Chap. 68.] THE CYCLAMItfOS CISSANTHEMOS. 125 



CHAP. 67. CTCLAMINOS OR TUBER TERR^ I TWELVE REMEDIES. 



So too, the root of cyclaminos 73 is good for injuries inflicted 

 by serpents of all kinds. It has leaves smaller than those of 

 ivy, thinner, more swarthy, destitute of angles, and covered 

 with whitish spots. The stem is thin and hollow, the flowers 

 of a purple colour, and the root large and covered with a 

 black rind ; so much so, in fact, that it might almost be taken 

 for the root of rape. This plant grows in umbrageous local- 

 ities, and by the people of our country is known as the "tuber 

 terrae." 74 It ought to be grown in every house, if there is any 

 truth in the assertion that wherever it grows, noxious spells 

 can have no effect. This plant is also what is called an 

 " amulet ;" and taken in wine, they say, it produces all the 

 symptoms and appearances of intoxication. The root is dried, 

 cut in pieces, like the squill, and put away for keeping. When 

 wanted, a decoction is made of it, of the consistency of honey. 

 Still, however, it has some deleterious 75 properties ; and a 

 pregnant woman, it is said, if she passes over the root of it, 

 will be sure to miscarry. 



CHAP. 68. THE CYCLAMINOS CISSANTHEMOS : FOUR REMEDIES. 



There is also another kind of cyclaminos, known by the ad- 

 ditional name of " cissanthemos ;" 76 the stems of it, which are 

 jointed, are good for nothing. It is altogether different from 

 the preceding plant, and entwines around the trunks of trees. 

 It bears a berry similar to that of the ivy, but soft ; and the 

 flower is white and pleasing to the sight. The root is never 

 used. The berries are the only part of it in use, 'being of an 



73 Fee identifies it with the Cyclamen hederaefolium of Alton, the Ivy- 

 leaved sow-bread ; Littre with the Cyclamen Grsecum of Lamarck. 



74 " Tuberosity of the earth." 



75 *' Suum venenum ei est." Gerard seems to have had a worse opinion 

 of it than our author ; for he states in his Herbal, p. 845, that he had ex- 

 perienced great misfortunes owing to his imprudence in having cultivated 

 Cyclamen in his garden. 



76 Ivy-flowered." It resembles the other plant in nothing but the 

 name. Fee is inclined, with Desfontaines, to identify it with the Lonicera 

 caprifolium of Linnaeus, the Italian honeysuckle, though that plant bears 

 no resemblance in either leaf or flower to the ivy. The Lonicera pericly- 

 menum of Linn feus, the Common woodbine or honeysuckle, has been also 

 suggested, as well as the Brvonia alba, Solanum dulcamara, and Cucubalus 

 bacciferus. 



