BOOK XIX. XV. 45-xvii. 47 



excrescence on it protruding above the surface of the 

 ground ; that when an incision was made in this. a 

 juice resembling milk would flow out ; and that there 

 was a stalk growing above the excrescence which they 

 called magydaris ; that the plant had leaves of a 

 golden colour which served as seed, being shed after 

 the rise of the Dogstar when a south wind was 

 blowing, and that out of these fallen leaves shoots of 

 lasenvort used to spring, both root and stalk making 

 fuU growth in the space of a year. These authors 

 also stated that it was customary to dig round the 

 roots of the plant ; and that it did not act as a purge 

 with cattle, but if they were aiHng it cured them, or 

 eke they died at once, the latter not happening in 

 many cases. The foi-mer view corresponds with the 

 Persian variety of silphium. 



XVI. There is another kind of laserwort called VaHeiieso/ 

 magydaris,'^ which is gentler and lcss violent in its ^*"^""*^- 

 effects, and has no juice ; this grows in the neighbour- 



hood of Syria, not being found in the Cyrenaica 

 region. Also there is a plant growing in great 

 abundance on Mount Parnassus that is called laser- 

 wort plant by some persons. All these varieties 

 are used for adulteration, bringing discredit on a 

 very salutary and useful commodity. The first test 

 of the genuine article is in the colour, which is 

 reddish, and white inside when the mass is broken; 

 and the next test is if the juice that drips out is 

 transparent and melts very quickly in sahva. It is 

 employed as an ingredient in a great many medi- 

 caments. 



XVII. There are also two kinds that are known VaHeUe» 

 only to the avaricious herd, as they are very profitable dyli/g^ wooi- 

 articles of trade. First comes madder, which is dressxngjood 



and icent. 



449 



