BOOK XXV. cv. 166-CV1. 168 



vervain chewed with its root, or the juice of a 

 decoction in wine or vinegar used as a mouth-wash, 

 and also that of the root of cinquefoil boiled 

 down to one-third in wine or vinegar. Before it is 

 boiled down it is washed in sea water or salt water, 

 and the decoction should be kept in the mouth for 

 a long time. Some prefer to use the ash of cinque- 

 foil as a dentrifrice. The root of verbascum too is 

 boiled down in wine to make a mouth-wash for the 

 teeth, for which purpose also hyssop is employed and 

 the juice of peucedanum with poppy juice ; or the 

 juice of anagalHs roots, by preference of the female 

 plant, is poured " into the nostril opposite to where 

 pain is felt. 



CVI. Erigeron is called by us Romans senecio. Engeron. 

 If a Une is traced round it with an iron tool before 

 it is dug up, and if one touches a painful tooth 

 with the plant three times, spitting after each touch, 

 and replaces it into its original ground so as to 

 keep it aUve, it is said that the tooth will never 

 cause pain thereafter. This plant has the appeax*- 

 ance and softness of trixago, with small, reddish 

 stems. It grows on tiled roofs and on walls. Its 

 name was given to it by the Greeks, because it is of a 

 hoary colour in spring. Its head is divided by 

 many pieces of down, Hke those of a thorn, that 

 grow out from between the divisions, which is why 

 CalUmachus gave it the name of acanthis, and 

 others pappus. Apart from this, however, the 

 Greeks are not in agreement about this plant. 

 Some have said that it has the leaves of rocket, 

 others of the oak but much smaller ; some that the 

 root is useless, others that it is good for the sinews, 

 others that it chokes if taken in drink. On the other 



255 



