* * * * * COMMENTARY. Dioscorides, Galen, Serapion, and the other authorities give nearly the same account of the medicinal properties of wool. Ἐρίκη, Erica, _Heath_, is possessed of discutient powers without pungency. Its flower and leaves are principally to be used. * * * * * COMMENTARY. Sprengel and Schneider agree that it is the _Erica arborea_, but the description of it given by Dioscorides, namely, that “it is like the tamarisk but much smaller,” would rather seem to apply to one of the lesser species. Dioscorides commends it as an application to the bites of reptiles. (i, 116.) Our author copies from Galen. The Arabians, with the exception of Ebn Baithar, would appear not to have treated of it, and it has not held a place in our Dispensatory for a long time past. The old herbalists, copying from the ancient authorities, ascribe to the heath the virtues which Dioscorides and Galen held it to be possessed of. Ἔρινος, Erinos, _Water-basil_, is an aquatic herb, two drachms of the fruit of which with four drachms of honey, when rubbed in stops defluxions of the eyes. Its juice is also a remedy for earache. * * * * * COMMENTARY. That it is a species of _Campanula_ has been long agreed upon. Columna held it to be the _C. Rapunculus_ or _Rampions_, but Sprengel names it _C. Erinus_. It is the _echinos_ of Galen, as is obvious from the similarity of the descriptions of the two articles. Few of the other authorities notice it. Our author merely abridges Dioscorides (iv, 29.) The rapunculus or rampion is still cultivated as a salad. See Loudon (Encycl. of Garden. 734.) Ἑρμοδάκτυλος, Hermodactylus, _Hermodactyl_; the root of it is possessed of purgative properties, and also the decoction. It is given for affections of the joints in rheumatism, but it is bad for the stomach. * * * * *