ON INTRODUCED ANIMALS AND PLANTS. 3 



absent, as the Saxifragacece, the Droseracece, the Primidaceoe, the 

 Violacece, the Valerianacece, the Gentianacece (the genus Erythrgea being 

 excepted), the Orchidacece, perhaps the genus Carex, the Onagracece, 

 the Hypericacece, the Globulariacece (a species along the Mediterranean 

 being excepted), the Crassulaceaz, the Dipsacaeece (a Scabiosa along the 

 Mediterranean being excepted), the heaths and whole tribe of the 

 Ericaceae, and the Rosacece (with the exception of a Poterium, growing 

 near the Mediterranean in the Desert). 



The Egyptian flora will be found to be extremely simple. Zygo- 

 phyUaceee (so peculiarly a Desert tribe) are rather numerous, as also 

 Resedacece; but the most prominent feature, is an unusual variety and 

 prevalence of Salsolacece; and of other plants that resemble them in 

 sensible properties. 



The river-flats along the Nile were originally a pastoral tract, in 

 all probability abounding in game. As to species, there appears to 

 have been no local provision ; but the river opened a path to Northern 

 climates to various antelopes, to the lion, hyosna, ichneumon, genette 

 (Viverra), chameleon, and even to Tropical birds; and these en- 

 countered Asiatic animals advancing southward along the banks. 

 There are, however, a few species of birds and quadrupeds that belong 

 properly to the Desert. 



II. THE ANTE-HISTORICAL EGYPTIANS. 



When man entered Egypt, and especially when he began to cultivate 

 and irrigate the soil, game by degrees became rare, and some of the 

 larger kinds disappeared from the valley. 



The indigenous plants being unsuitable for the purposes of Agri- 

 culture, this art could not have originated on the banks of the Nile ; 

 but, together with the objects of cultivation, came from some foreign 

 and distant land. 



In artificial conservatories or greenhouses, plants from the extreme 

 North and others from the Tropics, when subjected to the same 

 amount of warmth and moisture, are often found to flourish side by 

 side. Some analogy may be found in the climate of Egypt. It 

 is favourable for the introduction of plants from every quarter; and 

 the soil having been upturned for ages for agricultural purposes, the 

 existing vegetation of the river-flats consists mainly of weeds. 



