Chap. 35.] 
THE CATAKANCE. 
237 
the lettuce, of a wrinkled, pursed appearance, and destitute of 
stem, the leaves arising from a single root : it grows upon 
rocks more particularly, and shells sunk in the sand. It has 
desiccative^^ and astringent qualities in a very high degree, 
properties which render it useful for reducing all kinds of 
abscesses and inflammations, those attendant upon gout in 
particular. It is good also for all affections which stand in 
need of cooling applications. 
CHAP. 34. THE BUPLEUEON I ONE KEMEBY. 
I find it stated that seed of bupleuron^^ is given for injuries 
inflicted by serpents ; and that the wound is fomented with 
a decoction of the plant, in combination with leaves of the 
mulberry or of origanum. 
CHAP. 35. THE CATAHTANCE; one OBSERVATION UPON IT. THE 
CEMOS : ONE OBSERVATION UPON IT. 
The catanance^^ is a Thessalian plant, which it would be 
a mere loss of time to describe, seeing that it is only used as 
an ingredient in philtres. In order, however, to expose the 
follies of the magical art, it may not be out of place to remark 
that this plant has been selected for the above-named purpose, 
from the fact that, as it withers, it gradually contracts and 
assumes the shape of the claws of a dead kite.^^ 
Por a similar reason we shall give no description of the 
plant called cemos."^' 
phrastus, Hist. iv. 7, that it was a name for sea-weed in general, and not 
a specific plant. 
In reality, it is destitute of medicinal properties. Some kinds of laver 
are considered a dainty food. 
'3 See B. xxii. c. 35. See B. xx. c. 67. 
Dioscorides speaks of two kinds of Catanance ; one of which has 
heen identified by Sprengel with the Ornithopus corapressus of Linnaeus, 
and the other with the Astragalus pugniformis. Fee expresses 'his doubts 
as to the correctness of these conclusions. 
^6 "As if it would catch women, and hold them fast perforce." — Holland. 
It has been suggested that the Coronopus. or " crow's foot," mentioned 
in B. xxi. c. 59, was so called for a similar reason. 
^"^ Prosper Alpinus identifies it with the Plantago Cretica of Linnaeus, 
and Sprengel with the Micropus erectus of Linnaeus. Fee considers it to 
be the Gnaphalium leontopodium of Lamarck. 
I 
