Chap. 92.] THE ANAGALLIS. 137 



two kinds of it, the male 52 plant, with a red blossom, and the 

 female, 53 with a blue flower. These plants do not exceed a 

 palm in height, and have a tender stem, with diminutive 

 leaves of a rounded form, drooping upon the ground. They 

 grow in gardens and in spots covered with water, the blue 

 anagallis being the first to blossom. The juice 54 of either 

 plant, applied with honey, disperses films upon the eyes, 

 suffusions of blood 55 in those organs resulting from blows, and 

 argema 56 with a red tinge : if used in combination with Attic 

 honey, they are still more efficacious. The anagallis has the 

 effect also of dilating 57 the pupil ; hence the eye is anointed 

 with it before the operation of couching 58 for cataract. These -\ 

 plants are employed also for diseases of the eyes in beasts of 

 burden. 



The juice, injected into the nostrils, which are then rinsed 

 with wine, acts as a detergent upon the head : it is taken also, 

 in doses of one drachma, in wine, for wounds inflicted by ser- 

 pents. It is a remarkable fact, that cattle will refuse to touch 

 the female plant ; but if it should so happen that, deceived by 

 the resemblance the flower being the only distinguishing 

 mark they have accidentally tasted it, they immediately have 

 recourse, as a remedy, to the plant called " asyla," 59 but more 

 generally known among us as " ferus oculus." 60 Some persons 

 recommend those who gather it, to prelude by saluting it 

 before sunrise, and then, before uttering another word, to take 

 care and extract the juice immediately ; if this is done, they 

 say, it will be doubly efficacious. 



As to the juice of euphorbia, we have spoken 61 of its pro- 

 perties at sufficient length already. In cases of ophthalmia, 



52 Identified with the Anagallis arvensis of Linnaeus, with a red flower, 

 the Red pimpernel, Corn pimpernel, or Shepherd's weather-glass. 



53 The Anagallis caeruleo flore of Tournefort, the Blue pimpernel. 



54 In reality they are destitute of medicinal properties. It is said, 

 though apparently on no sufficient grounds, that red pimpernel is poisonous 

 to small birds. 



55 Or u blood-shot eyes." 56 A disease of the pupil. 



57 Belladonna, a preparation from the Atropa belladonna, is now gene- 

 rally used for this purpose. 58 " Paracentesis." 



59 This plant is unknown. Fee suggests that Pliny may have made a 

 mistake, and that the account from which he copies may have been, that 

 when cattle have been stung by the asilus, or gadfly, they have recourse to 

 the Anagallis. 60 " Savage eye." 



61 In c. 38 of this Book. 



