DRUGS. 

 Pyrethrum indicum. IJ. K. Indian Feverfew. 



Linn. Syst. Syngenesia Polygamia-superflua. 



The root. 



Vernacular. Akurkura, Ind. Ahkaracarum, Tarn. 



Habitat. India. 



Remarks. Possesses the same properties as the Pellitory of Spain, 

 Anacyclus Pyrethrum, De. C., the irvpeQpov of Dioscorides and Pyre- 

 thrum of Pliny. 



I 

 Vernonia anthelmintica. Will. Purple Fernonia or Fleabane. 



Linn. Syst. Syngenesia Polygamia-sequalis. 



The seed. 



Vernacular. Kananaziraka, Sans. Kaliezeerie, Hind., Dec. Somraj, 

 Beng. Cattasiragam, Mai. Caat-siragam, Tarn. Adavje-zeela- 

 kara, Tel. Sanni-nayan, Cey. 



Habitat. East Indies. 

 Remarks. First described hy Van Rheede. 



N. O. 126. STYRACACE.E. STORAXWORTS. 

 Sty rax Benzoin. Dry and. Gum-Benjamin Tree. 



Linn. Sytt. Decandria Monogynia. 



The concrete balsam Gum-Benjamin, Benzoin, Assa-odorata. 



Vernacular. Ood, Loobanee-ood, Dec. Sambranee, Tarn. Hussee- 

 looban, Hussee-ool-jawee, Pers. Cominjan, Malay. 



Habitat. Siam, Sumatra, Java, Borneo. 



Remarks. The ancients are said by the highest authorities to have been 

 totally unacquainted with Benzoin. This is remarkable, considering how 

 familiar they were with eastern products, and that? Benzoin is the most 

 fragrant of all the balsams. In fact, it appears to the writer impossible 

 that it should have been unknown, and that its apparent omission from 

 the works of Dioscorides and Pliny must be due to obscurity and confusion 

 of description on their part. Reading their work's with the determination 

 to find Gum-Benjamin somewhere, one might believe it to be the Mala- 

 bathrum both describe, or at least one variety. This article sold at from 1 

 denarius to 300 denarii (8%d. to 10. 2*. 6c?.) per pound, while Bdellium 

 sold at 3, Costus at 5, Frankincense at 6, and Myrrh (excepting Stacte, 

 which sold so high as 40,) at the " very highest " at 1 1 denarii per pound! 

 Indian Nard sold at 100 denarii per Ib. Crawfurd is of this opinion, and 

 it is difficult not to follow him on reading the description of Pliny. Pliny 

 also speaks of a " myrrha odoraria" in a way which suggests Benjamin : 

 it sold at 14 denarii per Ib. Benjamin has been called Assa-odorata, 

 Assa-dulcis, and Liquor Cyrenaicus. See " Gums and Resins." 

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