14(5 



more common than the date-tree, both onffle 

 sands as well as on the cultivated districts. 

 It requires no attention, and is very pro- 

 fitable, the fruit being in great demand, par- 

 ticularly that in the neighbourhood of Ro- 

 setta, which is delicious. The branches 

 are cut off with the dates upon them before 

 they are thoroughly ripe, and thrust into 

 baskets made for the purpose, which have 

 no other aperture than a hole, through which 

 the branches project. The dates thus packed 

 up, ripen in succession, and boats are laden 

 with them, and sent to Cairo. Could they 

 not be brought to England in this state ? 



The timber is so durable, that it is thought 

 incorruptible by the natives. It is used for 

 making beams and implements of husbandry, 

 as also for javelins, and the trees often grow 

 to a hundred feet in height. There are 

 but few trees which are used for so many 

 valuable purposes, and I know of none where 

 the sexual distinctions are so evident. It 

 is the female tree which produces the fruit, 

 and on which account it is cultivated in 

 greater numbers ; but in order to obtain the 

 fruit, the orientalists, who live upon it, 

 plant male trees also ; and it is no uncommon 

 practice for their enemies, in time of war, 

 to cut down the male trees, which prevents 



