Pliny, in enumerating the qualities of the crocus, begins by observing that it has a discutient effect upon all inflammations, but chiefly on those of the eyes (discutit inflammationes omnes quidem, sed oculorum maxime); and in speaking of its combinations he tells us that it has given a name to one collyrium (collyrio uno etiam nomen dedit).[450] But it entered into the composition of very many of the ancient eye-medicines, and more than one of these passed under the name of _Crocodes_, as in the inscription on the seal. Galen, in his list of eye-remedies, gives the recipe for the composition of a _Crocodes_ collyrium for epiphoræ, pains, and affections (διαθεσεις) from wounds of the eye.[451] He discusses the composition also of the aromatic _Crocodes_ of Heraclides, and the oxydercic _Crocodes_ of Asclepius, etc.[452] When describing, in another part, the remedies for ulcers of the eyes, he mentions a collyrium containing crocus, and adds, “habet autem hoc plurimum in se crocum, unde etiam _Croceum_ (κροκωδες) appellatur.”[453] Celsus,[454] Alexander Trallianus,[455] and Paulus Ægineta[456] give recipes for eye collyria, under the name of diacrocus (δια κροκος). I have not yet alluded to the expression APALO, standing before _Crocodes_. This expression presents the only difficulty in reading the inscription; and various suggestions might be offered in regard to its explanation. But it seems most probable that it was used as a qualifying term to the _Crocodes_. Several of the collyria have the Latin adjective “lene,” and “leve,” placed before them, in order to certify their mild nature. Scribonius Largus gives a whole division of collyria, headed “Collyria composita levia.” Aetius has a chapter, “De Lenibus Collyriis.” The expression _apalo_, as a part and prefix to _Crocodes_, would seem to indicate the same quality in the crocodes sold by Vallatinus, the term being in all likelihood derived from the Greek adjective απαλος, or the corresponding Latin adjective _apalus_ (mild, soft). Homer frequently uses the word as signifying soft, delicate, and especially as applied to different parts of the body (see _Iliad_, book iii. 371; xvii. 123, etc.); and, indeed, both Aetius and Paulus Ægineta employ the Greek adjective therapeutically in the sense of mild, and as applied to collyria. In the treatment of acute inflammatory ulcers of the eye, after inculcating the usual antiphlogistic treatment, Aetius adds, “collyria vero tenera (απαλα) ulcerate oculo infundantur.”[457]