Chap. 19.] TREES OF BACTEIANA. 1 1 5 



in reeds, white, like gum, and brittle to the teeth. The 

 larger pieces are about the size of a filbert ; it is only em- 

 ployed, however, in medicine. 



CHAP. 18. — TEEES OP ABIA^A, GEDEOSIA, A2*D HTBCANIA. 



On the frontiers of India is a country called Ariana, which 

 produces a thorny shrub, 59 rendered precious by the tears 

 which it distils. It bears some resemblance to myrrh, but is 

 very difficult of access, by reason of the thorns with which it 

 is' armed. Here, too, a poisonous shrub is found, with a root 

 like the radish, 60 and leaves like those of the laurel, By its 

 powerful odour it attracts horses, and was very nearly depriv- 

 ing Alexander of all his cavalry upon his first arrival there, 

 an accident which also happened in Gedrosia. A thorny 

 shrub 61 has been also spoken of as a native of the same 

 country, with leaves like those of the laurel, the juice of 

 which, if sprinkled upon the eyes, is productive of blindness 

 in all animals. Another plant is also mentioned, with a most 

 remarkable odour, and full of diminutive serpents, 63 the sting 

 of which is sure to cause instant death. Onesicritus states, 

 that in the vallies of Hyrcania, there is a tree resembling the 

 fig, and known as the occhus, 63 from which a honey distils 

 for two hours every morning. 



CHAP. 19. (9.) TEEES OF BACTEIANA, BDELLIUM, OE BEOCHON, 



OTHERWISE MALACHA, OE MALDACON, SCOEDASTUM. ADULTEE- 



89 It is unknown what plant is here alluded to by Pliny, hut Sprengel 

 suggests that it is the Acacia latronum. 



60 From the description, this would appear to be a sort of poisonous 

 horse-radish. 



61 There is a tree in India, as we are informed by Fee, which is known 

 as the Exca3caria Agallochum, the juice of which is remarkably acrid. 

 Sailors r on striking it with a hatchet, and causing the juice to spirt into 

 their eyes, have been in danger of losing their sight. It is possible that 

 this may be the tree here alluded to by Pliny. 



62 He borrows the account of this marvellous shrub from Theophrastus. 

 No such plant is likely to have ever existed ; though small, and even large, 

 snakes may occasionally take refuge among shruhs and hollow trees. 



63 There is little doubt that the Hedysarum Alhagi of Linnaeus is here 

 meant, from which a kind of honey or manna flows, known as " Eastern " 

 manna, or tereniahin. It is not so high as the fig-tree, and is found in 

 Khorasan, Syria, Mesopotamia, and elsewhere. The manna distils prin- 

 cipally in the morning. 



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