A FEW BOOKS AND NOTES ON THE 
SUBJECTS OF PERFUMES, ETC. 
? I491 B.c. Exodus xxx. Also later, Song of Solomon 
v.13, vi. 2. St Mark xiv. 3. St John xi. 2-5. Myrrh, 
Spices, Cinnamon, Cassia, Frankincense, Stacte, Onycla, 
and Galbanum came from India, Persia, and East Coast 
of Africa. There is no mention of Camphor, Cloves, 
Nutmegs, Betel Leaf, Cubebs, or Gamboge, which 
may show the trend of commerce in Bible times. The 
‘* precious ointment ” of the Scriptures was a compound 
of Olive oil, Myrrh, Cassia, Cinnamon, and Sweet 
Calamus, etc. It was a sacred production, and could 
not be used for secular purposes. A precious oint- 
ment is still used for the Pope’s Golden Rose. In 
the early Christian Church not only incense but the 
oil of the lamps, and even the wax of tapers, etc., 
were perfumed. 
374-286 B.c. Theophrastus wrote a work on fragrant 
plants in which he says: ‘‘ Perfumes are made from 
Roses, White Lilies, and Violets, some from stalks 
and some from roots.” 
?200B.c. Apollonius of Herophila, who wrote a treatise 
on perfumes alluded to by Pliny. ‘‘ The Iris,” says 
Apollonius, ‘‘is best at Elis and at Cyzicus; perfume 
from Roses is most excellent at Phasalis, Naples, and 
at Capua; that made from Crocus is in highest per- 
fection at Soli in Cilicia and at Rhodes; the essence 
of Spikenard is best at Tanius; the extract of Vine 
leaves at Cyprus and at Adramythum; the best per- 
fume from Marjoram and Apples comes from Cos ; 
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