3073 As Fée says, this observation is quite unaccountable. He queries whether a sweet fruit may not possibly be meant, the sweet lime, for instance, the flavour of which is very sickly, and would require to be heightened by the assistance of an acid.
3074 See B. xiii. c. 34; where, however, he has only distinguished them according to their flavour, sweet, vinous, &c.
3075 “Without pips.” See B. xiii. c. 34.
3076 This and the previous precaution given, Fée considers to be mere puerilities.
3077 Than that of the ordinary grape, probably.
3078 See B. xiii. c. 34.
3079 The “leather apple,” apparently. It is more probable, as Hardouin says, that it was so called from the toughness of the rind.
3080 “Pterygiis.”
3081 See B. ix. c. 72, and B. xxxii. c. 3.
3082 “Alumen scissum.” See B. xxxi. c. 39, and B. xxxv. c. 52.
3083 See B. xii. c. 15, and B. xxiv. c. 77.
3084 An absurd notion, without any apparent foundation.
3085 All vegetable productions rich in tannin are thought to possess the property of acting as a vermifuge.
3086 The calyx of the blossom of the pomegranate. Its properties are remarkably astringent.
3087 This would be nearly an impossibility, as the calyx is hard and coriaceous, and of considerable size. Nothing, however, is allowed to stand in the way of superstition.
3088 “Ipsa corpuscula.” The exact meaning of this expression is somewhat doubtful: Hardouin takes it to be the lower part of the cytinus.
3089 In B. xiii. c. 34.
3090 The corolla of the flower. Dioscorides, B. i. c. 152, makes the “balaustium” to be the blossom of the wild pomegranate, and the “cytinus” to be that of the cultivated fruit. Theophrastus, however, and Galen, give the same account of the cytinus as Pliny. Holland has this quaint marginal Note on the passage: “Here is Pliny out of the way;” not improbably in reference to the statement of Dioscorides.
3091 Or Quinarius. See Introduction to Vol. III.
3092 These statements, Fée says, are quite unfounded.
3093 See B. xii. c. 15, and B. xxiv. c. 77.
3094 Fée thinks that there is no doubt that this was really the pomegranate, left to grow wild. Dalechamps and Fée suggest that, misled by the resemblance of the Greek names, Pliny has here attributed to the wild pomegranate the properties attributed to the red poppy, or corn poppy. Hardouin, however, is not of that opinion, and thinks that the mention of the roots of the plant proves that Pliny has not committed any error here; as in B. xx. c. 77, he has attributed the narcotic effects of the poppy to the head only.
3095 This depends considerably, as Fée says, upon the kind of pear.
3096 See B. xv. c. 16.
3097 There is no truth whatever in this statement.
3098 They are equally inefficacious for the purpose,
3099 See B. xxiv. c. 1. An absurdity, upon which Fée has uselessly expended a dozen lines of indignation.
3100 In reality it has no affinity with vinegar or any other acid, and the fact that it curdles milk is no proof whatever that such is the case.
3102 Being of a caustic nature, it might have this effect, Fée thinks. It is, however, no longer employed in medicine. He is also of opinion that the juice of the fig-tree might be useful in making cheese.
3103 Here, also, the caustic nature of their juices might render them useful.
3104 “Ceria:” now known in surgery as “favus.”
3105 This and the next statement are equally untrue.
3106 See B. xv. c. 19.
3107 “Medicatæ.” See B. xvi. c. 51.
3108 They produce heart-burn and flatulency.
3109 “Ad carnes eos transtulit.” Dalechamps takes this to mean “showed them that the flesh was increased by eating figs.” This Pythagoras was probably the Samian pugilist who gained a victory in Ol. 48.
3110 This herb is rich in mucilage, and of a soothing nature.
3111 “Æris flore.”
3112 “Pterygiis.”
3113 This is the case, as they are remarkably rich in alkaline salts. The assertion, however, as to their properties, is, as Fée says, hypothetical.
3114 “Thymos.”
3115 Metallic ashes, or dross. See B. xxxiv. c. 52.
3116 “Suavitatem.” Fée is justly at a loss to understand how this could be. It is doubtful whether Pliny does not mean that by the use of this substance meat was kept fresh.
3118 Fée thinks that, owing to its acridity, it may possibly have this effect.
3119 There is probably no foundation for this statement.
3120 Favus.
3121 Plutarch, Sympos. ii. 7, tells the same absurd story.
3122 To “erineon,” the Greek for wild fig.
3123 Supposed to be the Campanula rapunculus of Linnæus, the rampion; though Fée expresses some doubts. Guilandin has suggested the Hieracium Sabaudum of Linnæus, an opinion which Fée thinks not altogether destitute of probability.
3124 The leaves of this tree contain a large proportion of tannin, to which they owe their astringent properties.
3125 Prunes, the produce of the plum-tree, called the plum of Saint Julien, are still used as a purgative.
3126 A most singular assertion, as Fée says, and one that universal experience proves to be unfounded.
3127 On the contrary, it quenches thirst.
3128 Fée thinks that, owing to the hydro-cyanic acid which the kernels contain, there may possibly be some foundation for this statement of their curative effects.
3129 Both the root and the fruit are of an astringent nature. From this fruit an extract is prepared, Fée says, rich in tannin, and called in France Acacia nostras, from its resemblance to the juice of the Egyptian Acacia.
3130 “Limus.” Fée thinks that this may possibly be the Evernia prunastri of modern botany. It has been suggested, however, that Pliny has committed an error here, and that in copying from the Greek source he has mistaken the author’s mention of the cure of lichens by the gum of the plum-tree, for an account of a lichen which grows on the tree. Such, in fact, is the statement of Dioscorides in B. i. c. 174, though he does not mention chaps and condylomata.
3131 In B. xiii. cc, 14, 15, where he calls it a fig-tree. He alludes to the sycamore.
3132 See B. xvi. c. 72.
3133 This statement is entirely unfounded.
3134 Considering that the leaves and bark are rich in tannin and gallic acid, it might be worth while to ascertain if there is any truth in this assertion.
3135 But Horace says, Sat. B. ii. s. 4, l. 22, that mulberries are remarkably wholesome as a dessert.
3136 In B. xvi. c. 41.
3137 “All-healing,” “mouth-medicine,” and “medicine for the trachea.”
3138 See B. xii. c. 60. A rob, or sirop of mulberries is prepared for much the same purposes at the present day, but without the omphacium, myrrh, or saffron. An “arteriace” is also mentioned in B. xx. c. 79.
3139 Hermolaüs Barbarus is possibly right in suggesting “cytini,” which name has been previously mentioned in connection with the calyx of the pomegranate.
3140 From the account given by Dioscorides, B. i. c. 181, this appears to he the meaning of the passage, which is very elliptically expressed, if, indeed, it is not imperfect.
3141 In a powdered state, probably, as mentioned by Dioscorides.
3142 The use of the word “conluebant” would almost make it appear that he is speaking of a liquid.
3143 The juice (if, indeed, Pliny intends to specify it as an ingredient) will not, as Fée remarks, combine with oil. Dioscorides says, B. i. c. 180, that the leaves are bruised and applied with oil to burns.
3144 Black cherries, Fée says, bigaroons, and others, with a firm flesh, are the most unwholesome. See B. xv. c. 30.
3145 This property. Fée says, is attributed by some, in modern times, not to the flesh, or pericarpus of the cherry, but to the stalks of the fruit.
3146 See B. xv. c. 22.
3147 See B. xv. c. 23.
3148 They are no longer used in medicine, Fée says, but the buds of the pine and fir, the properties of which are analogous, are still used, though not in cases of hæmoptysis.
3149 In a rancid state particularly, they would have this effect.
3150 Fée thinks that the mixture might be useful in these cases.
3151 See B. xv. c. 24.
3152 “Hilariorem.” At the present day it is not a decoction of the root, but the fixed oil of the kernels, that is used as a cosmetic; for which purpose it is used with oil of sweet almonds and wax.
3153 Their narcotic effect is owing to the prussic, or hydro-cyanic, acid which they contain.
3154 Almonds were a favourite food with the monks in the middle ages; not improbably because they tended to dispel the fumes of wine. Almond milk, similar to our custard, was a standing dish at their “charities” and anniversaries.
3156 They would he of no use whatever in these cases.
3157 Otherwise turpentine.
3159 See Note 3154 above. Plutarch tells us that Drusus, the brother of Tiberius, one of the greatest drinkers of his time, used almonds for this purpose. Fée will not believe that they have any such preventive effect.
3160 Almonds will kill small animals, birds, for instance.
3161 They are much more used in modern medicine than bitter almonds.
3162 There is some ground, Fée says, for this assertion.
3163 See B. xv. c. 24, where Pliny expresses himself at a loss as to their identification.
3164 See B. xv. c. 24.
3165 Κάρυα, from κάρος, “heaviness,” or κάρη, the “head.” See Vol. III. p. 316.
3166 A mere prejudice, no doubt.
3167 The rancidity of the oil which they contain, renders them irritating to the throat and stomach.
3168 Fée remarks, that it is difficult to see how this could be done.
3169 This statement, as Fée remarks, is quite unfounded.
3170 This assertion is also entirely imaginary.
3171 “Cortex juglandium.” Fée says that by this term is meant, not the green outer shell, husk, or pericarpus of the walnut, but the bark of the tree.
3172 This asserted use of them has not been verified by modern experience.
3173 The various receipts for the preparation of this Mithridate or antidote differ very widely; and, indeed, the probability is, as Dr. Heberden says, that Mithridates was as much a stranger to his own antidote, as modern physicians have since been to the medicines daily advertised under their names. Mithridates is said to have so fortified himself against all noxious drugs and poisons, that none would produce any effect when he attempted to destroy himself—a mere fable, no doubt.
3174 This, we are told by Galen, was regularly done by the Emperor Marcus Aurelius, De Antid. B. i. c. i.
3175 See B. xv. c. 24.
3176 An emulsion of them fresh, with honey, might be useful, Fée thinks, in such a case.
3177 Either of these additions would certainly neutralize the good effects of the emulsion. The addition of raisin wine, however, is recommended by Dioscorides.
3178 See B. xiii. c. 10.
3179 They are of no efficacy whatever for such a purpose.
3180 See B. xv. c. 25. They are no longer used in medicine, and, as Fée says, it is extremely doubtful if they possess any of the properties here attributed to them.
3181 They are still looked upon as very nourishing, as, indeed, is the case with all the feculent fruits.
3182 See B. xv. c. 26.
3183 They are productive of colic and diarrhœa.
3184 See B. xiii. c. 16.
3185 See B. xv. c. 31.
3186 The juice of the sap would, to all appearance, produce an acetate or oxide of iron.
3187 See B. xv. c. 28.
3188 All parts of the laurel, the berries in particular, are impregnated with an essential oil with a powerful odour and of an exciting nature. Upon this volatile principle, and nothing else, the whole of its medicinal properties are based.
3189 This assertion, Fée says, is no better than fabulous.
3190 See Lucan’s Pharsalia, B. ix. ll. 723, 776.
3191 See the Pharsalia, B. ix. l. 719.
3192 “Irino.” See B. xiii. c. 2.
3193 This assertion, Fée says, is untrue.
3194 See B. xv. c. 39.
3195 All these statements as to the properties of the berries, Fée says, are hypothetical and more than doubtful.
3196 The Laurus nobilis of modern botany.
3197 A statement, Fée says, that is altogether illusory.
3198 Of the berries, Fée thinks.
3200 Fée thinks that this oil, in conjunction with adipose substances, might be useful for the treatment of rheumatic affections.
3201 The Ruscus hypophyllum of Linnæus. It is quite inodorous, Fée says, and has no analogous properties whatever with the next-mentioned plant.
3202 See B. xv. c. 39.
3203 In B. xv. c. 39.
3204 The peasantry of France, Fée says, still use as a purgative the berries of the Daphne mezereum, and of the Daphne laureola; and in Aragon and Catalonia, the leaves of the Thymelea are used for a similar purpose. The employment of them, however, is not unattended with danger.
3205 A variety with white berries, but which variety it appears impossible to say.
3206 See B. xv. c. 37.
3207 The leaves and berries are bitter, and rich in volatile oil.
3208 This is consistent with fact.
3209 A work of some kind, (perhaps a play, if the comic writer, Menander, is the person alluded to) the title of which means “the Women Dining together.” Hardouin, with justice, ridicules the notion of Ortelius that this is the name of some place or town.
3210 The astringency communicated by the tannin which they contain would probably make them useful for dysentery; if at the same time, as Fée says, they are not too exciting, by reason of their essential oil.
3211 See B. xi. c. 71.
3212 “Succus seminis.” Sillig has “succus feminis,” apparently a misprint—the only one that has been met with thus far in his elaborate edition.
3213 It might change the colour of the hair, but for a short time only.
3214 See B. xv. c. 37.
3215 Cerates, or adipose or oleaginous plasters.
3216 In reality they have no such effect.
3217 “Pterygia.”
3218 Fée says here—“Pliny terminates, by a credulity quite unworthy of him, a Chapter, full of false or exaggerated assertions, relative to the properties of the myrtle.”