A P I A C E jE. 325 



those obtained by Pelletier [Bull, de Pharm. iii. 481). Its action and uses 

 are much the same as those of Assafoetida, and it is considered to partake of 

 the qualities of that article and Galbanum. It is now seldom used, but at 

 one time was in much repute as a resolvent in indolent tumours ; it has also 

 been recommended as an emmenagogue and antispasmodic. It was very 

 early used in medicine, being noticed by Hippocrates and Dioscorides, the 

 latter of whom states that it is the product of a species of Ferula. 



2. F. orientalis, Linn. — Root large. Stem about 3 feet high, \\ inch thick, of a pur- 

 plish colour. Lower leaves large, tomentose, 5 — 6 times pinnated, the principal divisions 

 naked at base ; of a bright green, setaceous ; the upper leaves smaller, with a very large 

 inflated, sheathing petiole. Involucres subulate. Flowers yellow. Fruit oblong or ellip- 

 tical, brownish, bitter, oily. 



Linn., Sp. PL 356 ; De Candolle, Prod. iv. 173 ; Tournf., Voyage, ii. 

 154 ; Lindley, Fl. Med. 46; F. ammonifera, Lemery, Diet, des drog. 37 ; 

 Fee, Cours. ii. 198. 



This species is a native of Asia Minor, Greece, and perhaps of Morocco, 

 and was at one time supposed to be the Fashook stated by Jackson to afford 

 the Ammoniacum of the Barbary coast, but recent observations by Dr. Lindley 

 and others show that this is rather to be referred to the next species. 



3. F. tingitana, Linn. — Stem tapering, branched. Leaves supra-decompound, shining; 

 segments oblong-lanceolate, cut, toothed ; the upper petioles large and sheathing. Umbel 

 terminal, on a short stalk; lateral flowers few, male, on longer stalks. Involucre wanting. 



Linn., Sp. PL 355 ; De Candolle, Prod. iv. 173 ; Viviani, FL Lev. 17 ; 

 Lindley, FL Med. 47 ; Fashook, Jackson, Morocc. t. 7. 



A native of Barbary, and said to be found about Cyrene, though this is 

 denied by Viviani. This plant is most probably the Agasyttis of Dioscorides, 

 and Metopion of Pliny, which is stated by the first to grow near Cyrene, and 

 by the latter near the temple of Jupiter Ammon. Both these authors speak 

 of two kinds of gum, one much superior to the other. Jackson in his ac- 

 count of Morocco says that the plant affording this gum-resin grows in that 

 country, and is known under the name of Fashook ; his description and 

 figure were until lately supposed to refer to F. orientalis, but Drs. Lindley 

 and Royle having obtained seeds from Morocco, marked as those of the 

 Furogh or gum ammoniac plant, some of them were sent to Dr. Falconer 

 of the Saharunpore Botanic Garden, who grew them and found the plants to 

 be identical with F. tingitana ; this fact had also been ascertained by Dr. 

 Lindley from an inspection of the seeds themselves. There appears to be 

 little doubt that this is the plant spoken of by the older writers as affording 

 the gum ammoniac then in use, but the article now employed is exclusively 

 a product of Asia, and is obtained from a wholly different genus. (See 



DOREMA.) 



3. F. ferulago, Linn. — Stem terete, striated. Leaves supra-decompound, with pinna- 

 tifid, divaricating segments, and linear, cuspidate lobes. Involucre with numerous, ob- 

 long-lanceolate, reflexed leaflets. Rays of general umbel about 12, of the partial rather 

 more. Fruit obovate ; the three dorsal ridges thick and elevated, the lateral ones less 

 distinct. Margins somewhat thickened. Vit.tae indefinite in number on both sides, 

 slender. 



Linn., Sp. PL 356 ; De Candolle, Prod. iv. 171 ; Lindley, FL Med. 46 ; 

 F. nodiflora, Jacq. Aust. App. t. 5 ; F. galbanifera, Nees and Eberm. iii. 49. 



A native of the Mediterranean coasts, Transylvania, Caucasus, &c. It 

 affords an abundant gum-resinous juice, and was considered by Lobel to be 

 the source of Galbanum, as seeds which he found attached to the gum, on 



