[ 5 6 9 ] 
Remarks. 
We find, in the ancient Writers of Plants, fuch as 
Theophraflus , T)ioJcorides, and Tliny, who have all in 
their manner treated otY egetablcs,of how much Efteem 
the Cyprus was among the Ancients. The Hiftorian 
Jofephus, and St. Jerome have mention’d it as a rare 
and precious Plant, placing it in the fame Rank with 
the moil valued Spices. 1 he fine Smell, which its 
Flowers fend forth in the Countries where they 
grow naturally, as in Egypt , Syria , Arabia , Terfia^ 
&c. has occafioned its Ufe in the earheft Time ; 
and the fame Ufe continues in tbofe Countries. Its 
being twice mentioned in * Solomons Song, is a 
very great Proof of its being much valued in the 
moil ancient time. We there fee it was accuftomed 
to be cultivated even in their Vineyards. The Per- 
fumers in old times made thereof an Oil or precious 
Ointment for various Ufcs ; but principally to give 
their Anointings a grateful Odour, and to inakefup- 
ple the Limbs of the Body. 
Modern Authors have given themfelvcs great Trou- 
ble to be thoroughly fatisfied of the Hifiory of this 
Plant. There have been areat Controverfies among 
them concerning it in endeavouring to fettle its 
Defcription ; but it mult be confefled they have 
made a veiy fmall Progrefs in dil'covering to us its 
true Characters. How many Mifiakcs have the Bo- 
tamfls 
* Solomon's Song, chap.' i. v. 14. ch. iv. v. 13. In both thefe Places 
the' EngHJb Tranflation of the Bible has it Camphire , inllead of Cyprus. 
