'Holding in his right hand the polypus scalpel, which is shaped like a myrtle leaf and sharp pointed (πολυπικῷ σπαθίῳ τῷ μυρσινοειδεῖ ἀκμαίῳ), we cut round the polypus or fleshy tumour, applying the point of the steel blade (τὴν ἀκμὴν τοῦ σιδήρου) to the part where it adheres to the nose. Afterwards turning the instrument end for end (ἀντιστρέψαντες) we bring out the separated fleshy body with the scoop' (τῷ κυαθίσκῳ). This description reminds us very forcibly of Celsus's account of the operation: Ferramento acuto modo spathae facto, resolvere ab osse oportet. Ubi abscissus est unco ferramento extrahendus est (VII. x). These passages, especially that from Paul, show that like the majority of Roman instruments the polypus scalpel was a double instrument, with a sharp-pointed leaf-shaped blade at one end and a scoop at the other. The fact that it was able to work inside the nose shows that it could not have been of any great breadth. Paul says it was able to be used in the auditory canal. 'If there be a fleshy excrescence it may be excised with a pterygium knife or the polypus scalpel' (VI. xxiv). This shows that it was less than a quarter of an inch broad at the most. It was used for several other purposes. Soranus refers to it for opening the foetal head in cranioclasis:-- Εἰ δὲ μείζονος τοῦ κεφαλίου ὑπάρχοντος ἡ σφήνωσις ἀποτελοῖτο, διὰ τοῦ ἐμβρυοτόμου ἢ τοῦ πολυπικοῦ σπαθίου κρυπτομένου μεταξὺ λιχανοῦ καὶ τοῦ μακροῦ δακτύλου κατὰ τὴν ἔνθεσιν (xviii. 63). Paul copies this (VI. lxxiv). Soranus also says it may be used for dividing the membranes where they delay in rupturing. There are two instruments of steel which are of the form indicated above. One is in the Museum of Montauban (Tarne-et-Garonne). The other was found at Vieille-Toulouse and is shown in Pl. VIII, fig. 1. _Lithotomy Knife._ Greek, λιθοτόμον (τό); Latin, _scalpellus_. In describing lithotomy Paul says: 'We take the instrument called the lithotomy knife (τὸ καλούμενον λιθοτόμον), and between the anus and the testicles, not however in the middle of the perinaeum, but on one side, towards the left buttock, we make an oblique incision cutting down straight on the stone where it projects' (VI. lx).