Chap. 34.] 
THE CERATIA. 
173 
Castor has given a different description of this plant. Ac- 
cording to him, it has a smaller leaf,°^ like horse-hair/^ with a 
long, smooth, stem, and grows in watery localities. "With the 
root of it he used to treat scrofulous sores and indurations. 
Potamogiton neutralizes the effects of the bite of the crocodile ; 
hence it is that those who go in pursuit of that animal, are in 
the habit of carrying it about them. 
Achillea^^ also arrests looseness of the bowels; an effect 
equally produced by the statice,^^ a plant with seven heads, like 
those of the rose, upon as many stems. 
CHAP. 34. THE CEEATIA I TWO EEMEDIES. LEONTOPODlOlSr, LEIT- 
CEOKON, DOKIPETEON, OE THOETBETHEON. LAGOPITS : THEEE 
EEMEDIES. 
The ceratia^* is a plant with a single^ leaf, and a large 
knotted root: taken with the food, it is curative of cceliac 
affections and dysentery. 
Leontopodion,^^ a plant known also as leuceoron,'' " dori- 
petron," or thorybethron," has a root which acts astringently 
upon the bowels and carries off bile, being taken in doses of 
two denarii in hydromel. It grows in champaign localities 
with a poor soil : the seed, taken in drink, produces night-mare,^' 
it is said, in the sleep. 
Lagopus^ arrests diarrhoea, taken in wine, or, if there are 
symptoms of fever, in water. This plant is attached to the 
groin, for tumours in that part of the body : it grows in corn- 
fields. Many persons recommend, in preference to anything else, 
C. Bauhin and Sprengel identify the plant here described with the 
Potamogeton pusillum of Linnaeus ; but Fee considers it extremely doubtful. 
A species of Equisetum would seem to be meant ; indeed, Littre gives 
the Equisetum telmateia. g^e B. xxv. c. 19. 
Fee thinks that this may possibly be the Statice Armeria of Linnaeus, 
Sea thrift, or Sea gilly-flower. 
Considered by Sprengel to be the Cyclaminos chamaecissos of B. xxv. 
c. 69, which he identifies with the Convallaria bifolia of Linnaeus, the 
Little lily of the valley, or May lily. Fabius Columna and Brotero con- 
sider it to be the Dentaria trifolia, Three-leaved toothwort. 
This is incorrect, if it is the Lily of the valley. 
"Lion's paw," "white plant," or "rock-spear." Probably the 
Leontice leontopetalum of Linnreus, Lion's paw, or Lion*s leaf. See B. 
xxvii. c. 72. " Lymphatica somnia." 
" Hare's foot." Possibly the Trifolium arvense of Linnaeus, Hare's 
foot trefoil. 
