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CHAP. 86.—THE CHAMÆPEUCE: FIVE REMEDIES. THE CHAM- CYPARISSOS: TWO REMEDIES. TIHE AMPELOPRASON; SIX RE- MEDIES. THE STACHYS: ONE REMEDY.

The chamæpeuce1 has a leaf which resembles that of the larch, and is useful more particularly for lumbago and pains in the back. The chamæcyparissos2 is a herb which, taken in wine, counteracts the venom of serpents of all kinds, and of scorpions.

The ampeloprason3 is found growing in vineyards; it has leaves like those of the leek, and produces offensive eructations. It is highly efficacious for the stings of serpents, and acts as an emmenagogue and diuretic. Taken in drink or applied externally, it arrests discharges of blood from the generative organs. It is prescribed also for females after delivery, and is used for bites inflicted by dogs.

The plant known as "stachys" bears a strong resemblance also to a leek,4 but the leaves of it are longer and more numerous. It has an agreeable smell, and in colour inclines to yellow. It promotes menstruation.

1 "Ground-pine" or "ground pitch-tree." Identified by Sprengel with the Stœhelina chamæpeuce of Willdenow, a corymbiferous plant of the Isle of Candia.

2 "Ground-cypress." Identified with the Euphorbia cyparissias of Linnæus, the cypress spurge. Taken internally, it is a corrosive poison.

3 Or "vine-leek." The Allium ampeloprason of Linnæus, the great round-headed garlic. It is no longer used in medicine, and all that Pliny states as to its medicinal properties is quite unfounded, Fée says.

4 Fée thinks that Pliny has committed an error here, and that the word "marrubii" should be substituted, our "horehound." He identifies it with the Stachys Germanica of Linnæus, or base horehound; which is more commonly found in the South of Europe than in Germany.

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