BOOK XXIV. cxvii. i77-c.\viii. i8o 



it except that it grows on mountains, that burnt and 

 taken in drink it promotes menstruation and expec- 

 toration, the root being even more efficacious, that its 

 juice, swallowed in doses of three oboH, cures dis- 

 orders of the kidneys, and that its root is also an 

 ingredient of emolHent plasters. 



CXVIII. Grass, itself" the very commonest of Gmss md 

 plants, trails its knotted blades along the gi-ound, and l",^"''"'' 

 from them and out of the head sprout many new roots. 

 Its leaves in the rest of the world grow to a fine point, 

 and only on Mount Parnassus sprout leaves thicker 

 together than anywhere else, of the appearance of ivy, 

 and with a white, scented flower. To draught-cattle 

 no other plant is more attractive, whether fresh, or 

 di'ied into hay and sprinkled with water when it is 

 given them to eat. Its juice too, which is sweet, is 

 said to be coUected on Parnassus because of its 

 richness. Over the rest of the world a decoction is 

 used in its place to close cuts ; the crushed plant by 

 itself has the same effect and also prevents wounds 

 from becoming inflamed. To the decoction are 

 added wine and honey, by some, equal parts also of 

 frankincense, pepper and myrrh, and the whole is 

 again boiled in a bronze vessel to make a remedy for 

 tooth-ache and eye-fluxes. A decoction of the root 

 in wine cures cohc, strangury and sores of the blad- 

 der, breaking up stone. The seed causes a stronger 

 flow of urine, and checks looseness of the bowels 

 and vomiting. It is also specific for the bites of 

 the draco.'' Some prescribe nine knots either from 

 one plant or from two or three to make up that 

 number of joints, rolled up in bkack wool with the 

 grease still in it, as a remedy for scrofulous sores aiid 

 * Probably any serpent of a large size. 



127 



