CHAP. 33.—MELITINUS; SIX REMEDIES.
The stone called "melitinus"[1] yields a liquid that is sweet,
like honey. Bruised and incorporated with wax, it is curative
of pituitous eruptions, spots upon the skin, and ulcerations of
the fauces. It removes epinyctis[2] also, and, applied as a pessary,
in wool, it alleviates pains in the uterus.
1. It was, probably, a yellow, argillaceous earth, and it is more proba-
ble that it derived its name from meli\, "honey," in consequence of its
colour than by reason of its supposed sweet juices. The Mellite, Mellitite,
or Honey-stone of modern Mineralogy, also known as Mellate of
Alumina, has its name from its honey-yellow colour. It is found in Thuringia,
Moravia, and Bohemia; but most probably was unknown in the
days of Pliny.
2. See B. xx. cc. 6, 21.