PLANTS OF GREECE. 



243 



33. Asphodelus Ramosus, Kapufio'Sw. This plant is very common 

 in the plain of Athens ; if it ripens into seed well it is a sign of a good 

 harvest. In Zante the leaves are used to stuff the mattresses of the 

 peasants. It is still called »<r<poh\o i and in Cyprus the Turks make a 

 sort of paste or glue which is used for various purposes. 



34. Amaryllis Lutea, dy^oxfivu-, grows abundantly on Anchesmus, 

 and the mountain of Attica ; it is used as a coronary or ornamental 

 plant. The Turks make it grow on the graves of their deceased friends. 



35. Juncus Acutus gfivXc, is of great importance for various econo- 

 mical purposes. It is manufactured into cords and brushes, and in 

 Zante as well as in Attica into baskets, TTrvpioug, for carrying the olives. 

 The Zantiotes employ the stalks in the vineyard to bind the vine, and 

 use the seeds boiled as a cathartic. 



36. Cyperus Longus, mir&fu The roots are taken medicinally for 

 the disorders of the stomach. The leaves are used for stringing and 

 bringing the roots to Athens, and for tying the wild figs on the culti- 

 vated tree. 



37. Asparagus Aphyllus, eecrjraptyyt. The season for this is princi- 

 pally during the time of Lent, when it is boiled and eaten. 



38. Rumex Pulcher, x«Mr«0e. Other species of docks are called by 

 this name. The leaves are employed for making the Turkish Dolma, 

 and are boiled and eaten with oil. 



39. Capparis Spinosa, gs^Tgwp, very common on the road side from 

 Athens to the Piraeus. The young shoots are used as a pickle, and 

 preserved in vinegar. 



Notes by the Editor. 



34. " The Amaryllis lutea," Sibthorp says, " is planted by the Turks over the graves 

 of their friends." The asphodel and myrtle were placed over tombs by the ancients and 

 the latter I have observed to be used by the Turks for a similar purpose. Myrtum tumulo 

 imponebant antiqui. Vossius de Idol. v. 665. ; and in an epigram of Porphyry, a tomb is 

 supposed to address a passer by. " On the outside I have the mallow and the asphodel ; 

 within I enclose a dead body." — Heinsius in Hesiod, E. xau H. 41. 



35. Called also fSoupAo, see Du C. in v. It is the i%v<rxwoc of Dioscorides . Prod. FL Gr. 



36. Koirsifor of Dioscorides and Hippocrates, Sprengel. The recent name Zs^vct is 

 found in the Geoponica, Lib. ii. 



i i 2 



