COMMENTARY. Sprengel holds that the Θ. of Dioscorides is the _Thlaspi Bursa Pastoris_. Dioscorides describes another species, which is either the _Iberis umbellata_, or the _Viola latifolia_. Pliny recommends the Thlaspi as a phlegmagogue and cholagogue. (H. N. xxvii, 113.) Dioscorides assigns it the same character, and also holds that it is emmenagogue. Our author copies closely from Galen. Avicenna dwells at considerable length upon the virtues of Thlaspi, calling it emetic and purgative, and also anthelminthic, emmenagogue, and carminative. The _Thlaspi arvense_ held a place in the Dispensatory, with all the characters of the ancient T., down to a late date. See Quincy (Compl. Engl. Dispens. 66.) Θρίδαξ, Lactuca, _Lettuce_, is a juicy and cold potherb, yet not extremely so, but of the temperament of spring water. It therefore suits with hot inflammations, and also quenches thirst. When taken in an infusion it stops gonorrhœa and libidinous dreams. The wild lettuce is less cooling and diluent than the other, and is also more juicy. * * * * * COMMENTARY. The cultivated kind is certainly the _Lactuca sativa_: the wild the _L. virosa_. The ancients, as we have stated in another place, were well acquainted with the hypnotic powers of lettuce. See Celsus (ii, 32); Dioscorides (ii, 164); Athen. (Deipnos, ii, 80, ed. Schweig.); Pliny (xix, 38); Galen (De Alim. Facul. ii, 40); Geopon. (xii, 13); Aëtius (i, 168); Symeon Seth (De Alimentis); Macer Floridus (De Herb. vir.); Serapion (De Simpl. ex Plant.) According to Dioscorides, it is also anaphrodisiac, and removes the pollutio nocturni somni. One of Serapion’s Arabian authorities commends it in jaundice; and another of them says that it dispels the unpleasant effects produced by intoxication. (De Simpl. 240.) Avicenna’s account of its medicinal virtues is very interesting, but is in the main derived from Dioscorides and Galen. He represents it to be an eminently cold, that is to say, a sedative plant, and recommends it in all complaints of a hot nature, in watchfulness, alienation of mind, and in _coup de soleil_. He also speaks highly of its milk in hot affections of the eyes. (ii, 2, 441.) Rhases likewise gives an excellent description of its powers, but in nearly the same terms as Avicenna. He makes it to be soporific, anaphrodisiac, and alexipharmic. (Cont. l. ult. i, 386.) Dioscorides states that the wild lettuce is a hydragogue purgative, and we may mention that the late Dr. Collin, of Vienna, gave it with great success in dropsies. Avicenna says the wild, in virtue, resembles the black poppy. We need scarcely say that both the _L. sativa_ and _virosa_ have, of late years, been restored to the Materia Medica. Upon reference to the works of Orfila, Paris, Pereira, and other authorities of the day, it will be seen that the ancients had correctly stated the medicinal virtues of both species. Θύμος,