BOOK XXVI. XXXVIII. 61-XXXIX. 64 



being applied to leprous sores, and with oil it is 

 used as an ointment for the head when there is 

 headache. 



XXXIX. Tithymallus is called " milky plant " by Tithymailm. 

 us Romans, sometimes " goat lettuce." It is said 

 that, if letters are traced on the body with its milk 

 and then allowed to dry, on being sprinkled with 

 ash the letters become visible. And it is by this 

 means, rather than by a letter, that some lovers 

 have preferred to address unfaithful wives. The 

 kinds of it are many, the first being surnamed 

 characias, which is also considered the male plant. 

 It has five or six branches, a cubit long, as thick as a 

 finger, red and juicy ; the leaves at the root are very 

 Uke those of the oHve, and on the top of the stem is 

 a head " Hke that of the rush. It grows on rough 

 ground near the sea. The seed is gathered in 

 autumn together with the head ; after being left to 

 get dry in the sun it is pounded and stored away ; 

 as to the juice, as soon as down begins to form on 

 fruit,* twigs are broken ofF, and juice therefrom is 

 caught on meal of bitter vetch or on figs and left 

 to get diy with them. Five drops are enough to be 

 caught on each fig, and it is reported that a dropsical 

 patient on taking a fig has as many motions as the fig 

 has caught drops of juice. When the juice is being 

 collected care must be taken that it does not touch 

 the eyes.* A juice is also extracted fi'om pounded 

 leaves, but one less efficacious than the former. A 

 decoction too is made from the branches. The seed 

 is also used, boiled down with honey, to make 

 purgative pills. The seed is also inserted with wax 

 into hollow teeth. A decoction too of the root in 

 wine or oil is used as a mouth-wash. The juice is 



3" 



