285 “Recubitu” seems preferable to “cubitu.”
286 This is very doubtful, Fée says.
287 See B. xvi, c. 71.
288 See B. xvi. c. 71.
289 Blackberries are still used in the country, Fée says, as an astringent medicine, and all here stated that is based upon that property is rational enough. The same cannot, however, be said of the greater part of the other statements in this Chapter.
290 See B. xx. cc. 23, 81, and B. xxiii. cc. 12, 18.
291 See B. xx. c. 81, B. xxii. c. 13, and B. xxiii. c. 23.
292 Cabbage-sprouts. See B. xix. c. 41.
293 Or “mouth-medicine.” See B. xxiii. c. 71.
295 The spider called “phalangium” is meant, Fée says. See B. xi. c. 28.
296 Astringents.
297 “Lapidescunt.”
298 The eglantine. See B. xvi. c. 71.
299 He alludes to “bedeguar,” a fungous excrescence found on the wild rose-tree, and produced by the insect known as the Cynips rosæ. It is somewhat rough on the exterior, like the outer coat of the chesnut.
301 Or “dog-bramble.”
302 “Dog-strangle,” apparently.
303 “Drawn with a string.” Fée thinks that Pliny has confused the account given of this plant with that of the Aglaophotis, mentioned in c. 102 of this Book, and that the Cynosbatos is only a variety of the Rubus or bramble. Other authorities identify it with the Rubus caninus, or with the Rosa sempervirens. Desfontaines thinks that it is the Ribes nigrum, or black currant; and Littré is of opinion that some gooseberry or currant tree is meant.
304 See B. xiii. c. 44.
305 “Thyrsus.” Fée thinks that the allusion is to the produce of the caper, while Hardouin says that it is the first cynosbatos that he is speaking of. Hardouin is probably right.
306 The blossom, perhaps, of the Rubus fruticosus, or blackberry.
307 See B. xii. c. 60.
308 Fée says that they have no such property, and that the blossoms of the bramble are entirely destitute of any known medicinal qualities. The roots and leaves are somewhat astringent.
309 The raspberry; see B. xvi. c. 71.
310 There is one variety which is very diminutive, and entirely destitute of thorns, the Rubus Idæus lævis of C. Bauhin, the Rubus Idæus non spinosus of J. Bauhin.
311 See B. xvi. c. 71.
312 Of the bramble genus.
313 In reality, as Fée says, there is no botanical affinity between the Rubus, or bramble, and the Rhamnus.
314 Sprengel identifies this plant with the Zizyphus vulgaris of Linnæus, the jujube, and Desfontaines is of the same opinion. Fée, however, takes it to be the Rhamnus saxatilis of Linnæus, the rock buckthorn.
315 Identified by some authorities with the Paliurus aculeatus of Decandolles, mentioned in c. 71. Sprengel is in doubt whether it may not be the Rhamnus lycioides of Linnæus.
316 Not a characteristic, Fée says, of the genus Rhamnus of modern Botany.
317 Or “Lycian” extract. See B. xii. c. 15.
318 See B. xii. c. 15. Fée identifies this with the modern Catechu, a decoction from the Acacia catechu, a leguminous plant of the East Indies.
319 The Rhamnus lycioides of Linnæus, our buckthorn. The Indian plant from which catechu is extracted is of a similar nature. See B. xii. c. 15.
320 This Fée looks upon as an exaggeration.
321 See B. xii. c. 15.
322 I.e. the choice part of it; see B. xii. c. 15. Catechu is adulterated at the present day with starch and argillaceous earths. As a medicament it is not possessed of a very powerful action.
323 “Clavos.”
324 This statement is quite correct.
325 See B. xiii. c. 20.
326 The Penæa sarcocolla is not a thorny tree.
327 Fée says that this is not the case. It is no longer used in medicine.
328 Or conserve of fruits. An electuary.
329 Seed of the sumach. See B. xiii. c. 13.
330 “Ground oak.” See B. xiv. c. 19; where it is identified with the Teucrium chamædrys of Linnæus. Littré, however, informs us, that M. Fraäs considers it to be the Teucrium lucidum of Linnæus; because, as we learn from Dioscorides, it grows on rocky places, is a remarkably diminutive shrub, and has a fine odour, all of which are characteristics of the latter plant, and not of the Teucrium chamædrys, commonly known as the dwarf oak or germander.
331 An invention attributed to Dædalus, in B. vii. c. 57.
332 The Teucrium chamædrys is a bitter plant, which has been successfully used for fever, and it acts as a tonic and vermifuge. Beyond these, it has no medicinal properties whatever.
333 See B. xiv. c. 19.
334 Or “ground-laurel.” Fée considers this to be identical with the Alexandrian laurel, mentioned in B. xv. c. 39. It is no longer used in medicine, but the roots of a plant of kindred nature, the Ruseus aculeatus, or butcher’s broom, are diuretic.
335 Or “ground olive.” See B. xiii. c. 35.
336 This, Fée says, is consistent with modern experience; indeed it is drastic to a dangerous extent.
337 “Albugines.”
338 Or “ground fig.” The Euphorbia chamæsyce, or annual spurge.
339 The juices are irritating and acrid, and would in reality be highly dangerous to the eyes.
340 Owing to its caustic powers, it really is good for the removal of warts.
341 Or “ground-ivy.” See B. xvi. c. 62, and c. 49 of this Book.
342 Fée says that this comparison is not strictly correct.
343 The “ground-poplar.” See B. xxvi. c. 19. Identified with the Tussilago farfara of Linnæus; our colt’s-foot.
344 Or “tube”—“infundibulum.” Colt’s-foot is still smoked, either by itself or in conjunction with tobacco. Fée says, however, that to inhale the smoke in the manner here described, would be enough to create a cough if it did not exist before.
345 “Ground-pine” or “ground pitch-tree.” Identified by Sprengel with the Stohelina chamæpeuce of Willdenow, a corymbiferous plant of the Isle of Candia.
346 “Ground-cypress.” Identified with the Euphorbia cyparissias of Linnæus, the cypress spurge. Taken internally, it is a corrosive poison.
347 Or “vine-leek.” The Allium ampeloprason of Linnæus, the great round-headed garlic. It is no longer used in medicine, and all that Pliny states as to its medicinal properties is quite unfounded, Fée says.
348 Fée thinks that Pliny has committed an error here, and that the word “marrubii” should be substituted, our “horehound.” He identifies it with the Stachys Germanica of Linnæus, or base horehound; which is more commonly found in the South of Europe than in Germany.
349 Or “bed-foot.” The Clinopodium vulgare of Linnæus, our wild basil. It has some useful properties attributed to it; but what Pliny here states respecting it is erroneous.
350 This seems to be the meaning of “orbiculato foliorum ambitu.”
351 Turner and C. Bauhin identify it with the Gnaphalium Germanicum of Lamarck, and Sprengel with the Polygonum convolvulus of Linnæus. If so, Fée says, the synonym here given by Pliny is erroneous; for the Greek clematis, there can be little doubt, is the Clematis cirrhosa of Linnæus. See the account given of the Gnaphalion in B. xxvii. c. 61.
352 All that Pliny states as to its medicinal properties, Fée says, is erroneous.
353 Probably the Asclepias nigra of Linnæus, black swallow-wort.
354 The Asclepias nigra has no such medicinal effects as those mentioned by Pliny.
355 The Vinca major and Vinca minor of Linnæus, the greater and smaller periwinkle. Fée is at a loss to know why it should be called “Egyptian,” as it is a plant of Europe.
356 “Laurel-shaped” and “many-cornered.”
357 In B. xix. c. 30.
358 Fée says that the Dracontion of the Greeks and the Dracunculus of the Latins are identical, being represented in modern Botany by the Arum dracunculus of Linnæus, the common dragon.
359 From “draco,” a “dragon” or “serpent.” Fée says, that it is not to its roots, but to its spotted stem, resembling the skin of an adder, that it owes its name.
360 “Virus.” Fée says that the Arum dracunculus has a strong, fetid odour, and all parts of it are acrid and caustic, while the Arum colocasia has an agreeable flavour when boiled.
361 This, Fée says, is fabulous.
362 Though no longer used in medicine, the account here given of the properties of the Arum colocasia is in general correct, a few marvellous details excepted.
363 Sillig thinks that there is a lacuna here, and that the name “Cleophantus” should be supplied.
364 Fée thinks that, thus employed, it would be more injurious than beneficial. Though Pliny is treating here of the Arum colocasia or Egyptian Arum, he has mingled some few details with it, relative to the Arum dracunculus, a plant endowed with much more energetic properties. See Note 360 above.
365 See B. viii. c. 54, as to the use alleged to be made by animals of this plant.
366 Fée says that this is very doubtful.
367 In c. 91 of this Book. This story is owing merely to its appearance, which somewhat resembles the skin of a serpent.
368 “Demonstratum mihi est.”
369 Identified by Fée with the Arum Italicum of Lamarck.
370 Fée queries whether this may not be the Arum maculatum of Linnæus, wake-robin, cuckoo pint, or lords and ladies.
371 Identified by C. Bauhin with the Calla palustris of Linnæus.
372 The Arum arisarum of Linnæus, hooded arum or friar’s cowl, a native of the coasts of Barbary and the South of Europe.
373 Or “ten thousand leaves.” The Myriophyllum spicatum of Linnæus, according to most authorities, though Fée considers it very doubtful.
374 Possibly the Achillea millefolium of Linnæus, our milfoil or yarrow. It is still said to have the property of healing wounds made by edge-tools, for which reason it is known in France as the “carpenter’s plant.”
375 This assertion, as Fée remarks, is more than doubtful.
376 “Bastard turnip.” Desfontaines identifies it with the Bunium aromaticum; Fée queries whether it may not be the Pimpinella tenuis of Sieber, found in Crete. The Berberis vulgaris has been also suggested.
377 Desfontaines identifies it with the Scandix odorata of Linnæus. Hardouin says that it is musk chervil, the Chærophyllum aromaticum of Linnæus, in which he has followed Dodonæus. Fuchsius suggests the Chærophyllum silvestre of Linnæus: Fée expresses himself at a loss to decide.
378 Probably the Hedysarum onobrychis of Linnæus, our sainfoin.
379 They are very much larger than those of the lentil, in fact. This diversity has caused Fée to express some doubts whether it really is identical with sainfoin. The Polygala officinalis has also been suggested.
380 Dalechamps considers these appellations to mean the “virgins’ plant,” and the “plant of beauty.”
381 The Cissampelos Pareira, as already stated, abounds in mucilage to such a degree, as to impart a consistency to water, without impairing its transparency. See c. 72 of this Book.
382 The reading of this word is doubtful. Hardouin thinks that it is the same as the Minyanthes mentioned in B. xxi. c. 88.
383 Fée says that the only cases known of a phænomenon resembling this, are those of the Dictamnus albus, white dittany, which attracts flame momentarily when in flower, and of the Tropæolum majus, or great Indian cress. He thinks, however, that there are some trees so rich in essential oil, that they might possibly ignite as readily as naphtha.
384 In B. ii. c. 109.
385 Another reading here is “aproxis,” which seems more probable.
386 “The work of his own hands,” according to Hesychius.
387 “Admiration of man.” It is impossible to say what plant is meant under this name, but the pæony, Pæonia officinalis, has been suggested; also the Tropæolum majus. Desfontaines queries whether it may not be the Cæsalpinia pulcherrima, a native of the East. Some authors, Fée says, have identified it with the “Moly” of Homer.
388 So called from Achæmenes, the ancestor of the Persian kings. Fée thinks that it was a variety of the Euphorbia antiquorum, or else a nightshade.
389 “Food for the gods.”
390 See B. xii. c. 30; also the Introduction to Vol. III.
391 “Venerable” or “majestic.”
392 “Hard as a diamond.”
393 The Spina Ariana is mentioned in B. xii. c. 18.
394 See B. xx. c. 65, where a plant is mentioned by this name.
395 Dalechamps thinks that an Euphorbia is meant under this name.
396 “Serpent-plant.” Fée thinks that a hemlock may possibly be meant, or perhaps the Arum serpentaria; see c. 93 of this Book.
397 “Brightness of the sea.” A narcotic plant, Fée thinks, probably a night-shade.
398 Hardouin suggests “potamitis,” river-plant.
399 It is not impossible that this may in reality be an allusion to the effects of opium, or of hasheesh.
400 “Messenger of the gods,” apparently.
401 “Laughing leaves.” Possibly, Fée thinks, the Ranunculus philonotis, the Herba Sardoa or Sardonic plant of Virgil, known by some authorities as the Apium risus, or “laughing parsley.” Desfontaines suggests that hemp (prepared in the form of hasheesh) is meant.
402 “Convivial” plant. Desfontaines identifies it with the Areca catechu, which is chewed in India for the benefit of the teeth and stomach, and as a sweetener of the breath.
403 “Brother” plant.
404 “Bride of Dionysus or Bacchus.”
405 “Sun-flower.” Not the plant, however, known to us by that name.
406 “Beauty of the sun,” apparently.
407 “Mixture of Hermes,” apparently.
408 Previously mentioned in this Chapter.
409 As Fée remarks, it has been a notion in comparatively recent times, that it is possible to procreate children of either sex at pleasure.
410 The “bashful” plant. An Acacia, Fée thinks; see B. xiii. c. 19. The Mimosa casta, pudica, and sensitiva, have similar properties: the Sensitive Plant is well known in this country.
411 Fée queries whether this may not be the Silene muscipula of Linnæus, the fly-trap.
412 The “wine-tamer.”
413 Hardouin thinks that he alludes to the Grammarian Apion. Dalechamps thinks that it is either Apion or Apollodorus.
414 The “returning” plant. Fée says that the Sedum Telephium of Linnæus, or orpine, is called in the dictionaries by this name. He queries whether it may not be the Sedum anacampseros, or evergreen orpine, as Hesychius says that it continues to live after being taken up from the earth; a peculiarity, to some extent, of the house-leek.
415 He probably alludes to his remarks upon Magic, in Books xxix. and xxx.
416 From ἔριφος, a “kid.” Ruellius has attempted to identify this plant with one of the Ranunculaceæ; but there is little doubt, as Fée says, that both plant and insect are imaginary.
417 “Herba lanaria.” See B. xix. c. 18.
418 Hardouin identifies it with the Ulva lactuca of Linnæus; but that plant, Fée says, contains no milky juice, and does not act as an emetic. One of the Euphorbiaceæ is probably meant.
419 “Military” plant. Hardouin identifies it with the Achillea millefolium of Linnæus, mentioned in c. 95 of this Book. Fée, however, does not recognize the identity.
420 “Soldier” plant. Cæsalpinus identifies it with the Salvinia natans; but Fée thinks, with Sprengel, that it is the Pistia stratiotes of Linnæus, great duckweed or pondweed.
421 “Always living.” See B. xix. c. 58.
422 It is pretty clear that in relating this absurdity he is not speaking of one plant solely, but of any plant which may chance to grow on the head of a statue. Numerous mosses grow upon marble; and statues are gradually covered, Fée says, with the Byssus antiquitatis.
423 “Tongue” plant. Fée identifies it with the Scolopendrium officinarum of Willdenow, the Lingua cervina of other botanists. See B. xxv. c. 84.
424 In B. xiv. c. 3.
425 Or “vine-supporting.”