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CHAP. 53.— HYPERICON, CHAMÆPITYS, OR CORISON: NINE REMEDIES.

Hypericon,1 otherwise known as the "chamæpitys"2 or "orison,"3 is possessed of similar properties. It is a plant4 with a stem like that5 of a garden vegetable, thin, red, and a cubit in length. The leaf is similar to that of rue, and has an acrid smell: the seed is enclosed in a swarthy pod, and ripens at the same time as barley. This seed is of an astringent nature, arrests diarrhœa, and acts as a diuretic: it is taken also for diseases of the bladder, in wine.

1 Perhaps so called from the impressions on the leaves, ὑπεῥρ andἐικων, or else from its resemblance to heath, ὑπὲρ and ἐρέικη.. See, however Note 55 below.

2 "Ground pine."

3 Selling reads this "curiosum." Former editions have "cordon."

4 Identified by Fée with the Ilypericum perforatum of Linnæus, the Perforated St. John's wort. Littré gives the Hypericum crispum of Linnæus.

5 "Oleraceo." Another reading is "surculaceo," "tough and ligneous;" and is, perhaps, preferable.

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