54 
PLI^-^y's ISTATUEAL HISTORY. 
[Book XXIV. 
growing in craggy localities, and never exceeds a palm in 
height. It is of a purgative^^ nature, and carries off phlegm 
and bile ; for which purposes, the leaves are boiled with twice 
the quantity of wormwood, and the decoction taken with 
honey. The leaves, applied to ulcers, have a detergent effect. 
It is said, that if a person gathers it before sunrise, taking care 
to mention that he is gathering it for the cure of white specks^ 
in the eyes, and then wears it as an amulet, it will effect a cure : 
as also that, gathered in any way, it is beneficial for the eyes 
of beasts of burden and cattle. 
CHAP. 83. THE CHAM^SrCE I EIGHT REMEDIES. 
The chamsesyce^^ has leaves similar to those of the lentil, and 
lying close to the ground ; it is found growing in dry, rocky, 
localities. A decoction of it in wine is remarkably useful as a 
liniment for improving^® the sight, and for dispersing cataract, 
cicatrizations, films, and cloudiness of the eyes. Applied in a 
pledget of linen, as a pessary, it allays pains in the uterus ; 
and used topically^'' it removes warts and excrescences of all 
kinds. It is very useful also for hardness of breathing. 
CHAP. 84.— THE CHAM^CISSOS : ONE EEMEDY. 
The chamsecissos'^^ has ears like those of wheat, with 
numerous leaves, and small branches, about five in number. 
When in blossom it might almost be taken for the white violet : 
the root of it is diminutive. Eor sciatica, the leaves of it are 
taken, seven days consecutively, in doses of three oboli, in two 
cyathi of wine : this is a very bitter potion, however. 
CHAP. 85. THE CHAM^LEUCE, FAEFAHUM, OR EAEFUailTM : ONE 
REMEDY. 
The chamseleuce^'^ is known among us as the farfarum" or 
farfugium it grows on the banks of rivers, and has a leaf 
^ This, Fee says, is consistent with modern experience ; indeed it is 
drastic to a dangerous extent. 34 « Albu^ines." 
35 Or " ground fig.'* The Euphorbia chamaesyce, or annual spurge. 
•^^ The juices are irritating and acrid, and would in reality be highly 
dangerous to the eyes. 
Owing to its caustic powers, it really is good for the removal of warts. 
38 Or ground-ivy." SeeB. xvi. c. 62", and c. 49 of this Book. 
3^ Fee says that this comparison is not strictly correct. 
40 The "ground-poplar." See B. xxvi. c. 19. Identified with the 
Tussilago farfara of Linneeus ; our colt's-foot. 
