Chapter XXV: Book XXXVII: The Natural History of Precious Stones (4)

[83] “Folliculos.” A very appropriate term, as Ajasson remarks.

[84] See B. xii. c. 49, and B. xxxiv. c. 14.

[85] See B. xxv. c. 70.

[86] Castor is still given to females to inhale, when suffering from hysteria.

[87] See B. xx. c. 54.

[88] See B. xxiv. c. 38.

[89] See B. viii. c. 41, B. x. c. 95, and B. xi. cc. 24, 28.

[90] See B. xxix. c. 32.

[91] See B. viii. c. 35, and B. xvi. c. 80.

[92] See B. xx. c. 81; B. xxii. c. 13; B. xxiii. c. 23, and B. xxiv. c. 73.

[93] See B. xii. c. 57.

[94] Or Mistletoe; see B, xvi. c. 92.

[95] As to the identity of the “nitrum” of the ancients, see B. xxxi. c. 46 and the Notes.

[96] See B. xx. c. 76.

[97] Under the head of “testudines,” he includes the tortoises, terrapenes, and turtles, which form an order of reptiles, known in Natural History as Chelonia, and characterised by the body being enclosed between a double shield or shell, out of which protrude the head, tail, and four extremities.

[98] See B. ix. cc. 11, 12.

[99] Our tortoises so called.

[100] Our Chelonides, or turtles.

[101] The Emydes and Trionyches of Modern Natural History.

[102] Or turtle.

[103] See B. x. c. 86.

[104] To make it of a yellow or golden colour, Dalechamps says.

[105] Identified by Ajasson with the Emys lutaria of Modern Natural History.

[106] Our Houseleek. See B. xxv. c. 102.

[107] Because it is then powerless, and can make no effort to rise.

[108] An absurd story, founded, no doubt, on the extremely slow pace of the tortoise. Ajasson remarks that it is the fresh-water tortoise, more particularly, that is so slow in its movements.

[109] In B. xxi. c. 44.

[110] Or Gilt-head. “Aurata.” See B. ix. c. 25.

[111] In B. viii. c. 38. See also B. xxviii. c. 30.

[112] Among others, in B. vii. c. 13, and B. xxviii. c. 23.

[113] In B. xxviii. c. 23.

[114] As to this point, see c. 12 of this Book, and the Notes.

[115] He must mean the Sea-dragon, mentioned in B. ix. c. 43, and in c. 53 of the present Book; for he has already stated in B. xxix. c. 20, that the serpent called “draco” is destitute of venom. See also B. viii. cc. 13, 14, 22, 41, and B. x. cc. 5, 92, 95, 96.

[116] See B. viii. c. 41, B. x. c. 95, and B. xi. cc. 24, 28, 29.

[117] See B. ix. cc. 71, 86, and c. 53 of the present Book.

[118] See Note 115 above.

[119] Rondelet asserts, B. vi. c. 19, that he himself had cured the sting of the sea-dragon by an application of the liver of that fish.

[120] See B. xxix. c. 32.

[121] See B. viii. c. 35, B. xi. c. 43, and B. xvi. c. 80.

[122] See B. xxiii. c. 29.

[123] Nicander, in his Theriaca, classes the Elops among the innocuous serpents. In B. ix. c. 27, we are informed that one name given to the Acipenser was “Elops.” But see the remark made in c. 54 of this Book.

[124] See B. xxiii. c. 80.

[125] From c. 53 of the present Book, we learn that the Sarda was a kind of Pelamis, or young tunny, which was pickled, like our Anchovy.

[126] See Note 115 above.

[127] Tunny cut into slices, and pickled. See B. ix. c. 18.

[128] See B. ix. cc. 40, 67, 74, 83.

[129] See B. viii. c. 48, B. xi. cc. 19, 76, 116, B. xxv. c. 76.

[130] See B. x. c. 86.

[131] Under the name “magi,” he is probably speaking here, not of the ordinary magicians, but the Magi of the East, from whom Democritus largely borrowed.

[132] A piece of wit on the part of our author, in which he seldom indulges.

[133] See B. xi. c. 76.

[134] From “rubus,” a “bramble.”

[135] In B. viii. c. 48. It is not improbable that the “rubetæ” of the ancients were toads.

[136] Projections of the bones in which the eyes are set, as Dalechamps remarks.

[137] “Plenæ veneficiorum.” It was long a matter of doubt whether the toad is really poisonous, but it has been recently ascertained that the pustules on the skin contain a most active poison.

[138] “Solium” and “oleum” are the readings here, but we adopt the conjecture of M. Ian, and substitute “ollam.”

[139] “Averting dogs.”

[140] The Enhydris, probably. See B. xxx. c. 8.

[141] See B. xxvi. c. 33.

[142] “Cancri fluviatiles.” Our crawfish, the Potamobios of Leach.

[143] See B. xix. cc. 31, 36, 44, and B. xx. c. 48.

[144] It is difficult to say whether he means the shrew-mouse here, the bite of which was supposed to be poisonous, or the serpent called Scytale, mentioned by Lucan, B. ix. l. 717.

[145] See Note 143 above.

[146] The Crab. This is giving the serpent credit for too much wisdom; an acquaintance, in fact, with the fantastic names which mankind have bestowed upon the signs of the Zodiac.

[147] See B. ix. c. 32.

[148] The same as the Orbis or Orthagoriscus of Chapters 5 and 9 of this Book, the Mola or sun-fish of the Mediterranean. See B. ix. c. 17.

[149] Or sting-ray. See B. ix. c. 72.

[150] There is considerable truth in this observation.

[151] The sea-horse, the Syngnathus hippocampus of Linnæus. See B. ix. c. 1.

[152] See B. xxi. c. 105.

[153] The same, probably, as the “opocarpathon” of B. xxviii. c. 45, a substance which does not appear to have been identified with any degree of certainty. See also c. 31 of the present Book.

[154] B. ix. c. 79.

[155] Ajasson remarks that these statements are consistent with fact.

[156] “Deep-sea” oysters.

[157] In Asia Minor. See B. v. c. 32, where it is called “Grynia.”

[158] In Lemnos. See B. iv. c. 23, and B. v. c. 32.

[159] This is an error: the statement is made, not in B. ix., but in B. ii. c. 109.

[160] See B. ix. c. 74. It is at the spawning season that this milky liquid is found in the oyster; a period at which the meat of the fish is considered unwholesome as food. We have a saying that the oyster should never be eaten in the months without an r; that the same, too, was the opinion in the middle ages is proved by the Leonine line:

“Mensibus erratis vos ostrea manducatis.”

“In the r’d months you may your oysters eat.”

[161] See B. iii. c. 9. Horace speaks of the oysters of Circeii, B. ii. Sat. 4. l. 33.

[162] There has been considerable discussion among the commentators as to the meaning of the word “spondylus” here. We are inclined to adopt the opinion of Venette, and to think that it means the so-called “meat” of the oyster. It must be short, and consequently plump and comparatively destitute of beard, and it must not be fleshy, as that would imply a degree of toughness not desirable in an oyster. The words “nec fibris laciniata ac tota in alvo,” only seem to be an amplification of the preceding ones, “spondylo brevi et non carnoso.”

[163] Literally, “Having beautiful eyebrows.”

[164] See B. ix. c. 79.

[165] See B. v. c. 40.

[166] See B. iii. c. 9.

[167] “Dulciora.”

[168] Those of Rutupæ, the present Richborough in Kent, were highly esteemed by the Romans. See Juvenal, Sat. 4. l. 141.

[169] “Suaviora.”

[170] The district in the vicinity of Bordeaux, now called Medoc. The oysters of Medulæ are mentioned in terms of praise by Ausonius, Epist. vii. and Epist. cxliii.

[171] “Acriora.”

[172] See B. iii. c. 4.

[173] See B. v. c. 32.

[174] See B. iii. c. 23.

[175] See B. iii. c. 9.

[176] They probably gave the name of “oyster” to some other shell-fish of large size. In Cook’s Voyages we read of cockles in the Pacific, which two men were unable to carry.

[177] From τρὶς, “thrice,” and δάκνω, “to bite.”

[178] Ajasson remarks that many persons are unable to digest oysters, in an uncooked state.

[179] Ajasson remarks that calcined oyster-shells formed an ingredient in the famous lithontriptic of Mrs. Stephens, a so-called remedy which obtained for her a considerable reward, voted by the English Parliament in the middle of last century.

[180] A statement purely imaginary, Ajasson thinks; the liquid of this class of shell-fish containing no element whatever to fit it for an antidote.

[181] Or antidote.

[182] In B. xxvi. c. 66.

[183] Many varieties of sea-weed are now known, Ajasson says, to possess this property, and are still used by savage nations for colouring the body. In Europe, the use of indigo, madder, and other tinctorial plants of a more decided character, has caused them to be entirely neglected for dyeing purposes.

[184] Probably the Syngnathus hippocampus of Linnæus. See B. ix. c. 1.

[185] As to the Nitrum of the ancients, see B. xxxi. c. 46.

[186] Or Cuttlefish. See B. ix. c. 44.

[187] See B. ix. c. 35.

[188] See c. 17 of the present Book.

[189] This seems to be the meaning of “conchyliorum” here, though in most instances Pliny uses it as synonymous with the purple. See B. ix. cc. 60, 61, 64.

[190] See B. xxv. c. 70.

[191] This assertion reminds us of the healing effects of the fish with which Tobit cured his father’s blindness. See Tobit, c. xi. v. 13.

[192] See c. 13 of this Book.

[193] Identified by Ajasson with the white Rascasse of the Mediterranean. Hardouin combats the notion that this was the fish, the gall of which was employed by Tobit for the cure of his father, and is inclined to think that the Silurus was in reality the fish; a notion no better founded than the other, Ajasson thinks.

[194] In his “Messenia,” for instance. The fragment has been preserved by Ælian, Hist. Anim. B. xiii. c. 4. Ajasson remarks that the ancients clearly mistook the swimming bladder of the fish for the gall.

[195] Or “heaven-gazer.”

[196] The original has “ab oculo quem,”—but we have adopted the reading suggested by Dalechamps, “Ab oculis quos in superiore capite.” Ajasson says that the white rascasse has the eyes so disposed on the upper part of the head as to have the appearance of gazing upwards at the heavens. Hence it is that at Genoa, the fish is commonly known as the _prête_ or “priest.”

[197] See B. ix. c. 32.

[198] See Chapter 17 of the present Book.

[199] “Albugines.”

[200] Meaning, literally, “Fallen from Jupiter,” in reference to their supposed descent from heaven in showers of rain.

[201] Cortex.

[202] See B. xxxiv. cc. 22, 23.

[203] “Ossiculo.”

[204] Literally, “fish-glue.” We can hardly believe Pliny that any fish was known by this name. Hardouin takes the fish here spoken of to be identical with that mentioned in B. ix. c. 17, as being caught in the Borysthene, and destitute of bones. It is most probable, however, that the “ichthyocolla” of the ancients, or “fish-glue,” was the same as our isinglass, and that it was prepared from the entrails of various fish, the sturgeon more particularly, the Acipenser huso of Linnæus.

[205] The best isinglass still comes from Russia.

[206] “Nativi coloris.” See B. viii. c. 23. Beckmann says, in reference to the present passage: “We manufacture the wool of our brown sheep in its natural colour, and this was done also by the ancients.”—_Hist. Inv._ vol. ii. p. 110, _Bohn’s Ed._

[207] The “calamites” above mentioned, so called from “calamus,” a reed.

[208] The Bryonia Cretica of Linnæus; see B. xxiii. c. 16.

[209] An eminent surgeon, born at Sidon in Phœnicia, who practised at Rome, probably in the first century B.C.

[210] “Mutis,” “silent,” or “voiceless” frogs, as suggested by Gessner, Hist. Anim. B. ii., would almost seem to be a preferable reading here to “multis,” “many.”

[211] Another reading is “tænia,” a fish mentioned by Epicharmus, Athenæus informs us, and considered by Ajasson to be probably identical with the Cepola rubescens, or Cepola tænia of Linnæus.

[212] The same as the Batis of the Greeks, Hardouin thinks, the Raia batis, a kind of skate.

[213] See B. ix. c. 28.

[214] See the preceding Chapter.

[215] See c. 13 of the present Book.

[216] See B. ix. c. 71.

[217] As to “nitrum,” see B. xxxi. c. 46.

[218] See B. xxxi. c. 43.

[219] See Note 189 to Chapter 23 of this Book.

[220] “Canicula.” See B. ix. cc. 11, 70.

[221] Or sting-ray.

[222] Tunny cut in slices. See B. ix. c. 18.

[223] See end of B. xxxi.

[224] For the purpose, probably, of assuaging the pain of tooth-ache by their coolness.

[225] See B. ix. cc. 40, 67.

[226] “Cetum.” See B. ix. cc. 40, 74.

[227] Ajasson is of opinion that here and in c. 19 Pliny has mistaken the _otter_ for a serpent, the mammiferæ only having eye or canine teeth. Aristotle, Hist. Anim. B. i. c. i., calls the otter by the name of “Enhydris.” See B. xxx. c. 8, where Pliny speaks of the “Enhydris” as a “male white serpent.”

[228] Or seal. See B. ix. c. 15.

[229] See B. ix. c. 42. Holland calls the mæna the “cackerel.”

[230] Or sting-ray.

[231] See B. ix. c. 1.

[232] Much like the cod-liver oil, held in such high repute at the present day.

[233] “Icthyocolla.” See Chapter 24 of the present Book.

[234] Of course this assertion as to the nest of the kingfisher is altogether fabulous, and the sea-productions here described by Pliny were long considered, though destitute of leaves, flowers, and fruit, to belong to the vegetable kingdom. Peyssonnel, however, made the discovery that they belong to the animal kingdom, and that they owe their origin to a species of polyp.

[235] Or kingfisher. See B. x. c. 47.

[236] “Oculorum cicatrices.”

[237] See end of B. xx.

[238] See end of B. viii.

[239] See B. ix. c. 42.

[240] See B. ix. cc. 40, 67. The Bamberg MS. has here “rhine,” (the fish again mentioned in Chapter 53 of this Book) instead of “rana;” a reading which Sillig rejects. Hardouin conjectures that “raia” is the correct reading, the sea-frog having no sting or stickle in the tail.

[241] See B. ix. c. 67.

[242] Or sea-lizard, a fish again mentioned in Chapter 53 of this Book. Ælian also speaks of it, Hist. Nat. B. xii. c. 25; but it has not been hitherto identified.

[243] See c. 25 of this Book.

[244] See c. 13 of this Book.

[245] See B. xxxi. c. 43.

[246] See B. ix. cc. 17, 25, 75.

[247] It is not clear whether he means the gum ammoniac of B. xii. c. 49, and B. xxiv. c. 14, or the sal ammoniac of B. xxxi. c. 39.

[248] “Saliva.” See the recipe of Sallustius Dionysius in Chapter 26 of this Book.

[249] The Dryophites of Rondelet, Dalechamps says.

[250] Identical with the Strombus of cc. 39, 46, and 53 of this Book.

[251] See B. ix. c. 1.

[252] Littré remarks that Pliny here seems to speak of the “Tethea” as a mollusk; whereas in c. 31, from his expression “Fungorum verius generis quam piscium,” he would appear to be describing a zoophyte.

[253] See B. ix. cc. 17, 25, 75.

[254] See B. ix. cc. 24, 48, 67, 74, 75.

[255] See B. xx. c. 38.

[256] A rock fish, according to Athenæus, B. vii. Rondelet, B. vi. c. 7, identifies it with the fish called _girello_ by the people of Liguria, the _donzella_ of other districts.

[257] Sliced tunny. See B. ix. c. 18.

[258] A genus which comprises the “myes,” mentioned in B. ix. c. 56, according to Dalechamps.

[259] See B. ix. c. 60.

[260] See B. xxi. c. 105.

[261] See B. xxviii. c. 45, and Chapter 20 of the present Book.

[262] Identical with our mussel, probably.

[263] Holland identifies this with the cockle, but it is probably a smaller kind of mussel.

[264] See B. xxxiv. c. 50.

[265] We learn from Chapter 53 of this Book, that one class of the “Chamæ,” or gaping cockles, was known as “Pelorides.” Horace also mentions them.

[266] See B. xxxi. c. 46.

[267] See Note 251 above. Sillig would here read “tetheum,” apparently, in the singular.

[268] Described in B. xxvii. c. 29.

[269] A city not far from the Canopic branch of the Nile.

[270] “Dantur” seems a preferable reading to “datur.”

[271] See B. ix c. 42.

[272] Our crawfish, the Astacus potamobios of Leach.

[273] See Chapter 13 of this Book.

[274] See B. xix. c. 27, and B, xxv. c. 64.

[275] See B. ix. cc. 23, 77.

[276] See end of B. xxxi.

[277] See B. ix. cc. 20, 24, 36.

[278] See B. ix. cc. 24, 48, 67, 74, 75.

[279] “Rhombus.” See B. ix. cc. 20, 36, 67, 79.

[280] See Chapters 23, 34, 30 and 53 of this Book.

[281] Rondelet, B. vi. c. 19, suggests “capite”—“in the head”—but the present reading is supported by the text of Plinius Valerianus, B. ii. c. 39, and of Marcus Empiricus, c. 28.

[282] As to the identity of the Enhydris, see Chapters 19 and 26 of the present Book: also B. xxx. c. 8.

[283] Probably the Βλεννὸς of Oppian, B. i. c. 108. Dalechamps identifies it with the mullet called “myxon,” apparently the same fish as the “bacchus” mentioned in Chapter 25 of this Book. Rondelet appears to identify it with some other sea-fish, small, and extremely rare. On the other hand, the fish mentioned by Oppian is thought by Littré to be the “gobius” of the Latins, (“gobio” or “cobio,” mentioned by Pliny in B. ix. c. 83, and in c. 53 of the present Book), which is generally considered the same as our gudgeon, and was a worthless fish, “vilis piscis,” as Juvenal says. One of the Linnæan orders of fishes is called “Blennius,” the blenny.

[284] See B. ix. c. 28.

[285] See B. ix. c. 68.

[286] Or sea-lungs. See B. ix. c. 71, and B. xviii. c. 85.

[287] Or crawfish.

[288] “Pectines.” See B. ix. cc. 51, 52, 68, 74, 112.

[289] Athenæus adds a fourth name, “solen;” and a fifth was “dactylus,” see B. ix. c. 87. According to Dalechamps, the name “donax” was given to one kind of scallop, from its fancied resemblance to a thick, hollow, river-reed, and that of “onyx” from the resemblance of its colour to that of the finger-nails.

[290] It is not improbable that he may mean the same animal that has been mentioned in cc. 19 and 26 of this Book, the Enhydris. See also B. xxx. c. 8.

[291] See B. xxix. c. 22.

[292] See B. ix. cc. 17, 25, 75.

[293] See B. ix. c. 42, and Chapter 27 of this Book.

[294] See B. ix. cc. 18, 19, and Chapter 53 of this Book.

[295] Salted tunny. See B. ix. c. 18.

[296] See B. ix. cc. 24, 48, 74, 75.

[297] Our crawfish.

[298] See B. ix. cc. 24, 32.

[299] See B. ix. c. 24.

[300] See Chapters 23, 24, 30, 32, and 53 of the present Book. Also B. xx. c. 53.

[301] See B. ix. c. 42.

[302] “Perca.” See B. ix. c. 24.

[303] See Note 294 above.

[304] See B. ix. c. 14.

[305] In B. ix. c. 14.

[306] Ajasson remarks that many writers have identified the Smaris with the Sardine or the Anchovy. In his opinion, however, it is neither; but he thinks that under this head were included seven or eight varieties of the Pickerel, the principal of which are, the Sparus smaris of Linnæus and Lacépède, the Sparus mana of Linnæus, or Sparus mendola of Lacépède, and the Sparus haffara of Lacépède and Linnæus.

[307] See Chapter 22 of the present Book.

[308] See B. ix. c. 1.

[309] Literally, the “little serpent.” Some think that it is the Ophidium barbatum of Linnæus. Rondelet identifies it, B. xiv. c. 2, with the small fish called _donzella_ by the people of Montpellier. See c. 31, Note 256.

[310] See B. xxx. c. 22.

[311] See B. xiv. c. 8.

[312] “Rubetæ.” See c. 18 of this Book; also B. viii. c. 48; B. xi. cc. 19, 76, 116, and B. xxv. c. 76.

[313] See B. ix. c. 72; B. xxv. c. 77, and Chapter 3 of this Book.

[314] Or seal-skin. See B. viii. c. 49, and B. ix. c. 15.

[315] In B. xxvii. c. 33.

[316] In B. xxvi. c. 66.

[317] Or “sea-lungs.” See B. ix. c. 71, B. xviii. c. 5, and Chapters 32, 46, and 52 of the present Book. Ajasson remarks that this is still the common name of many kinds of Medusæ.

[318] Our crawfish.

[319] See B. ix. cc. 17, 25, 75.

[320] “Mituli.” See Chapter 31 of the present Book.

[321] In B. viii. c. 49.

[322] See Note 314 above.

[323] See Chapter 13 of the present Book.

[324] See B. ix. c. 29.

[325] See B. ix. cc. 35, 76.

[326] See B. ix. c. 1.

[327] See B. ix. c. 28.

[328] See B. ix. c. 24.

[329] “Ablatis unguibus.”

[330] “Rubeta.”

[331] Our crawfish.

[332] Because the nightingale sings at night, instead of sleeping.

[333] See B. ix. cc. 2, 5, 6, 7, 15.

[334] Or seal.

[335] “Spondylus.”

[336] See Chapter 29 of this Book.

[337] See Chapters 30 and 31 of the present Book.

[338] See B. xviii. c. 19.

[339] “Crebriore anhelitu.”

[340] See B. ix. cc. 17, 25, 75.

[341] Or sting-ray. See B. ix. cc. 37, 40, 67, 72.

[342] Ichthyocolla. See Chapter 24 of this Book.

[343] See Chapter 13 of this Book.

[344] See B. ix. c. 30.

[345] See B. ix. c. 46.

[346] This seems to be the meaning of “naturâ dissidente,” if it is the correct reading. That, however, suggested by Dalechamps would seem to be preferable, “naturâ retinente,”—“it being the nature of its flesh to cling to the knife.”

[347] See Chapter 24 of this Book.

[348] “Calami.”

[349] “Bloodsuckers.”

[350] “Cucurbitæ medicinales.”

[351] This does not appear to be considered the case at the present day.

[352] A method still employed.

[353] See B. x. c. 27.

[354] “Invehunt virus remedio verso.” The reading is probably corrupt, but the meaning is pretty evident.

[355] See B. xxix. c. 17, and c. 47 of this Book.

[356] See B. ix. cc. 17, 25, 75.

[357] See B. ix. c. 17. Ajasson says that it is also found of enormous size, in the Danube and in the Theisse.

[358] See B. xxxiv. c. 33.

[359] See B. ix. c. 42.

[360] See Note 356 above.

[361] “Cunila capitata.” See B. xx. c. 65.

[362] See B. xxxiv. c. 55.

[363] Tunny sliced and salted; see B. ix. c. 18.

[364] See B. xxxi. c. 44.

[365] See B. ix. cc. 24, 32.

[366] See B. ix. c. 30.

[367] See B. ix. c. 67.

[368] See Note 359 above.

[369] “Thymia.”

[370] Ajasson thinks that the ancients knew but one kind of sea-scorpion, but in different states, the Cottus scorpius, probably, of Linnæus.

[371] See Chapter 34 of this Book.

[372] See Note 364 above.

[373] See Note 359 above.

[374] This fish has not been identified. It is possible, however, that it may be the same as the “glaucus” mentioned in B ix. c. 25.

[375] See Note 371 above.

[376] See B. xxvi. c. 92.

[377] See B. ix. cc. 14, 40, 67.

[378] An asserted remedy, founded, as Ajasson remarks, upon nothing but a pun, the resemblance between δελφὶς, a “dolphin,” and δελφὺς, the “womb.”

[379] See Chapters 29 and 39 of this Book.

[380] See B. ix. c. 42.

[381] See B. xx. c. 65.

[382] In other words, seal-oil.

[383] Or sea-lungs. See Chapter 36 of this Book.

[384] Or crawfish.

[385] See B. ix. c. 17; also Chapter 43 of this Book.

[386] Meaning Egypt, probably; see the passages referred to in the preceding note.

[387] De Morb. Mulier. I. 128.

[388] We would adopt the suggestion of M. Ian, and read “quinis cum,” in preference to “cum quinis;” “fire crabs with roots of lapathum and rue.”

[389] See B. xx. c. 85.

[390] See Chapter 13 of the present Book.

[391] See B. xii. c. 57.

[392] See B. ix. cc. 24, 48, 74, 75.

[393] Or sting-ray. See B. ix. c. 72.

[394] The callosity is here meant, Hardouin supposes, which covers the purple in the shell. See Chapter 41 of this Book.

[395] “Salis flore.” See B. xxxi. c. 42.

[396] “Cedrium.” See B. xvi. c. 21, and B. xxiv. c. 11.

[397] See end of B. xxviii.

[398] Or “sea-lungs.” See Chapter 36 of this Book.

[399] See B. ix. c. 67.

[400] See B. ix. c. 68.

[401] See Note 392 above.

[402] In Chapter 24 of this Book.

[403] See the preceding Note.

[404] See Chapter 42 of this Book.

[405] In the case of infants, probably.

[406] “Canicula.” See B. ix. cc. 11, 70.

[407] Or “crawfish.”

[408] “Crebro humefacto” seems a preferable reading to “cerebro humefacto” though supported by the Bamberg MS.

[409] See B. xxii. c. 29, and B. xxx. c. 47.

[410] See B. ix. c. 30.

[411] Identified with the “erythinus” of B. ix. c. 23, and mentioned in the next Chapter.

[412] See B. ix. c. 1.

[413] Or Remora. See B. ix. c. 41.

[414] See B. viii. c. 39.

[415] See Note 392 above.

[416] See B. ix. c. 23.

[417] See Chapter 24 of this Book.

[418] See B. ix. c. 1.

[419] “Rubeta.” See B. viii. c. 48, B. xi. cc. 19, 76, 116, B. xxv. c. 76, and c. 18 of this Book.

[420] See B. xv. c. 36, and B. xx. c. 22.

[421] “Remedies for lassitude.” See B. xxiii. cc. 45, 80; B. xxvii. c. 13, and B. xxix. cc. 13, 37.

[422] See B. xvi. c. 66, and B. xxiv. c. 50.

[423] See B. xvi. c. 66, and B. xxiv. c. 50.

[424] See B. xxiv. c. 50.

[425] See B. ix. cc. 20, 44, 74, 78.

[426] “Ablato priore lumine.” Hardouin justly ridicules this assertion. This ink, as Ajasson remarks, is intensely black.

[427] See B. ix. c. 71, and Chapter 36 of this Book.

[428] This _seems_ to be the meaning of “adeo ut baculum ita præluceat.”

[429] Some MSS. have here “164,” the Bamberg MS. and others “144.” Owing to the corrupt state of the text in many parts of this Chapter, it is impossible to say which reading is correct.

[430] “Invenire non potuimus” seems a preferable reading to “invenire potuimus.”

[431] Modern Ceylon. See B. vi. cc. 23, 24, B. vii. c. 2, and B. ix. c. 54.

[432] “Quæ nascuntur certa sunt.” A bold assertion. The various fishes now known amount to many thousands; and there are still vast numbers, no doubt, with which science has not hitherto become acquainted.

[433] “Belluæ.”

[434] He may possibly allude to the plants mentioned in B. xiii. cc. 48, 49, 50, 51, and 52; though Hardouin seems to think it impossible to discover what he means, seeing that he is speaking of sea-monsters, beings with animal life. See also B. ix. c. 3.

[435] See B. ix. c. 3.

[436] See B. ix. cc. 2, 5.

[437] See B. ix. c. 3; probably the same as the “pristis” of B. ix. c. 2.

[438] See B. ix. c. 4.

[439] See B. ix. c. 4.

[440] See B. ix. c. 4.

[441] “Homines marini.” See B. ix. c. 4.

[442] See B. ix. c. 3.

[443] See B. ix. c. 5.

[444] See B. ix. c. 4.

[445] See B. ix. c. 88, and B. xi. c. 62.

[446] See B. ix. c. 67.

[447] See B. ix. c. 7.

[448] See B. ix. c. 15.

[449] Odyssey, B. iv. l. 436.

[450] Turtles. See B. ix. c. 13.

[451] See Chapter 13 of this Book.

[452] See B. viii. c. 47; also Chapters 26 and 32 of this Book.

[453] See B. ix. c. 70.

[454] The name of a fish unknown. Sillig conjectures that Pliny may have had in view the fish called “dromades” by Aristotle. “Dromones” is another reading, a sort of small crab.

[455] Littré translates this “horned ray.”

[456] “Gladii.” See B. ix. cc. 1, 21; the same, probably as the “xiphias” mentioned at the end of this Chapter.

[457] See B. ix. c. 1.

[458] See B. viii. c. 39.

[459] See B. viii. c. 37.

[460] See B. ix. c. 18, 20. Holland says, “Some take ‘thynni’ for the milters and ‘thynnides’ for the spawners.” In this translation, however, he identifies the “thynnides” with the “pelamides,” or young tunnies, mentioned in this Chapter and in B. ix. c. 18.

[461] See B. ix. cc. 17, 25.

[462] See B. ix. cc. 24, 32.

[463] “Percæ.” See B. ix. c. 24.

[464] See B. ix. c. 27.

[465] “Aurata.” See B. ix. c. 25.

[466] See B. ix. cc. 25, 28.

[467] Considered by some to be the whiting. Littré identifies it with the Perca labrax of Linnæus.

[468] See B. ix. c. 74; where it is called “apua.”

[469] The “sea-fox.” See B. ix. c. 67.

[470] “Anguilla.” See B. ix. cc. 2, 37, 38.

[471] Or sea-spider. See B. ix. c. 72.

[472] The same as the _bogue_ of the coasts of Narbonne, according to Rondelet, B. v. c. 11.

[473] See Chapter 25 of the present Book.

[474] See B. ix. c. 28.

[475] Or frog-fish. See B. ix. c. 40.

[476] “Sea-needles.” Identified by some with the horn-fish, horn-back, or needle-fish.

[477] “Needle-fish.”

[478] “Acorn-fish.” A shell-fish, according to Rondelet, B. i. c. 30, which frequents the clefts of rocks.

[479] “Sea-raven.” According to some authorities, identical with the Trigla hirundo of Linnæus. Hardouin says that it is the fish called _capone_ by the people of Rome.

[480] See B. ix. c. 71.

[481] The same, probably, as the “gobio,” mentioned in B. ix. c. 83.

[482] See B. ix. c. 28.

[483] See B. ix. cc. 25, 28.

[484] Thought by some to be a kind of mackerel, by others to be a tunny. Rondelet says, B. viii. c. 8, that it is a fish still called _coguiol_ by the people of Marseilles.

[485] In the Hellespont.

[486] Or Sexis, according to Pintianus.

[487] Or “sea-lizards.”

[488] See B. ix. c. 18. He surely does not intend to include this among his “one hundred and seventy-six different kinds of aquatic animals”!

[489] Or young tunny. See B. ix. c. 18.

[490] See B. ix. c. 18.

[491] Rondelet says, B. v. c. 4, that it is a fish still known (in his time) as _cantheno_, by the people of Narbonne. Ovid, in his Halieuticon, l. 103, speaks of the unpleasant flavour of its juices.

[492] See Chapter 24 of the present Book.

[493] Of course, as Hardouin says, he does not include the shell-fishes in this assertion. The fish with this uncomplimentary name has not been identified.

[494] “Urtica.” See B. ix. c. 68.

[495] See B. ix. c. 51.

[496] Or “chamæ;” different varieties of gaping cockles.

[497] Or “monster” cockles.

[498] Or “sweet” cockles.

[499] See Chapter 27 of this Book.

[500] See B. ix. c. 54.

[501] Or “cochli.” As to the various kinds of cochleæ, see B. ix. c. 51.

[502] “Five-fingered.” So called from some peculiarity in their shape.

[503] Considered by some to be the striated mussel, the Pecten of Linnæus.

[504] “Radii.”

[505] This is not improbably the meaning of the very elliptical sentence, “Quibus radii cantant.”

[506] See B. ix. c. 1.

[507] The “dog’s-face,” literally. This fish has not been identified: indeed the reading is doubtful.

[508] A kind of crab or crayfish. See B. xxvii. c. 2.

[509] Literally, the “dog’s right hand.” This fish has not been identified: Hardouin suggests that it may have been a zoöphyte.

[510] See B. ix. c. 43, and Chapters 17 and 26 of this Book.

[511] Or “little dragon.”

[512] The sea-scorpion, probably.

[513] See B. ix. c. 23; also Chapters 31 and 50 of this Book.

[514] Or Remora. See B. ix. c. 41; also Chapter 1 of this Book.

[515] See B. ix. cc. 14, 74.

[516] See B. ix. c. 32.

[517] See Chapter 46 of the present Book.

[518] See B. ix. c. 67.

[519] Possibly the same as the “Conger” of B. ix. c. 24.

[520] A fish similar, most probably, to the “gerricula” previously mentioned. Holland calls it a “pilchard” or “herring.”

[521] A kind of squalus. See B. ix. c. 70.

[522] See B. xxxi. c. 43.

[523] Or “horse.” The crab, probably, mentioned in B. ix. c. 51.

[524] See B. ix. c. 24.

[525] Or sea-swallow. See B. ix. c. 43.

[526] “Lungs of the sea.” The same as the Pulmones, or sea-lungs mentioned in B. ix. c. 71, and in Chapter 36 of this Book.

[527] See B. ix. c. 1.

[528] Or “sea-liver.” A sort of rock-fish, according to Athenæus.

[529] The same as the “milvus” or “sea-kite,” mentioned in B. ix. c. 43.

[530] See Chapter 31 of this Book. Instead of this fish and the preceding one, most of the editions mention the “elacatenes,” a cetaceous fish, according to Athenæus, much used for salting.

[531] “Sea-lizards.”

[532] See B. ix. c. 45.

[533] “Locusta.” See B. ix. c. 50.

[534] “Lucerna.” See B. ix. c. 43.

[535] Neither this fish nor the “larinus” has been identified.

[536] See B. ix. c. 72, and Chapter 3 of this Book.

[537] See B. ix. c. 51.

[538] See B. ix. c. 30.

[539] See B. ix. c. 20.

[540] See B. ix. c. 26.

[541] See Chapter 8 of this Book. Holland translates this—“The blacke taile perch, (which some take for a ruffe, others for a sea-breame).”

[542] See B. ix. c. 42.

[543] A fish of the Nile, according to Ælian. “Meryx” is another reading, a kind of Scarus, it is thought.

[544] See B. ix. c. 23.

[545] A shell-fish. See B. ix. c. 56.

[546] See Chapter 31 of this Book.

[547] See Chapter 31 of this Book.

[548] See B. ix. c. 61.

[549] The “eye-fish.” A kind of lamprey has been suggested.

[550] See Chapter 35 of this Book.

[551] See B. ix. c. 21.

[552] “Sea-ears.” A kind of oyster, Holland says.

[553] See B. ix. c. 20.

[554] He speaks of it as a kind of Pelamis, a little further on.

[555] The sun-fish. See Chapter 5 of this Book.

[556] The same, probably, as the “orbis.” See Chapters 5 and 9 of the present Book.

[557] Or phagrus. See B. ix. c. 24.

[558] See B. ix. c. 42.

[559] A young tunny. See B. ix. c. 20.

[560] A “choice bit.” See B. ix. c. 20.

[561] See B. ix. c. 17.

[562] This fish has not been identified.

[563] See B. ix. c. 36.

[564] Or sting-ray. See B. ix. c. 40.

[565] See B. ix. c. 48.

[566] See B. ix. c. 51.

[567] See B. v. c. 39.

[568] Probably the place of that name in Sicily, mentioned in B. ii. c. 94, and B. iii. c. 14.

[569] See B. iii. c. 26.

[570] See B. iii. c. 22.

[571] “Pectunculus.” See Note 566 above.

[572] See B. ix. c. 60.

[573] An unknown fish. The reading is doubtful.

[574] See B. ix. c. 66.

[575] See B. ix. c. 66.

[576] See B. ix. c. 40.

[577] “Rhombus.” See B. ix. c. 36.

[578] See B. ix. c. 29.

[579] See B. ix. c. 36.

[580] See B. ix. c. 30.

[581] The same, perhaps, as the “pinnotheres” of B. ix. c. 66, a kind of shrimp.

[582] See Chapter 17 of this Book.

[583] See B. ix. c. 18.

[584] See B. ix. c. 19.

[585] See B. ix. c. 32.

[586] Considered by Sillig to be the same as the “Saurus” of Chapter 28 of this Book; the “sea-lizard,” apparently.

[587] It does not seem to have been identified; though Rondelet says that it is the same as the _Rascasse_ of the Mediterranean.

[588] See B. xx. c. 53, and Chapters 23, 30, 32, 34, and 35 of this Book.

[589] This fish has not been identified; indeed the reading is very doubtful.

[590] See B. ix. c. 24.

[591] A fish similar to the preceding one, probably; some kind of ombre, Littré thinks.

[592] See B. ix. c. 67.

[593] Probably the same as the “Myrus” of B. ix. c. 39.

[594] See B. ix. c. 45.

[595] See Chapter 30 of this Book.

[596] See Chapter 32 of this Book.

[597] A sort of mollusk, Littré thinks. There is a shell-fish known as the Spondylus gæderopus of Linnæus.

[598] See Chapters 34, 45, and 46, of this Book.

[599] See B. ix. c. 86.

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

[601] See B. ix. c. 20.

[602] A sort of tunny, probably.

[603] See Chapter 6 of this Book. Probably the same as the “gladius” of this Chapter, and of B. ix. cc. 1, 21.

[604] Considered by Littré to be the Shad.

[605] See B. ix. c. 67.

[606] See Chapter 30 of this Book.

[607] See B. ix. c. 18.

[608] See B. ix. c. 18.

[609] See B. ix. c. 52, and Chapter 1 of this Book.

[610] See B. ix. c. 1, and c. 49 of this Book.

[611] See Note 603 above.

[612] The Halieuticon, already mentioned in Chapter 5 of this Book.

[613] At the town of Tomi, whither he was banished by Augustus Cæsar.

[614] See B. ix. c. 24.

[615] See B. ix. cc. 23, 77, and Chapters 31, 50, of this Book.

[616] The same, probably, as the “iulis” mentioned in the preceding Chapter.

[617] The “golden brow.” The same as the “Aurata” or “dorade” of B. ix. c. 25, and Chapters 16 and 53 of this Book.

[618] An unknown fish; the reading is doubtful.

[619] The “goat-fish.” It does not appear to have been identified.

[620] Literally, the “black tail.” See the preceding Chapter.

[621] According to Rondelet, a fish resembling the Coracinus.

[622] See B. ix. c. 23.

[623] See B. ix. c. 25.

[624] See B. ix. c. 47.

[625] See B. ix. c. 42.

[626] See B. ix. c. 27. Ajasson is of opinion that the “helops” is the Russian sturgeon, the “acipenser,” the common sturgeon.

[627] Resembling a “stake” in appearance. It bee been suggested that this is the Esox sphyræna.

[628] “Perna.” Hardouin says that from the diminutive of this, “pernula,” the modern word “pearl” is derived.

[629] A sort of “tursio,” Dalechamps says. See B. ix. c. 11.

[630] See B. iii. c. 12.

[631] See end of B. xix.

[632] See end of B. viii.

[633] See end of B. xii.

[634] See end of B. xviii.

[635] See end of B. xii.

[636] See end of B. ix.

[637] According to Suetonius, Fescennius Iacchus was a grammarian who taught in Cisalpine Gaul. See also B. xxxvii. c. 54.

[638] See end of B. xxxi.

[639] See end of B. v.

[640] See end of B. xx.

[641] See end of B. xxviii.

[642] See end of B. xxx.

[643] See end of B. xxxi.

[644] See end of B. xxviii.

[645] See end of B. ii.

[646] See end of B. viii.

[647] We now enter upon the Sixth division of Pliny’s work, containing an account of mineral substances of all descriptions.—_Dr. Bostock._

[648] “Ipsæ opes.” The metals were looked upon by the ancients as the only _true_ riches. It is in this sense that Ovid says, Metam. B. i.: “Effodiuntur opes, irritamenta malorum.” Pliny applies the term “pretia rerum” to metals, as forming the unit of value.

[649] Electrum is described in c. 23, as gold mixed with a certain quantity of silver. The word “electrum” is also used to signify amber, as in B. iii. c. 30.—B.

[650] “Æs;” by “æs” is here probably meant copper, as the author is speaking of what is dug out of the earth; it is more fully described in the first two Chapters of the next Book. According to the analysis of Klaproth, the æs of the ancients, when employed in works of art, cutting instruments, statues, vases, &c., was the “bronze” of the moderns, a mixture of copper and tin, in which the proportion of tin varied, from a little more than 2 to 1.14 per cent, according as the object was to procure a flexible or a hard substance. Agricola speaks of “æs” as synonymous with “cuprum,” and Pliny will be found several times in the present Book, speaking of “æs Cyprium,” meaning probably the finest kind of copper, and that without alloy.—B.

[651] Pliny has already referred to this topic in B. ii. c. 63.—B.

[652] Or shades below.

[653] “Illa quæ non nascuntur repente.”

[654] “Chrysocolla” is fully described in Chapter 26 of this Book.—B.

[655] Meaning “gold glue,” or “gold solder.”

[656] There is considerable variation in the text of this passage, as found in the different editions. In that of Dalechamps, the Variorum, and those of De Laet and Sillig, the sentence concludes with the words “nomen ex auro custodiens;” while in those of Valpy, Lemaire, Poinsinet, Ajasson, and others, we find substituted for them the words. “Non natura,” “Nomen natura,” “Nomine natura,” or “Nomen naturam.”—B. The first reading is warranted by the Bamberg MS.

[657] “Auri sanies.” More properly speaking, “the corrupt matter discharged by gold.” See Chapter 26.

[658] “Minium” is treated of in Chapter 36 of this Book.—B.

[659] “Pretia rerum.” The value of the raw material.

[660] Pliny here refers both to the art of producing figures in relief on drinking vessels made of the precious metals, and also of giving them particular forms. A well-known line of Juvenal, Sat. ii. l. 96, affords a striking illustration of the depraved taste which existed in his time.—B. Lampridius also speaks of vessels of silver “defiled with representations of a most libidinous character;” and Capitolinus speaks of “phallovitroboli,” glass drinking vessels shaped like a phallus.

[661] “Murrhina” or “myrrhina.” are described in B. xxxvii. c. 8; they were, perhaps, onyxes or opals, though possibly the term was not strictly confined to these substances, but signified any transparent minerals, that exhibited a variety of colours. Salmasius, however, ridicules the idea of their being onyxes, and is of opinion that these vessels were made of porcelain; Exer. Plin. p. 144.—B.

[662] See B. xxxvii. c. 9.

[663] He alludes to the cups known as “chrysendeta,” adorned with circlets of gold, exquisite chasings, and groups of precious stones. See Juvenal, Sat. v. l. 42.

[664] The “Smaragdus” is described in B. xxxvii. c. 13.

[665] “Et aurum jam accessio est.”

[666] “Sacrum famæ.” This is the reading given by the Bamberg MS. in substitution for “aurum, sacra fames” and other readings of a similar nature, in which Pliny was thought by the commentators to allude to the famous lines of Virgil—

“Quid non mortalia pectora cogis, Auri sacra fames!”

Had he alluded to the passage of Virgil, it is not probable that he would have used the expression in the plural, “celeberrimi auctores.”

[667] Il. B. vii. ll. 472-5.—B.

[668] Il. B. vi. l. 236.

[669] We may infer that this was the reason why the figure of an ox or other animal was impressed on the earliest Roman coins.—B.

[670] As Hardouin remarks, “This story is told by others, of Gyges, and not of Midas.” He refers to Cicero, De Off. B. iii. c. 9, in confirmation of his assertion.—B. Both Gyges and Midas were noted for their wealth.

[671] “Sinistræ.” The play here upon the word “sinister” cannot be so well transferred into the English language; but it bears reference to the double meaning of the word, “on the left hand,” and “unlucky,” “ill-omened,” or, as we say “sinister.” We may remark, that rings were very generally employed by the Romans, not merely as ornaments, but as indications of office and rank.—B.

[672] From Corinth, it was said: Damaratus of Corinth being the father of the first Tarquin. See B. xxxv. c. 5.

[673] On the subject of “Bullæ,” golden balls, worn by the children of the nobles, see Dr. Smith’s Dict. Antiq. p. 168.—B.

[674] As to the “Toga prætexta,” see B. viii. c. 74.

[675] “Lorum.” This word literally signifies a leather strap or thong, and Pliny is supposed by Hardouin to mean simply, that, in this latter case the strap was worn without the bulla, which was in other cases attached to it. Juvenal, Sat. v. l. 164, speaks of the “lorum” of the children of the poor.—B.

[676] Δακτύλιον, from δάκτυλος, a “finger.”

[677] Festus says that this was the Oscan name for a ring. It would appear to be allied to the word “unguis,” which means a nail of the finger or toe, and would perhaps signify a “nail ornament.”

[678] As meaning a seal or signet, for which purpose, as we shall find explained in the sequel, the ring was used.

[679] This seems to be the meaning of “Vulgoque sic triumphabant.”

[680] As to these crowns, see B. xxi. c. 4.

[681] As to some other particulars connected with this usage, see the end of B. xxviii. c. 7.

[682] And yet, as Hardouin remarks, before his time, when Scipio was besieging Carthage, the bodies of the Roman tribunes, when selected for burial by Hasdrubal, were distinguished by their rings of gold. The object of Marius, no doubt, was to ingratiate himself with the upper classes.

[683] A.U.C. 651.

[684] Known as the “anulus pronubus,” or “engaged ring,” according to Dalechamps.

[685] “Codicillos.” Il. B. vi. l. 168.

[686] See B. xiii. c. 21.

[687] Od. B. viii. ll. 424, 443, 447.

[688] See the Iliad, B. iii. and B. vii. l. 175, _et seq._

[689] His meaning is, that although κληρὸι were used, lots or balls made of earth, we do not read that the impressions on them were made by the aid of signet-rings.

[690] “Fabricæ deûm.” He alludes to the forge of Vulcan, described in the Eighteenth Book of the Iliad, l. 400, _et seq._

[691] This seems to be the meaning of “In primordio factitâsse.”

[692] The “fibulæ” were the brooches of the ancients, consisting of a pin, and of a curved portion furnished with a hook. See Dr. Smith’s Dict. Antiq. p. 417.

[693] As the meaning of this passage has been the subject of much discussion with commentators, we give it in full, as found in the Edition of Sillig. “Et quisquis primus instituit, cunctanter id fecit, lævis manibus latentibusque induit, cum, si honos securus fuisset, dextrâ fuerit ostentandus. Quodsi impedimentum potuit in eo aliquod intelligi, etiam serior is usus argumentum est, et majus in lævâ fuisset, quâ scutum capitur.” Sillig is of opinion that Pliny is here alluding to the reason given by Ateius Capito (quoted in Macrobius, Saturn. B. vii. c. 13), for wearing the ring on the left hand. It was so worn, he says, from an apprehension that the precious stone with which it was set, might receive injury from the continual use made of the right hand.

[694] Under the folds of the toga.

[695] Il. B. xvii. l. 52.

[696] The reading in most MSS. is the “fourth consulship.” This, however, is an error which has been rectified by the Bamberg and some other MSS. Pompey was but _thrice_ consul. M. Crassus was the person generally accused of the act of robbery here alluded to.

[697] Who took the golden torc (torques) from the Gaul whom he slew; whence his name.

[698] “Cum auro pugnare solitos.”

[699] “Quod equidem in augurio intellectum est, cum Capitolinus duplum reddidisset.” The meaning of this passage is obscure, and cannot with certainty be ascertained. Holland renders it, “To the light and knowledge whereof we come by means of revelation from Augurie, which gave us to understand, that Jupiter Capitolinus had rendered again the foresaid summe in duple proportion.” Littré gives a similar translation. Ajasson translates it, “This, at least, is what we may presume, from the fact of there being discovered double the amount expected;” following the explanation given by Hardouin.

[700] The “ædituus,” or “temple keeper.” See B. xxxvi. 4.

[701] Beneath which there was poison concealed, Hardouin says. Hannibal killed himself in a similar manner; also Demosthenes, as mentioned in the next Chapter.

[702] The adopted son of the great Marius. This event happened in his consulship, B.C. 82. After his defeat by Sylla at Sacriportus, he retired into the fortified town of Præneste, where he had deposited the treasures of the Capitoline temple. The temple, after this conflagration, was rebuilt by order of Sylla.

[703] Called the “Fasti;” probably because this was the first word of the title.

[704] “Dies fasti.” These were the days on which the courts sat, and the Prætor, who was the chief judge, gave his decisions. The word “fasti” is derived from the ancient Latin “for,” or from the old Greek word φάω, both signifying “to speak:” consequently the “dies fasti” were “the speaking days,” and the “dies nefasti” the “non-speaking days,” in allusion to the restrictions put upon the judgments of the Prætor.

[705] This complex state of the Roman Calendar long remained one of the sources from which the priesthood and the patrician order derived their power and influence over the plebeians. Having no other method of ascertaining what days were “fasti,” and what were “nefasti,” the lower classes were obliged either to apply to the priests and nobles for information, or to await the proclamation by the priests of the various festivals about to take place.

[706] Appius Claudius Cæcus, the Censor and jurisconsult, who constructed the Appian Way.

[707] A.U.C. 440, or B.C. 314.

[708] In the war, probably, with the twelve nations of Etruria, who were conquered by the Consul Fabius A.U.C. 444. See Livy, B. ix.

[709] The father of the former C. Pœtilius Libo, was Consul A.U.C. 428: the father of the latter, Cneius Domitius Calvinus, was Consul A.U.C. 432.

[710] “Anulos abjectos.”

[711] The “phaleræ” were bosses of metal, often gold, attached to the harness of the horse. See B. vii. c. 29.

[712] He would probably imply hereby that, as he states subsequently, at this period gold rings were not as yet worn by _all_ the members of the senate.

[713] A.U.C. 449.

[714] “Ædiculam æream”—of brass or bronze.

[715] For the explanation of this term, see B. vii. c. 60.

[716] See B. x. c. 2. Livy tells us that this shrine or temple was built in the area or place of Vulcan.

[717] Livy, B. xxiii. speaks of _one_ modius as being the real quantity. Florus, B. ii. c. 16, says _two_ modii: but Saint Augustin, De Civit. Dei. B. iii. c. 19, and most other writers, mention _three_ modii.

[718: Q. Servilius Cæpio. He and M. Livins Drusus had been most intimate friends, and each had married the other’s sister. The assassination of Drusus was supposed by some to have been committed at the instigation of Cæpio. The latter lost his life in an ambush, B.C. 90.

[719: See B. xxviii. c. 41.

[720: See B. ii. c. 85.

[721: M. Calpurnius Flamma. See B. xxii. c. 6.

[722: A patrician family; branches of which were the Cincinnati, the Capitolini, the Crispini, and the Flaminini.

[723: This is an erroneous assertion, both as to the East, and as to Egypt. See instances to the contrary in Genesis, c. xli. v. 42; and in Esther, c. iii. verses 10, 12, and c. viii. verses 2, 8, 10.

[724: “Literis contenta solis.”

[725: The Thirty-seventh Book. See also his remarks in B. ii. c. 63: “We tear out earth’s entrails in order to extract the gems with which we may load our fingers. How many hands are worn down that one little joint may be ornamented!” Martial, Epigr. B. v. Ep. 11, speaks of his friend Stella as wearing on the joint of one finger sardonyxes, emeralds, and jaspers.

[726] “Violari.” See B. xxxvii. c. 1.

[727] A fashion much followed at the present day.

[728] This also is a not uncommon fashion at the present day.

[729] From the “Trinummus” of Plautus, A. iv. s. 4, we learn that the ring worn by slaves was called “condalium.” From the “Truculentus” of Plautus we learn also that these rings were sometimes made of bronze. The “jus anuli,” or right of wearing a gold ring, was never conceded to slaves.