BOOK XIII. II. 17-111. 19 



oil makes an unguent, provided that the stacte kind xii. 68. 

 is used — otherwise it produces too bitter a flavour. 

 Unguent of cyprus produces a green colour, Hly 

 unguent gives a greasy consistency, oil of Mendes 

 makes the mixture black, attar of roses white, and 

 myrrh gives a pale hue. 



These are the kinds of perfumes invented in early 

 times, and the subsequent pilferings of the factories. 

 We will now speak of what is the very chmax of luxury 

 and the most important example of this commodity. 



What then is called the ' royal ' unguent, because 'RoyaV 

 it is a blend prepared for the kings of Parthia, is p^J^"^' 

 made of behen-nut juice, costus, amomum, Syrian 

 cinnamon, cardamom, spikenard, cat-thyme, myrrh, 

 cinnamon-bark, styrax-tree gum, ladanum, balm, 

 Syrian flag and Syrian rush, wild grape, cinnamon- 

 leaf, serichatum, cyprus, cameFs thorn, all-heal, safF- 

 ron, gladiolus, marjoram, lotus, honey and wine. And 

 none of the components of this scent is grown in 

 Italy, the conqueror of the world, and indeed none 

 in the whole of Europe excepting the iris « in Illyria 

 and nard in Gaul — for as to wine and roses and 

 myrtle leaves and oHve oil, they may be taken as 

 belonging to pretty well all countries in common. 



III. What are called sprinkhng powders are made Howtokeip 

 of dried scents, the dregs of unguents being termed ^*^^"'** 

 * magma.' Among all the scents employed the one 

 added last is the most powerful. Unguents keep 

 best in alabaster boxes, scents when mixed with oil, 

 and the fatter it is, as for instance oil of almonds, 

 the better it helps to preserve them for a long time ; 

 and the unguents themselves improve with age. 

 Sunshine is detrimental to them, and therefore they 

 are stored in the shade, in vessels made of lead. 



109 



