218 THE CLASSICAL PLANTS OF SICILY. 
156. S. Ravennze.—Ravenna Sugar-Cane.— 77. Gree. vol, 
i. tab. 52. 
In the Flora Graeca the xáħapos ovgryyias, Diosc. lib. i. 
cap. 115, is referred to this species. With this agrees the 
xarauos avranrixoc, Theoph. lib. iv. cap. 12; and that third 
kind of Arundo, concerning which Pliny writes, — Tertia 
Arundo est tibialis calami, quem Auleticon dicebant. (Lib. 
xvi. cap. 36.) Theophrastus has given a good description 
of the manner of making pipes, and observes that the most 
esteemed reeds grew near the river Cephisus. Its Romaic 
name is Xeuóx. Sibth. We may suppose that the 2iígr/yz 
xad $wsuguvoy described by Theocritus, Zdyl. viii. v. 18—24, 
was formed of this cane. So also the xaAduag ai», Theoc. 
Idyl. v. v. 1. Confer Moschus, Zdyl. iii, v. 53. And of such 
is the ‘Calamus agrestis" of Virgil; and Ovid's **dispar 
septenis Fistula cannis.” 
The common pipe of the Sicilian shepherds, which is to 
this day cut after the antique shape, is I believe mostly made 
of the Arundo Donaz; sometimes however, this cane may 
be used. The word Canna is promiscuously given to every 
sort of reed in Sicily. 
157. Oryza sativa.—Common Rice. 
Opa, Diosc. lib. ii. cap. 117%. Oxĉw, Theoph. lib. iy. 
cap. 5. Water being so necessary to the growth of this 
plant,—42» zb» co^)» xgów» i imr. and putrifying with the 
intense heat of a burning sun, the country soon becomes 
unwholesome, and abounds with mal’ aria, wherever it is cul- 
tivated. The only Rice-grounds I saw were between the 
river Platani and Sciacca. But my guide informed me that 
they are very extensive near Lentini. 
Its Sicilian name is Il Risu. 
158. Zea Mays.—Indian Corn, or Maize. 
Cultivated, and called in Sicily, X Granu d'India, 0 il 
granu Turcu, o Gran Turcu; and at Athens, AgaSoorr (Ara- 
bian Corn) according to Sibthorp; but Forskal says, it is 
named along the Dardania reed-wheat, zarumasitago The 
