Omphacium[604] is also a kind of oil, which is obtained from two trees, the olive and the vine, by two different methods. It is produced from the former by pressing the olive while it is still in the white state. That is of an inferior quality which is made from the druppa—such being the name that is given to the olive before it is ripe and fit for food, but already beginning to change its colour. The difference between them is, that the latter kind is green, the former white. The omphacium that is made from the vine is extracted from either the psythian[605] or the Aminean grape, when the grapes are about the size of a chick-pea, just before the rising of the Dog-star. The grape is gathered when the first bloom is appearing upon it, and the verjuice is extracted, after which the residue[606] is left to dry in the sun, due precautions being taken against the dews of the night. The verjuice, after being collected, is put into earthen vessels, and then, after that, stored in jars of Cyprian copper.[607] The best kind is that which is of a reddish colour, acrid, and dry to the taste. The price at which it sells is six denarii per pound. Omphacium is also made another way—the unripe grape is pounded in a mortar, after which it is dried in the sun, and then divided into lozenges.
CHAP. 61. (28.)—BRYON, ŒNANTHE, AND MASSARIS.
Bryon[608] also bears an affinity to these substances, being the clusters of berries produced by the white poplar. The best kinds grow in the vicinity of Cnidos, or in Caria, in spots that are destitute of water, or else in dry and rugged localities. A bryon of second-rate quality is produced from the cedar of Lycia.[609] Œnanthe, too, bears an affinity to these substances, being the clusters of the wild vine: it is gathered when it is in flower, or, in other words, when it has the finest smell: after which it is dried in the shade upon a linen sheet spread beneath it, and then stored away in casks. The best sort is that which comes from Parapotamia;[610] the next best kinds are those made at Antiochia and Laodicea in Syria; and that of third-rate quality, comes from the mountainous parts of Media; this last, however, is preferable for medicinal purposes. Some persons give the preference over all to that grown in the island of Cyprus. As to that which comes from Africa, it is solely used for medicinal purposes, being known by the name of massaris.[611] Whatever country it may happen to be, the white wild vine produces an œnanthe of superior quality to the black.
CHAP. 62.—ELATE OR SPATHE.
There is another tree[612] also, that contributes to the manufacture of unguents, by some persons known under the name of elate, but which we call abies; others again call it a palm, and others give it the name of spathe. That of Hammonium is the most esteemed, and that of Egypt next, after which comes the Syrian tree. It is only odoriferous, however, in places that are destitute of water. The tears of it are of an unctuous nature, and are employed as an ingredient in unguents, to modify the harshness of the oil.
CHAP. 63.—CINNAMON OR COMACUM.
In Syria, too, is produced that kind of cinnamon which is also known as comacum.[613] This is a juice which is extracted from a nut, and very different from the extract of the real cinnamomum, though it somewhat resembles it in its agreeable smell. The price at which it sells is forty asses per pound.
Summary.—Remarkable facts, narratives, and observations, nine hundred and seventy-four.
Roman authors quoted.—M. Varro,[614] Mucianus,[615] Virgil,[616] Fabianus,[617] Sebosus,[618] Pomponius Mela,[619] Flavius,[620] Procilius,[621] Hyginus,[622] Trogus,[623] Claudius Cæsar,[624] Cornelius Nepos,[625] Sextus Niger[626] who wrote a Greek treatise on Medicine, Cassius Hemina,[627] L. Piso,[628] Tuditanus,[629] Antias.[630]
Foreign authors quoted.—Theophrastus,[631] Herodotus,[632] Callisthenes,[633] Isigonus,[634] Clitarchus,[635] Anaximenes,[636] Duris,[637] Nearchus,[638] Onesicritus,[639] Polycritus,[640] Olympiodorus,[641] Diognetus,[642] Nicobulus,[643] Anticlides,[644] Chares[645] of Mitylene, Menæchmus,[646] Dorotheus[647] of Athens, Lycus,[648] Antæus,[649] Ephippus,[650] Dion,[651] Demodes,[652] Ptolemy Lagus,[653] Marsyas[654] of Macedon, Zoilus[655] of Macedon, Democritus,[656] Amphilochus,[657] Aristomachus,[658] Alexander Polyhistor,[659] Juba,[660] Apollodorus[661] who wrote on Perfumes, Heraclides[662] the physician, Archidemus[663] the physician, Dionysius[664] the physician, Democlides[665] the physician, Euphron[666] the physician, Mnesides[667] the physician, Diagoras[668] the physician, Iollas[669] the physician, Heraclides[670] of Tarentum, Xenocrates[671] of Ephesus, Eratosthenes.[672]