Chap. 50.] SPHAGNOS. 145 



the ocean to enter upon those which have an aspect towards 

 our seas. (23.) Africa, which lies below ^Ethiopia, distils 

 a tear-like gum in its sands, called hammoniacum, 60 the name of 

 which has passed to the oracle of Hammon, situate near the tree 

 which produces it. This substance, which is also called meto- 

 pion, 61 bears a strong resemblance to a resin or a gum. There 

 are two kinds of ammoniacum ; that to which the name is 

 given of thrauston, and which bears a resemblance to male 

 frankincense, being the kind that is the most esteemed, and 

 that which is known as phyrama, being of an unctuous and 

 resinous nature. This substance is adulterated by means of 

 sand, which has all the appearance of having adhered to it 

 during its growth: hence it is greatly preferred when the 

 pieces are extremely small, and in the purest state possible. 

 The price of hammoniacum of the best quality is forty asses 

 per pound. 



CHAP. 50. SPHAGNOS. 



Below these countries, and in the province of Cyrenaica, the 

 perfume called sphagnos 62 is found in the highest state of per- 

 fection : there are some who call it by the name of bryon. 

 The sphagnos of Cyprus holds the second rank, and that of 

 Phoenicia the third. It is said that this plant is produced in 

 Egypt also, and in Gaul as well, and I see no reason to doubt 

 that such is the fact, for this name is given to certain white 



60 See B. xxiv. c. 14. The gum resin ammoniacum is still imported 

 into Europe from Africa and the East, in the form of drops or cakes. 

 It is a mildly stimulating expectorant, and is said to be the produce of the 

 Dorenia ammoniacum. There are still two sox-ts in commerce : the first 

 in large masses of a yellow, dirty colour, mingled with heterogeneous sub- 

 stances, and of a plastic consistency. This is the phyrama of Pliny, or 

 mixed ammoniac. The other is in tears, of irregular form and a whitish 

 colour, brittle and vitreous when broken. This is the thrauston, or 

 "friable" ammoniac of Pliny. Jackson says, that the plant which pro- 

 duces it is common in Morocco, and is called feskouk, resembling a large 

 stalk of fennel The ammoniac of Morocco is not, however, imported into 

 this country, being too much impregnated with sand, in consequence of 

 not being gathered till it falls to the ground. 



61 Solinus tells us, that the tree itself is called Metops. 



62 It is clear that, under this name, certain lichens of a hairy or fila- 

 mentary nature are meant. They adhere, Dioscorides tells us, to the 

 cedar, the white poplar, and the oak. The white ones belong, probably, 

 to the Usnea fiorida of Linnaeus, the red ones to the Usnea barbata, and 

 the black ones to the Alectoria jubata, an almost inodorous lichen. 



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