CORIANDER. 



(Garden coriander.) 

 UMBELLIFER^E. Coriandrum Sett! cum. 



HE coriander referred to in Scripture appears generally 

 acknowledged to be the plant recognised under that 



name at present. It is well known throughout the East, 

 v^ and is chewed by peasant and lord, Mohammedan and 

 Christian, for the agreeable flavor it imparts to the 

 breath. It is supposed to be a native of the Levant and of 

 countries farther east of the Mediterranean. Anciently it was 

 used as a medicine and for seasoning food, and seems to have 

 been brought from Egypt to Rome in the time of Pliny for 

 these purposes. 



The only reference to coriander in the Scriptures is in com 

 parison with the manna upon which the Israelites fed in the 

 desert; whence we may infer that it was well known in 

 Egypt before the departure of the children of Israel, and was 

 probably used then as now, namely, as a condiment to flavor 

 food and please the taste. 



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