[752] This distinction into male and female is no longer recognized, though it continued to be so till within the last century.
[753] Desfontaines identifies it with the Saponaria ocimoïdes. Fée thinks it may have possibly been some kind of sage, or else a variety of the Lavendula stœchas of Linnæus, French lavender. Littré gives the Silene Gallica of Linnæus, the Gallic catchfly.
[754] Identified by Fée with the Pseudanchusa, Echis, or Doris of B. xxii. c. 24, the Anchusa Italica of Linnæus. Littré gives the Echium rubrum of Linnæus.
[755] The Arctium lappa of Linnæus, probably, our Great clot-burr. See B. xxi. c. 51.
[756] See B. xxi. c. 64.
[757] “Holy plant.”
[758] “Pigeon plant.”
[759] Our “vervain.” It was much used in philtres, and was as highly esteemed as the mistletoe by the people of Gaul. It is no longer used in medicine.
[760] In B. xxii. c. 3.
[761] On the occasion of the Feasts of Jupiter in the Capitol, prepared by the Septemviri.