BOOK XXIV. xxwii. 57-xxxviii. 6i 



oiF the branches, when it drips iinder " the sickle. 

 One, then, of these juices wai'med in a poniegranate 

 rind with rose oil is poured into the ears, or a local 

 application is made of the boiled leaves beaten up with 

 wax. For gout too it is most useful to foment the 

 sinews with a decoction of the bark and leaves in wine. 

 The blossom beaten up with the leaves removes scurf 

 on the face. The leaves thoroughly pounded and 

 taken in drink check over-lustful desire ; too many 

 doses produce absolute impotence. The seed of the 

 black willow of Ameria with an equal weight of 

 litharge, applied after the bath, acts as a depilatory. 



XXXVIII. The agnus castus is not very different The agnm 

 from the willow, either for its use in wickerwork or in '^'"''"•*- 

 the appearance of its leaves, but it has a more pleasant 

 smell. The Greeks call it lygos, sometimes agnos, 

 because the Athenian matrons, presei-ving their 

 chastity at the Thesmophoria, strew their beds with 

 its 'leaves. There are two kinds of it. The larger 

 grows up to be a tree Hke the willow ; the smaller is 

 branchy, with paler, downy leaves. The first bears 

 pale blossom with some purple in it, and is called the 

 white agnus ; the other, which bears only purple 

 blossom, is called the dark agnus. They grow on 

 marshy plains. The seed taken in drink has a taste 

 somewhat Hke wine ; it is said to reduce fevers, to 

 stimulate perspiration when applied as embrocation 

 with oil, and also to dispel lassitude. The trees * 

 furnish medicines that promote urine and menstru- 

 ation. They go to the head like wine — for the smell 

 too is similar — drive flatulence into the lower bowels, 

 check diari-hoea, and greatly benefit dropsy and 

 splenic diseases. They * encourage abundant rich 

 milk, and neutralize the poisons of serpents, especially 



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