166 PLINT*S NATURAL HISTOliT. [Book XIII. f 
(2.) This is vvhat is called the '^regaF' unguent, from the 
fact that it is composed in these proportions for the kings of 
the Parthians. It consists of myrobalanus,*^^ costus, amomum, 
cinnamon, comacum,'''* cardamum, spikenard, marum, myrrh, 
cassia, storax,^^ ladanum,"^^ opobalsamum, Syrian calamus" and 
Syrian Bweet-rush,"^"* oenanthe, malobathrum, serichatum,'^ 
Cyprus, aspralathus, panax, saffron, cypirus, sweet marjoram, 
lotus, honey, and wine. 'Not one of the ingredients in this 
compound is produced either in Italy, that conqueror of the 
world; or, indeed, in all Europe, with the exception of the 
iris, wiiich grows in Illyricum, and the nard, which is to be 
found in Gaul : as to the wine, the rose, the leaves of myr- 1 
tie, and the olive-oil, they are possessed by pretty nearly all | 
countries in common. 
CHAP. 3. DIAPASMA, MAGMA ; THE MODE OF TESTIKG UNGUENTS. 
Those unguents which are known by the name of " dia- 
pasma,^'^^ are composed of dried perfumes. The lees^^ of un- 
guents are known by the name of ^*magma.^^" In all these 
preparations the most powerful perfume is the one that is 
added the last of all. Unguents keep best in boxes of ala- 
baster,^* and perfumes^^ when mixed with oil, which conduces 
all the more to their durability the thicker it is, such as the 
oil of almonds, for instance. ITnguents, too, improve with age ; 
but the sun is apt to spoil them, for which reason they are 
usually stowed away in a shady place in vessels of lead. 
When their goodness is being tested, they are placed on the 
back of the hand, lest the heat of the palm, which is more 
fleshy, should have a bad effect upon them. 
73 See B. xii. c. 46. "'^ See B. xii. c. 53. 
'5 See B. xii. c. 55, gee B. xii. c. 37. 
77 See B. xii. c. 48. 78 See B. xii. c. 48. 
79 See B. xii. c. 45. 
^ Fee suggests that this may be the Nyinpheea coerulea of Savigny, a 
plant that is common in the Nile, and the flowers of which exhale a sweet 
odour. 
81 The diapasmata were dry, odoriferous powders, similar to those used 
at the present day in sachets and scent-bags. 
82 Fsecem unguenti." 
83 This word is still used in pharmacy to denote the husks or residuary 
matter left after the extraction of the juice. 
5* See B. xxxvi. c. 12. See also Markxiv. 7, and John xii. 3. Leaden 
boxes were also used for a similar purpose. 
S5 Odores, 
