CHAP. 80.—OROBANCHE, OR CYNOMORION: ONE REMEDY.
We have mentioned[2825] orobanche as the name of a plant which kills the fitch and other leguminous plants. Some persons have called it “cynomorion,” from the resemblance which it bears to the genitals of a dog. The stem of it is leafless, thick, and red. It is eaten either raw, or boiled in the saucepan, while young and tender.
CHAP. 81.—REMEDIES FOR INJURIES INFLICTED BY INSECTS WHICH BREED AMONG LEGUMINOUS PLANTS.
There are some venomous insects also, of the solipuga[2826] kind, which breed upon leguminous plants, and which, by stinging the hands, endanger life. For these stings all those remedies are efficacious which have been mentioned for the bite of the spider and the phalangium.[2827] Such, then, are the medicinal properties for which the cereals are employed.
CHAP. 82.—THE USE MADE OF THE YEAST OF ZYTHUM.
Different beverages, too, are made from the cereals, zythum in Egypt, cælia and cerea in Spain, cervesia[2828] and numerous liquors in Gaul and other provinces. The yeast[2829] of all of these is used by women as a cosmetic for the face.—But as we are now speaking of beverages, it will be the best plan to pass on to the various uses of wine, and to make a beginning with the vine of our account of the medicinal properties of the trees.
Summary.—Remedies, narratives, and observations, nine hundred and six.
Authors quoted.—All those mentioned in the preceding Book; and, in addition to them, Chrysermus,[2830] Eratosthenes,[2831] and Alcæus.[2832]