BOOK XXVII. cv. 130-CIX. 133 



ness of the trachea is cured by three-oboli doses of it 

 pounded and taken in raisin wine, or by its decoction. 

 Lichen also is cleared away by an appHcation of the 

 root in vinegar. It is taken in drink for flatulence, 

 chills, feverish shivers, hiccough, coUc, herpes, heavi- 

 ness of the head, bilious giddiness, tired pains, and 

 sprains. 



C\^I. Around Ariminum is well known the plant Reseda. 

 called reseda. It disperses all gatherings and in- 

 flammations. Those who use it in treatment add 

 these words : 



Reseda, allay " diseases ; 



Dost know, dost know, what chick here uprooted 



thee ? 

 May he have neither head nor feet. 



They say these words three times, and spit three 

 times on the ground. 



CVII. Stoechas grows only in the islands of the stoechas. 

 same name, a fragrant plant with the foliage of 

 hyssop ^ and a bitter taste. Taken in drink it is an 

 emmenagogue, and relieves pains in the chest. It is 

 also an ingredient of antidotes. 



C\TII. Solanum according to CorneUus Celsus <^ is Sohwim. 

 called arpvxvov by the Greeks. It has repressive and 

 cooling properties. 



CIX. Smyrnion has a stem Uke that of celery,'' and Smyrnion. 

 rather broad leaves, which grow mostly about its 

 many shoots, from the curve of which they spring; 

 they are juicy,« bending towards the ground, and 

 with a drug-Uke smell not unpleasing with a sort of 

 sharpness. The colour shades off to yeUow ; the heads 



* Dioscorides for pinguia has inroXiTrapa. 



471 



