CHAP. 38. (22.)—THE EUONYMOS.
There is no tree productive of a more auspicious presage
than one which grows in the Isle of Lesbos, and is known by
the name of euonymos.[1] It bears some resemblance to the
pomegranate tree, the leaf being in size between the leaf of
that and the leaf of the laurel, while in shape and softness it
resembles that of the pomegranate tree: it has a white blossom,[2] by which it immediately gives us notice of its dangerous
properties.[3] It bears a pod[4] very similar to that of sesame,
within which there is a grain of quadrangular shape, of coarse
make and poisonous to animals. The leaf, too, has the same
noxious effects; sometimes, however, a speedy alvine discharge
is found to give relief on such occasions.
1. Or the "luckily named." It grew on Mount Ordymnus in Lesbos.
See Theophrastus, B. ii. c. 31.
2. The Evonymus Europæus, or else the Evonymus latifolius of botanists, is probably intended to be indicated; but it is a mistake to say that
it is poisonous to animals. On the contrary, Fée says that sheep will
fatten on its leaves very speedily.
3. "Statim pestem denuntians." Pliny appears to be in error here.
In copying from Theophrastus, he seems to have found the word fo/nos,
used, really in reference to a blood-red juice which distils from the plant;
but as the same word also means slaughter, or death, he seems to have
thought that it really bears reference to the noxious qualities of the plant.
4. Fée censures the use of the word "siliqua," as inappropriate, although the seed does resemble that of sesamum, the Sesamum orientale
of Linnæus.