Another method, too, of preventing caterpillars, is to make a woman,[3264] with her monthly courses on her, go round each tree, barefooted and ungirt. Again, for the purpose of preventing animals from doing mischief by browsing upon the leaves, they should be sprinkled with cow-dung each time after rain, the showers having the effect of washing away the virtues of this application.
The industry of man has really made some very wonderful discoveries, and, indeed, has gone so far as to lead many persons to believe, that hail-storms may be averted by means of a certain charm, the words of which I really could not venture seriously to transcribe; although we find that Cato[3265] has given those which are employed as a charm for sprained limbs, employing splints of reed in conjunction with it. The same author,[3266] too, has allowed of consecrated trees and groves being cut down, after a sacrifice has first been offered: the form of prayer, and the rest of the proceedings, will be found fully set forth in the same work of his.
Summary.—Remarkable facts, narratives, and observations, eight hundred and eighty.
Roman authors quoted.—Cornelius Nepos,[3267] Cato[3268] the Censor, M. Varro,[3269] Celsus,[3270] Virgil,[3271] Hyginus,[3272] Saserna[3273] father and son, Scrofa,[3274] Calpurnius Bassus,[3275] Trogus,[3276] Æmilius Macer,[3277] Græcinus,[3278] Columella,[3279] Atticus Julius,[3280] Fabianus,[3281] Mamilius Sura,[3282] Dossenus Mundus,[3283] C. Epidius,[3284] L. Piso.[3285]
Foreign authors quoted.—Hesiod,[3286] Theophrastus,[3287] Aristotle,[3288] Democritus,[3289] Theopompus,[3290] King Hiero,[3291] King Attalus[3292] Philometor, King Archelaus,[3293] Archytas,[3294] Xenophon,[3295] Amphilochus[3296] of Athens, Anaxipolis[3297] of Thasos, Apollodorus[3298] of Lemnos, Aristophanes[3299] of Miletus, Antigonus[3300] of Cymæ, Agathocles[3301] of Chios, Apollonius[3302] of Pergamus, Bacchius[3303] of Miletus, Bion[3304] of Soli, Chæreas[3305] of Athens, Chæristus[3306] of Athens, Diodorus[3307] of Priene, Dion[3308] of Colophon, Epigenes[3309] of Rhodes, Euagon[3310] of Thasos, Euphronius[3311] of Athens, Androtion[3312] who wrote on Agriculture, Æschrion[3313] who wrote on Agriculture, Lysimachus[3314] who wrote on Agriculture, Dionysius[3315] who translated Mago, Diophanes[3316] who made an Epitome of Dionysius, Aristander[3317] who wrote on Portents.
FOOTNOTES:
[1] In B. xii. c. 32—it is supposed by some that it is the Roman Libra that is meant, under the name of “Mina,” as containing eighty-four Denarii. If so, it must be the old Roman Libra, as it is more generally thought that the Libra of Pliny’s time contained ninety-six Denarii, of sixty grains, within a fraction.
[2] One thousand Paces made a Roman “Mille Passuum,” or Mile, 1618 yards English.