COMMENTARY. Dioscorides describes two species of it, the major and the minor, which probably are to be referred to the _Juniperus macrocarpa_, Sibth., and the _J. oxycedrus_. He calls them acrid, diuretic, and calefacient, and further recommends them in diseases of the chest, in the hysterical convulsion, and as being alexipharmic. (i, 103.) The other authorities, both Greek and Arabian, copy closely under this head from him. See in particular Avicenna (ii, 2, 359); and Ebn Baithar (ii, 189.) The vernix is a resinous gum, which is procured from the juniper; it is called _Sandarax_ by the Arabians, and is to be carefully distinguished from the sandaracha or sulphuret of arsenic. They recommend it in hæmoptysis. See Serapion, Rhases, and Avicenna. Of the juniper, see further under Κέδρος, and appendix under Sandaracha. Ἄρκιον, Arcium (called also Prosopites); its leaves are like those of the colocynth, but larger and harder. It is discutient and desiccant, and has some stypticity. Wherefore, its leaves cure old sores. * * * * * COMMENTARY. The ancient descriptions of this plant seem to point to the burdock, which, however, owing to a confusion of names, has been called the _Arctium lappa_. Dioscorides recommends it internally in diseases of the chest, and externally as a cataplasm to old ulcers. (iv, 105.) This is the same as the second arctium of Galen, who recommends it in the same cases as Dioscorides. Apuleius, like Dioscorides, says it is useful in cases of strangury. Our old herbalists treat of the virtues of the burdock in the same terms as the Greek and Roman authorities. The Arabians, as far as we can discover, do not treat either of the arcion or the arction, with the exception of Ebn Baithar, who merely gives extracts from Dioscorides and Galen, and seems puzzled to distinguish the two plants from one another. (i, 25.) In the modern Greek Dispensatory both the _Arctium bardana_ and the _A. lappa_ are set down as corresponding to the ἄρκειον. Ἄρκτιον, Arctium, _Lappa_, is like the verbascum; its roots are tender, white, and sweet: it consists of subtile particles, and is possessed of desiccant and moderately detergent powers. * * * * * COMMENTARY. This, which is treated of under the same name by Dioscorides (iii, 104), and is the former arctium of Galen, is probably the _Verbascum sanguineum_. The description of it given by Galen, at all events, points to some species of the mullein. Both the authorities we have mentioned recommend it as an application to burns and chilblains. Ἀρμενιακὸν, Armeniacum, has detergent properties with a little acrimony, and a small degree of astringency. It is therefore mixed up with ophthalmic medicines, and promotes the growth of the hairs of the eyelids. * * * * *