[1782] Different probably from the plant of a similar name mentioned in B. xxi. cc. 52, 59. Fée identifies it with the Vetch, mentioned in B. xviii. c. 37. Littré gives as its synonym the Vicia cracca of Linnæus, the Tufted vetch, and Desfontaines the Lathyrus aphaca, the Yellow vetchling, or bindweed.
[1783] Fée considers it to be the same plant as the Anchusa or Archebion, mentioned in B. xxii. c. 25. Desfontaines identifies the Alcibium with the Echium rubrum of Linnæus. Holland observes here that Pliny “hath here forgotten himself.”
[1784] “Cock’s comb.” The Rhinanthus crista galli of Linnæus, Yellow rattle, or cock’s comb.
[1785] “Crest” or “Comb.”
[1786] Identified by Desfontaines with the Symphytum officinale, or Great comfrey. Fée, however, considers it to be the Coris Monspeliensis of Linnæus, Montpellier coris. Lobel identifies it with the Prunella vulgaris of Linnæus, Common self-heal, and Cæsalpinus with the Hyssopus officinalis of Linnæus. See B. xxvi. c. 26.
[1787] Fée reiterates his assertion here that this “rock” symphytum is a totally different plant from the Symphytum officinale, or Comfrey, though they appear to have been generally considered as identical by Scribonius Largus, Plinius Valerianus, Apuleius, and other writers.
[1788] See B. xxvi. c. 26.
[1789] This account of its medicinal properties applies properly to the Symphytum officinale, or Great comfrey, a plant which would appear to have been confounded by Pliny with the Alum, if Fée is right in his conjecture.
[1790] Hence its Latin name “consolida,” and its French name “consoude.” Fée says that Comfrey still figures in the French Materia Medica, and that the lower classes use it in most of the cases mentioned by Pliny; he states also, that it is destitute of energetic properties, in a medicinal point of view.
[1791] Σύμφυτον, “consolidating.”