256 
PLINY S NATUEAL HISTORY. 
[Book XXVII. 
from a single root numerous hollowed stems, of a somewhat 
reddish colour ; and bearing at the lower extremities swarthy, 
narrow, oblong leaves, sharp on the back, arranged in pairs 
at regular distances, and springing from delicate branches 
attached with axils to the main stems. The flower is blue, 
and the root, a finger in length, is provided with numerous 
filaments like hairs. This plant possesses certain septic and ul- 
cerating properties, and hence is used for the cure of fistula 
of the eye. The Egyptians say that if upon the morning of 
the twenty- eight day of their month Thoth, a day which gene- 
rally falls in our month of August, a person rubs himself with 
the juice of this plant before speaking to any one, he will be 
sure to have no diseases of the eyes all that year. 
CHAP. 81. THE MYAGEOS: ONE EEMEDY. 
The myagros^^ is a ferulaeeous plant, with leaves like those 
of madder: the seed is of an oily nature — indeed, an oil is 
extracted from it. Ulcerations of the mouth are cured by 
rubbing them with the juice of this plant. 
CHAP. 82. THE NYMA : ONE EEMEDY. 
The plant called nyma"^'-^ bears three long leaves, like 
those of endive : applied to scars, it restores the skin to its 
natural colour. 
CHAP. 83. THE NATEIX : ONE EEMEDY. 
^'JS'atrix is the name of a plant, the root of which, when 
taken out of the ground, has just the rank smell of the he-goat. 
It is used in Picenum for the purpose of keeping away from 
females what with a singular credulity they call by the name 
of Eatui.'*^* Eor my own part, however, I should think that 
Linnaeus, Scorpion-grass, or mouse-ear, which is not of a corrosive nature, as 
Phny says, but emollient and soothing. Littre names the Asperugo pro- 
cumbens of Linnaeus, Wild bugloss, German madwort, or great goose-grass. 
31 Sprengel identifies it with the Alyssum sativum, the Garden madwort ; 
Fee with the Camelina sativa of Crantz, the Cultivated cameline. Littre 
gives the Neslia paniculata as its synonym. 
82 Oj. u Nigina," in some editions. It is utterly unknown, 
^ Possibly a fabulous plant ; though it is generally identified with the 
Ononis natrix of Linnseus. Poinsinet de Sivry derives its name from the 
Celto-Germanic words, nat^ ^' night," and ns, "wand;" a name given to it, 
according to him, for its efficacy in dispelling the illusions of the night. 
34 « Fauni," the same as our nigiitmare. 
