APPENDIX. 15 



a tent, fteady it and fix it to the earth at the bottom. About 

 two feet, or little more, of the lower part of the flalk is 

 cloathed with long, hollow, fword-fhaped leaves, which co- 

 ver each other like fcales, and fortify the foot of the plaat. 

 They are of a dufky brown, or yellow colour. 1 fuppofe the 

 flalk was cut off below, at about where thefe leaves end. 



The drawing reprefents the papyrus as growing. The 

 head is not upright, but is inclined, as from its fize it always 

 muft be in hot countries, in which alone it grows. In all 

 fuch climates, there is fome particular wind that reigns 

 longer than others, and this being always the moft violent, 

 as well as the moil conflant, gives to heavy-headed trees, or 

 plants, an inclination contrary to that from which it 

 blows. 



This plant is called el Berdi in Egypt, which fignifies no- 

 thing in Arabic, and I fuppofe is old Egyptian. I have been 

 told by a learned gentleman*, that in Syria it is known by 

 theiname of Babeer, which approaches more to the found of 

 papyrus, and paper ; this I never heard myfelf, but leave it 

 entirely upon his authority. 



BALESSAN, 



* Mr Adamfon, interpreter to the French factory of Seide, a man of great merit and 

 knowledge in natural hiftory, brother to the naturalifl of that name, who has wrote the 

 voyage to Senegal, and particularly an account of the (hells of thofe feas, full, of barbajou^ 

 -#ord$, and liberal ideas. 



