BOOK XXV. xcv. 154-XCIX. 156 



WTiat is certain is that an application of hemlock to 



the breasts of women in childbed dries up their milk, 



and to i'ub it on the testacles at the time of puberty 



acts as an antaphrodisiac. I should not hke to oive 



directions about remedies in which hemlock is 



recommended to be taken by the mouth. The 



most powerful hemlock grows at Susa in Parthia ; 



the next in Laconia, Crete and Asia ; in Greece 1 



however the strongest is found around Megara, after 



which comes that of Attica. 



XCVI. An apphcation of wild cremnos to the oiherreme- 

 eyes removes rheum, and with the addition of pearl gt''//"'' "^" 

 barley reduces swelhngs. 



XCVII. Molybdaena, that is plumbago, grows 

 everywhere, even on cultivated land ; it has a 

 leaf hke that of lapathum and is thick " and hairy. 

 If the eye is licked ^ occasionally with this plant 

 when chewed, there is removed the species of eye 

 trouble called lead. 



XCVIII. Capnos trunca,<^ the popular name of 

 which is chicken's feet, growing among ruins and on 

 wall-banks, has very slender branches which are far 

 apart, a purple flower and green leaves ; its juice 

 disperses films, and so it is an ingredient of eye 

 salves. 



XCIX. Similar both in name and in its properties, 

 though a different plant, is the bushy capnos, 

 which is very dehcate, and has the leaves of coriander, 

 the colour of ashes, and a purple blossom. It grows in 



medical term as this would be changed to any thing so strange as 

 lingatur. The MSS. read either this or elingafur, the e- coming 

 from the final -e of suhinde. For plumburn see hst of diseases. 

 ' " Lopped " or " maimed fumitory," in contrast with the 

 capnos fruticosa of § 156. 



247 



