Pliny's natural histoet. [Book XXIV. 
CHAP. 78. SAECOCOLLA : TWO REMEDIES. 
Some authors are of opinion tkat sarcocolla^^ is a tearlike 
gum which exudes from a kind of thorn it is similar to 
powdered incense in appearance, has a sweet flavour with a 
slight degree of bitter, and is of the consistency of gum. 
Pounded in wine, it arrests defluxions, and is used as a topical 
application for infants more particularly. This substance too 
becomes black^^ when old ; the whiter it is, the more highly 
it is esteemed. 
CHAP. 79. OPORICE : TWO REMEDIES. • 
We are indebted too to the medicinal properties of trees 
for one very celebrated medicament, known as oporice."^^ ] 
This preparation is used for dysentery and various affections of 
the stomach ; the following being the method of preparing it. j 
rive quinces, seeds and all, with the same number of pome- 
granates, one sextarius of sorbs, a similar quantity of S^nrian 
rhus,^^ and half an ounce of saffron, are boiled in one congius 
of white grape-juice at a slow heat, till the whole mixture is 
reduced to the consistency of honey. 
CHAP. 80. THE TRIXAGO, CHAM^^DRYS, CHAM^DROPS, OR 
TEUCRIA : SIXTEEN REMEDIES. 
We shall now add to these plants, certain vegetable produc- 
tions to which the Greeks have given names belonging to trees, 
so that it would be doubtful whether they themselves are not 
trees as well. 1 
(15.) The chamoedrys^^ is the same plant that in Latin is 
called ^^trixago;" some persons, however, call it '^chamse- 
drops," and others teucria." The leaves of it are the size | 
22 See B. xiii. c. 20. 
23 The Peneea sarcocoUa is not a thorny tree. 
2* Fee says that this is not the case. It is no longer used in medicine. 
25 Or conserve of fruits. An electuary. i 
26 Seed of the sumach. See B. xiii. c. 13. 
27 " Ground oak." See B. xiv. c. 19 ; where it is identified with the 
Teucrium chamaedrys of Linnseus. Littre, however, informs us, that M. 
Fraas considers it to be the Teucrium lucidum of Linneeus ; because, as we 
learn from Dioscorides, it grows on rocky places, is a remarkably diminutive 
shrub, and has a fine odour, all of which are characteristics of the latter 
plant, and not of the Teucrium chamaedrys, commonly known as the dwarf j 
oak or germander. I 
