There is a plant very similar in appearance to verbascum,[764] so much so, indeed, as to be frequently gathered for it by mistake. The leaves,[765] however, are not so white, the stems are more numerous, and the flower is of a yellow colour. Thrown upon the ground, this plant attracts black beetles[766] to it, whence its Roman appellation “blattaria.” CHAP. 61.—LEMONIUM: ONE REMEDY. Lemonium[767] furnishes a milky juice, which thickens like gum. It grows in moist, watery localities, and is generally administered, in doses of one denarius, in wine. CHAP. 62.—QUINQUEFOLIUM, KNOWN ALSO AS PENTAPETES, PENTAPHYLLON, OR CHAMÆZELON: THIRTY-THREE REMEDIES. There is no one to whom quinquefolium[768] is unknown, being recommended by a sort of strawberry[769] which it bears: The Greeks give it the name of pentapetes,[770] pentaphyllon,[770] and chamæzelon.[771] The root, when taken up, is red; but as it dries it becomes black and angular. Its name is derived from the number of its leaves: it puts forth and withers with the leaves of the vine. This plant also is employed in the purification of houses. CHAP. 63.—THE SPARGANION: ONE REMEDY. The root, too, of the plant known as the sparganion,[772] is taken in white wine, as a remedy for the stings of serpents. CHAP. 64.—FOUR VARIETIES OF THE DAUCUS: EIGHTEEN REMEDIES. Petronius Diodotus has distinguished four kinds of daucus, which it would be useless here to describe, the varieties being in reality but two[773] in number. The most esteemed kind is that of Crete,[774] the next best being the produce of Achaia, and of all dry localities. It resembles fennel in appearance, only that its leaves are whiter, more diminutive, and hairy on the surface. The stem is upright, and a foot in length, and the root has a remarkably pleasant taste and smell. This kind grows in stony localities with a southern aspect. The inferior sorts are found growing everywhere, upon declivities for instance, and in the hedges of fields, but always in a rich soil. The leaves are like those of coriander,[775] the stem being a cubit in length, the heads round, often three or more in number, and the root ligneous, and good for nothing when dry. The seed of this kind is like that of cummin, while that of the first kind bears a resemblance to millet; in all cases it is white, acrid, hot, and odoriferous. The seed of the second kind has more active properties than that of the first; for which reason it should be used more sparingly.