CHAP. XI. RHAMNUS. WHEAT. 85 



with spreading branches, having thorns, not curved 

 like other briars, but straight, and larger leaves ; " 

 though the name of Rhamnus has been applied by 

 modern botanists to a different genus.* 



CULTIVATION OF WHEAT. 



Of the erroneous statement made by Herodo- 

 tus respecting the use of wheat, I have already 

 spoken t ; and have shown that wheat and barley 

 were abundantly cultivated in every part of Egypt. 

 The former was cut in about five, the latter in 

 four months t ; the best quality, according to 

 Pliny, being grown in the Thebaid.§ The wlieat, 

 as at the present day, was all bearded, and the 

 same varieties, doubtless, existed in ancient as in 

 modern times || ; among which may be mentioned 

 the seven-eared quality described in Pharaoh's 

 dream. ^ It was cropped a little below the ear ** 

 with a toothed sickle, and carried to the threshing 

 floor in wicker baskets upon asses +t, or in rope tt 

 nets, the gleaners following to collect the fallen 

 ears in hand baskets. The rope net, answering to 



* Lianaeus gives the name of Rhamnus Spina Christi, to a different 

 plant : and the Nebeca or Nebk, the Zizyphus, and others of this kind, 

 come under the general denomination of Rhamnus. There appears to be 

 some confusion lietween the Lycium and the Rhanmus. 



t Vol. II. p. 397. 



if Conf. Diodor. i. 36. " They return after four or five months to 

 cut the corn." Pliny (xviii. 7.) says barley in the 6th and wheat in the 

 7th month. 



§ Plin. xviii. 18. 



II Vide my (ieneral View of Egypt, p. 261. 



IT Genes, xli. 22. 



** Conf. Job, xxiv. 24. " Cut off as the tops of the cars of corn." 



ft fide woodcut, No. 4-29. Jigs. -t. and .5. 



Xt f'<lt' woodcut, No. A:28.Jtgs.5. and 7. 



G O 



