BOOK XXI. xcii. 162-XCIV. 165 



for withdrawiiig substances embedded in the flesh. 

 It also forces ont noxious things " from the intestines. 

 They say that a spray of it, laid under the pillow, 

 acts as an aphrodisiac, and that the plant is a most 

 effective countercheck of all magic potions given to 

 produce sexual impotence. 



XCIII. Leucanthemum mixed with twice the quan- AndofotheT 

 tity of vinegar is beneficial to asthmatics. Sampsu- 

 chura (otherwise amaracum, sweet marjoram) of which 

 the most valued, and the most fragrant, comes from 

 Cyprus, counteracts the stings of scorpions, if appHed 

 in vinegar and salt. An application ^ is also very bene- 

 ficial for irregular menstruation. This plant has less 

 efficacy when taken in drink. With pearl barley it 

 also checks fluxes from the eyes. The juice of the 

 boiled plant reheves gripings. The plant is useful 

 for strangury and dropsy, and in a dry state excites 

 sneezing. There is also made froni it an oil, called 

 sampsuchinum or amaracinum, used for warming 

 and softening the sinews, which also warms the 

 uterus. The leaves too are good with honey for 

 bruises and with wax for sprains. 



XCIV. Up to the present "^ I have spoken only of usesof 

 the anemone used for chaplets ; I shall now describe 

 the kinds used in medicine. There are some who 

 use the name phrenion. There are two kinds of 

 it: one is wild, and the other grows on cultivated 

 ground, though both prefer a sandy soiL Of the 

 cultivated anemone there are several species ; for 

 it has either a scarlet flowei- — this is also the most 

 plentiful — or a purple one, or one the colour of 

 milk. The leaves of all these are hke the leaves of 

 parsley, and rarely does the plant exceed half a 

 foot in height, the head reserabhng that of asparagus. 



277 



