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CHAP. 37.—NYMPHÆA, HERACLEON, RHOPALON, OR MADON; TWO VARIETIES OF IT: FOUR REMEDIES.

The plant called "nymphæa," owes its name, they say, to a Nymph who died of jealousy conceived on account of Hercules, for which reason it is also known as "heracleon" by some. By other persons, again, it is called "rhopalon," from the resemblance of its root to a club.1 * * * * and hence it is that those who take it in drink become impotent for some twelve days, and incapacitated for procreation. That of the first quality is found in Orchomenia and at Marathon: the people of Bœotia call it "madon," and use the seed for food. It grows in spots covered with water; the leaves2 of it are large, and float upon the surface, while others are to be seen springing from the roots below. The flower is very similar to a lily in appearance, and after the plant has shed its blossom, the place of the flower is occupied by a head like that of the poppy. The stem is slender, and the plant is usually cut in autumn. The root, of a swarthy hue, is dried in the sun; garlic3 manifests a peculiar antipathy to it.

There is another4 nymphæa also, which grows in the river Peneus, in Thessaly: the root of it is white, and the head yellow, about the size of a rose.

1 Judging from the text of Dioscorides, a passage has been probably lost here, to the effect that "it is taken in drink by persons troubled with lascivious dreams."

2 Identified with the Nymphæa alba of Linnæus, the White-flowered nymphæa.

3 "Adversatur ei allium." A corrupt reading, in all probability.

4 The Nuphar lutea of Sibthorp; the Yellow-flowered nymphæa, or Nenuphar.

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