BOOK XXV. XXV. 61-XXIX. 65 



and milk are spi-inkled about. Phthiriasis too is 

 cui-ed by the same preparation. 



XXVI. To Mithridates himself Crateuas ascribed MUhridath 

 one plant, called mithridatia. It has two leaves, like 

 those of the acanthus, springing from the root, with 

 a stem between them which supports a rose-pink 

 flower. XXVII. A second plant was attributed to 

 him by Lenaeus, scoi*dotis or scordion, a description " 

 of it being in the hand of the King himself ; it is one 

 cubit high ; its stem is quadrangular, its form is 

 branchy, and the leaves, which are downy, are like oak 

 leaves. It is found in Pontus on rich, moist plains, 

 and is of a bitter taste. There is also another kind 

 of it, with broader leaves and Hke wild mint, both 

 kinds being useful for very many purposes, both by 

 themselves and also with other ingredients to make 

 antidotes. j 



XXVIII. Two kings * have claimed to be the Poiemonia. 

 discoverer of polemonia ; accordingly some call it by 



that name and some philetaeria, while the Cappa- 

 docians call it chihodynamia." It has a thick root, 

 thin branches \\ith clusters hanging from the ends, 

 and black seed. In other respects it is hke rue, and it 

 grows in mountainous districts. 



XXIX. Eupatoria '^ too enjoys the prestige of a Eupaioria. 

 royal discoverer. It has a hgneous stem, dark, 

 hairy, and a cubit or sometimes moi'e in height ; the 

 leaves, arranged at intervals, are hke those of cinque- 



foil or hemp, and have five indentations along the 

 edge ; they too are dark and feathery. The root is 



' " The plant with a thousand powers." 

 ^ Eupator was a surname of Mithridates VI, King ofPontus. 

 See § 62 and XXXIII. § 151. 



183 



