420 
MERGE TO GYRENE. 
valuable production of their country ; and we have already observed 
that a representation of the plant is found on the reverse of their 
coins. 
The resemblance of this representation to the plant which we 
found in the Cyrenaicais most conspicuous when the plant is young; 
and before the flower has quite opened, or the stem has attained its 
greatest height 
A little to the north-west of Margad the road branches off in two 
directions towards Cyrene. The lower road, or that which is to the 
northward of the other, is the proper and ancient road ; and traces 
milke which is cluttered within their stomacke. Taken in wine it is singular for 
the faintings about the heart ; as also for colliquations and such as are falne away and 
far gone in a consumption, and for those that be taken with the falling sickuesse : but 
in honied water it hath a special! operation respective to the palsie, or resolution of the 
tongue. With sodden honey and laser together, there is made a liniment very propor 
to anoint the region of the hucklebone where the sciatica is seated ; and the small of the 
backe to allay the paine of the loins. I would not give counselle (continues our author) 
as many writers doe prescribe) for to put it in the concavatie or hole of a decayed tooth, 
and so to stop up the place close with wax, for feare of that which might ensue there- 
upon : for I have seene the fearfnll sequele of that experiment, in a man, who upon the 
taking of that medecine, threw himself headlong from an high loft and broke his necke ; 
such intollerable pains he sustained of the toothach : and no marvelle ; for doe but an- 
noint the mussle, or nose of a bull therewith it will set him on a fire and make him home 
mad : and being mingled with wine, if serpents (as they are most greedie of wine) chance 
to lap or licke thereof, it will cause them to burst. And therefore I would not advise 
any to be annointed with it and honey of Athens incorporat together ; howsoever there 
bee physicians who set downe such a receit.” (Nat. Hist. Book xxii. c. xxiii.) 
* This plant, from its succulent nature, is very difficult to preserve ; and we are 
sorry to say that the specimens which we had collected of it (together with many others 
of the Cyrenaic plants) got mouldy for want of more attention than we were able to 
bestow upon them. We understand, however, that Captain Smyth has succeeded in 
bringing over a specimen of the silphium in good condition, and that the plant is now 
growing in Devonshire and thriving remarkably well. 
