Note (72) — BOOK II. (continued 2)

72. Oil of iris.) The oil is first inspissated by boiling it with water, and the involucrum of the fruit of the palm tree (called by Dioscorides, spatha). When this is done, an equal quantity of bruised iris is infused with this inspissated and aromatized oil, which stands for two days and two nights, and then is strongly expressed. A more fragrant kind is prepared by inspissating the oil with balsam-wood and calamus. After expression, a fresh quantity of iris may be added, if it be desired stronger. Dioscorid. lib. i. cap. 67.