Chap. 50.] 
SPHAGNOS. 
145 
the ocean to enter upon those which have an aspect towards 
our seas. (23.) Africa, which lies below Ethiopia, distils 
a tear-like gum in its sands, called hammoniacum,^^ the name of 
which has passed to the oracle of Hammon, situate near the tree 
which produces it. This substance, which is also called meto- 
pion," bears a strong resemblance to a resin or a gum. There 
are two kinds of ammoniacum ; that to which the name is 
given of thrauston, and which bears a resemblance to male 
frankincense, being the kind that is the most esteemed, and 
that which is known as phyrama, being of an unctuous and 
resinous nature. This substance is adulterated by means of 
sand, which has all the appearance of having adhered to it 
during its growth: hence it is greatly preferred when the 
pieces are extremely small, and in the purest state possible. 
The price of hammoniacum of the best quality is forty asses 
per pound. 
CHAP. 50. — SPHAGNOS. 
Eelow these countries, and in the province of Cyrenaica, the 
perfume called sphagnos^^ is found in the highest state of per- 
fection : there are some who call it by the name of bryon. 
The sphagnos of Cyprus holds the second rank, and that of 
Phoenicia the third. It is said that this plant is produced in 
Egypt also, and in Gaul as well, and I see no reason to doubt 
that such is the fact, for this name is given to certain white 
^ See B. xxiv. c. 14. Tlie gum resin ammoniacum is still imported 
into Europe from Africa and the East, in the form of drops or cakes. 
It is a mildly stimulating expectorant, and is said to be the produce of the 
Dorema ammoniacum. There are still two sorts in commerce : the first 
in large masses of a yellow, dirty colour, mingled with heterogeneous sub- 
stances, and of a plastic consistency. This is the phyrama of Pliny, or 
mixed ammoniac. The other is in tears, of irregular form and a whitish 
colour, brittle and vitreous when broken. This is the thrauston, or 
"friable" ammoniac of Pliny. Jackson says, that the plant which pro- 
duces it is common in Morocco, and is called feskouk, resembling a large 
stalk of fennel. The ammoniac of Morocco is not, however, imported into 
this country, being too much impregnated with sand, in consequence of 
not being gathered till it falls to the ground. 
Solinus tells us, that the tree itself is called Metops. 
®2 It is clear that, under this name, certain lichens of a hairy or fila- 
mentary nature are meant. They adhere, Dioscorides tells us, to the 
cedar, the white poplar, and the oak. The white ones belong, probably, 
to the Usnea florida of Linnaeus, the red ones to the Usnea barbata, and 
the black ones to the Alectoria jubata, an almost inodorous lichen. 
TOL. III. L 
