370 PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. [aNITOI 767. 



byRhazes particularly; in page 62 (note 32), page 110 (note 4), page 146 (note 

 6). Last week in the Bodleian Library, I met with an Arabic ms. of Diosco- 

 rides. It appears quite entire and perfect. The Greek titles are inserted in the 

 margin by Dr. Hyde, in red ink, which is some proof of his value for this ms. 

 It appears a real treasure, and it is likely it may be of excellent use in correcting 

 the very corrupt text of that author: perhaps too it may be a means of ascer- 

 taining the Materia Medica of the elder Greek physicians. The Escurial mss. 

 contains only the first 3 books, and is imperfect at the beginning. If a tran- 

 script of this latter however could be obtained, it might likewise be of great use. 



Copy of a Paper sent with the Specimens, by a Gentleman at Aleppo. 

 The specimens sent of the Tabasheer, though taken from different parcels, 

 are not regarded here as different sorts. Among them will be found one or two 

 pieces, which in their form answer to the ancient Arabic description of this drug. 

 It is not from the sugar cane that the Tabasheer is supposed to be procured, but 

 from that kind of cane of which the Arabs make their lances, and of which a 

 piece is herewith sent. Different opinions concerning this substance, as also 

 concerning the Mamithsa and Mameraan, collected from sundrj' Arabian writers, 

 will be found in the paper inclosed: but as the Tabasheer is brought from the east, 

 not prepared here, I cannot affirm any thing certain about it. From the specimens 

 sent of the Mameraan, it will appear evidently to be a root. It is commonly 

 believed to be a species of the Chelidonium, and, like the Tabasheer, brought 

 from the east to Aleppo. 



Mamithsa, is the common name used here for wormwood. Our mint Is called 

 Nana. The literary name, however, .of wormwood islfsantin, absinthium. But 

 there is a plant here known by the name of Mamitha, of which a specimen is 

 now sent. This, from the use made of it by the natives in distempers of the 

 eyes, as well as from other circumstances, appears to be the Glaucium of 

 Dioscorides. An papaver corniculatum floribiis caeruleis? Concerning the 

 Isbidrowia, I have not been able to get any intelligence. The Orichalcum is 

 called here Dgaam or Tiick. The paper made of silk husks is not to be found at 

 present in the city. If any can be procured from the Bassora caravan lately 

 arrived, it shall be sent. 



Translation of a paper in Arabic, sent to TV C , Esq. from Aleppo, 



with several Specimens of Tabashir.* 

 Tabashir. — In the Camus, an Arabic Lexicon, which the celebrated Golius 

 translated into Latin, Tabashir is said to be a substance found in the hollow of 

 that species of Indian cane of which lances are made: or the lower part of that 



* See a further account of the Tabashir by Dr. Russell in the 80th vol. of the Philos, Trans., 

 and Mr. Macie's experiments upon it in the 81st vol. of the Philos. Trans. 



