Note 484 — PHARMACOLOGIA. (continued 3)

Cŭminum makes long the penultima, thus—

“Rugosum Piper et pallentis grana Cumini:”

Pers: Sat: v.

This line of the satirist also records an opinion which is worthy notice, that Cumin will make those who drink it, or wash themselves with it, or as some say, who smoke it, of a pale visage. This belief is mentioned by Dioscorides; and Pliny informs us that the disciples of Porcius Latro, a famous master of the art of speaking, were reported to have used Cumin, in order to imitate that paleness which their master had contracted by his studies; thus too Horace,

——Proh si

“Pallerem casu, biberent exsangue Cuminum.”

Epist. 19. Lib. 1, lin: 18.