[2548] See B. xxi. cc. [56] and [104], in which last Chapter it is called “leucanthes.” Desfontaines suggests that it may be either the Carduus leucographus, or the Cnicum Casabonæ.
[2549] Literally, “many-cornered.” “Leucacantha” means “whitethorn,” and “Leucanthes” “white-flowered.”
[2550] Fée thinks this very improbable.
[2551] It must not be confounded, Fée says, with the Helxine, a tuberous root, mentioned in B. xxi. c. 56. He thinks also that Pliny is in error in giving it the name of “Perdicium,” which may possibly have been a synonym of the other Helxine. Fée comes to the conclusion that the Perdicium of B. xxi. c. 62, if not the same as the Helxine of c. 56, cannot be identified; that the Helxine of B. xxi. c. 56, is the Acarna gummifera; and that the Helxine here mentioned is identical with the Perdicium of this and the next Chapter, being the Parietaria officinalis of Linnæus, parietary or wall pellitory. The confusion has probably arisen from the similarity of the name of the ἰξίνη, the plant mentioned in B. xxi. c. 56, and the ἑλξίνη, the Helxine of the present Chapter.
[2552] “Perdices.” As stated in the last Note, the name has probably been given in error to the Helxine or pellitory.
[2553] Or horehound.
[2555] From ἕλκω, to “drag.”
[2556] In c. 56. Properly the “Ixine.” See Note [2551] above.
[2557] Pellitory possesses no colouring properties whatever.