Chap. 92.] 
THE AJS'AGALLTS. 
137 
two kinds of it, the male^^ plant, with a red blossom, and the 
female, with a blue flower. These plants do not exceed a 
palm in height, and have a tender stem, with diminutive 
leaves of a rounded form, drooping upon the ground. They 
grow in gardens and in spots covered with water, the blue 
anagallis being the first to blossom. The juice ^ of either 
plant, applied with honey, disperses films upon the eyes, 
suffusions of blood in those organs resulting from blows, and 
argema^ with a red tinge : if used in combination with Attic 
honey, they are still more efficacious. The anagallis has the 
effect also of dilating the pupil; hence the eye is anointed 
with it before the operation of couching for cataract. These 
plants are employed also for diseases of the eyes in beasts of 
burden. 
The juice, injected into the nostrils, which are then rinsed 
with wine, acts as a detergent upon the head : it is taken also, 
in doses of one drachma, in wine, for wounds inflicted by ser- 
pents. It is a remarkable fact, that cattle will refuse to touch 
the female plant ; but if it should so happen that, deceived by 
the resemblance — the flower being the only distinguishing 
mark — they have accidentally tasted it, they immediately have 
recourse, as a remedy, to the plant called asyla," ®^ but more 
generally known among us as ferus oculus."^^ Some persons 
recommend those who gather it, to prelude by saluting it 
before sunrise, and then, before uttering another word, to take 
care and extract the juice immediately ; if this is done, they 
say, it will be doubly efficacious. 
As to the juice of euphorbia, we have spoken of its pro- 
perties at sufficient length already. In cases of ophthalmia, 
^2 Identified with the Anagallis arvensis of Linnaeus, with a red flower, 
the Red pimpernel, Corn pimpernel, or Shepherd's weather-glass. 
The Anagallis caeruleo flore of Tournefort, the Blue pimpernel. 
^ In reality they are destitute of medicinal properties. It is said, 
though apparently on no sufficient grounds, that red pimpernel is poisonous 
to small birds. 
5^ Or blood-shot eyes." A disease of the pupil. 
Belladonna, a preparation from the Atropa belladonna, is now gene- 
rally used for this purpose. " Paracentesis." 
This plant is unknown. Fee suggests that Pliny may have made a 
mistake, and that the account from which he copies may have been, that 
when cattle have been stung by the asilus, or gadfly, they have recourse to 
the Anagallis. <5o u g^yage eye." 
61 In c. 38 of this Book. 
