The commentators in general agreed in making the _bryon_ of[65] Dioscorides one of these hairy tree-mosses, which they called _usnea_. No wonder, therefore, that at the restoration of letters it became a matter of controversy, which of them was the _usnea_ of the ancients. Dioscorides recommends his as an astringent; and tells us, that “the best grew upon the cedar; but that from whatever tree it was gathered, the whitest and most fragrant was preferable to the black.” The several _usneæ_ would undoubtedly in different countries be found upon different trees. In Italy, that of the larch-tree was the most odoriferous; and on that account Matthiolus[66] preferred it to all others. That kind, which at length obtained a place in the shops as the _usnea_ of the ancients, was a species commonly found in our countries on old oaks and other trees, and is called by Dillenius[67] stringy tree-moss, or _usnea_ of the shops. Many excellent virtues have been ascribed to it, on a supposition of its being the true _usnea_; but it does not appear to have deserved them: and the present practice, at least in England, has quite expunged it, and that perhaps very justly. Dr. Dillenius is evidently of opinion however, that this common _usnea_, tho’ it obtained a place in the shops as such, is not the _bryon_ of Dioscorides and Pliny, or the _phaseon_ of Theophrastus, since he has applied these names from those fathers of botany to another species, which he calls the _beard usnea_[68]. Nor does either of these species appear to be the true _usnea_ of the Arabians, whatever title they may seem to have to it, either from their colour or smell. Bellonius, as he is quoted by Dr. Dillenius, tells us, “that the true _usnea_, or _bryon_, as he calls it, is sold at Constantinople under the name of _usnech_; and tells us we are deceived in believing ours to be the true _usnea_.” Dillenius has therefore described another species[69], which he received from the East Indies, from Madagascar, and St. Helen’s, as the _Usnea Arabum_. This plant the Indians call _saliaga_; and Camelli assures us, that, while fresh, it has a very fragrant musk-smell. He adds, that he had himself experienced what Serapio says of it; _viz._ that a vinous infusion of it restrains fluxes, stops vomiting, strengthens the stomach, and induces sleep.