Bdellium is a semi-transparent resin extracted from "Commiphora roxburgii" and from "Commiphora africana". "Commiphora africana" resin is also known as "African bdellium". These myrrh-like resins are known as opopanax, balsam, bdellium, guggul bisabol, and Indian myrrh. They are referred to by Pliny ("Historia Naturalis", 12&colon;36) as Bactrian and Nubian bdellium. Opopanax is also known as "perfumed bdellium". In Numbers 11&colon;7 Manna is said to have "the color of bdellium". Bdellium plants are also abundant in the Hijaz. Bdellium is used in perfumery, as incense, and in traditional medicine. Salmasius states that bdellium is the Arab Molochil (Mukul). Bdellium has been seriously considered as the ancient onycha. Bdellium is referred to in the early history of the Bible. Bdellium consists of a water-soluble gum, a resin, and an essential oil. He describes bdellium as resembling a fingernail (which is the Greek meaning of onycha).