COMMENTARY. There can be no doubt that it is the _Ficus Morus_, L., or the _Black Mulberry-tree_. It is the συκάμινος of Theophrastus, which, however, was sometimes applied by others to the sycamore. See Celsus (iii, 18.) The mulberry is commended by Pliny as an antidote to poisons, as it is in like manner by Dioscorides. The latter calls it laxative of the bowels, but an article readily spoiled, and bad for the stomach. He also ascribes astringent powers to its juice, which, he says, when mixed with a little honey is useful in defluxious, spreading ulcers, and inflamed tonsils. He also praises the leaves when pounded with oil, as a good cataplasm to burns. He speaks of it also as being used for dyeing the hair, and the decoction of its leaves as a gargle for toothache. (i, 180.) Galen’s account of it is the same as our author’s, by whom it is abridged. Aëtius treats of it fully as an article of food, but briefly as a medicine. He says, when taken upon a clean stomach, it proves an excellent article of food; but the very reverse when the stomach is loaded and contains any noxious humours. The Arabians, in treating of it, follow Dioscorides and Galen. See Avicenna (ii, 2, 491); Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i, 201); Serapion (De Simpl. 132.) The mulberry is described as a medicine by all our old herbalists, and was retained in the Dispensatory until after the time of Quincy. (94, 198.) Μύαγρον, Myagrum; the seed of it is fatty, and the oily part of it is possessed of an emplastic power. * * * * * COMMENTARY. It is generally held to be the _Camelina sativa_, Crantz., of which we think there can be no doubt. Both Dioscorides and Pliny mention it as producing an oil from its seed; and it is well known that the Camelina, or Gold of Paradise, is still noted as one of the oil plants. See Lindley (Veg. Kingd. 353.) The two authors mentioned above recommend this oil in ulcers of the mouth. Our author borrows from Galen. As far as we can discover, it is not treated of by the Arabian authorities, with the exception of Ebn Baithar, who merely quotes the description of it given by Dioscorides and Galen. Μύακες, Musculi, _Muscles_, have the same power, when burnt, as the buccina. But they have the property, when washed, of removing asperity of the eyebrows and leucomata when applied with honey. Their flesh is applied with advantage to persons bitten by dogs. * * * * *