The Natural History of Pliny, Volume 5 (of 6)Pliny, the Elder
History
The Natural History of Pliny, Volume 5 (of 6)
Pliny, the Elder
Natural history -- Pre-Linnean works
There is another[900] kind also of the same plant, the leaves of which
are of a dirty green[901] colour, larger than those of the other, and
growing in greater numbers about the root, which is surrounded with
them just as the eye is with the socket. These leaves have a remarkably
astringent taste, and the stem is of considerable length, but extremely
slender. This plant is employed for the same purposes as the iris and
aizoüm.
CHAP. 102.—THE GREATER AIZOÜM, ALSO CALLED BUPHTHALMOS, ZOÖPHTHALMOS,
STERGETHRON, HYPOGESON, AMBROSION, AMERIMNON, SEDUM MAGNUM, OR
DIGITELLUS: THIRTY-SIX REMEDIES. THE SMALLER AIZOÜM, ALSO CALLED
ERITHALES, TRITHALES, CHRYSOTHALES, ISOËTES OR SEDUM: THIRTY-TWO
REMEDIES.
Of the plant known as aizoüm[902] there are two kinds; the larger
of which is sown in earthen pots. By some persons it is known as
“buphthalmos,”[903] and by others as “zoöphthalmos,” or else as
“stergethron,” because it forms an ingredient in the composition
of philtres. Another name given to it is “hypogeson,” from the
circumstance that it generally grows upon the eaves[904] of houses:
some persons, again, give it the names of “ambrosion” and “amerimnon.”
In Italy it is known as “sedum magnum,”[905] “oculus,” or “digitellus.”
The other kind[906] of aizoüm is more diminutive, and is known by some
persons as “erithales”[907] and by others as “trithales,” from the
circumstance that it blossoms three times in the year. Other names
given to it are “chrysothales”[908] and “isoëtes:”[909] but aizoüm is
the common appellation of them both, from their being always green.
The larger kind exceeds a cubit in height, and is somewhat thicker
than the thumb: at the extremity, the leaves are similar to a tongue
in shape, and are fleshy, unctuous, full of juice, and about as broad
as a person’s thumb. Some are bent downwards towards the ground, while
others again stand upright, the outline of them resembling an eye in
shape. The smaller kind grows upon walls, old rubbish of houses, and
tiled roofs; it is branchy from the root, and covered with leaves to
the extremity. These leaves are narrow, pointed, and juicy: the stem is
a palm in height, and the root is never used.
CHAP. 103.—THE ANDRACHLE AGRIA OR ILLECEBRA: THIRTY-TWO REMEDIES.
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