Holcus[1900] is a plant that grows in arid, stony, spots: it has an ear at the end of a fine stem, and looks like barley that has put forth again when cut. Attached to the head or around the arm, it extracts[1901] spikes of corn adhering to the flesh; for which reason, some persons give it the name of “aristis.”
CHAP. 64.—HYOSERIS: ONE REMEDY.
Hyoseris[1902] resembles endive in appearance, but is a smaller plant, and rougher to the touch: pounded and applied to wounds, it heals them with remarkable rapidity.
CHAP. 65.—THE HOLOSTEON: THREE REMEDIES.
The holosteon,[1903] so called by the Greeks by way of antiphrasis,[1904] (in the same way that they give the name of “sweet”[1905] to the gall,) is a plant destitute of all hardness, of such extreme fineness as to resemble hairs in appearance, four fingers in length, and very similar to hay-grass. The leaves of it are narrow, and it has a rough flavour: it grows upon elevated spots composed of humus. Taken in wine, it is used for ruptures and convulsions. It has the property, also, of closing wounds; indeed, if applied to pieces of meat it will solder them together.
CHAP. 66.—THE HIPPOPHÆSTON: EIGHT REMEDIES.
The hippophæston is one of those prickly plants which fullers[1906] use in their coppers; it has neither stem nor flower, but only diminutive, empty heads, numerous small leaves of a grass-green colour, and small, soft, white roots. From these roots a juice is extracted in summer, which, taken in doses of three oboli, acts as a purgative; being used for this purpose in cases of epilepsy, fits of trembling, dropsy, vertigo, hardness of breathing, and incipient paralysis.
CHAP. 67. (11.)—THE HYPOGLOSSA: ONE REMEDY.
The hypoglossa[1907] is a plant with leaves like those of the wild myrtle, of a concave form, prickly, and presenting another small leaf within, resembling a tongue in shape. A wreath made of these leaves, placed upon the head, alleviates headache.