[678] The use of perfumes more probably originated in India, than among the Persians.
[679] But of seeds or plants.
[680] The perfumes of Delos themselves had nothing in particular to recommend them; but as it was the centre of the worship of Apollo, it is not improbable that exquisite perfumes formed a large proportion of the offerings brought thither from all parts of the world.
[681] In Egypt. See B. v. c. 11. The unguents of Mendes are again mentioned in the present Chapter.
[682] Or flower-de-luce. This perfume was called Irinum. The Iris Florentina of the botanists, Fée says, has the smell of the violet. For the composition of this perfume, see Dioscorides, B. i. c. 67.
[683] Rhodinum.
[684] See B. v. c. 26.
[685] Crocinum; made from the Crocus sativus of naturalists.
[686] See B. xii. c. [62]. It was made from the flowers of the vine, mixed with omphacium.
[687] Amaracinum. The amaracus is supposed to have been the Origanum majoranoides of the moderns. Dioscorides, B. i. c. 59, says that the best was made at Cyzicus.