BOOK XXIV. Lxxxii. 133-LXXXV. 135 



An application of the leaves also cleanses ulcers. It 



is said that if anyone before sunrise says while phick- 1 



ing it that he does so " to cure vvhite spots in the 



eyes," it disperses this affection if worn as an amulet; 



but that, in whatever way it is gathered, it is 



beneficial for the eyes of beasts of burden and of 



cattle. 



LXXXIII. The chamaesyce (" ground fig ") has cham<usyce 

 leaves Uke those of the lentil, and not rising above the 

 ground. It is found in dry and rocky locahties. 

 Very useful ° for clearness of vision and for arresting 

 cataract, an ointment prepared from it is also used 

 most beneficially for scars, dimness of sight and films 

 over the eyes. AppUed as a pessary on a bit of Unen 

 it soothes pains of the uterus. Warts too of every 

 kind are removed by an ointment made from it. It 

 is also beneficial for orthopnoea. 



LXXXIV. The chamaecissos (" ground ivy ") is a ckamae 

 plant with ears Uke those of wheat, with about five "''*"*■ 

 little branches and many leaves. When in blossom 

 it might be taken for the white violet. The root is 

 slender. For sciatica three oboU of the leaves are 

 taken in two cyathi of wine for seven days, but it is a 

 very bitter draught. 



LXXXV. The chamaeleuce (" ground poplar ") is chamaeieu, 

 caUed by us Romans fai-farum or farfugium. It 

 grows by the side of rivers, and has leaves Uke those 

 of the poplar, but larger. Its root is placed on Uve 

 coals of cypress wood, and the fumes of it inhaled 

 through a funnel for chronic cough. 



up the lacuna; that of Mayhoff, " with a juice used as an 

 ointment for scars, etc," is clever, but still leaves the Latin 

 odd. The general sense is quite plain. Utilissima and 

 utilissimum (spelt -mu) might easily be confused. 



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VOL. Vll. E 



