CHAP. XXIII.
¶ Of Hammoniacum, and Spagnum.
TO begin withall, in the sands of those parts of Affrick, which lie vnder Aethiopia, there is a liquor distilleth, called in Greeke Hammoniacum, of Hammon, which signifieth Sand, and the Oracle of Iupiter Hammon, for neare vnto the temple where the said Oracle returnes An∣swers, [unspec D] there grow certaine trees within the sands, which they call Metopia, from which, Ham∣moniacum droppeth in manner of a rosin or gum: and of it there be two kinds: the one is named Thrauston, like vnto the male or better Frankincense, and is most esteemed: the other is fat and full of rosin, and they cal it Phyrama. The manner to sophisticate Hammoniacum, is with sand, to make men beleeue that it grew among the sands, and gathered it in the growing and com∣ming vp: and therefore the good Ammoniacum is known when it is in least morcels, and those very cleare. The price of the best is after fortie asses the pound.
Beneath these quarters, and within the prouince Cyrenaica, there is found a passing sweet Mosse, called Sphagnos; and of some Bryon [aromaticum.] Of all such Mosses, this is thought to be the best. Next vnto it, is that of Cyprus: and in a third ranke, the mosse which groweth in Phoenicia. There is such Mosse (by report) in Aegypt, and likewise in France: whereof, for my [unspec E] part, I make no doubt: for they be nothing else but the grey and whitish haires that we see hang to trees, and about the oke especially, called commonly Mosse; but only that these be sweet and odoriferous. The cheife praise is of the whitest and lightest: a second commendation be∣longs to that which is red: but the blacke is worth nothing, neither is any reckoning made of that which groweth in Islands and rockes, and (to conclude) all those that smell not as Mosse should, bur rather like to Dates, or the plants whereof they come.