ON INTRODUCED ANIMALS AND PLANTS. 81 



The aaikakabos of Diodes, Evenor, Timaristus, Celsus, and Dios- 

 corides, mentioned by Pliny as occurring in Egypt, is referred by Sib- 

 thorp and others to the Physalis alkekengi. — This plant is noticed by 

 Avicenna, Mesue (De simplic), and Matthioli ; but according to Clot- 

 Bey and Figari, has been only recently introduced into Egypt. 



Menecrates Elaita and the Pseudo-Xanthus (as quoted by Strabo 

 xii.) speak of " the Mysians being named after a tree :" the reverse 

 of such derivations is not uncommon ; but leaving fact out of view, 

 the tree alluded to by these writers was perhaps the apricot (Prunus 

 Armeniaca), called "mish" in Egypt. — The apricot is distinctly men- 

 tioned by Columella, Pliny, and Galen ; and at the present day, is a 

 favourite object of cultivation in the Arab countries, both within and 

 without the Tropics. 



The hefsika of Diphilus Siphnius, Philotimus, and Athenaeus iii. 

 24, appears to be the peach (Amygdalus Persica). — This fruit is not 

 mentioned by Virgil ; but a century later, we find it figured in the 

 Herculaneum paintings and well known in Italy. Pliny alludes to 

 its presence in Egypt ; where, at the present day, it is commonly cul- 

 tivated. 



In " B. C. 285," Ptolemy abdicated in favour of his son : and " in 

 the ensuing winter, or at the commencement of B. C. 284 " (Chaui- 

 pollion-Figeac), a noted festival was held at Alexandria ; coincident 

 apparently with the commencement of the Dionysian Era (see the 

 detailed description by Callixenus). Ptolemy II., or Ptolemy Phila- 

 delphus, was at this time the acknowledged king. His name in hiero- 

 glyphic characters has been found on various monuments. He built 

 the temple at Philae ; completed the pharos or light-house at Alexan- 

 dria : and his memory has been always cherished, from the patronage 

 he extended to Literature, and the large additions he made to the 

 Alexandrian Library. 



The komapos of Theocritus v. 129, according to Sibthorp's account 

 of the Greek usage, would seem to be the European strawberry (Fra- 

 garia vesca). — The strawberry is also mentioned by Virgil, Ovid, and 

 Nicolaus Myrepsus : its introduction into Egypt, will be noticed here- 

 after. 



The akangos of Theocritus i. 55, Virgil, Vitruvius, and Ovid, seems 

 to correspond with the Acanthus mollis. — This species, distinguished 

 by Pliny xxii. 34, was seen by Sibthorp only in Sicily ; and is enume- 

 rated by Clot-Bey and Figari among the plants recently introduced 



