Chap. 11.] 
THE PAKACES ASCLEPIOK. 
S9 
discover it, being known also as the pentorobus*'^* by some, 
and the glycyside"^^ by others; indeed, this is one of the great 
difficulties attendant on forming an accurate knowledge of 
plants, that the same object has different names in different 
districts. It grows in umbrageous mountain localities, and puts 
forth a stem amid the leaves, some four fingers in height, at the 
summit of which are four or five heads resembling Greek 
nuts^^ in appearance ; enclosed in which, there is a considerable 
quantity of seed of a red or black colour. This plant is a 
preservative against the illusions'^^ practised by the Fauni in 
sleep. It is generally recommended to take it up at night ; 
for if the wood-pecker^'' of Mars should perceive a person doing 
so, it will immediately attack his eyes in defence of the plant. 
CHAP. 11. THE PARAGES ASCLEPIOK I TWO BEMEDIES. 
Thepanaces, by its very name,^^ gives assurance of a remedy for 
all diseases : there are numerous kinds of it, and the discovery 
of its properties has been attributed to the gods. One of these 
kinds is known by the additional name of asclepion,"^^ in 
commemoration of the circumstance that JEsculapius gave the 
name of Panacia^^ to his daughter. The juice of it, as we have 
had occasion to remark already, coagulates like that of 
fennel-giant ; the root is covered with a thick rind of a salt 
flavour. 
After this plant has been taken up, it is a point religiously 
observed to fill the hole with various kinds of grain, a sort of 
expiation, as it were, to the earth. We have already^^ stated, 
when speaking of the exotic productions, where and in what 
manner this juice is prepared, and what kind is the most 
esteemed. That which is imported from Macedonia is known 
as bucolicon," from the fact that the neatherds there are 
in the habit of collecting it as it spontaneously exudes: it 
evaporates, however, with the greatest rapidity. As to the 
From its Jive seeds, which resemble fitches, 
" Sweet to the view," apparently. 
^2 See B. xxiii. c. 76. He means nightmare. 
5^ See B. X. cc. 18, 20, and B. xxvii. c. 60. 
^5 The Greek for "all-healing." 
Probably the Laserpitium hirsiitum of Lamarck. The Echinophora 
tenuifolia of Linnseus, the thin-leaved pricklv p^snip, has also been named. 
^7 Or "All-heal." "'^^ In B. xii. c. 57. 
59 In B. xii. c. 57. 
