BOOK XXI. Lxxxiv. 146-LXXXVI. 149 



suitable ingredient for the antidote called alexi- 

 pharmacon." It is, however, injurious in my opinion 

 to the stomach, and makes the head stutFy, besides 

 causing miscarriage. Some deny this, and go on 

 to add the superstition that, when found, it should 

 for cataract at once be tied round the neck, care 

 beiiig taken not to let it touch the ground. The 

 same state that its leaves resemble those of thyme, 

 except that they are softer and of a more downy 

 whiteness. If too ^' it be poundcd with wild rue in 

 rain water it is said to lessen the danger of asp bites ; 

 and as well as the bUie cornflower '^ it binds and 

 closes wounds, preventing them from spreading. 



LXXXV. Holochrysos taken in wine cures stran- rseoi 

 gury, and applied as Hniment '^ fluxes from the eyes ; ^ofofArvMs. 

 with burnt lees of wine and pearl barley it removes 

 lichens. The root of chrysocome is warming and 

 astringent. It is given in drink for complaints of 

 liver and lungs, while a decoction in hydromel is 

 prescribed for pains in the womb. It promotes 

 menstruation, and if given raw reduces ^" the water 

 of dropsy. 



LXXXVI. If the hives are rubbed over with oi „1 /»•! 

 mehssophyllum (balm), sometimes called melittaena, '"''"'"""■ 

 the bees will not fly away, for no flower gives them 

 greater pleasure. With besoms made of this plant 

 swarms are controlled with the greatest ease. It is 

 also a most eifective remedy for the stings of bees, 

 wjisps and similar insects, such as spiders and also 



The inlilu of d points to inlilu taken to be inlilum, the reading 

 of V and G. For illilu see XXVI. § 151. 



' A violent zeugma, for a verb mu.st be understood which 

 is the opposite of cifii in meaning. See J. Miiller Der Stil 

 des dlleren Plinius, § 33, p. 89. 



267 



