There is a sea wormwood[1812] also, known as “seriphum” by some, the most esteemed being that of Taposiris in Egypt. Those initiated in the mysteries of Isis carry a branch of it in the hand. It has a narrower leaf than the preceding plant, and is not so bitter; it is injurious to the stomach, has a laxative effect upon the bowels, and expels intestinal worms. It is taken in drink with oil and salt; or else an infusion of it is taken in a pottage made of meal of three-month wheat. When employed as a decoction, a handful is used to one sextarius of water, the mixture being boiled down to one half. CHAP. 30. (8.)—THE BALLOTES, MELAMPRASION, OR BLACK LEEK: THREE REMEDIES. The Greeks give to the ballotes[1813] the other name of “melamprasion,” meaning “black leek.”[1814] It is a branchy plant, with black angular stems, covered with hairy leaves, larger and darker than those of the leek,[1815] and possessed of a powerful smell. The leaves, bruised and applied with salt, are highly efficacious for bites inflicted by dogs: cooked upon hot ashes and applied in a cabbage leaf, they are curative of condylomata. Mixed with honey, this plant acts as a detergent upon sordid ulcers. CHAP. 31.—BOTRYS, AMBROSIA, OR ARTEMISIA: ONE REMEDY. Botrys[1816] is a shrublike plant, which has small yellow branches, with the seed growing all round them, and leaves resembling[1817] those of endive. It is found upon the banks of running streams, and is used for the cure of hardness of breathing. The people of Cappadocia call this plant “ambrosia,” others again, “artemisia.” CHAP. 32.—THE BRABYLA: ONE REMEDY. The brabyla[1818] is possessed of astringent properties like those of the quince, but beyond this, authors give no particulars relative to it. CHAP. 33.—BRYON MARITIMUM: FIVE REMEDIES. Sea bryon[1819] is a plant, no doubt,[1820] with leaves like those of the lettuce, of a wrinkled, pursed appearance, and destitute of stem, the leaves arising from a single root: it grows upon rocks more particularly, and shells sunk in the sand. It has desiccative[1821] and astringent qualities in a very high degree, properties which render it useful for reducing all kinds of abscesses and inflammations, those attendant upon gout in particular. It is good also for all affections which stand in need of cooling applications. CHAP. 34.—THE BUPLEURON: ONE REMEDY. I find it stated that seed of bupleuron[1822] is given for injuries inflicted by serpents; and that the wound is fomented with a decoction of the plant, in combination with leaves of the mulberry or of origanum.[1823] CHAP. 35.—THE CATANANCE; ONE OBSERVATION UPON IT. THE CEMOS: ONE OBSERVATION UPON IT.