BOOK XXIII. XIV. 19-XV1. 22 



root in water and drunk in two cyathi of Coan vvine 

 evacuates watery humour in the belly, and for this 

 reason is prescribed for dropsy. I am inchned to 

 believe that it is rather this plant that is popularly 

 called uva taviinia. It is used as an amulet, and also 

 for the spitting of blood ; only however as a gargle, 

 and, to prevent any of it from being swallowed, 

 there are added salt, thyme and oxymel. For this 

 reason it is thought unsafe to use it as a purge. 



XV. There is a plant Hke this, but growing in 

 willow-beds. It is therefore known by a distinct 

 name, although it has the same uses ; it is called 

 sahcastrum. This, pounded and apphed with 

 oxymel, is more efficacious in removing itch scab 

 and pruritus whether in man or beast. 



XVI. Thcre is a white vine, which the Greeks common 

 call variously ampelos leuce, staphyle, melothron,,^^,"y^f,a 

 psiloti-um, archezostis, cedrosis, and madon. Its twigs ^l]oua) or 

 are jointed and cHmbing, with long, thin interstices «n/ony 

 between the knots. The leaves, thick and bushy,"'^' '^'^''"'^"^- 

 are of the size of ivy leaves, and with jagged edges 



hke those of vine leaves. The root is white, large, 

 and hke a radish at first. From it grow out stalks hke 

 asparagus. These, boiled and taken in food, are 

 laxative and diuretic. The leaves and the stalks 

 free the flesh from sores, and in particular* are apphed 

 with salt to phagedaenic ulcers, to gangrenes, and to 

 " bad legs."<^ The fruiting bunch hangs down in thinly 

 scattered grapes, having a red juice, which turns 

 later on to a saffron yellow. This fruit is well known 

 to the curriers, who use it in the preparation of 



phthiriasis, or lather of the weakness and irritation that 

 accompany it. Dioscorides (IV. 182) has aavpoKvrnxoiv iXKwv. 

 Cf. also note a, p. 478. 



429 



