CHAP. 30.—FOUR REMEDIES DERIVED FROM THE SCINCUS.
Similar in appearance to the preceding animals is the
scincus, [Note] which by some writers has been called the land
crocodile; it is, however, whiter in appearance, and the skin is
not so thick. But the main difference between it and the cro-
codile is in the arrangement of the scales, which run from the
tail towards the head. The largest of these animals is the Indian
scincus, and next to it that of Arabia; they are brought here
salted. The muzzle and fat of the scincus, taken in white
wine, act as an aphrodisiac; when used with satyrion [Note] and
rocket-seed more particularly, in the proportion of one drachma
of each, mixed with two drachmæ of pepper; the whole being
made up into lozenges of one drachma each, and so taken in
drink. The flesh from the flanks, taken internally in a similar
manner, in doses of two oboli, with myrrh and pepper, is
generally thought to be productive of a similar effect, and to
be even more efficacious for the purpose. According to Apelles,
the flesh of the scincus is good for wounds inflicted by poisoned
arrows, whether taken before or after the wound is inflicted:
it is used as an ingredient, also, in the most celebrated anti-
dotes. Sextius tells us, that, taken in doses of more than one
drachma, in one semisextarius of wine, the flesh is productive of
deadly results: he adds, too, that a broth prepared from it.
taken with honey, acts as an antaphrodisiac.