70 
plint's js"atueal history. [Book XXIV. 
accompanied by the vine, there grows a plant, known to the 
Gauls as the ^^rodarum."^^ It has a knotted stem like the 
branch of a fig-tree, and the leaves, which are very similar to 
those of the nettle, are white in the middle, though in process 
of time they become red all over. The blossom of it is of a 
silvery hue. Beaten up with stale axle-grease, due care being 
taken not to touch it with iron, this plant is extremely useful 
for tumours, inflammations, and gatherings ; the patient, how- 
ever, on being anointed with it must spit three times on the 
right side. They say too, that as a remedy it is still more 
efficacious, if three persons of three different nations rub the 
right side of the body with it. 
CHAP. 113. THE PLANT CALLED IMPIA : TWO KEMEDIES. 
The plant called impia"^ is white, resembling rosemary 
in appearance. It is clothed with leaves like a thyrsus, and is 
terminated by a head, from which a number of small branches 
protrude, terminated, all of them, in a similar manner. It is 
this peculiar conformation that has procured for it the name 
of impia," from the progeny thus surmounting the parent. 
Some persons, however, are of opinion that it is so called 
because no animal will touch it. Bruised between, two stones 
it yields an effervescent juice, which, in combination with 
wine and milk, is remarkably efficacious for quinzy. 
There is a marvellous property attributed to this plant, to 
the effect that persons who have once tasted it will never be 
attacked by quinz^^ ; for which reason it is given to swine : 
those among them, however, which refuse to take it will be sure 
to die of that disease. Some persons too are of opinion that 
if slips of it are put into a bird's nest, they will effectually 
prevent the young birds from choking themselves by eating too 
voraciously. 
CHAP. 114. THE PLANT CALLED VENUs' COMB*. ONE KEJMEDY. 
Prom its resemblance to a comb, they give the name of 
Yenus' comb*'^^ to a certain plant, the root of which, bruised 
26 Fee suggests that tbis may possibly be the Spiraea ulmaria of Linnaeus. 
^ The ''impious" or ''unnatural" plant. Fee identifies it with the 
Filago Galliea of Linnaeus, the com cudweed. It is destitute of medicinal 
properties, and what Pliny states is without foundation. 
2^ Generally identified with the Scandix pecten Veneris, corn cicely, ot 
shepherd's needle. See B. sxii. c. 38. 
