BOOK XXI. XIX. 40-xx. 43 



f(>r unguents and for medicine. The most highly 

 esteemed is found in lllyriii, and even there not in 

 the coastal districts, but in the woody parts near 

 tlie Drinon and around Narona. Next after it comes 

 the Macedonian iris, which is white, tliin and very 

 long. Third in estimation comes the African iris, 

 which is the largest of all and the bitterest to the 

 taste. The Illyrian moreover is of two kinds : 

 raphanitis, so called from its hkeness to the radish, 

 which is the better kind, and rhizotomos. The best, 

 which is reddish, causes sneezing if handled, and has 

 an upright stem a cubit liigh. The flower is multi- 

 coloured. like the rainbow ; hence the name " iris. " 

 The Pisidian variety, too, is by no means despised. 

 Those who are going to dig it up pour hydromel 

 around it three months previously. This is as it were 

 a Hbation to please the earth. Then they draw 

 three circles round it with the point of a sword, 

 gather it and at once raise it heaven-wards. It is 

 hot by nature, and when handled raises bhsters like 

 those of a burn. It is especially enjoined that those 

 who gather it should be chaste. Not only when dried, 

 but also when in the ground, it is very easily subject 

 to worms. Previously the best iris oil used to be 

 brought from Leucas and EHs — for it has been 

 planted there a long time — now the best comes 

 from Pamphylia, but the Cihcian too is highly 

 praised, as is also that coming from the northern * 

 parts. 



XX, Celtic nard has leaves that are rather short, ceitienard 

 and cannot be plaited. It is held together by its "^ ^'<^^«»- 

 many roots, being really a grass rather than a flower, 

 matted as though squeezed by hand ; in short, it is 

 a unique kind of turf. Pannonia grows it, and the 



191 



