As to Democritus, there can be no doubt that the work called “Chirocmeta” belongs to him. How very much more marvellous too are the accounts given in this book by the philosopher who, next to Pythagoras, has acquired the most intimate knowledge of the learning of the Magi! According to him, the plant aglaophotis, which owes its name to the admiration in which its beauteous tints are held by man, is found growing among the marble quarries of Arabia, on the side of Persia, a circumstance which has given it the additional name of “marmaritis.” By means of this plant, he says, the Magi can summon the deities into their presence when they please.
The achæmenis, he says, a plant the colour of amber, and destitute of leaves, grows in the country of the Tradastili, an Indian race. The root of it, divided into lozenges and taken in wine in the day time, torments the guilty to such a degree during the night by the various forms of avenging deities presented to the imagination, as to extort from them a confession of their crimes. He gives it the name also of “hippophobas,” it being an especial object of terror to mares.
The theobrotion is a plant found at a distance of thirty schœnis from the river Choaspes; it represents the varied tints of the peacock, and the odour of it is remarkably fine. The kings of Persia, he says, are in the habit of taking it in their food or drink, for all maladies of the body, and derangements of the mind. It has the additional name of semnion, from the use thus made of it by majesty.
He next tells us of the adamantis, a plant grown in Armenia and Cappadocia: presented to a lion, he says, the beast will fall upon its back, and drop its jaws. Its name originates in the fact that it is impossible to bruise it. The arianis, he says, is found in the country of the Ariani; it is of a fiery colour, and is gathered when the sun is in Leo. Wood rubbed with oil will take fire on coming in contact with this plant. The therionarca, he tells us, grows in Cappadocia and Mysia; it has the effect of striking wild beasts of all kinds with a torpor which can only be dispelled by sprinkling them with the urine of the hyæna. He speaks too of the æthiopis, a plant which grows in Meroë; for which reason it is also known as the “meroïs.” In leaf it resembles the lettuce, and, taken with honied wine, it is very good for dropsy. The ophiusa, which is found in Elephantine, an island also of Æthiopia, is a plant of a livid colour, and hideous to the sight. Taken by a person in drink, he says, it inspires such a horror of serpents, which his imagination continually represents as menacing him, that he commits suicide at last; hence it is that persons guilty of sacrilege are compelled to drink an infusion of it. Palm wine, he tells us, is the only thing that neutralizes its effects.
The thalassægle he speaks of as being found on the banks of the river Indus, from which circumstance it is also known as the potamaugis. Taken in drink it produces a delirium, which presents to the fancy visions of a most extraordinary nature. The theangelis, he says, grows upon Mount Li- banus in Syria, upon the chain of mountains called Dicte in Crete, and at Babylon and Susa in Persis. An infusion of it in drink, imparts powers of divination to the Magi. The gelotophyllis too, is a plant found in Bactriana, and on the banks of the Borysthenes. Taken internally with myrrh and wine, all sorts of visionary forms present themselves, and excite the most immoderate laughter, which can only be put an end to by taking kernels of the pine-nut, with pepper and honey, in palm wine.
The hestiatoris, he tells us, is a Persian plant, so called from its promotion of gaiety and good fellowship at carousals. Another name for it is protomedia, because those who eat of it will gain the highest place in the royal favour. The casignetes too, we learn, is so called, because it grows only among plants of its own kind, and is never found in company with any other; another name given to it is “dionysonymphas,” from the circumstance of its being remarkably well adapted to the nature of wine. Helianthes is the name he gives to a plant found in the regions of Themiscyra and the mountainous parts of maritime Cilicia, with leaves like those of myrtle. This plant is boiled up with lion’s fat, saffron and palm wine being added; the Magi, he tells us, and Persian monarchs are in the habit of anointing the body with the preparation, to add to its graceful appearance: he states also, that for this reason it has the additional name of “heliocallis.” What the same author calls “hermesias,” has the singular virtue of ensuring the procreation of issue, both beautiful as well as good. It is not a plant, however, but a composition made of kernels of pine nuts, pounded with honey, myrrh, saffron, and palm wine, to which theobrotium and milk are then added. He also recommends those who wish to become parents to drink this mixture, and says, that females should take it immediately after conception, and during pregnancy. If this is done, he says, the infant will be sure to be endowed with the highest qualities, both in mind and body. In addition to what has here been stated, Democritus gives the various names by which all these plants are known to the Magi.
Apollodorus, one of the followers of Democritus, has added to this list the herb æschynomene, so called from the shrinking of its leaves at the approach of the hand; and another called “crocis,” the touch of which is fatal to the phalangium. Crateuas, also, speaks of the œnotheris, an infusion of which in wine, sprinkled upon them, has the effect of taming all kind of animals, however wild. A celebrated grammarian, who lived but very recently, has described the anacampseros, the very touch of which recalls former love, even though hatred should have succeeded in its place. It will be quite sufficient for the present to have said thus much in reference to the remarkable virtues attributed to certain plants by the Magi; as we shall have occasion to revert to this subject in a more appropriate place.
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CHAP. 103. (18.)
THE ERIPIHA.
Many authors have made mention of the eriphia, a plant which contains a kind of beetle in its hollow stem. This beetle is continually ascending the interior of the stalk, and as often descending, while it emits a sound like the cry of a kid; a circumstance to which the plant is indebted for its name. There is nothing in existence, they say, more beneficial to the voice.
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CHAP. 104.
THE WOOL PLANT: ONE REMEDY. THE, LACTORIS: ONE REMEDY. THE MILlTARIS: ONE REMEDY.
The wool plant, given to sheep fasting, greatly increases the milk. The plant commonly called lactoris, is equally well known: it is full of a milky juice, the taste of which produces vomiting. Some persons say that this is identical with, while others say that it only resembles, the plant known as “mili- tris.” from the fact that, applied with oil, it will effect the cure. within five days, of any wound that has been inflicted with iron.
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CHAP. 105.
THE STRATIOTES: FIVE- REMEDIES.
The Greeks speak in high terms also of the stratiotes, though that is a plant which grows in Egypt only, and during the inundations of the river Nilus. It is similar in appearance to the aïon, except that the leaves are larger. It is of a remarkably cooling nature, and, applied with vinegar, it heals wounds, as well as erysipelas and suppurations. Taken in drink with male fankincense, it is marvellously useful for discharges of blood from the kidneys.
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CHAP. 106. (19.)
A PLANT GROWING ON THE HEAD OF A STATUE: ONE REMEDY.
It is asserted also, that a plant growing on the head of a statue, gathered in the lappet of any one of the garments, and then attached with a red string to the neck, is an instantaneous cure for head-ache.
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CHAP. 107.
A PLANT GROWING ON THE BANKS OF A RIVER: ONE REMEDY.
Any plant that is gathered before sunrise on the banks of a stream or river, due care being taken that no one sees it gathered, attached to the left arm without the patient knowing what it is, will cure a tertian fever, they say.
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CHAP. 108.
THE HERB CALLED IJNGUA: ONE REMEDY.
There is a herb called “lingua,” which grows in
the vicinity of fountains. The root of it, reduced to ashes and beaten up with hog’s lard — the hog, they say, must have been black and barren — will cure alopecy, the head being rubbed with it in the sun.
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CHAP. 109.
PLANTS THAT TAKE ROOT IN A SIEVE: ONE REMEDY.
Plants that take root in a sieve that has been thrown in a hedge-row, if gathered and worn upon the person by a preg- nant woman, will facilitate delivery.
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CHAP. 110.
PLANTS GROWING UPONDUNGHILLS: ONE REMEDY.
A plant that has been grown upon a dungheap in a field, is a very efficacious remedy, taken in water, for quinzy.
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CHAP. 111.
PLANTS THAT HAVE BEEN MOISTENED WITH THE URINE OF A DOG: ONE REMEDY.
A plant upon which a dog has watered, torn up by the roots, and not touched with iron, is a very speedy cure for sprains.
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CHAP. 112.
THE RODARUM: THREE REMEDIES.
We have already made mention of the rumpotinus, when speaking of the vine-growing trees. Near the tree, when not accompanied by the vine, there grows a plant, known to the Gauls as the “rodarum.” It has a knotted stem like the branch of a fig-tree, and the leaves, which are very similar to those of the nettle, are white in the middle, though in process of time they become red all over. The blossom of it is of a silvery hue. Beaten up with stale axle-grease, due care being taken not to touch it with iron, this plant is extremely useful for tumours, inflammations, and gatherings; the patient, however, on being anointed with it must spit three times on the right side. They say too, that as a remedy it is still more efficacious, if three persons of three different nations rub the right side of the body with it.
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CHAP. 113.
THE PLANT CALLED IMPIA: TWO REMEDIES.
The plant called “impia” is white, resembling rosemary in appearance. It is clothed with leaves like a thyrsus, and is terminated by a head, from which a number of small branches protrude, terminated, all of them, in a similar manner. It is this peculiar conformation that has procured for it the name of “impia,” from the progeny thus surmounting the parent. Some persons, however, are of opinion that it is so called because no animal will touch it. Bruised between two stones it yields an effervescent juice, which, in combination with wine and milk, is remarkably efficacious for quinzy.
There is a marvellous property attributed to this plant, to the effect that persons who have once tasted it will never be attacked by quinzy; for which reason it is given to swine: those among them, however, which refuse to take it will be sure to die of that disease. Some persons too are of opinion that if slips of it are put into a bird’s nest, they will effectually prevent the young birds from choking themselves by eating too voraciously.
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CHAP. 114.
THE PLANT CALLED VENUS’ COMB: ONE REMEDY.
From its resemblance to a comb, they give the name of “Venus’ comb” to a certain plant, the root of which, bruised with mallows, extracts all foreign substances from the human body.
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CHAP. 115.
THE EXEDUNM. THE PLANT CALLED NOTIA: TWO REMEDIES.
The plant called “exedum” is curative of lethargy. The herbaceous plant called “notia,” which is used by curriers for dyeing leather a bright, cheerful colour, and known by them under various names — is curative of cancerous ulcers; I find it also stated that, taken in wine or in oxycrate, it is extremely efficacious for stings inflicted by scorpions.
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CHAP. 116.
THE PHILANTHROPOS: ONE REMEDY. THE LAPPA CANARIA: TWO REMEDIES.
The Greeks wittily give the name of “philanthropos” to a certain plant, because it attaches itself to articles of dress. A chaplet made of this plant has the effect of relieving headache.
As to the plant known as the “lappa canaria,” beaten up in wine with plantago and millefolium, it effects the cure of carcinomatous sores, the application being removed at the end of three days. Taken out of the ground without the aid of iron, and thrown into their wash, or given to them wine and milk, it cures diseases in swine. Some persons add, however, that the person, as he takes it up, must say— “This is the plant argemon, a remedy discovered by Minerva for such swine as shall taste thereof.”
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CHAP. 117.
TORDYLON OR SYREON: THREE REMEDIES.
Tordylon is, according to some authorities, the seed of sili, while according to others it is a distinct plant, as known also as “syreon.” I find no particulars relative to it, except that it grows upon mountains, and that the ashes of it, taken in drink, act as an emmenagogue and facilitate expectoration. It is stated also, that for this last purpose the root is even more efficacious than the stem; that the juice of it, taken in doses of three oboli, cures diseases of the kidneys; and that the root is used as an ingredient for emollient plasters.
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CHAP. 118.
GRAMEN: SEVENTEEN REMEDIES.
Gramen is of all herbaceous productions the most common. As it creeps along the ground it throws out jointed stems, from the joints of which, as well as from the extremity of the stem, fresh roots are put forth every here and there. In all other parts of the world the leaves of it are tapering, and come to a point; but upon Mount Parnassus they resemble the leaves of the ivy, the, plant throwing out a greater number of stems than elsewhere, and bearing a blossom that is white and odoriferous. There is no vegetable production that is more grateful to beasts of burden than this, whether in a green state or whether dried and made into hay, in which last case it is sprinkled with water when given to them. It is said that on Mount Parnassus a juice is extracted from it, which is very abun- dant and of a sweet flavour.
In other parts of the world, instead of this juice a decoction of it is employed for closing wounds; an effect equally pro- duced by the plant itself, which is beaten up for the purpose and attached to the part affected, thereby preventing inflammation. To the decoction wine and honey are added, and in some cases, frankincense, pepper, and myrrh, in the proportion of one third of each ingredient; after which it is boiled again in a copper vessel, when required for tooth-ache or difluxions of the eyes. A decoction of the roots, in wine, is curative of griping pains in the bowels, strangury, and ulcerations of the bladder, and it disperses calculi. The seed is still more powerful as a diuretic, arrests looseness and vomiting, and is particularly useful for wounds inflicted by dragons. There are some authorities which give the following prescription for the cure of scrofulous sores and inflamed tumours: — From one, two, or three stems, as many as nine joints must be removed, which must then be wrapped in black wool with the grease in it. The party who gathers them must do so fasting, and must then go, in the same state, to the patient’s house while he is from home. When the patient comes in, the other must say to him three times, “I come fasting to bring a remedy to a fasting man;” and must then attach the amulet to his person, repeating the same ceremony three consecutive days. The variety of this plant which has seven joints is considered a most excellent amulet for the cure of head-ache. For excruciating pains in the bladder, some recommend a decoction of gramen, boiled down in wine to one half, to be taken immediately after the bath.
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CHAP. 119.
DACTYLOS; FIVE REMEDIES.
There are some authorities who mention three varieties of the pointed gramen. That which has at the extremity five points at the utmost, is called “dactylos.” Twisting these points together, persons introduce them into the nostrils and then withdraw them, with the view of preventing hæmorrhage. The second kind, which resembles aizoön, is employed with axle-grease for whitlows and hangnails, and for fleshy excrescences u
pon the nails: this also is called “dactylos,” because it is so useful as a remedy for diseases of the fingers.
The third kind, which is also known as “dactylos,” is more diminutive, and is found growing upon walls or tiles. It has certain caustic properties, and arrests the progress of serpigi- nous ulcers. By placing a wreath of gramen round the head, bleeding at the nose is stopped. In Babylonia, it is said, the gramen which grows by the wayside is fatal to camels.
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CHAP. 120.
FENUGREEK OR SILICIA: THIRTY-ONE REMEDIES.
Nor is fenugreek held in less esteem. By some it is known as “telis,” by others as “carphos,” and by others again as “buceras,” or “ægoceras,” the produce of it bearing some resemblance to horns. Among us it is known as “silicia.” The mode of sowing it we have already described on the appropriate occasion. Its properties are desiccative, emollient, and resolvent. A decoction of it is useful for many female maladies, indurations for instance, tumours, and contractions of the uterus; in all which cases it is employed as a fomentation or used for a sitting-bath: it is serviceable also as an injection. It removes cutaneous eruptions on the face; and a decoction of it, applied topically with nitre or vinegar, cures diseases of the spleen or liver. In cases of difficult labour, Diocles recommends the seed pounded, in doses of one acetabulum, mixed with boiled must. After taking one third of the mixture, the patient must use a warm bath, and then, while in a perspiration, she must take another third, and, immediately after leaving the bath, the remainder — this, he says, will prove a most effectual means of obtaining relief.
Delphi Complete Works of Pliny the Elder Page 177