Chapter XXXV: Book XXXI (8)

[3198] “Faciunt ex his vasa, necnon frequenter liquatum cum sulphure, coquentes in carbonibus.” This passage Beckmann pronounces to be one of the _darkest_ parts in the history of _nitrum_. See Vol. II. p. 502. He is of opinion that not improbably the result here obtained would be, liver of sulphur, which when it cools is hard, but soon becomes moist when exposed to the air. Dalechamps, it would appear, explains the whole of this passage as applicable to glazing; but in such case, as Beckmann observes, the nitrum could serve only as a flux. Michaelis suggests that the vessels here mentioned, were cut, not for real use, but merely for ornament, in the same manner as they are still made, occasionally, from rock-salt.

[3199] The mention of nitrum, sulphur, and charcoal, probably the three ingredients of gunpowder, in such close proximity, is somewhat curious.

[3200] “Quæ” seems a preferable reading to “quos.”

[3201] “Spuma nitri.” An accidental property, Beckmann says, of the same salt that has been previously called “Chalastricum,” “Halmyrax,” “Aphronitrum,” and “Agrion.” In his opinion, “the ancients were acquainted with no other than _native_ nitrum, which they called _artificial_, only when it required a little more trouble and art to obtain it.”—_Hist. Inv._ Vol. II. p. 502. _Bohn’s Ed._

[3202] “Froth of nitre.” Ajasson identifies this with hydro-carbonate of soda.

[3203] Supposed by Hardouin to be derived from the Greek κόλικας, “round cakes;” owing to the peculiar form of the pieces of rock by which the aphronitrum was produced. The reading, however, is very doubtful. Sillig, from Photius, suggests that it should be “scolecas.”

[3204] One proof, Beckmann thinks, that Soda is meant. See Vol. II. p. 491.

[3205] “Whether Pliny means that the vessels were not burnt, but only baked in the sun, or that before they were filled, they were completely dried in the sun, has been determined by no commentator. To me the latter is probable.”—Beckmann, _Hist. Inv._ Vol. II. p. 491.

[3206] Beckmann thinks that this mode of adulteration, with lime, is an additional proof that the “nitrum” of our author was only soda. See Vol. II. p. 492.

[3207] That, namely, of the lime. Quick-lime, certainly, would have a pungent taste, in comparison with that of soda, but not in comparison with that of saltpetre.

[3208] Another proof, Beckmann thinks, that it was native soda, impregnated with common salt. Vol. II. p. 492.

[3209] This would hardly apply to soda.

[3210] Probably to promote its rising, as Beckmann observes, Vol. II. p. 496; a circumstance which goes a great way towards proving that “Soda” was included, at least, under the name of “nitrum.” Carbonate of soda is extensively used for this purpose at the present day.

[3211] And to correct the acridity of the radishes, possibly. A somewhat analogous fact is mentioned by Drury, in his “Journal in Madagascar.” He says that the sourest tamarinds, “mixed with wood ashes, become sweet and eatable.” See p. 316.—We are not unaware that many look upon this work and its statements as a work of fiction.

[3212] See B. xix. c. 26.

[3213] Carbonate of soda is added to pickles and boiling vegetables for this purpose.

[3214] Vegetable ashes, and tobacco-ashes in particular, have the same effect.

[3215] See B. xxxv. c. 57.

[3216] Viewed by the ancients as a poison, when taken warm; but erroneously, as we have more than once remarked.

[3217] See B. xix. c. 15.

[3218] Nitre balls are still given to the patient to suck, in cases of sore throat.

[3219] See B. xii. c. 51.

[3220] Beckmann considers that this statement throws some light on the obscure passage, commented on in Note 3198, p. 514. See _Hist. Inv._ Vol. II. p. 503. _Bohn’s Ed._

[3221] In B. ix. c. 69.

[3222] No such distinction, of course, _really_ exists; sponge being in reality a fibrous tissue formed by minute animals.

[3223] “Goats,” literally.

[3224] See B. ix. c. 69. He probably alludes to the semifluid thin coat of animal jelly which covers the sponge in its recent state, and is susceptible of a slight contraction on being touched.

[3225] A fanciful notion, certainly.

[3226] Hot water renders them greasy, so to say; an inconvenience which may be remedied by steeping them in an alkaline solution, or in urine.

[3227] “Penicilli.”

[3228] See B. ix. c. 69.

[3229] See B. v. c. 28.

[3230] An absurdity, of course.

[3231] See end of B. ii.

[3232] Called C. Cassius Severus Parmensis, according to some authorities. He was one of the murderers of Cæsar, and perished, the last of them by a violent end, about B.C. 30. He is supposed to have written tragedies, epigrams, and other works. See Horace, Epist. B. i. Ep. 4, l. 3.

[3233] See end of B. vii.

[3234] See end of B. ii.

[3235] Cælius Antipater. See end of B. ii.

[3236] See end of B. vii.

[3237] See end of B. vii.

[3238] See end of B. xviii.

[3239] See end of B. iv.

[3240] This personage is entirely unknown. It may possibly be a corruption for Soranus, a poet of that name (Q. Valerius Soranus) who flourished about 100 B.C. See also B. xxxii. c. 23.

[3241] See end of B. iv.

[3242] See end of B. ii.

[3243] Beyond the mention made of him in c. 9 of this Book, nothing whatever is known of him.

[3244] See end of B. iii.

[3245] See end of B. ii., and end of B. vi.

[3246] See end of B. ii.

[3247] See end of B. xii.

[3248] See end of B. v.

[3249] See end of B. xii.

[3250] See end of B. xxx.

[3251] See end of B. ii.

[3252] He is also mentioned in B. xxxii. c. 16, but beyond that, nothing whatever appears to be known of him. He must not be confounded with Pelops of Smyrna, one of Galen’s preceptors, who flourished in the second century after Christ.

[3253] See end of B. xxviii.

[3254] See end of B. ii.

[3255] See end of B. ii.

[3256] See end of B. viii.

[3257] A celebrated Comic poet, a disciple of Theophrastus, and the inventor of the New Comedy at Athens. Only a few fragments of his works survive.

[3258] See end of B. viii.

[3259] A physician, of whom, beyond the mention made of him in B. xxxii. c. 26, no further particulars appear to be known.

[3260] See end of B. xx.

[3261] A Greek writer on plants, and a follower of Asclepiades of Bithynia. He is supposed to have flourished in the latter half of the first century B.C. His medical formulæ are several times quoted by Galen. See c. 31 of the succeeding Book.

[3262] See end of B. vii.

[3263] See end of B. xxi.

END OF VOL. V.

J. BILLING, PRINTER AND STEREOTYPER (FROM WOKING),
GUILDFORD, SURREY.

Transcriber’s Notes:—

In footnote [24] “See Introduction to Vol. III.” probably refers to the glossary of “GREEK AND ROMAN MONEY, WEIGHTS, AND MEASURES MENTIONED BY PLINY.” which follows the Contents section of Volume III.

The footnotes for each of the six volumes have been renumbered, the references to notes in other volumes have been changed accordingly.