CHAP. XI. PLANTS FROM PLINY. 7"5 



Remarks. 



" These two have spreading and numerous roots ; but no leaf, nor any 



thing above the ground." Plin. 

 Lettuce ? 



*' Leaves like a crocus." Plin, 



Dioscorides describes its flower with a white circuit and yellow within. 



'• Used in Egypt for chaplets : the leaves like ivy : of two kinds ; one 

 has red berries (in a sort of bladder) full of grains, and is called Hali- 

 cacabus, or Callion, and, in Italy, Vesicaria : the third kind is very 

 poisonous." Nightshade. 



** Eaten at Alexandria." Plin. 



*< Flowers all the winter and spring, till the summer." Plin. Dandelion. 



" The Egyptians grow the Acinos for making chaplets and for food. 

 It appears the same as the Ocimum, but its leaves and stalks are more 

 hirsute." Plin. 



" Never flowers." Plin. Some editions of Pliny make this and the 

 Acinos the same ; but they are generally believed to be different. 



Supposed to be the Carthamus. "^ Unknown in Italy. Oil extracted 

 from the seeds, and of great value. Two kinds ; the wild and the 

 cultivated ; and two species of the former. Remedy against the poi- 

 son of scorpions and other reptiles." Plin. It is supposed that the 

 Cnicus and Atractylis are not the same plant. 



"Grows about the Nile in marshes, and is eaten. Leaf like the elm." 

 Plin. 



" Eaten by other people, as by the Egyptians. " " Grows on walls and 

 tiles of houses." Plin. 



" Sieves made of it in Egypt " Plin. 



