COMMENTARY. It appears to be the _Cucurbita Pepo_, L. See Book First, sect. 80. Alexander mentions that the seed of the pepo is possessed of an emetic quality. (vii, 14.) Dioscorides and Avicenna agree in ascribing the same property to its root. The Arabians treat of this article at considerable length, recommending it externally as an application to obstinate diseases of the skin; and internally as an excellent diuretic and laxative medicine. See Avicenna (ii, 2, 89), Rhases (Cont. l. ult, iii, 20), and Serapion (De Simpl. 251.) It is clear from Avicenna’s section on the _Pepo_, that the term was also applied to the melon. Indeed, as we have stated more than once before, it is difficult to distinguish the summer fruits of the ancients from one another. Περικλύμενον, Periclymenon, _Woodbine_; the leaves and fruit are possessed at the same time of incisive and heating powers, so as to occasion a discharge of blood by urine when drunk for seven days. The seed is desiccative, and if drunk for forty days, relieves affections of the spleen and dyspnœa. * * * * * COMMENTARY. There can be no doubt that it is either the _Lonicera periclymenum_, or the _L. caprifolium_, that is to say, either the Woodbine or the Honeysuckle. Sprengel decides in favour of the latter. Dioscorides recommends it in nearly the same cases as our author, and also says of it, that it accelerates delivery in labour. (iv, 14.) Our author’s account of it is condensed from Galen. It is not found in the works of Celsus. The Arabians give rather a confused account along with other climbing plants. See Serapion (c. 41.) Περιστερεὼν, Verbenaca, _Vervain_, is so desiccative and astringent that it agglutinates wounds, and therefore stops hemorrhage. * * * * * COMMENTARY. It is undoubtedly the _Verbena officinalis_. According to Apuleius, it is styptic, agglutinative, and abstergent. He recommends it as an application to the bites of serpents, phalangia, and mad dogs. Dioscorides, and most of the succeeding authorities down to Macer, recommend it internally for the cure of jaundice, and externally for foul ulcers. He describes two species, of which the second is the _Verbena supina_. (iv, 60, 61.) Galen describes only one variety, and merely recommends it as being a vulnerary herb. Ebn Baithar’s description of this plant is entirely made up from Dioscorides and Galen. (i, 498.) We are inclined to think that it is the plant described in the translation of Avicenna under the names of _Pastus columbarum_, s. _palea_. He recommends it as an application to erysipelas. (ii, 2, 551.) See also Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i, 530.) On its use by the Hindoos, see Ainslie (Mat. Ind. ii, 314.) Περσαία, Persica (_the Peach?_), is an Egyptian tree, the leaves of which are desiccative and astringent, and therefore stop hemorrhage. * * * * *