BOOK XXVII. cx. 137-CX111. 139 



CX. Telephion resembles purslane in both stem TeiepMon. 

 and leaves. Seven or eight branches from the root 

 make a bushy plant \vith coarse, fleshy leaves. It 

 grows on cultivated ground, especially among vines. 

 It is used as hniment for freckles and rubbed ofFwhen 

 dry ; it makes Hniment also for psoriasis, to be apphed 

 for about three months, six hours each night or day ; 

 afterwards barley meal should be apphed. It is also 

 good treatment for wounds and fistulas. 



CXI. Trichomanes resembles adiantum, but is Tricho- 

 thinner and darker ; the leaves are hke those of ""*"^*- 

 the lentil, closely set, small, and opposite one 

 another. The decoction, taken in white \vine, with 

 wild cummin added, cures strangury." Eaten as 

 food it prevents hair ftilhng oif, or if it has already 

 done so, restores it. Beaten up and apphed in oil 

 it makes a thick growth when there is mange.'' 

 Sneezing too is provoked by the taste. 



CXII. Thalictrum has coriander-hke leaves, but a TkaUctmm. 

 httle more fleshy ,<= and the stem of a poppy. It grows 

 everywhere, but particularly in flat, meadowy 

 country. The leaves with honey are good treatment 

 for ulcers. 



CXIII. Thlaspi is of two kinds. One has narrow Thiaspi. 

 leaves, a finger in breadth and length, turned towards 

 the ground, and divided at the tip. The stem is half a 

 foot long, not without branches, and with seed 

 enclosed in shield-hke pods and shaped hke a lentil, 

 except that — hence comes the name — it is indented.'* 

 The blossom is white, and the plant grows in lanes 

 and in hedges. The seed has a sliarp taste and 

 brings away bile and phlegm by both vomit and 



crescent-shaped shields. Either half of pepper-wort seed-pod 

 is so shaped. 



475 



