king of Judah, succeeded his father Abijam. He pulled down the altars erected to idols, restored the worship. worship of the true God, and, with the assistance of Benhadad king of Syria, took several towns from the king of Israel. He died 917 years before the Christian era, and was succeeded by Jehoash.

assa, in the materia medica, a name given to two very different substances, called *asa-dulcis*, and *asa-fetida*.

*Asa-Dulcis* is the same with Benzoin.

*Asa-Fetida* is the concrete juice of a large umbelliferous plant growing in Persia. This juice exudes from wounds made in the root of the plant, liquid and white like milk. When exposed to the air, it turns of a brownish colour, and gradually acquires different degrees of consistence. It is brought to us in large irregular masses, composed of various little shining grains, which are partly whitish, partly reddish, and partly of a violet colour. Those masses are accounted the best which are clear, of a pale reddish colour, and variegated with a great number of elegant white tears. This drug has a strong fetid smell, like garlic; and a bitter, acrid, biting taste. It is frequently used in hysterical and nervous complaints, flatulent colics, and as a promoter of the menses. See Materia Medica, no. 129.

ASAPH (St.), a city in Eliashire, with a bishop's see; on which account only it is taken notice of; for it is so poor a place, it would not otherwise be worth mentioning. W. Long. 3. 25. N. Lat. 53. 18.