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
Holcus[1900] is a plant that grows in arid, stony, spots: it has an
ear at the end of a fine stem, and looks like barley that has put
forth again when cut. Attached to the head or around the arm, it
extracts[1901] spikes of corn adhering to the flesh; for which reason,
some persons give it the name of “aristis.”
CHAP. 64.—HYOSERIS: ONE REMEDY.
Hyoseris[1902] resembles endive in appearance, but is a smaller plant,
and rougher to the touch: pounded and applied to wounds, it heals them
with remarkable rapidity.
CHAP. 65.—THE HOLOSTEON: THREE REMEDIES.
The holosteon,[1903] so called by the Greeks by way of
antiphrasis,[1904] (in the same way that they give the name of
“sweet”[1905] to the gall,) is a plant destitute of all hardness, of
such extreme fineness as to resemble hairs in appearance, four fingers
in length, and very similar to hay-grass. The leaves of it are narrow,
and it has a rough flavour: it grows upon elevated spots composed of
humus. Taken in wine, it is used for ruptures and convulsions. It has
the property, also, of closing wounds; indeed, if applied to pieces of
meat it will solder them together.
CHAP. 66.—THE HIPPOPHÆSTON: EIGHT REMEDIES.
The hippophæston is one of those prickly plants which fullers[1906] use
in their coppers; it has neither stem nor flower, but only diminutive,
empty heads, numerous small leaves of a grass-green colour, and small,
soft, white roots. From these roots a juice is extracted in summer,
which, taken in doses of three oboli, acts as a purgative; being used
for this purpose in cases of epilepsy, fits of trembling, dropsy,
vertigo, hardness of breathing, and incipient paralysis.
CHAP. 67. (11.)—THE HYPOGLOSSA: ONE REMEDY.
The hypoglossa[1907] is a plant with leaves like those of the wild
myrtle, of a concave form, prickly, and presenting another small leaf
within, resembling a tongue in shape. A wreath made of these leaves,
placed upon the head, alleviates headache.
CHAP. 68.—HYPECOÖN.
Hypecoön[1908] is a plant found growing in corn-fields, with leaves
like those of rue. Its properties are similar to those of juice of
poppies.
CHAP. 69.—THE IDÆA HERBA, OR PLANT OF IDA: FOUR REMEDIES.
The Idæan[1909] plant has leaves like those of the oxymyrsine;[1910]
to which leaves a sort of tendril adheres, that bears a flower. This
plant arrests diarrhœa, the catamenia, when in excess, and all kinds of
hæmorrhage. It is of an astringent and repercussive nature.
CHAP. 70.—THE ISOPYRON OR PHASIOLON: TWO REMEDIES.
The isopyron[1911] is called “phasiolon” by some, from the circumstance
that the leaf of it, which resembles that of anise, assumes a spiral
form like the tendrils of the phasiolus.[1912] At the summit
of the stem, it bears small heads full of a seed like that of
melanthium.[1913] These heads, taken with honey or hydromel, are good
for cough and other affections of the chest; they are extremely useful
also for liver complaints.
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