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CH R O N O LO G IC A L A R R A N G EM E N T
Aster amellus of the Mediterranean countries. A species of <7«'?'called in Italy “ amello” or
“ a s tro ” or “ astere a ttico ” (Lenz), in Greece “ valtokrates ” (F ra a s ) ; in which we recognize the.
“ astëriôna” growing along the river of that name and offered in this temple to Juno, its leaves woven
in garlands — (Pans.), identified tlirough Syn. Diosc. with the “ astëriskos ” or “ aster a ttik o s:” the
“ astëriskos ” is mentioned by Theophrastus iv. 13 ; the “ aster ” by Nicander fr. ii. 66 to 67 as coronary
and placed on temples or images of gods, by Cratevas as employed medicinally (add. Diosc.) ;
and the “ aster attikos ” by Dioscorides as having oblong hairy leaves and a star-like purple and yellow
flower split around as in “ anthëmithôs,” the fresh plant ai plied in inflammation of the groin :
A. amellus was observed by Sibthorp, and Fraas, in wet ground sometimes saline in Attica and Southern
Greece. Westward, the “ aster attikos ” or “ uöphthalmön ” or “ vöuvöniön ” is identified in Syn.
Diosc with the “ rathivitha ” of the Dacians, and “ iggunalis ” of the Romans; the account of the
“ aster ” or “ bubonion ” by Pliny xxvii. 19 seems chiefly taken from the Greeks ; but the “ amellus ”
of Virgil geor. iv. 271 has a golden flower surrounded with purple rays, is mentioned also by Columella
ix. 4. 4: A. amellus is described by Matthioli p. 817 (Spreng.) ; is termed “ a. atticus cæruleus
vulgaris ” by Tournefort inst. 481 ; was observed by Lenz throughout Italy ; and is known fo grow
as far as Austria and middle Europe (Jacq. austr. pl. 435, and Pers.).
“ In this year ” (Meineke, and Sm. b. d.) at Athens, the First prize for comedy gained by
Cratinus, and the Second by Ameipsias, over the Nubes of Aristophanes containing an attack on
Socrates.
Lithospermum tinctorium of the Mediterranean countries. Resembling the alkanet and called
in Egypt “ sadjaret el arneb ” hare’s herb (Forsk.) : the E T KOY S A of Ameipsias — or “ enchusam ”
by some called “ anchusam ” but distinguished by Pliny xxii. 25 and identified with the “ rhexiam ”
or “ arcebion ” or “ onochelim” or “ onochiles,” may be compared : the “ onokihlë ” is enumerated
by Theophrastus vii. 10. 3 among plants continuing a long time in flower from the flowers opening
successively ; the ônôhëitlôs ” is mentioned by Nicander ther. S38 ; the “ ônShëilës ” or “ alkivia-
thion ” is identified in Syn. Diosc. with the “ aghousa ëtëra ” of Dioscorides having smailer leaves
similar in roughness, reddish-purple flowers, and long red roots swelling in harvest-time with blood-
coloured juice ; and the “ adsan el arnab ” is mentioned by Elgafaki, and Ebn Baitar ; L. tinctorium
was observed by Chaubard, and Fraas, in Attica and the Peloponnesus ; by Delile, near Alexandria ;
and by Forskal p. 63 in the Desert not far from Cairo, its root red and staining the skin, stem
branching from the base but erect, flower “ obscure-violacea.” Westward, the account by Pliny of
the “ enchusam” seems in part taken from Dioscorides, but he states that the bruised leaves exhale
the odour of “ cucumeris,” and gives additional medical uses : L. tinctorium was observed by Forskal
near Marseilles, is known to grow in other parts of Southern France (Dec. fl. fr.) ; is distinctly
described by Vahl, and Lamarck ill. p. 398 ; and according to Bory is often confounded with Anchusa
tinctoria, furnishing in like manner “ orchanette ” (see Anchusa tinctoria).
“ 422 B. C. ( = tenth year of the Peloponnesian war,” Sm. b. d.), hostilities continuing in
Thrace between the Lacedaemonians and Athenians ; the Athenian citizens now computed at
“ twenty thousand.” The second prize for comedy awarded to the Vespae of Aristophanes; who,
according to some writers, tendered in vain a second edition of his Nubes.
The 4> A S I A N 0 S bird of Aristophanes, is admitted to be the pheasant, Phasianus Colchicus. —
The “ phasianôs” is also mentioned by Epaenetus, Mnesimachus, Aristotle anim. v. 31, and Agatharchides;
and according to Callixenus (Athen. ix. 37), these birds were carried in the festival of
Ptolemy Philadelphus at Alexandria.
The KO P I S of Aristophanes nub. 630 is admitted to be the bed bug, Cimex lectularius. — The
“ c im e x ” is mentioned by Catullus, Horace, Pliny, and Martial; and the “ lectuli bestias,” by T e r tullian
adv. Marcio, i. 14. C. lectularius continues to be well known in Egypt and throughout
Europe ; and by European colonists, has been carried across the Atlantic to America and other
countries.
Onobrychis crisia-galli of the Mediterranean countries. Called on Cyprus “ trivouli ” (Sibth.) ;
and possibly the TPI BOAOÍ of Aristophanes lys. 576:— both kinds of “ tr ivölös” according to Theophrastus
vi. 5. 3 have spines on the pericarp, and the seed of the autumnal kind is rounded and contained
in a pod : O. crista-galli was observed by Sibthorp from the Peloponnesus and Cyprus to
Constantinople ; and by Delile, near Alexandria on the Mediterranean border of Egypt. Westward,
is termed “ o. seu caput gallinaceum minus fructu maximo insignite!'echinato ” by Tournefort inst.
390 ; and is known to grow in various parts of Southern Europe (Pers.).
Anagyris foetida oi the Mediterranean countries. Called in Greece “ azôgëra” or “ anthravanö ”
or “ anaguri ” (Sibth.) ; in which we recognize the ANAPYPON of Aristophanes lys. 735, — Aeschines,
Demosthenes, a proverb preserved by Zenobius ii. 22, described by Dioscorides as an arborescent
strong-scented shrub having “ a gn ö ’ ’-like twigs with fruit in long horns, reniform, and in the
added Synonyms identified with the “ agnaköpön ” or “ akopon ; ” A. foetida was observed by Forskià,
OF A C C OM P A N Y IN G A N IM A L S A N D P L A N T S . 287
fo
kal, Sibthorp, Chaubard, and Fraas, frequent from the Peloponnesus throughout the Greek islands
to Smyrna ; and by Forskal, in gardens at Constantinople. Westward, the account by Pliny xxvii.
13 of the “ anagyros ” or “ acopon” seems taken from Dioscorides: A. foetida is described by
Tournefort inst. 647 ; was observed by Gussone i. 477 on Sicily ; and is known to grow wild in Italy
and other parts of Southern Europe (Pers., Spreng., and Lenz). The seeds according to Lindley
“ said to be poisonous.”
Verbascum Limnense of the East Mediterranean countries. A species of mullein called in
Greece “ manoula ” or “ phitilëa” (F ra a s ) ; and the 6 PYAAAI5 lamp-wick of Aristophanes nub.
60,— “ thruallis” plant of Theophrastus vii. 11. 2, and Nicander, identified by Dioscorides with the
“ phlomis luhnitis ” having three or four or more hairy leaves and furnishing lamp-wicks, is referred
here by Fraas : V. Limnense is described by him as observed near Limni in Euboea.
Salvia officinalis of the Mediterranean countries. Called in English gardens sage, in France
“ sau g e ” (Prior), in Germany “ salbey ” (Fraas), in Italy “ salvia ” (Lenz) ; in which we recognize
the “ salviam” called in Greek “ elelisphacon ” by herbalists of the time of Pliny xxii. 71, tlie “ ele-
lisphacos ” of the Greeks being sometimes called “ sphacos : ” the garden S 'tA KOS of Aristophanes
thesm. 486, — and Theophrastus vi. i. 4 to 2. 5, seems therefore to correspond: S. officinalis was
observed by Sibthorp in rugged places in Greece, bearing edible galls like S. pomifera, but according
to Fraa.s is very rare ; by Delile, near Rosetta on the Mediterranean border of E g yp t; and according
to CIot-Bey has besides been recently introduced. Westward, the “ salviatum ” potion is mentioned
by Columella ; the “ salviam ” is described by Pliny as resembling “ mentae ” hoary and fragrant ;
is mentioned also by Macer Floridus : S. officinalis is termed “ s. major” by Tournefort inst. 180; is
known to grow wild in Italy and other parts of Southern Europe (Etling salv. i, Pers., and Lenz),
is besides cultivated there and throughout middle Europe. By European colonists, was carried to
Northeast America, where it continues under cultivation ; to Hindu.stan, oliserved by Graham “ in
gardens ” at Bombay but no native name is given ; to Burmah, observed by Mason “ exotic ” but no
native name is given. The leaves according to Lindley are much employed in cookery, and tea made
o f them “ has the reputation of being a stomachic.” (See S. pomifera, and Phlomis fruticosa).
Chenopodiuni olidum of Europe and the adjoining portion of Asia. A fetid species oigoosefoot
called in Germany “ stoltz heinrich” (Trag.), in France “ vulvaire ” (Nugent); and the 'PEYAATPA
4ASYN of Aristophanes eq. 630 — is referred here by Ha se : C. olidum vvas observed by Sibthorp,
and Chaubard, in waste and cultivated ground from the Peloponnesus to Constantinople. Westward,
the term “ blitea meretrix ” used by Plautus true, is supposed by Tragus to refer to this plant : C.
olidum is described by Cornelius Petrus (Spreng.), Dodoens 616, and Bauhin ; is termed “ atriplex
canina” by Tragus ii. 57, “ ch. foetidum ” by Tournefort inst. 506, “ ch. vulvaria” by Linnæus ; and
is known to occur along roadsides and in cultivated ground throughout middle Europe as far as Denmark
(fl. Dan. pi. 1152, Engl. bot. pl. 1034, Woodv. pl. 145, and Pers.). The plant vvas found by
Chevallier exhaling pure ammonia during its whole existence, and according to Lindley “ is still
employed as an antispasmodic and emmenagogue, and is constantly to be found ” in London herb-
shops.
Juniperus nana of Europe and the adjoining portion of Asia. The KEAPI S berry of Aristophanes
thesm. 493, — or “ këthris ” shrub described by Theophrastus i. 9. 4 to 12. i and caus. vi. 14. 4
as small and never becoming a tree, its fruit fragrant and though acrid grateful to the palate, (translated
“ cedrula ” by Gaza), is referred here by Sprengel : a tree in Arcadia resembling the “ cedro ”
and called in Phrygia “ frutex,” is mentioned by Pliny xiii. 11 : J. nana is described by Pallas ross.
ii. pl. 54; is known to grow in Sweden (Wahl.), Siberia, and on the Saltzburg and Styrian Alps (Pers.),
but has not been observed by modern travellers within the limits of Greece.
Juniperus rufescens of the Mediterranean countries. A little-known species called in Greece
“ këthrôs ” (Lenz) ; and possibly the “ k ë th r is” in q u e s tio n :—^J. rufescens is described as “ very
like ” J. macrocarpa; is known to grow in Bithynia (Lenz), Thrace and Macedonia (Daub.), and was
observed by Link in Portugal.
Imperata cylindrica of Tropical Asia. A reedy grass called in Greece “ thëmatia” or “ tliëma-
tôhôrtôn” (Fraas), in Egypt “ halfeli ” (D e l.); and the 4AEÎ2S of Aristophanes ran. 244, — A ristotle,
Theophrastus iv. to to n . 12, Pollux, mentioned by Dioscorides i. 114 as a kind of “ kalamôn,”
is referred here by Fraas ; I. cylindrica is teamed “ gramen tomentosum creticum spicatum .spica
purpurea” by Tournefort cor. 39, “ lagurus cylindricus ” by Linnæus, “ saccharum cylindricum” by
Lamarck, its spike according to Persoon “ nivea la n a ta ;” was observed by Sibthorp, Chaubard, and
Fraas, abounding in moist places in the Peloponnesus and Attica; by For.skal p. 23, and Delile, from
Alexandria and Rosetta to Cairo; is known to occur also in Barbary. Italy, Southern France, and
Spain (Cyrill. rar. ii. 2. pl. 11, and Cav. iii.p l, 2). Eastward from Syria, vvas observed by Law
“ common in Guzerat” (Graham) ; by Roxburgh, and Royle, in other parts of Hindustan ; by Masnn
V . p. 524, indigenous in Burmah and called “ thek-kay-nyen,” one of the two grasses employed in the
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