VOL. LXXX.] PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. 66X 



It is not to be met with among the many hundreds of plants delineated in the 

 Hortus Malabaricus. The Schoenanthus of Rumphius does not correspond with 

 it, being only one palm in height; but he mentions having seen a dried specimen 

 of it, of which the leaves were almost 5 feet high; and that Mackran was one 

 of the countries whence it was brought. This must be the same as that men- 

 tioned by Arrian, but differs from that of Garcias in the length of the stalks; 

 but this might be either because the measure was taken at different seasons of 

 the year, for the specimen before us was much shorter in winter than when it 

 shot into spikes, or because that of Garcias being, according to his own account, 

 cultivated, it might not be so luxuriant as that which grew spontaneous in its 

 native soil. 4thly, The sensible qualities of this are superior to what commonly 

 passes for it in the shops, being possessed both of more fragrancy and pungency, 

 which seems to account for the preference given to it by the ancients. 



There is a question concerning which Mathiolus, the commentator of Dios- 

 corides, bestows a good deal of argument, viz. whether the roots or stalks were 

 the parts esteemed for use, the testimony of the ancients themselves on this 

 point being ambiguous. The roots of this specimen are very small, and possess 

 sensible qualities inferior to the rest of the plant; yet it is mentioned in the ac- 

 count above recited, that the virtues reside principally in the husky roots. It is 

 evident, that by the husky roots must here be meant the lower parts of the 

 stalks and leaves where they unite to the roots; and it is probably a slight inac- 

 curacy of this kind that has given occasion to the ambiguity that occurs in the 

 ancient accounts. 



With regard to the virtues of this plant, it was highly valued anciently as an 

 article of luxury as well as a medicine. The favourite perfume which was used 

 at the ancient baths and feasts was the unguentum nardinum; and it appears, 

 from a passage in Horace, that it was so valuable, that as much of it as could be 

 contained in a small box of precious stone was considered as a sort of equivalent 

 for a large vessel of wine, and a handsome quota for a guest to contribute at an 

 entertainment, according to the custom of antiquity : 



Nardo vina merebere 



Nardi parvus onyx eliciet cadum. 

 It may here be remarked, that as its sensible qualities do not depend on a principle 

 so volatile as essential oil, like most other aromatic vegetables, this would be a 

 great recommendation to the ancients, as its virtues would thus be more dura- 

 ble, and they were not acquainted with the method of collecting essential oils, 

 being ignorant of the art of distillation. The fragrance and aromatic warmth of 

 the Nardus depends on a fixed principle like that of cardamoms, ginger, and 

 some other species. Dr. B. tried to extract the virtues of the Nardus by boiling 

 water, by maceration in wine and in proof spirits, but it yielded them but 

 Sparingly and with difficulty to all these menstrua. 



