498 
plii^y's jstattjral history. 
[Book XXXL 
curative also of scab in sheep, and imparts additional softness 
to the wool. 
CHAP. 34. HOW ARTIFICIAL SEA-WATER MAY BE MADE IN PLACES 
AT A DISTANCE FROM THE SEA. 
I am by no means unaware that these details may very 
possibly appear superfluous to persons who live at a distance 
from the sea ; but scientific research has made provision against 
this objection, hj discovering a method of enabling every one 
to make sea-water'^^ for himself. It is a singular fact in con- 
nexion with this discovery, that if more than one sextarius of 
salt is put into four sextarii of water, the liquefying proper- 
ties of the water will be overpowered, and the salt will no 
longer melt. On the other hand, again, a mixture of one sex- 
tarius of salt with four sextarii of water, acts as a good substi- 
tute for the efficacy and properties of the very sal test sea-water. 
The most reasonable proportion, however, is generally thought 
to be eight cyathi of salt, diluted in the quantity of water 
above mentioned; a preparation which has been found to 
have a warming effect upon the sinews, without in any degree 
chafing the body. 
CHAP. 35. HOW THALASSOMELI IS MADE. 
There is also a composition made to ripen for use, known as 
*^ thalassomeli/^''^ and prepared with equal parts of sea- water, 
honey, and rain-water. For this purpose, also, the water is 
brought from out at sea, and the preparation is kept in an 
earthen vessel well pitched. It acts most efficiently as a pur- 
gative, and without in the least fatiguing the stomach; the 
taste, too, and smell of it, are very agreeable. 
CHAP. 36.- — HOW HYDROMELI IS MADE. 
Hydromeli,"^^ also, was a mixture formerly made with pure 
rain-water and honey, and was prescribed for patients who 
were anxious for wine, as being a more harmless drink. Por 
these many years past, however, it has been condemned, as 
having in reality all the inconveniences of wine, without the 
advantages. 
The ancients being unable to analyze sea- water, could only imitate it 
very clumsiiy. '^^ " Sea-water honey." 
See B xiv. c. 20, and B. xxii. c. 51. He is speaking, probably, of 
fermented hydromel, a sort of mead. 
