 16 This is ashrub-like plant, 

 which never exceeds a cubit in height, with tufted leaves and 

 a black root, but sweet. Eratosthenes speaks highly of it as 

 a diet used by the poor. It is said to possess diuretic proper- 

 ties in a very high degree, and to heal lichens and leprous sores, 

 applied with vinegar. Taken in wine it acts as an aphrodisiac, 

 according to the testimony of Hesiod 17 and Alcasus ; who have 

 stated in their writings, that while it is in blossom, the song 

 of the grasshopper is louder than at other times, women more 

 inflamed with desire, and men less inclined to amorous inter- 

 course ; and that it is by a kind of foresight on the part of 

 Nature that this powerful stimulant is then in its greatest per- 

 fection. The root, too, used without the pith, corrects the 

 noisome odour of the armpits, in doses of one ounce to two 

 hem in se of Palernian wine ; the mixture being boiled down to 



13 See B. xxvi. c. 25. Sprengel identifies it with the Carduus ma- 

 rianus of Linnseus. Fee inclines, however, to the belief that it is the 

 Sonchus palustris of Linnaeus ; the marsh sow-thistle. 



u Sprengel identifies it with the Scolymus maeulatus of Linnaeus, but 

 Fee prefers the Scolynius Hispanicus of Linnaeus, the Spanish thistle. 



16 Fee says that the Scolymus grandiflorus is still eaten in Barbary. 



16 The " meadow-plant." 



17 Works and Days, 1. 582. 



