[2638] As to the Acanthus or thorn, in a more general sense, see B. xxiv. c. 66, and the Notes.
[2639] Pliny the Younger speaks of the Acanthus being used for a similar purpose, Epist. B. v. Ep. 6.
[2640] The Acanthus spinosus of Linnæus.
[2641] The Acanthus mollis of Linnæus; the brankursine.
[2642] “Lad’s love.”
[2643] “Black-leafed.” Fée thinks it probable that this name may have been given to the variety “niger,” of Miller, which grows in great abundance in Sicily and Italy.
[2644] “Bull’s side,” apparently. Fée says that the identification of this plant is quite uncertain; the Buplevrum rigidum of Linnæus, the Buplevrum Baldense of Willdenow, and the Ammi majus of Linnæus, having been suggested. The first, he thinks, could never have been used as a vegetable, and the second is only found on Mount Baldo in Carniola, and in Croatia. Though the Ammi majus is more than a cubit in height, and could never have been used as a vegetable, he looks upon it as the most likely of the three. The seeds of it were formerly used as a carminative.
[2645] Sprengel and Desfontaines consider it to be the Buplevrum rotundifolium: but Fée is of a contrary opinion, and thinks that it is impossible to identify it.
[2646] Though Hardouin attempts to defend him, it is more than probable that it is Pliny himself who is in error here; and that he has confounded the plant Buprestis with the insect of that name, which belongs to the class of Cantharides, and received its name (burn-cow) from its fatal effects when eaten by cattle.
[2647] See B. xxx. c. 10.