CHAP. 36.—THE BUPRESTIS: ONE REMEDY.
With a remarkable degree of inconsistency, the Greek writers,
while praising the buprestis [Note] as an aliment, point out certain
antidotes [Note] to it, as though it were a poison. The very name,
however, proves to a certainty that it is poisonous to cattle,
and it is generally admitted that, on tasting it, they burst [Note]
asunder: we shall, therefore, say no more about it. Is there
any reason, in fact, why, when we are speaking of the materials employed in making our grass crowns, we should de-
scribe a poison? or really ought we to enlarge upon it only to
please the libidinous fancies of those who imagine that there is
not a more powerful aphrodisiac in existence than this, when
taken in drink?
