Chap. 10.] ANDBOS^MOtf. 225 



occasion, 43 however, to speak of another plant, which may, 

 with much more justice, be called " myosotis." As for alsine, it 

 would be the same thing as helxine, 44 were it not that it is smaller 

 and not so hairy. It grows in 45 gardens, and upon walls more 

 particularly : when rubbed, it emits a smell like that of cucum- 

 ber. It is used for abscesses, inflammations, and all those pur- 

 poses for which helxine is employed ; its properties, however, 

 are not so active. It is applied topically, also, to defluxions of 

 the eyes, and to sores upon the generative organs, and ulcera- 

 tions, with barley meal. The juice is used as an injection for 

 the ears. 



CHAP. 9. THE ANDEOSACES I BIX EEMEDIES. 



The androsaces 46 is a white plant, bitter, without leaves, and 

 bearing arms surmounted with follicules, containing the seed. 

 It grows in the maritime parts of Syria, more particularly. 

 This plant is administered for dropsy, in doses of two drachmae, 

 pounded or boiled, in either water, wine, or vinegar : it acts 

 most powerfully as a diuretic. It is used also for gout, either 

 taken internally or used as a liniment. The seed is possessed 

 of similar properties. 



CHAP. 10. ANDKOS^MON OE ASCYEON '. SIX EEMEDIES. 



Androsaemon 47 or, as some persons call it, " ascyron," is not 

 unlike hypericon, a plant of which we have spoken already i 48 

 the stems, however, are larger, redder, and lie more closely 

 together. The leaves are of a white colour, and like those of 

 rue in shape ; the seed resembles that of the black poppy, amd 

 the upper branches, when bruised, emit a red juice the colour 

 of blood : these branches have also a resinous smell. 



This plant grows in vineyards, and it is usually in the middle 



43 In c. 80 of this Book. 



44 The Parietaria officinalis ; see B. xxii. c. 19. 



45 He has previously stated that it grows in the woods. The fact is, 

 M. Fraas says, that it grows equally upon garden walls, heaps of rubbish, 

 in plains, upon shady rocks, and upon mountains, below an elevation of 

 1500 feet. 



46 Generally supposed not to be a vegetable production, but a Madrepore. 

 Fee identifies it with the Madrepora acetabulum of Linnaeus. 



47 " Man's blood." Identified by Sprengel with the Hypericum monta- 

 num, and by Sibthorp and Fee with the Hypericum perforatum, of Lin- 

 naeus, Perforated tutsan or St. John's wort. 48 See B. xxvi. cc. 53, 54, 



VOL. V. Q 



