■0 
262 plint's NATUEAL HISTOEY. [Book XXVII. 
mentioned, they facilitate delivery, and bring away the after- 
birth. 
CHAP. 95. PELECINON : ONE KEMEDY. 
We have already^ spoken of pelecinon as growing in corn- 
fields, a plant which throws out a number of shoots from 
thin stems, and has leaves like those of the chick-pea. The 
seed, which is contained in pods of a curved shape, like 
diminutive horns and three or four in number, is similar to 
gith^* in appearance, bitter, and an excellent stomachic. It is 
used as an ingredient in antidotes. 
CHAP. 96. POLYGALA I ONE EEMEDY. 
Polygala^ is a palm in height, with leaves like those of the 
lentil at the extremity of the stem. It has an astringent taste ; 
taken in drink, it increases the milk in nursing women. 
CHAP. 97. POTEEION, PHEYNION, OE NETTEAS I FOUE EEMEDIES. 
Poterion,^^ or, as some call it, phrynion" or " neuras,"^ 
throws out numerous branches, is shrivelled and prickly, and 
covered with a thick down. The leaves of it are small and 
round ; the branches long, soft, thin, and flexible ; and the 
blossom elongated, and of a grass-green colour. The seed is 
never used, but it has a pungent flavour and a powerful smell : 
the plant is found growing upon moist, watery, elevations. 
The roots are two or three in number, some two cubits in 
length, sinewy, white, and firm. It is dug up in autumn, and 
the stem yields a juice like gum, when cut. The root is said 
to be of wonderful efficacy as an application for the cure of 
wounds, more particularly of the sinews, even when severed. 
A decoction of it is also taken, with honey, for relaxations of 
the sinews, and for weakness or wounds of those parts. 
In B, xviii. c. 44. It was also called *' securidaca." 
6* See B. XX. c. 71. 
We learn from Galen that it formed an ingredient in the great anti- 
dote of Mithridates. 
Fee thinks that it may possibly be the Poly gala vulgaris of Linnaeus, the 
Common milk-wort. Desfontaines mentions the Poiygala amara of Lin- 
naeus, the Bitter milkwort of the South of Europe ; and Littre gives the 
Poiygala venulosa of Sibthorp. 
^ See B. XXV. c. 76. ^® The ** sinew " plant. 
