8Q CHRONOLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS 



imported fruit is used medicinally in Egypt, as appears from Rhazes 

 and Alpinus. 



The <t>rAiKH of Theophrastus iii. 4, according to Sibthorp's account 

 of the Greek usage, would seem to be the Phillyrea latifolia. — This 

 shrub was seen by Clot-Bey and Figari in the gardens of Lower Egypt. 



The kikix, enumerated among Leguminous trees by Theophrastus 

 i. 18, may be compared with the Gercis siliquastrum. — This tree was 

 seen by Sibthorp and others in Greece ; by Hasselquist, on Lebanon ; 

 and according to Clot-Bey and Figari, is cultivated in gardens at 

 Cairo. 



The kepasos of Theophrastus, Diphilus Siphnius, and Atheneeus ii., 

 according to the received opinion and Greek usage, is the cherry (Pru- 

 nus cerasus). — Pliny states, that this tree " was first brought from 

 Pontus into Italy in the six hundred and eightieth year of Rome ;" 

 and alludes also to the fact (confirmed at the present day), that the 

 culture of the cherry does not succeed in Egypt. 



A portion of Theophrastus' description of the aatos tree, is referred 

 by Anguillara to the Celtis australis. — The current Greek name of 

 the Celtis suggests also, a possible connexion with the "keratia" of 

 Luke xv. 16, and of Dioscorides. The C. Australis was seen by Belon 

 in Syria ; but according to Clot-Bey and Figari, has been only recently 

 introduced into Egypt. 



The 2hmyaa of Theophrastus (De Causs. plant.) is referred by Scar- 

 latus and others to the birch (Betula alba). — The birch has not been 

 seen in Greece by modern travellers ; but according to Clot-Bey and 

 Figari, the tree is planted in the gardens of Egypt. 



The ohta of Theophrastus, Strabo, and others, according to the re- 

 ceived opinion and Sibthorp's account of the Greek usage, is the beech 

 (Fagus sylvatica) . — Forskal mentions the importation of beech timber 

 into Egypt.* 



* The AsnAAAH of Theophrastus i. 11, according to Sihthorp's account of the Greek 

 usage, would seem to he the Rhagadiolus edulis. — This plant was seen hy Sibthorp in 

 Southern Greece and in Cyprus ; but it has not hitherto been found in Egypt. 



The PA or PHON, mentioned by Theophrastus as brought from beyond the Bosphorus, 

 and noticed also by Celsus, Scribonius Largus, Dioscorides, and Galen, is usually referred 

 to the garden rhubarb (Rheum Rhaponticuin). — This plant is described by Alpinus and 

 Parkinson ; but I have met with no evidence of its being known in Egypt. 



The TTAronnrnN of Theophrastus and Dioscorides, according to the received opinion, 

 is the salsify (Tragopogon porrifolius). — This plant was seen by Sestini at Constantino- 

 ple ; and by Bory de St. Vincent, in Greece ; but it appears to have remained unknown 

 in Egypt. 



