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CHAP. 42.—THE TITHYMALOS HELIOSCOPIOS : EIGHTEEN REMEDIES.

A fourth kind of tithymalos1 is known by the additional name of "helioscopios."2 It has leaves like those of purslain,3 and some four or five small branches standing out from the root, of a red colour, half a foot in height, and full of juice. This plant grows in the vicinity of towns: the seed is white, and pigeons4 are remarkably fond of it. It receives its additional name of "helioscopios" from the fact that the heads of it turn5 with the sun. Taken in doses of half an acetabulum, in oxymel, it carries off bile by stool: in other respects it has the same properties as the characias, above-mentioned.

1 The Euphorbia helioscopia of Linnæus, Sun spurge or Wart-wort.

2 "Sun-watching."

3 See B. xx. c. 81.

4 Fée says that this is more than doubtful.

5 An assertion, Fée says, not confirmed by modern observation.

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