188 D1VI BOTANICI. 



the Euphorbiace* — a comprehensive family, in which not less than 

 eighty-six genera, including about one thousand specific diversities 

 are distributed. Considered with regard to the products it yields 

 for medicinal purposes and to the deleterious qualities of many 

 plants comprehended in it, this constitutes one of the most import- 

 ant groupes in the vegetable kingdom. Almost all the Euphorbi- 

 acea?, especially the herbaceous kinds, are distinguished by the secre- 

 tion of an acrid milky fluid which is sometimes volatile, always 

 caustic. It forms a gum-resinous substance ; and, in this, their 

 active properties reside. When imperfectly oxygenated, this sub- 

 stance resembles the essential oils in its fragrance and volatility : as 

 a principle, the caoutchouc or elastic resin enters into its elementary 

 composition. All the parts of these vegetables, particularly the 

 leaves and roots and seeds, are lactescent ; and the name Euphorbi- 

 um, applied to their milk-white juice in ancient times, has not been 

 rejected by modern naturalists. Originally, however, it would 

 represent no more than the products of those kinds of the Euphor- 

 bia, which were first discriminated as the sources of a substance 

 possessing energies capable of powerfully affecting the animal eco- 

 nomy. 



As the palpable qualities of this herb would be discerned soon 

 after its discovery, there is evident probability in the conclusion, 

 that it was administered as a remedy by Juba's physician ; and that, 

 on the results proving beneficial, its employment would readily be 

 adopted by others in the treatment of diseases. Thus, during the 

 lapse of twenty years, its existence and efficacy would gradually be 

 revealed to many herbarists and healers, in different regions of the 

 Roman empire ; and thus also, the Cilician doctor might have ac- 

 quired a knowledge and some practical experience of its agency, 

 when he undertook the composition of his far-famed Philonium, 

 with the " slayer of Mencetiades" as an effective ingredient. 



About thirty years later, and nearly at the same period, the Eu- 

 phorbium was recognized and described, both physically and botani- 

 cally, by Dioscorides* and Pliny* in their esteemed phytographical 

 collections. Subsequently, ever since the days of these naturalists, 

 a due attention has been devoted to the consideration of its virtues, 



• See the citations in notes to previous pages of this volume ; also Dioscor- 

 ride/atto di Greco Italiano, per Fausto da Longiano ; Venezia, 1542 ; libro terzo 

 capitolo 96, p. 153 — 4; and Pedanii Dioscoridis Anazarbei de Medicinali Mate- 

 ria, libri sex, Joanne Ruellio Suessionensi interpretc ; 8vo, Lvgduni, 1552, p. 

 407 •" this second edition is enlarged by the insertion of annotations and thir- 

 ty additional figures of plants. 



