ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, IX. xix. 4 -xx. 2 



others have opposite virtues, one might raise a 

 question which is perhaps equally perplexing in 

 regard to other matters, to wit, whether those that 

 produce the same effect do so in virtue of some 

 single virtue which is common to them all, or whether 

 the same result may not come about also from 1 

 different causes. Let us be content to put the 

 question thus : but now we must proceed to speak of 

 the natural qualities or virtues of any other plants 

 that we can mention. 



Of certain plants, not yet ' mentioned, which possess special 

 properties. 



XX. 2 Pepper is a fruit, and there are two kinds : 

 one is round like bitter vetch, having a case and flesh 

 like the berries of bay, and it is reddish : the other 

 is elongated and black and has seeds like those of 

 poppy : and this kind is much stronger than the 

 other. Both however are heating : wherefore these, 

 as well as frankincense, are used as antidotes for 

 poisoning by hemlock. 



3 The ' Cnidian berry ' is round, red in colour, 

 larger than that of pepper, and far stronger in its 

 heating power ; wherefore, when it is given as a pill 4 

 (for it is given to open the bowels) they knead it up 

 in a piece of bread or dough : otherwise it burns the 

 throat. 



5 The root 6 of sulphur-wort is also heating, where- 

 fore they make of it an ointment to produce a sweat, 

 as with other things so used. This root 6 is also 



4 KO.Ta.-n or ov conj. Sch. ; Kara TTOTOV Aid. cf. Kmaironov 9. 8. 3. 



5 cf. 9. 14. 1 ; Piin. 25. 117. 



6 pl{a. add. W. 



315 



