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CHAP. 67.—CYCLAMINOS OR TUBER TERRÆ: TWELVE REMEDIES.

So too, the root of cyclaminos1 is good for injuries inflicted by serpents of all kinds. It has leaves smaller than those of ivy, thinner, more swarthy, destitute of angles, and covered with whitish spots. The stem is thin and hollow, the flowers of a purple colour, and the root large and covered with a black rind; so much so, in fact, that it might almost be taken for the root of rape. This plant grows in umbrageous localities, and by the people of our country is known as the "tuber terræ."2 It ought to be grown in every house, if there is any truth in the assertion that wherever it grows, noxious spells can have no effect. This plant is also what is called an "amulet;" and taken in wine, they say, it produces all the symptoms and appearances of intoxication. The root is dried, cut in pieces, like the squill, and put away for keeping. When wanted, a decoction is made of it, of the consistency of honey. Still, however, it has some deleterious3 properties; and a pregnant woman, it is said, if she passes over the root of it, will be sure to miscarry.

1 Fée identifies it with the Cyclamen hederæfolium of Aiton, the ivy-leaved sow-bread; Littré with the Cyclamen Græcum of Lamarck.

2 "Tuberosity of the earth."

3 "Suum venenum ei est." Gerard seems to have had a worse opinion of it than our author; for he states in his Herbal, p. 845, that he had experienced great misfortunes owing to his imnprudence in having cultivated Cyclamen in his garden.

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