Brassica canina, _Dog’s-bane_; it is also called cynomoron, because it proves quickly fatal to dogs. But it is also deleterious to men, being very fetid and hot, without being desiccant. Hence, when applied externally as a cataplasm it is discutient. * * * * * COMMENTARY. Our author borrows his account of this article very closely from Galen. It is clearly a poison rather than a medicine. In fact, it is classed by Schulze among the ancient poisons. (Toxicol. veterum.) Orfila also treats of it among the acrid poisons (p. 82, Eng. ed.) It seems doubtful whether it be the _Periploca Græca_, as we formerly stated it to be (II, 242); the _Cynanchus erectus_, as Sprengel supposes; or one of the species of _Apocynum_. Having no practical acquaintance with these herbs, we cannot pretend to give any decided opinion on the subject. Ἀπόχυμα, Apochyma, is the old pitch scraped from ships. It is solvent, desiccant, and discutient of tumours. * * * * * COMMENTARY. Dioscorides calls it also Ζωπίσσα. It consists, as he explains, of the wax and pitch of ships which had been macerated in salt water. Pliny says of it, “Zopissam eradi navibus diximus cera marino sale maceratâ. Optima hæc a tirocinio navium. Additur autem in malagmata ad discutiendas collectiones.” (H. N. xxiv, 26.) Ἀράχνη, _Aranea_, _the Spider_, when softened into a plaster, and applied to the forehead and temples, is said by Dioscorides to remove the periodical attacks of tertians. Its web, when applied, stops hemorrhage, and preserves superficial sores from inflammation. * * * * * COMMENTARY. Dioscorides describes two species, which probably are the _Aranea retiaria_, and the _Aranea domestica_. Serapion gives the same account of their medicinal properties. They appear to have been principally used externally, as an anti-inflammatory application. Ἀργεμώνη, Argemone, _Prickly Poppy_, is possessed of detergent and discutient powers. * * * * * COMMENTARY. Of the two species described by Dioscorides, the former, which is the _Papaver argemone_, is recommended by him in nebulæ and albugo of the eye, and its leaves as a soothing cataplasm for inflammations. The other, which may be the _Geum urbanum_, or avens, he also recommends principally as an external application in sores and affections of the eyes; but adds of it, that when drunk with wine it is useful in the case of persons stung by venomous animals. (ii, 208.) Galen and the succeeding authorities treat of it more cursorily; and the Arabians would seem not to treat of it at all, with the exception of Ebn Baithar, who merely gives translations of what Dioscorides and Galen had written of it. (i, 28.) Ἀρίσαρον, Arisarum, _Friar’s Cowl_, is smaller than the wakerobin, but much more acrid; and has a root of the size of an olive. * * * * *