[1730] The “twisted flax” plant.
[1731] “Lad’s-love.”
[1732] “Love and grace,” apparently.
[1733] There are two kinds of prasion mentioned by Dioscorides, and by Pliny at the end of the present Chapter, one of which Fée is inclined to identify with the Ballota nigra of Linnæus, the fetid ballota; and the other with the Marrubium vulgare of Linnæus, the white horehound. Bochart conjectures that the word “marrubium” had a Punic origin, but Linnæus thinks that it comes from “Maria urbs,” the “City of the Marshes,” situate on Lake Fucinus, in Italy.
[1734] Though much used in ancient times, horehound is but little employed in medicine at the present day: though its medicinal value, Fée thinks, is very considerable. Candied horehound is employed to some extent in this country, as a pectoral.
[1736] Its medicinal properties, as recognized in modern times, are in most respects dissimilar to those mentioned by Pliny.
[1737] “Far.”
[1738] “Pterygia.” “Pterygium” is also a peculiar disease of the eye.
[1739] “Inter pauca.” He has mentioned, however, a vast number of so-called antidotes or remedies. It is just possible that he may mean, “There are few antidotes like it for efficacy.”