CHAP. 20.—ASCYRON AND ASCYROÏDES: THREE REMEDIES. Ascyron[1778] and ascyroïdes are plants similar to one another, and to hypericon[1779] as well, except that the plant known as “ascyroïdes”[1780] has larger branches, ferulaceous, red all over, and bearing small yellow heads. The seed, enclosed in small calyces, is diminutive, black, and resinous. The tops of the branches, when bruised, stain like blood; for which reason some persons have given it the name of “androsæmon.”[1781] The seed is used for the cure of sciatica, being taken in doses of two drachmæ, in one sextarius of hydromel. It relaxes the bowels, and carries off bile: it is applied also to burns. CHAP. 21.—THE APHACA: THREE REMEDIES. The aphaca[1782] has remarkably diminutive leaves, and is but little taller than the lentil. The pods are of a larger size, and enclose some three or four seeds, of a darker colour, moister, and more diminutive than those of the lentil: it grows in cultivated fields. It is naturally more astringent than the lentil, but in other respects is applied to much the same purposes. The seed, used in a decoction, arrests fluxes of the stomach and bowels. CHAP. 22.—ALCIBIUM: ONE REMEDY. I have not found it stated by authors what kind of plant alcibium[1783] is; but the root, I find, and the leaves, are pounded and employed, both externally and internally, for injuries inflicted by serpents. When the leaves are used, a handful of them is bruised in three cyathi of undiluted wine: the root is employed in the proportion of three drachmæ to the same quantity of wine. CHAP. 23.—ALECTOROSLOPHOS OR CRISTA: TWO REMEDIES. Alectoroslophos,[1784] or crista,[1785] as we call it, has numerous leaves resembling a cock’s comb, a thin stem, and a black seed enclosed in pods. Boiled with broken beans and honey, it is useful for cough and for films upon the eyes. The seed, too, is sprinkled whole into the eyes, and so far is it from injuring them, that it attracts and collects the filmy matter. When thus used, it changes colour, and from black becomes white, gradually swells, and comes out of itself. CHAP. 24. (6.)—ALUM, ALSO CALLED SYMPHYTON PETRÆON: FOURTEEN REMEDIES.