COMMENTARY. Dioscorides gives such a minute description of it as clearly identifies it with the _Gladiolus communis_. He recommends it on his own authority as forming an excellent cataplasm with wine and frankincense for extracting stings and thorns, for discussing the tumour called phygethlon, and as an emmenagogue in pessaries; and says it was reported to be aphrodisiac, and a suitable draught in the intestinal hernia of children. (iv, 20.) Galen, like our author, merely states its medicinal virtues in general terms. The Arabians treat of it under the general head of _Lilium_, along with Iris. See Serapion (c. 189.) His account of it is made up entirely of extracts from Dioscorides and Galen. It is also briefly noticed by Ebn Baithar. (i, 423.) His German translator sets it down as the _Gladiolus Byzantinus_. We have not had time and patience to hunt out any other notices of it in the writings of the Arabian authorities on the Materia Medica. Its name in the barbarous translations of their works is _Kasiflon_. Ὄη, Sorbus, _the Service Tree_ (the fruit of which is by some called ὄα, by others οὖα, Sorba); it is possessed of astringent powers, but less than the medlar. * * * * * COMMENTARY. It is the _Sorbus domestica_. All the ancient authorities recommend the fruit as an excellent astringent. Dioscorides prescribes it with this intention both in fruit and in decoction. (i, 173.) Our author’s account of it is taken pretty closely from Galen. Avicenna treats of it confusedly under the head of _Cornu vel Sorbas_. (ii, 2, 315.) Serapion treats of the _Sorba_, but does not seem to apply the name to the article we are treating of. See De Simpl. (c. 109.) Ὀθόννα, Othonna; some say that it is the juice of a herb growing in Arabia, where it borders with Egypt, and others that it is an Egyptian stone. It is detergent and pungent, clearing away everything that obscures the pupil. * * * * * COMMENTARY. The _Tagetes Erecta_, African or French Marigold, seems likely enough to be this herb. Regarding the stone of the same name, nothing is known for certain. Our author borrows from Dioscorides. Galen does not treat of this article at all in his work on Simples. The Arabians appear to have been ignorant of it. Ὀινάνθη, Œnanthe, _the Wild Vine_; ample experience has shown that the flower of the wild vine is considerably astringent, and that it acts as a tonic, particularly in affections of the belly. Dioscorides describes another having powers quite opposite to this; and hence, he says, that it expels the secundines, and cures strangury and jaundice. * * * * *