26 



PROCEEDIXGS OF TPIE XATIOXAL MUSEUM. 



A few of these ancient drngs which are well known, and used up 

 to the present time, are included in the historical collection. 



Mastich. — A resinous exudation from Pistacia lentiscus, a shrub or small 

 tree growing on the shores and islands of the Mediterranean. It was one 

 of the ingredients of " kyphi " much used by tlie Egyptians for fumigations. 

 Cat. No. 49,963, U.S.N.M. 



Saffro)i. — The stigmas of Crocus sativus. Saffron is a very ancient drug 

 mentioned by Solomon, Homer, Hippocrates, iind Virgil. It was an article of 

 trafhc on the Ked Sea in the first century. It entered into the composition of 

 all sorts of medicine, extei-ual and internal, and was used as a condiment and 

 perfume. Severest penalties, even death, were inflicted on those guilty of its 





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Ki(j. 15. — I'liioscuiriiux fuom the 1'ai'VKUS Ei;i;u.s. 



sophistication. Its use in modern medicine is as a coloring agent only. Cat. 

 No. 50,222, U.S.N.M. 



Fenugreek. — Seeds. Believed to have been an ingredient of the Egyptian 

 preparation kyphi. It is still among the official drugs of some of tlie European 

 pharmacopoeias. Cat. No. 50,248. U.S.N.M. 



Squill. — The bulb of Vrginea ntaritima. — Called by the Egyptians the "Eye 

 of Typlion." A highly esteemed remedy for dropsy. Cat. No. 50,259, U.S.N.M. 



Gulhanum. — A gum resin obtained from Ferula galhaniflua Boisson and 

 Buhse, a plant growing in Persia and India. It was an ingredient of the 

 incense used in tlie form of worship of the ancient Israelites ; is mentioned by 

 the earliest Greek medicaLwriters ; was well known to the Arabians under the 

 name of " kinnah," and is still recognized by many of tlie European pharmaco- 

 poeias. Cat. No. 50,533, U.S.N.M. 



