The plant which we call “alum,”[1786] and which is known to the Greeks as “symphyton[1787] petræon,” is similar to cunila bubula[1788] in appearance, having a diminutive leaf and three or four branches springing from the root, with tops like those of thyme. It is a ligneous plant, odoriferous, of a sweet flavour, and provocative of saliva: the root of it is long and red. It grows upon rocks, to which circumstance it is indebted for its additional name of “petræon;” and is extremely useful[1789] for affections of the sides and kidneys, griping pains in the bowels, diseases of the chest and lungs, spitting of blood, and eruptions of the fauces. The root is pounded and taken in drink, or else a decoction is made of it in wine; sometimes, also, it is applied externally. Chewed, it allays thirst, and is particularly refreshing to the pulmonary organs. It is employed topically for sprains and contusions, and has a soothing effect upon the intestines. Cooked upon hot ashes, with the follicules removed, and then beaten up with nine peppercorns and taken in water, it acts astringently upon the bowels. For the cure of wounds it is remarkably efficacious, being possessed of agglutinating[1790] properties to such a remarkable degree as to solder pieces of meat together with which it is boiled; to which, in fact, it is indebted for its Greek name.[1791] It is used also for the cure of fractured bones. CHAP. 25. (7.)—ALGA RUFA OR RED SEA-WEED: ONE REMEDY. Red sea-weed[1792] is useful as an application for the sting of the scorpion. CHAP. 26.—ACTÆA: ONE REMEDY. Actæa[1793] has leaves with a powerful smell, rough knotted stems, a black seed like that of ivy, and soft berries. It grows in umbrageous, rugged, watery localities; and is used, in doses of one full acetabulum, for female complaints. CHAP. 27.—THE AMPELOS AGRIA, OR WILD VINE: FOUR REMEDIES. Ampelos agria, or wild vine, is the name of a plant with leaves of an ashy colour, as already[1794] stated in our description of the cultivated plants, and long, tough twigs of a red hue, like that of the flower which we have mentioned,[1795] when speaking of violets, under the name of “flame of Jove.” It bears a seed which resembles the grains of the pomegranate. The root, boiled in three cyathi of water, with the addition of two cyathi of Coan wine, is slightly laxative to the bowels, and is consequently given for dropsy. It is curative also of uterine affections, and of spots upon the face in females. It is found a good plan for patients afflicted with sciatica to use the juice of this plant, bruised, applied topically, with the leaves. CHAP. 28.—ABSINTHIUM OR WORMWOOD; FOUR VARIETIES: FORTY-EIGHT REMEDIES.