BOOK VII. V. 2I-VI. 2 



which they certainly should not be allowed to do. 

 But when this has happened, a kind of erysipelas 

 surrounds their mouths and lips with filthy sores. 22 

 The cure consists of hyssop and salt crushed to- 

 gether in equal quantities, the palate, the tongue 

 and the whole mouth being rubbed with this mixture. 

 Next the sores are washed with vinegar and then 

 thoroughly anointed with liquid pitch and lard. 

 Some people prefer a mixture of one part of verdigris 

 to two parts of stale axle-grease heated and used as a 

 medicine ; some make a mixture of crushed cypress- 

 leaves and water and thoroughly wash the sores and 

 the palate. The method of castration has already been 

 described, for the operation is performed on lambs 

 in the same manner as on the larger quadrupeds. 



VI. Now that enough has been said about sheep, Goata. 

 I will next turn to goats. This species of animal 

 prefers thickets to open country and is best pastured 

 in rough and wooded districts ; for it has no aversion 

 to brambles and has no fault to find with briers 

 and takes a particular pleasure in bushes and shrubs, 

 such as the strawberry-tree, the buck-thorn, the 

 wild trefoil and shrubs of holm-oak and oak which 

 have not yet reached any great height. 



The points of the best type of he-goat are two 2 

 excrescences which project downwards from its 

 throat below its jaws, a large frame, thick legs, a full, 

 short neck, flabby and drooping ears, a small head, 

 and black, thick, glossy and very long hair ; for the 

 he-goat is also shorn 



For use in camps and hapless sailors' coats." 



» Vergil, Georg. III. 313. 



* flaccidis ac : placcidis S^A^. 



277 



