The ancients, openly professing their belief that there is no evil without some admixture of good, have asserted that aconite is a remarkably useful ingredient in compositions for the eyes. It may therefore be permitted me, though I have hitherto omitted a description of the poisonous plants, to point out the characteristics of aconite, if only that it may be the more easily detected. Aconite[1724] has leaves like those of cyclaminos[1725] or of the cucumber, never more than four in number, slightly hairy, and rising from near the root. This root, which is of moderate size, resembles the sea-fish known as the “cammarus,”[1726] a circumstance owing to which the plant has received the name of “cammaron” from some; while others, for the reason already[1727] mentioned, have called it “thelyphonon.”[1728] The root is slightly curved, like a scorpion’s tail, for which reason some persons have given it the name of “scorpio.” Others, again, have preferred giving it the name of “myoctonon,”[1729] from the fact that the odour of it kills mice at a considerable distance even. This plant is found growing upon the naked rocks known as “aconæ;”[1730] and hence it is, according to some authorities, that it is called “aconitum,” there being not so much as dust even about it to conduce to its nutriment. Such is the reason given for its name by some: but according to others, it receives this appellation from the fact that it fatally exercises the same effects upon the body that the whetstone[1731] does upon the edge of iron, being no sooner employed than its effects are felt. CHAP. 3. (4.)—ÆTHIOPIS: FOUR REMEDIES. Æthiopis[1732] is a plant with leaves resembling those of phlomos,[1733] large, numerous, hairy, and springing from the root. The stem is square, rough, similar to that of arction[1734] in appearance, and with numerous axillary concavities. The seed resembles that of the fitch, being white and twofold; the roots are several in number, long, fleshy, soft, and of a viscous taste; when dry they turn black and hard, and might easily be taken for horns. In addition to Æthiopia, this plant grows upon Mount Ida in Troas, and in Messenia. The roots are gathered in autumn, and left to dry for some days in the sun, to prevent them from turning mouldy. Taken in white wine they are curative of affections of the uterus, and a decoction of them is administered for sciatica, pleurisy, and eruptions of the throat. The kind, however, which comes from Æthiopia, is by far the best, and gives instantaneous relief. CHAP. 4.—AGERATON: FOUR REMEDIES. Ageraton[1735] is a ferulaceous plant, a couple of palms in height, similar to origanum[1736] in appearance, and bearing flowers like balls of gold. Used as a fumigation, this plant acts as a diuretic; and as a detergent upon the uterus, when used in a sitting bath more particularly. Its name has been given to it, from the circumstance that it keeps a very long time without fading.