BOTANY IN THE OLDEN TIME. 
237 
Bloomsbury Square Highly valuable on this account. In reference to the pro¬ 
posed title to be conferred on our new friends, I would ask to be permitted to 
observe that the almost synonymous terms of Pharmaceutical Chemist and Mem¬ 
ber of the Pharmaceutical Society (for the first is, or eventually becomes, the 
second, and why not, ergo, in the public estimation, the second as the 
first?) are so palpable, that it is questionable if the House of Commons could 
perceive the difference ; if these our friends would not deem themselves suffici¬ 
ently advanced by the licensing mode as proposed by “ A Country Member,” but 
still press their claims to be admitted as members, let us who have gone through 
the fight, and those that shall so accomplish after us, have a distinctive title ; 
even in our rudimentary instruction we were taught 44 Palmam qui meruit, 
ferat.” 
Trusting that men of more mature understanding will give their experience, 
not allowing self-interest to obscure the path to be pursued, viz. 41 Pharmaceu¬ 
tical Progress and Reform,” nor permitting the goal, i.e. 44 Compulsory Exami¬ 
nation ” to glide from their consideration, 
I am, Sirs, yours very respectfully, 
A Major Associate. 
BOTANY IN THE OLDEN TIME. 
BY R. GOODWIN MUMBRAY, RICHMOND, SURREY. 
The study of the nature and properties of vegetable productions dates from 
a very early period of history. Moses, who was skilled in all the arts and 
sciences of Egypt, possessed a knowledge of many substances still employed in 
pharmacy ; and the most ancient prescriptions with which we are acquainted 
recognize the “art of the apothecary.” (Exodus iii. 23, 24, 25, 34, 35.) 
Solomon, reputed the wisest man of his time, must have devoted much 
attention to botany, if we may judge from the statement that he wrote con¬ 
cerning all plants from the Hyssop to the Cedar of Lebanon. (I Kings iv. 33.) 
In early times, botany and astrology seem to have been constantly united, 
and a belief that the planets exerted an influence upon vegetation is manifest 
in the works of many old writers; this belief still lurks in the practice of 
herbalists who draw their information from the pages of a once very popular 
author, Nicholas Culpeper. 
Old gardeners are still to be met with, who believe in lunar influence as 
affecting the germination of seeds, the success or otherwise of budding, graft¬ 
ing, or planting. During the Middle Ages, botanical and pharmaceutical 
knowledge was confined to the monks, to whom we are indebted for many 
valuable remedies. The writers of the sixteenth century, as G-erarde and 
others, paid close attention to the culture and introduction of new plants, and 
attempted the arrangement of species. It is amusing to notice the credulity 
displayed by even such a man as Lord Bacon, who, in describing remedies of 
great potency, enumerates in his ‘ Medical Remains ’ a receipt styled “ Grains 
of Youth,” various ointments, preservative and restorative drinks, including 
a receipt for “ Methusalem YVater, against all adustion of the blood, and 
generally against the dryness of age;” the vague notions respecting the 
virtues of various drugs is curious, e.g. cochineal, the properties of “beads 
of amber, nitre, ivory, hartshorn, etc., for refrigeration or for corroboration 
or for comfortation.” “ It is reputed by some of the ancients, that in Cyprus 
there is a kind of iron that being cut into little pieces and put into the ground, 
if it be well watered, will increase into greater pieces; this is certain and 
known of old, that lead will multiply and increase, as has been seen in old 
statues.” “ Gunpowder being taken in drink increaseth valour,” etc. 
