Chap. 10.] 
ANDEOS^MOIS'. 
225 
occasion/^ however, to speak of another plant, which may, 
with much more justice, be called " myosotis.'' As for alsine, it 
would be the same thing as helxine,^* were it not that it is smaller 
and not so hairy. It grows in^^ gardens, and upon walls more 
particularly : when rubbed, it emits a smell like that of cucum- 
ber. It is used for abscesses, inflammations, and all those pur- 
poses for which helxine is employed ; its properties, however, 
are not so active. It is applied topically, also, to defluxions of 
the eyes, and to sores upon the generative organs, and ulcera- 
tions, with barley meal. The juice is used as an injection for 
the ears. 
CHAP. 9. THE ANDEOSACES ! SIX EEMEDIES. 
The androsaces'*^ is a white plant, bitter, without leaves, and 
bearing arms surmounted with follicules, containing the seed. 
It grows in the maritime parts of Syria, more particularly. 
This plant is administered for dropsy, in doses of two drachmae, 
pounded or boiled, in either water, wine, or vinegar : it acts 
most powerfully as a diuretic. It is used also for gout, either 
taken internally or used as a liniment. The seed is possessed 
of similar properties. 
CHAP. 10. — ANDKOS^MON OE ASCYEON : SIX EEMEDIES. 
Androsaemon*^ or, as some persons call it, ascyron," is not 
unlike hypericon, a plant of which we have spoken already 
the stems, however, are larger, redder, and lie more closely 
together. The leaves are of a white colour, and like those of 
rue in shape ; the seed resembles that of the black poppy, and 
the upper branches, when bruised, emit a red juice the colour 
of blood : these branches have also a resinous smell. 
This plant grows in vineyards, and it is usually in the middle 
*3 In c. 80 of this Book. 
The Parietaria officinalis ; see B. xxii. c. 19. 
^5 He has previously stated that it grows in the woods. The fact is, 
M. Eraas says, that it grows equally upon garden walls, heaps of rubbish, 
in plains, upon shady rocks, and upon mountains, below an elevation of 
loOO feet. 
Generally supposed not to be a vegetable production, but a Madrepore. 
Fee identifies it with the Madrepora acetabulum of Linnaeus. 
^ " Man's blood." Identified by Sprengel with the Hypericum monta- 
num, and by Sibthorp and Fee with the Hypericum perforatum, of Lin- 
naeus, Perforated tutsan or St. John's wort. Se» B. xxvi. cc. 53, 54. 
VOL, v. Q 
