ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, IX. xx. 2-4 



given for the spleen : but neither its seed nor its 

 juice is of use : it grows in Arcadia. 1 



2 Daukon of excellent quality grows in the district 

 of Patrai in Achaia, and is heating by nature : it has 

 a black root. 



3 The root of the ' wild vine ' (bryony) is also 

 heating and pungent : wherefore it is useful as a 

 depilatory and to remove freckles : and the fruit is 

 used for smoothing hides. It is cut at any season, 

 but especially in autumn. 



4 The root of edderwort given in milk is useful for 

 stopping a cough. It has a variegated snake-like 

 stem : the seed is not used. 



5 The root of thapsia has emetic properties : and, 

 if one retains it, it purges both upwards and down- 

 wards. It is also able to remove bruises : and it 

 restores other contusions to a pale colour. 6 Its 

 juice is stronger and purges both upwards and 

 downwards : the seed is riot used. It grows especially 

 in Attica, but also in other places : the cattle of the 

 country do not touch it, but imported cattle feed on 

 it and perish of diarrhoea. 7 



8 Polypody springs up 9 after rain, and produces no 

 seed. 



10 The wood of ebony is in appearance like box, but 

 when barked it becomes black : it is useful against 

 ophthalmia, and is rubbed on a whetstone for that 

 use. 



9 vTrwTTia . . . fKXevKCf. : text perhaps defective. 



7 Siappola conj. Sch. ; Sidppoiafi UM : Sidppoia avrols yiverat 1) 

 Akl.G. 



8 c/. 9. 13. 6 ; G.P. 2. 17. 4. The account of the virtues of 

 this plant is evidently missing. 



9 ava^affrf? conj. W.; alel Bd\\ei Aid. 



10 Diosc. 1. 98 ; Plin. 24. 89. 



