[Meaning] the fibrous plant [of that name].[1] Homer [writes]: "he bound [them] with pliant withies."[2]
And Arrian [writes]: "since the crossing seemed impossible for them, Brut[t]ius brought together the natives and ordered them to lead the way, in the manner in which they were accustomed amongst themselves to make a journey in wintertime. Having bound discs [made] out of withies on their feet, they themselves proceeded safely across the snow, compressed [sc. as it was] by the discs, and they also provided an easy passage for the Romans. In many places the snow was about 16 feet deep."[3]