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DATE. DACTYLUS. 



Natural order, Palme or Palms. Date Tree, Phanix 

 Dactylifera. A genus of the Diacia Triandria class. 



THE Greeks called this tree 4>ow, from the red colour 

 of the spathe. The fruit they called AaxruXoj, whence 

 we derive the name of date. 



This species of the palm-tree is a native of the eastern 

 countries, and has been known to grow in the deserts of 

 Arabia and Syria from the earliest ages. Dates appear 

 to have been the first food which the Israelites found in 

 the wilderness of Shur. The ancients esteemed dates 

 next to the vine and olive. 



The palm-branch or palm-tree was anciently used as 

 an emblem of victory, being carried before the conqueror 

 in processions and rejoicings for having overthrown the 

 enemy. It was also presented to the kings of Syria as a 

 token of submission. 



The palm-trees are very lucrative to the Arabs and 

 other inhabitants of the desert, where the fruit forms a 

 principal part of their food, particularly in all that part 

 of the Zaara which is near Mount Atlas, where they grow 

 but little corn, and chiefly depend on this fruit for sub- 

 sistence. In this part of the world, forests of date-trees 

 may be seen, some of which are several leagues in cir- 

 cumference. The Grecian and Roman authors have given 

 full accounts of this fruit. It is related that Alexander's 

 army having met with dates of a most delicious quality, 



