222 PLINY'S NATIJBAL HISTOBT. [Book XXVII. 



CHAP. 5. THE ALOE ; TWENTY-FINE KEMEDIES. 



The aloe 28 bears a resemblance to the squill, except that it is 

 larger, and has more substantial leaves, with streaks running 

 obliquely. The stem is tender, red in the middle, and not 

 unlike that of the anthericus. 39 It has a single root, which runs 

 straight downwards, like a stake driven into the ground ; its 

 smell is powerful, and it has a bitter taste. The most esteemed 

 aloes are those imported from India, but it grows in the Asiatic 

 provinces 30 as well. This last kind, however, is never used, 

 except that the leaves are applied fresh to wounds ; indeed, 

 these leaves, as well as the juice, are glutinous to a marvellous 

 degree, and it is for this property that it is grown in vessels of 

 a conical form, in the same way as the greater aizoum. al Some 

 persons make incisions in the stem to obtain the j uice, before 

 the seed is ripe, while others, again, make them in the leaves 

 as well. Tearlike drops are also found adhering to it, which 

 exude spontaneously : hence it is that some recommend that 

 the place should be paved where it is grown, to prevent this 

 juice from being absorbed. 



Some authors have stated, that there is found in Judaea, 

 beyond Hierosolyma, a mineral 32 aloe, but that it is inferior to 

 the other kinds, being of a darker colour and more humid than 

 any of the rest. Aloes 53 of the finest quality should be 

 unctuous and shining, of a red colour, brittle, compact, like 

 the substance of liver, and easily liquefied. That which is 

 hard and black should be rejected; the same, too, when it is 

 mixed with sand or adulterated with gum and acacia, a fraud 

 which may be easily detected by the taste. 



This plant is of an astringent nature, binding, and slightly 

 calorific. It is employed for numerous purposes, -but principally 

 as a purgative, 34 it being almost the only one of all the medica- 



28 The ancients probably included under this name several distinct species 

 of the aloe. They were well acquainted, Fee says, with the Indian aloe, 

 but probably not with that of Africa. As described by Pliny, he identifies 

 it with the Aloe perfoliata of Linnaeus: Desfontaines gives the Aloe 

 umbellata. 29 See B. xxi. c. 68. 30 "Asia." 



31 See B. xxv. c. 102. The aloe is still grown in large wooden vessels, 

 in this country, at least ; but only as an ornament. 



32 He alludes to the bitumen of Judaea, much used by the Egyptians for 

 the purposes of embalmment. 



33 He is speaking of the prepared aloes of commerce. 



34 It is still used for this purpose. 



