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[ 23 ] 
Copy of a Paper fent with the Specimens , by a Gentle - 
man of the Factory at Aleppo. 
T H E fpecimens fent of the Tabafheer, though 
taken from different parcels, are not regarded 
here as different forts. Amongft them will be found 
one or two pieces, which in their form anfwer to 
the ancient Arabic defcription of this drug. It is 
not from the fugar cane that the Tabafheer is flip- 
pofed to be procured, but from that kind of cane of 
which the Arabs make their lances, and of which a 
piece is herewith fent. 
Different opinions concerning this fubflance, as 
alfo concerning the Mamithfa and Mameraan, col- 
lected from fundry Arabian writers, will be found in 
the paper inclofed : but as the Tabafheer is brought 
from the Eaft, not prepared here, I cannot affirm 
any thing certain about it. 
From the fpecimens fent of the Mameraan, it will 
appear evidently to be a root. It is commonly be- 
lieved to be a fpecies of the Chelidonium, and, like 
the Tabafheer, brought from the Eaft to Aleppo. 
Mamithfa, \ or is the common name 
ufed here for wormwood. Our mint is called Nana 
The literary name, however, of wormwood 
is - j (* Ifsantin, abfinthium). 
.but there is a plant here known by the name of 
( * Mamitha ) of which a fpecimen is 
now fent. This, from the ufe made of it by the 
natives in diftempers of the eyes, as well as from 
other circumftances, appears to be the Glaucium of 
Diofcorides. 
