Chap. 38.] 
THE VXTEX. 
27 
white blossom mixed with purple, whereas the black one has a 
flower that is entirely purple. Both of these trees grow on 
level spots of a marshy nature. 
The seed of these trees, taken in drink, has a sort of vinous 
flavour, and has the reputation of being a febrifuge. It is 
said also to act as a sudorific, if the body is rubbed with it 
mixed with oil, and to have the eftect of dispelling extreme 
lassitude : it acts too as a diuretic^^ and emmenagogue. The 
produce of both trees is trying to the head, like wine, and 
indeed the odour of them is very similar. They have the 
effect also of removing flatulence in the lower regions of the 
body, act astringently upon the bowels, and are remarkably 
useful for dropsj^ and affections of the spleen. They promote 
the secretion of the milk, and centralize the venom of serpents, 
when of a cold nature more particularly. The smaller kind, 
however, is the more efficacious of the two for injuries inflicted 
by serpents, the seed being taken in doses of one drachma, in 
wine or oxycrate, or else the more tender leaves in doses of two 
drachmae. 
From both trees also a liniment is prepared for the bites of 
spiders, but it is quite sufficient to rub the wounds with the 
leaves ; and if a fumigation is made from them, or if they are 
spread beneath the bed, they will repel the attacks of all 
venomous creatures. They act also as an antaphrodisiac, and 
it is by this tendency in particular that they neutralize the 
venom of the phalangium, the bite of which has an exciting 
effect upon the generative organs. The blossoms and young 
shoots, mixed with oil of roses, allay head-aches arising from 
inebriation. A decoction of the seed used as a fomentation 
cures head-ache, however intense it may be ; and employed as 
a fumigation or as a pessary, the seeds acts as a detergent 
upon the uterus. Taken in drink with honey and penny-royal, 
it has a laxative effect ; pounded and used with barley-meal, 
it quickly brings abscesses and hard tumours to a head, and 
has an emollient effect. 
The seed, in combination with saltpetre and vinegar, removes 
lichens and freckles ; mixed with honey, it heals ulcers and 
eruptions of the mouth ; applied with butter and vine-leaves, 
it reduces swellings of the testes ; used with water, as a lini- 
*3 It may possibly, Fee says, kave this effect, but the other properties 
here attributed to it are wholly imaginary. 
