4G6 PLINY'S NATUBAL HISTORY. [Book XXIII. 



growing in willow-beds ; for which reason it is known by a 

 distinct name, though the uses to which it is applied are just 

 the same. The name given to it is " salicastrum ;" beaten up 

 with oxymel, it displays marvellous efficacy in the removal of 

 itch- scab and prurigo in men and cattle. 



CHAP. 16. THE WHITE VINE, OTHERWISE CALLED AMPELOLEUCE, 



STAPHYLE, MELOTHRON, PSILOTRUM, ARCHEZOSTIS, CEDROSTIS, 

 OR MADON I THIRTY- ONE REMEDIES. 



The white vine 50 is known to the Greeks by the various 

 names of ampeloleuce, staphyle, melothron, psilotrum, arche- 

 zostis, cedrostis, and madon. The twigs of this tree are 

 jointed, thin, and climbing, with considerable interstices be- 

 tween the knots. 51 The leaves, attached to the numerous 

 shoots, and about the size of an ivy leaf, are jagged at the 

 edges, like that of the vine. The root of it is large and white, 

 and very like a radish 52 at first ; from it issue several stems, 

 similar to asparagus in appearance. These stems, eaten boiled, 

 are both purgative and diuretic. The leaves, too, as well ^ as 

 the stems, are possessed of caustic 53 properties ; for which 

 reason they are employed topically with salt, for phagedsemc 

 sores, gangrenes, and putrid ulcers of the legs. The fruit of 

 the tree is in the form of grapes thinly scattered, the juice of 

 which is red at first, and afterwards of a saffron colour. This 

 fruit 54 is well known to curriers, who are in the habit of using 

 it in preparing leather. It is employed also in the form of a 

 liniment for itch-scabs and leprous spots; and a decoction of 

 it with wheat, taken in drink, increases the milk in women 

 when nursing. The root of this tree, so renowned for 

 the numerous medicinal purposes to which it is applied, is 

 pounded and taken in wine, in doses of two drachmae, for the 

 cure of stings inflicted by serpents : 55 it has the effect, also, of 



50 The Bryonia alba of Linnaeus ; the bryony, white vine, or white jalap. 



51 This description, Fee says, is pretty correct, and the account of i 

 properties sufficiently exact. It is a violent poison, and is no longer used 

 in medicine. 



52 It is still called hy the French navet du diabk, or devil s turnip. 



53 "Exuberant corpus." Our author, Fe'e says, may here be taxed 

 with some exaggeration. 



54 The fruit is no longer used for this purpose. f . 



55 It is a matter of extreme doubt if there is any foundation lor tins 

 statement. 



