148 CULTIVATED VEGETABLES. 



value more by their rarity than their qua- 

 lity ; this desire appears to form a necessary 

 part of our constitution, wisely ordained to 

 stimulate industry and promote communi- 

 cation. 



The spices of the torrid zone had found 

 their way into the land of Canaan at a very 

 early period, at least 1728 years before the 

 birth of Christ, as we read in the time of 

 Jacob, that they were become an article 

 of commerce. The Ishmaelitish merchants 

 were going into Egypt with their camels 

 laden with spicery, when Joseph was sold by 

 his brethren.* 



Moses made the holy anointing oil of pure 

 myrrh, sweet cinnamon, cassia, and sweet 

 calamus. *j- 



Spice appears to have been highly es- 

 teemed by the Hebrews in the time of 

 Solomon. The Queen of Sheba, in her visit 

 to that monarch, carried a present of spices, 

 gold, and precious stones ; " besides that 

 he had of the merchantmen, and of the 

 traffic of the spice merchants, and of all the 

 kings of Arabia, and of the governors of 

 the country." % Solomon notices this spice as 



* Gen. c.xxxvii. v. 25. t Exodus, c. xxxvi. v. 23. 

 J 1 Kings, c. x. v. 15. 



