Sketch of the Hiftory of Sugar. 291 
Sxetcu of the History of Sucar, in the early Times, 
and through the Middle Ages. By W. Fatconzr, 
M.D. F.R.S. &c. &c. Communitated by Dr. 
Percivat. 
READ 
a ufe of Sugar is probably of high, though 
not remote antiquity, as no mention of it 
is made, as far as I can find, in the facred Writings 
of the old Teftament.* The Conquefts of Alex- 
ander feem to have opened the difcovery of it to 
the weftern parts of the world. 
Nearchus,* his admiral, found the Sugar Cane 
in the Eaft Indies, as appears from his account of 
Ooe2 it, 
* Since writing the above, I have obferved that the 
{weet Cane is mentioned in two places of Scripture, and in 
both as an article of merchandize, It does not feem to have 
been the produce of Judea, as it is fpoken of as coming 
from afar country. Jfaiah, chap. xliii. v.24. Feremiah, 
chap. vi. v. 20.—-It is worthy of remark, that the word 
Sacuar fignifies, in the Hebrew language, inebriation, 
which makes it probable, that the juice of the cane had 
been ear ly ufed for making fome fermented liquor. 
* Ante Chrift, Ann, 325, - 
