§2 Aster History 
Gd noi Temantopsvov, ‘Tt cures buboes even when appended 
as a periapt.” Paulus Aegineta, tr. by Adams. 
It is applied “ ppinatum” and “assumptum.”—Ordus. Juxta 
inguinum cinctus alligari.—Ruel. Alligata, inguinum medeatur. 
—John Lonitzer. Buboni ad alligatum.—Dodoens. 
Suspended from the Neck.—Etiam quod suspensum bubones 
Sanare credatur—Ga/en. Et ipsam herbam habeant in collo sus- 
pensam, remediabuntur.— Apuleius Platonicus, Dorstenius. 
Merely held in the Hand.—If the dry plant is taken up in the 
left hand of the one in labor-pains, etc., D. 
Anguinaria, ... ut profit inguinibus, in manu tantum habendum - 
est.—Fliny, 
Merely Carried About—Some say that this herbe putteth away 
all tumors and sweilings ‘of the siege, share or fundament, yea, 
when it is but only carried about by a man.—Zyre. 
Similar ancient uses as amulets were recorded of Argemonia 
radix—perhaps by the confusion of Argemon with Aster. “Ut 
profit inguinibus in manibus tantum habenda est:’’ see uel; dé 
natura, 4209. ) 
Asplenon herba, dazhqvoy Sordyy, ( =Asplenium Ceterach L., or 
Scolopendrium officinale L..) pro inhibendum conceptum, D. Eu- 
porista, bk. 2, c. 95; and also, for same purpose, Tamaricis lig- 
num, pupizys Shdov, 
Philaeterium radix, etc., against scorpions and other venom- 
ous creatures, Exporista, bk. 2, c. 122. 
Plantaginis radix, for tumors, Ewporista, bk. 2, c. 155. 
Myrtle: “to prevent ulcerations from causing swellings in the 
inguinal glands, it will suffice for a patient to carry a sprig of 
myrtle about him which has never touched the ground or any 
implement of iron.” —Phiny, bk, 2st. 67. 
Other Ancient Amulets of Star-form.—The preceding amulet- 
plants were all used for Purposes similar to those for which Aster 
was recommended as an amulet. The starfish was used more 
generally against all spells; because of superstitious belief in the 
potency of the star form? which may 
cription of such potency to the star-like aster-blossom ; heedless of 
the fact that our destinies lie not j 
n our stars but in ourselves. 
Of the use of the star-fi 
sh Pliny says, bk. 22, c. 16, “It is. as- 
