164 
PLINTHS KATUEAL HISTOET. [Book XXVI* 
CHAP. 16. BECHION, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS AECION, CHAM^- 
LEUCE OE TUSSILAGO I THEEE EEMEDIES. 
Bechion'^^ is known also as tussilago : there are two kinds 
of it. Wherever it is found growing wild, it is generally- 
thought that there is a spring of water below, and it is looked 
upon as a sure sign that such is the case, by persons in search"^^ 
of water. The leaves are somewhat larger than those of 
ivy, and are some five or seven in number, of a whitish hue 
beneath, and a pale green on the upper surface, The plant is 
destitute of stem, blossom, and seed, and the root is very 
diminutive. Some persons are of opinion that this bechion is 
identical with the arcion, known also as the chama^leuce.'^'^ 
The smoke"^^ of this plant in a dry state, inhaled by the aid 
of a reed and swallowed, is curative, they say, of chronic 
cough ; it is necessary, however, at each inhalation to take a 
draught of raisin wine. 
CHAP. 17. THE BECHION, KNOWN ALSO AS SALVIA: EOTJE 
EEMEDIES. 
There is another bechion"^* also, known to some persons as 
salvia, and bearing a strong resemblance to verbascum. 
This plant is triturated, and the juice strained off and taken 
warm for cough and for pains in the side : it is considered 
very beneficial also for the stings of scorpions and sea- 
dragons.*^^ It is a good plan, too, to rub the body with this 
juice, mixed with oil, as a preservative against the stings of 
serpents. A bunch of hyssop is sometimes boiled down with 
a quarter of a pound of honey, for the cure of cough. 
CHAP. 18. (7.) AFFECTIONS OE THE SIDE, CHEST, AND STOJIACH. 
Por the cure of pains in the side and chest, verbascum'''^ is 
used in water, with rue ; powdered betony is also taken in 
warm water. Juice of scordotis*^^ is used as a stomachic, 
See B. xxiv. c. 85. 
"1 " Aquileges." "^2 gee B. xxiv. c. 85. 
'''^ Dried bechion, or coltsfoot, is still smoked by some persons for 
affections of the chest. 
Generally identified with the Phlomos, or Verbascum lychnitis men- 
tioned in B. XXV. c. 74. " Sage." See B. xxv. c. 73. \ 
7« See B. ix. c. 43, and B. xxxii. c. 53. j 
77 See B. xxv. c. 73. gee B. xx. c. 27. s 
