Book 25, Chapters 50-74: Plants which have been discovered by certain animals; dogplant; dictamnon; the emplyment of these plants for injuries inflicted by serpents; the argemonic; agaria; verbenaca; blattaria; lemonium; quinquefolium; daucus; persolata; cyclaminos; peucedanum; the phlomys.

Science
Nature

The Natural History Volume 5

by PLINY THE ELDER (23 - 79)

Naturalis Historia (Latin for "Natural History") is an encyclopedia published circa AD 77-79 by Pliny the Elder. It is one of the largest single works to have survived from the Roman empire to the modern day and purports to cover the entire field of ancient knowledge, based on the best authorities available to Pliny. The work became a model for all later encyclopedias in terms of the breadth of subject matter examined, the need to reference original authors, and a comprehensive index list of the contents. The scheme of his great work is vast and comprehensive, being nothing short of an encyclopedia of learning and of art so far as they are connected with nature or draw their materials from nature. The work divides neatly into the organic world of plants and animals, and the realm of inorganic matter, although there are frequent digressions in each section. He is especially interested in not just describing the occurrence of plants, animals and insects, but also their exploitation (or abuse) by man, especially Romans. The description of metals and minerals is particularly detailed, and valuable for the history of science as being the most extensive compilation still available from the ancient world. This fifth volume includes books twenty one to twenty five, covering the following subjects: Book 21 - The natural history of flowers Book 22 - The properties of plants and fruits Book 23 - The remedies derived from the cultivated trees Book 24 - The remedies derived from the forest trees Book 25 - The natural history of the wild plants - Summary by Leni

Listen next episodes of The Natural History Volume 5:
Book 25, Chapters 75-90: The scorpio; the phrynion; the alisma; remedies against certain poisons; euclea; pericarpum; remedies for diseases of the head; hyssop; psyllion. , Book 25, Chapters 91-110: Remedies for diseases of the eyes; mandragora; hemlock; molybdaena; capnos; acoron; cotyledon; remedies for diseases of the teeth; acanthis; ephemeron; labrum venereum; remedial preparations for offensive breath; summary; authors quoted.