CHAP. 36.—THE BUPRESTIS: ONE REMEDY.
With a remarkable degree of inconsistency, the Greek writers, while praising the buprestis2645 as an aliment, point out certain antidotes2646 to it, as though it were a poison. The very name, however, proves to a certainty that it is poisonous to cattle, and it is generally admitted that, on tasting it, they burst2647 asunder: we shall, therefore, say no more about it. Is there any reason, in fact, why, when we are speaking of the materials employed in making our grass crowns, we should describe a poison? or really ought we to enlarge upon it only to please the libidinous fancies of those who imagine that there is not a more powerful aphrodisiac in existence than this, when taken in drink?