142 Treatise on 
containing fiattifh Stones, almoft like Grape-Stones, 
which are pale- coloured or blackifh. 
Sena was unknown to the older Greeks and La- 
tins. Yet Tome doubt whether Die fcor ides and Ga- 
len were ignorant of it •, becaufe the Interpreters of 
Mefue , where he fpeaks of a Deco&ion of Sena, 
quote Galen ; though in Reality it is not to be met 
with in his Writings. But this is not the only In- 
ftance wherein the Authority of the Greeks has been 
falfely alledged by the Arabians . However, Ruel- 
lius confounds it with the Colutea of Lheophraflus ; 
but Matthiolus has fufficiently proved his Miftake. 
And indeed as Averrhoes afierts it to be a new Plant, 
and a Stranger to the Ancients, we may thence in- 
fer, that its Ufe was introduced by the Arabians . 
Serapio firft made Mention of it, and after him 
Mefue . Among the later Greeks , the firft Menti- 
on of it occurs in Attuarius , who has given an 
Account of its Virtues. 
The Plant is called Senna Alexandria, five foliis 
acutis , C. B. P. 397. Sena, J.B. 1. 377. Sena orientalis , 
T dbern . Icon. 517. It is fown in Perfia , Syria and 
Arabia , from whence it is carried into Egypt and to 
Alexandria. 
The Leaves of Sena, being chymically treated in 
the Quantity of four Pounds and four Ounces, 
yielded fifteen Ounces of alkaline urinous Liquor, 
with about nine Ounces of acid Liquor, which 
came promifeuoufly from the Retort •, fix Ounces, 
one Drachm and twelve Grains of thick Oil, and 
one Drachm of volatile urinous Salt. The black 
Mafs remaining in the Retort weighed eighteen 
Ounces, feven Drachms and a Half. This being 
calcined fourteen Hours, continued flaming four 
Hours, and at laft only four Ounces and a Half of 
grayifli brown Allies were left \ from which were 
got by Lixiviation one Ounce and fifty fix Grains 
of mere alkaline Salt. 
3 
Four 
