[1265]Thus far, then, we have treated of the garden plants, viewed as articles of food only; it remains for us now (for up to the present we have only spoken of their various methods of cultivation, with some succinct details relative thereto), to enlarge upon the more elaborate operations of Nature in this respect; it being quite impossible to come to a full understanding as to the true characteristics of each individual plant, without a knowledge of its medicinal effects, a sublime and truly mysterious manifestation of the wisdom of the Deity, than which nothing can possibly be found of a nature more elevated. It is upon principle that we have thought proper not to enlarge upon the medicinal properties of each plant when treating of it; for it is a quite different class of persons that is interested in knowing their curative properties, and there is no doubt that both classes of readers would have been inconvenienced in a very material degree, if these two points of view had engaged our attention at the same moment. As it is, each class will have its own portion to refer to, while those who desire to do so, will experience no difficulty in uniting them, with reference to any subject of which we may happen to treat. SUMMARY.—Remarkable facts, narratives, and observations, one thousand one hundred and forty-four. ROMAN AUTHORS QUOTED.—Maccius Plautus,[1266] M. Varro,[1267] D. Silanus,[1268] Cato the Censor,[1269] Hyginus,[1270] Virgil,[1271] Mucianus,[1272] Celsus,[1273] Columella,[1274] Calpurnius Bassus,[1275] Mamilius Sura,[1276] Sabinus Tiro,[1277] Licinius Macer,[1278] Quintus Hirtius,[1279] Vibius Rufus,[1280] Cæsennius[1281] who wrote the Cepurica, Castritius[1282] who wrote on the same subject, Firmus[1283] who wrote on the same subject, Petrichus[1284] who wrote on the same subject. FOREIGN AUTHORS QUOTED.—Herodotus,[1285] Theophrastus,[1286] Democritus,[1287] Aristomachus,[1288] Menander[1289] who wrote the Biochresta, Anaxiläus.[1290] BOOK XX. REMEDIES DERIVED FROM THE GARDEN PLANTS. CHAP. 1.—INTRODUCTION.