Chap. 66.] 
PHTCOS THALASStON, 
193 
bristling with a greater number of leaves, covered with rugo- 
sities, full of a more acrid juice, and possessed of a powerful 
smell. The kind that resembles anagallis most closely, is 
known as moUugo.^^ Asperugo^^ is a similar plant, only with 
a more prickly leaf. The juice of the first is taken daily, in 
doses of one denarius, in two cyathi of wine. 
CHAP. 66. PHYCOS THALASSION OK SEA.-WEED : THKEE VAEIETIES 
OF IT. LAPPA BOAEIA. 
But it is the phycos thalassion, or sea-weed,^^ more particu- 
larly, that is so excellent a remedy for the gout. It resembles 
the lettuce in appearance, and is used as the basis in dyeing 
tissues with the purple of the murex.^^ Used before it be- 
comes dry, it is efficacious as a topical application not only 
for gout, but for all diseases of the joints. There are three 
kinds of it j one with a broad leaf, another with a longer leaf 
of a reddish hue, and a third with a crisped leaf, and used in 
Crete for dyeing cloths.^^ All these kinds have similar pro- 
perties ; and we find E'icander prescribing them in wine as an 
antidote to the venom of serpents even. The seed also of the 
plant which we have spoken of as psyllion,''^^ is useful for 
the cure of gout : it is first steeped in water, and one hemina of 
the seed is then mixed with two spoonfuls of resin of Colophon, 
and one spoonful of frankincense. Leaves of mandragora,^''^ 
too, are highly esteemed for this purpose, beaten up with 
polenta. 
(11.) For swellings of the ankles, slime,^^ kneaded up with 
oil, is wonderfully useful, and for swellings of the joints the 
juice of the smaller centaury ; this last being remarkably good 
also for diseases of the sinews. Centauris,^^ too, is very useful ; 
and for pains in the sinews of the shoulder-blades, shoulders, 
3^ Identified with the Galium moUugo of Linnseus, Great ladies' bed- 
straw, or Wild bastard madder. 
^2 The Asperugo procumbens of Linnseus has been named, but Fee re- 
marks that from its resemblance to MoUugo, the plant must be sought 
among the Rubiaceae, and not among the Borragineae. 
23 " Fucus marinus." See B. xiii. c. 48. 
" Qui conchyliis substernitur." See Beckmann's Hist. Inv. Vol. I. 
p. 36, Bohn's Ed. 
3^ What Fucus or Laminaria this may have been is now unknown. 
36 See B. XXV. c. 90. s? gge B. xxv. c. 94. 
28 Limus aquaticus." 39 ggg ]3, ;^y, ^. 32, • 
VOL. V. O 
