BOOK XXVII. L. 74-Lv. 78 



neath." The plant boiled vvith linseed makes a 

 gruel ** that cures dysentery. 



LI. Empetros, called calcifraga by us Romans, Empetws. 

 is found on coastal mountains, generally on a rock. 

 When it has grown near the sea it is salt, and taken in 

 drink brings away bile and phlegms ; when farther 

 ofF and in deeper soil it tastes moi'e bitter. It brings 

 away fluid,*^ and is taken in broth of some kind or in 

 hydromel. When stale it loses its potency, but when 

 fresh and boiled down in water or beaten up it is 

 diuretic and breaks up stone in the bladder. Those 

 who seek to vvin belief in this assurance assert that 

 pebbles boiled with it are broken up. 



LII. Epicactis, called by some elleborine, is a EykacHs. 

 small plant with tiny leaves ; taken in drink it is very 

 useful for Hver complaints and to counteract poisons. 



LIII. Epimedion is a stem, not large, with ten or Epimedion. 

 even ^ twelve leaves like ivy leaves. It never 

 flowers, has a slender, blackish, evil-smelHng root, 

 and . . .* This plant, which grows in damp soils, is 

 one of those with braeing and cooHng properties, and 

 should be avoided by women. Its leaves, beaten up 

 in wine, check the growth of maidens' breasts. 



LIV. Enneaphyllon has nine long leaves, and is oi Enneaphyi- 

 a caustic nature. When appUed it is wrapped up in ""* 

 wool, lest it cauterize too far,/ for it raises bhsters 

 immediately . It is very good for the pains of lumbago 

 and sciatica. 



LV. Ferns are of two kinds, neither having blossom FiUx. 

 or seed. Some Greeks call pteris, others blachnon, 

 the kind from the sole root of which shoot out several 



' MayhofF would fill u]} the lacuna by gustu languido, " an 

 insipid taste," from Dioscorides. 

 f Perhaps, " too deeply." 



435 



