420 MERGE TO GYRENE.

valuable production of their country ; and we have already observed that a representation of the plant is found on the reverse of their coins.

The resemblance of this representation to the plant which we found in the Cyrenaicais most conspicuous when the plant is young; and before the flower has quite opened, or the stem has attained its greatest height A little to the north-west of Margad the road branches off in two directions towards Cyrene. The lower road, or that which is to the northward of the other, is the proper and ancient road ; and traces milke which is cluttered within their stomacke. Taken in wine it is singular for the faintings about the heart ; as also for colliquations and such as are falne away and far gone in a consumption, and for those that be taken with the falling sickuesse : but in honied water it hath a special! operation respective to the palsie, or resolution of the tongue. With sodden honey and laser together, there is made a liniment very propor to anoint the region of the hucklebone where the sciatica is seated ; and the small of the backe to allay the paine of the loins. I would not give counselle (continues our author) as many writers doe prescribe) for to put it in the concavatie or hole of a decayed tooth, and so to stop up the place close with wax, for feare of that which might ensue thereupon : for I have seene the fearfnll sequele of that experiment, in a man, who upon the taking of that medecine, threw himself headlong from an high loft and broke his necke ; such intollerable pains he sustained of the toothach : and no marvelle ; for doe but annoint the mussle, or nose of a bull therewith it will set him on a fire and make him home mad : and being mingled with wine, if serpents (as they are most greedie of wine) chance to lap or licke thereof, it will cause them to burst. And therefore I would not advise any to be annointed with it and honey of Athens incorporat together ; howsoever there bee physicians who set downe such a receit.” (Nat. Hist. Book xxii. c. xxiii.)

* This plant, from its succulent nature, is very difficult to preserve ; and we are sorry to say that the specimens which we had collected of it (together with many others of the Cyrenaic plants) got mouldy for want of more attention than we were able to bestow upon them. We understand, however, that Captain Smyth has succeeded in bringing over a specimen of the silphium in good condition, and that the plant is now growing in Devonshire and thriving remarkably well.