BOOK XXIV. Lxxx, 130-LXXX11. 133 



shaped," saying that it gave rise to the invention 

 of the saw ; its blossom is almost purple. It is 

 cropped in rocky localities and is full of juice, being a 

 very efficacious remedy, either by the mouth or as an 

 ointment, for the poison of serpents, and also for dis- 

 ordered stoniach, chronic cough, phlegm coUected in 

 the throat, ruptures, sprains and pain in the side. 

 It reduces the spleen, promotes menstruation, and is 

 diuretic, being for this reason efficacious in incipient 

 dropsy, a handful of its sprays being boiled down to 

 one-third in a sextarius and a half of water. It is 

 ground in water to make lozenges for the purposes 

 mentioned above. With honey it also heals abscesses 

 and chronic sores, even when foul." There is also 

 made from it a wine, which is useful for troubles of 

 the chest. The juice of the leaves with oil clears 

 away dimness of vision ; for the spleen it is taken in 

 vinegar. Used also as embrocation it is warming. 



LXXXI. The chamaedaj^hne (" ground bay ") chaime- 

 consists of a single small stem, about a cubit \\m\\ ; ^ "** 

 the leaves are more slender than those of the bay ; 

 the seed, of a red colour, is attached to the leaves. It 

 is appUed fresh to the head for headache, it cools 

 feverishness,'' and for coUc it is taken with wine. Its 

 juice when taken by the mouth promotes menstrua- 

 tion and urine, and appUed as a pessary in wool it 

 makes easier difficult child-birth. 



LXXXII. The chamelaea (" ground oUve ") has c/mmeiaea. 

 leaves which resemble those of the oUve — they are 

 bitter, however, and scented — growing in rocky 

 places and not exceeding a span in height. It purges 

 the bowels, and draws away phlegm and bile ; a de- 

 coction is made of the leaves with twice the quantity" 

 of wormwood, this juice being drunk with honey. 



95 



