COMMENTARY. It has never been disputed, as far as we are aware, that the ancient sagapenum was the same substance as the modern. However, it is not even yet well ascertained by what tree it is furnished, but it is generally supposed to be either the _Ferula Persica_ or _F. Szowitsiana_. See Lindley (Veg. Kingd. 776). We know no more about it, then, at the present day than what was known of it by Dioscorides, who describes it as being the juice of a plant resembling the ferula, having a smell intermediate between the juice of silphium (assafœtida) and galbanum. He recommends it for various medicinal purposes; for affections of the chest, epilepsy, hysterical convulsions, for promoting menstruation, and destroying the fœtus in utero; as an alexipharmic, and for discussing films on the eyes, cataracts, &c. (iii, 85.) Galen, Aëtius, and Oribasius give much the same account of it as our author. Galen says it is the juice of a certain ferula resembling panax. (De Antid. i.) It occurs in the works of Celsus as an ingredient in the famous antidote of Mithridates, and also as an ingredient in one of his collyria. (vi, 6, 24.) For the Arabians see Averrhoes (Collig. v, 42); Avicenna (ii, 2, 629); Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i, 631); Serapion (192); Ebn Baithar (ii, 37.) They recommend it in a good many more cases than the Greeks do. For example, they all say that it is a gentle laxative. Modern authorities, however, have denied that it is possessed of this property. See Hill (Mat. Med.) Rutty, notwithstanding, seems to agree with the ancients. (Mat. Med. 447.) Σαλαμάνδρα, Salamandra, _Salamander_; when burnt its ashes are by some mixed with corrosive medicines and remedies for lepra and scabies. * * * * * COMMENTARY. It is the _Salamandra terrestris_. The story of the salamander’s being proof against the operation of fire is mentioned by Nicander, Aristotle, and Theophrastus; but the truth of it is questioned by Dioscorides. Sprengel remarks that the real fact is, that the salamander is a black ugly lizard, from whose body a cold viscid fluid is secreted, which may be capable of extinguishing a small coal. Agricola says, its body is as cold as ice, and therefore capable of extinguishing a coal. M. l’Abbé Bonnaterre likewise states that the humour which it secretes from its body prevents the operation of coals from affecting it for a short time. (Encycl. Méthod.) Our author borrows his medicinal character of the salamander from Dioscorides, who says it is possessed of septic, ulcerative, and calefacient powers, like cantharides. (ii. 67.) None of the other authorities give any additional information of much interest under this head. The Arabians would appear not to have included it in their Materia Medica. Σάμψυχον, Sampsuchum (a species of marjoram), is calefacient and desiccative in the third degree. It also consists of subtile parts, and is discutient. * * * * *