Roman authors quoted.—M. Varro,[1648] C. Valgius,[1649] Pompeius Lenæus,[1650] Sextius Niger[1651] who wrote in Greek, Julius Bassus[1652] who wrote in Greek, Antonius Castor,[1653] Cornelius Celsus.[1654]
Foreign authors quoted.—Theophrastus,[1655] Democritus,[1656] Juba,[1657] Orpheus,[1658] Pythagoras,[1659] Mago,[1660] Menander[1661] who wrote the “Biochresta,” Nicander,[1662] Homer, Hesiod,[1663] Musæus,[1664] Sophocles,[1665] Xanthus,[1666] Anaxilaüs.[1667]
Medical authors quoted.—Mnesitheus,[1668] Callimachus,[1669] Phanias[1670] the physician, Timaristus,[1671] Simus,[1672] Hippocrates,[1673] Chrysippus,[1674] Diocles,[1675] Ophelion,[1676] Heraclides,[1677] Hicesius,[1678] Dionysius,[1679] Apollodorus[1680] of Citium, Apollodorus[1681] of Tarentum, Praxagoras[1682] Plistonieus,[1683] Medius,[1684] Dieuches,[1685] Cleophantus,[1686] Philistion,[1687] Asclepiades,[1688] Crateuas,[1689] Petronius Diadotus,[1690] Iollas,[1691] Erasistratus,[1692] Diagoras,[1693] Andreas,[1694] Mnesides,[1695] Epicharmus[1696] Damion,[1697] Tlepolemus,[1698] Metrodorus,[1699] Solo,[1700] Lycus,[1701] Olympias[1702] of Thebes, Philinus,[1703] Petrichus,[1704] Micton,[1705] Glaucias,[1706] Xenocrates.[1707]
BOOK XXVII.
A DESCRIPTION OF PLANTS, AND OF THE REMEDIES DERIVED FROM THEM.
CHAP. 1. (1.)—RESEARCHES OF THE ANCIENTS UPON THIS SUBJECT.
The further I proceed in this work, the more I am impressed with admiration of the ancients; and the greater the number of plants that remain to be described, the more I am induced to venerate the zeal displayed by the men of former times in their researches, and the kindly spirit manifested by them in transmitting to us the results thereof. Indeed their bounteousness in this respect would almost seem to have surpassed the munificent disposition even of Nature herself, if our knowledge of plants had depended solely upon man’s spirit of discovery: but as it is, it is evident beyond all doubt that this knowledge has emanated from the gods themselves, or, at all events, has been the result of divine inspiration, even in those cases where man has been instrumental in communicating it to us. In other words, if we must confess the truth—a marvel surpassed by nothing in our daily experience—Nature herself, that common parent of all things, has at once produced them, and has discovered to us their properties.
Wondrous indeed is it, that a Scythian[1708] plant should be brought from the shores of the Palus Mæotis, and the euphorbia[1709] from Mount Atlas and the regions beyond the Pillars of Hercules, localities where the operations of Nature have reached their utmost limit! That in another direction, the plant britannica[1710] should be conveyed to us from isles of the Ocean situate beyond the confines of the earth![1711] That the æthiopis[1712] should reach us from a climate scorched by the luminaries of heaven! And then, in addition to all this, that there should be a perpetual interchange going on between all parts of the earth, of productions so instrumental to the welfare of mankind! Results, all of them, ensured to us by the peace that reigns under the majestic sway of the Roman power, a peace which brings in presence of each other, not individuals only, belonging to lands and nations far separate, but mountains even, and heights towering above the clouds, their plants and their various productions! That this great bounteousness of the gods may know no end, is my prayer, a bounteousness which seems to have granted the Roman sway as a second luminary for the benefit of mankind.
CHAP. 2. (2.)—ACONITE, OTHERWISE CALLED THELYPHONON, CAMMARON, PARDALIANCHES, OR SCORPIO; FOUR REMEDIES.
But who, I say, can sufficiently venerate the zeal and spirit of research displayed by the ancients? It is they who have shown us that aconite is the most prompt of all poisons in its effects—so much so indeed, that female animals, if the sexual parts[1713] are but touched with it, will not survive a single day. With this poison it was that M. Cæcilius[1714] accused Calpurnius Bestia of killing his wives in their sleep, and this it was that gave rise to that fearful peroration of his, denouncing the murderous finger of the accused.[1715] According to the fables of mythology, this plant was originally produced from the foam of the dog Cerberus, when dragged by Hercules from the Infernal[1716] Regions; for which reason, it is said, it is still so remarkably abundant in the vicinity of Heraclea in Pontus, a spot where the entrance is still pointed out to the shades below.