COMMENTARY. We have treated of the livers of animals in the dietetical part of the First Book. See also in particular Galen and Serapion. Our author copies from the former, who in his turn follows closely in the footsteps of Dioscorides. Ἠριγέρων, Senecio, _Groundsel_, has mixed powers, being refrigerant and moderately discutient. * * * * * COMMENTARY. Dioscorides recommends it (_Senecio vulgaris_) in inflammatory complaints, and also says of it that when drunk with must it relieves the pains of the stomach proceeding from bile. Galen and the other authorities, like Paulus, treat of it in general terms as an antiphlogistic application. Apuleius recommends it in sciatica (75, 5.) In modern times it had the character of being emetic, but the ancient authorities do not say that it has this property. Ἠρύγγιον, Eryngium, _Eryngo_, is calefacient in no imperceptible degree, and has no little heat and subtility of parts. * * * * * COMMENTARY. That it is a species of _Eryngium_ or sea holly seems indisputable. It may either be the _maritimum_, the _planum_, or the _campestre_, all of which are brought into view and figured by our careful herbalist Parkinson. (Theatre of Plants, 986.) Dioscorides’s description of its localities would seem to agree best with the _campestre_; he calls it calefacient, and says it is diuretic and emmenagogue, removing tormina and flatulences, and proving serviceable in hepatic diseases, and as an alexipharmic. He adds, that it is related of it that it discusses hard tumours, both when appended as an amulet and in a cataplasm; and that the root of it cures opisthotonos and epilepsy when drunk with hydromel. (iii, 21.) Galen and the other Greek authorities treat of it in general terms like Paulus. The _secacul_ of the Arabians has been taken for this article, but erroneously, as Matthiolus has well remarked. (Ad Dioscor. iii, 21.) But Serapion treats of it under the name of _Iringi_, as being a white variety of the Aster Atticus. He merely translates the words of Dioscorides and Galen. (De Simpl. 96.) We cannot find any mention of it in the works of the other Arabians, except Ebn Baithar, who also does little more than copy from Dioscorides and Galen. The eryngo long retained its place in our Dispensatory, indeed it can scarcely be said to be yet formally expelled from it. Pereira briefly notices the _Eryngium campestre_. It is the _Eryngium maritimum_, however, which is described in the Edinburgh Mat. Med. Quincy, by the way, in imitation of Serapion, confounds the Eryngo with the Aster Atticus. (Complete Engl. Disp. 113.) Boerhaave gave the candied root and decoction of eryngo as an attenuant and deobstruent in obstructions of the viscera, and for coughs; and Tournefort makes mention of the same as being in common use in his days. (Mat. Med. 98. Engl. edition.) Θάλάσσιον ὕδωρ,