COMMENTARY. A gum-resin produced from some species of _Euphorbia_ still holds its place in the Materia Medica. Alston remarks, “neither Dioscorides nor Galen take any notice of the cathartic quality of the Euphorbium, but Pliny does, as do also Aëtius, Paulus, and the Arabians; but all make it excessively acrid, upon account of which its internal use is now generally condemned.” Mesue particularly commends it in diseases of the joints. It was formerly supposed that Euphorbium is procured from a species called the _E. antiquorum_, but it is now admitted that the species is still undetermined. See Pereira (1127.) Probably, as stated in the modern Greek Pharmacopœia, it is procured from several species of the Euphorbia. (66.) Ἐφήμερον, Ephemerum (or Colchicum Autumnale?), not the poisonous species but that which is called the Wild Iris. It is possessed of mixed powers, repellent, and discutient. * * * * * COMMENTARY. See Ἑρμοδάκτυλος, and Book V (48.) The E., here said to be the same as the wild iris, is the _Convallaria verticillata_. Dioscorides recommends its root in toothache, and its leaves as possessing discutient powers when applied to swellings and tumours. (iv, 75.) Galen is at great pains to explain its _modus operandi_ agreeably to his theory of the action of medicines. Ἐχίδνα, Vipera, _the Viper_; its flesh is decidedly hot and dry in temperament, so that it cleanses the whole body by the skin. Wherefore many persons affected with elephantiasis, by eating or drinking of it have been cured. Those which live by the sea-side, or in other dry situations, rather occasion thirst. * * * * *