TIRYNS TO ARGOS. 45 
poison, pestilence, and the devil ; being used c **- 
in exorcisms, and extolled and recommended by 
almost all medical writers, from. Hippocrates to 
Bocrhaave. But the herb called PEGANUM by 
Theophrastus and Dioscorides differs from Ruta*. 
The plant mentioned by Plutarch remains 
therefore to be ascertained ; because, as 'Pvrq 
was the more antient name, particularly in 
Peloponnesus 7 , and Hq'ya.vov the more modern, it 
may be supposed that Plutarch, would have 
bestowed the former appellation upon it, if it had 
been applicable. The same author mentions also 
the herb SELENE, producing a species of foam 
(d<pgo$), which the peasants collected in the 
beginning of summer, and applied to their feet, 
as an antidote against the venom of reptiles 8 . 
Its minerals were, the BERYLL 9 , and a stone 
called coRYBAS 10 , of a raven colour, used as a 
charm against fearful dreams. The latter was 
probably nothing more than the dark fetid 
limestone, to which imaginary virtues are still 
(6) "As CELASTRCS from EOONVMUS." See Martyn's Edit, of Miller, 
vol.11. Part}. Land. WOT. 
(7) Ibid, Vol. II. Part 2.' 
(8) Plutarch, de Fluv. p. 62. Tolos. 1615. 
(9) Ibid. p. 60. 
(10) Ibid. p. 64. 
