100 CHRONOLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS 



" lehibach," as described by Rhazes and Avicenna, seems to correspond 

 in its properties with cocculus Indicus. The M. cocculus, according to 

 Graham, grows in the environs of Bombay. 



About this time, according to Gesenius and others, the Hebrew letters 

 now in use, first make their appearance : the earliest inscriptions 

 hitherto discovered, being those at Palmyra. — The "vowel-points" 

 were introduced more than two centuries later ; and after the time of 

 Jerome. 



About the same time, according to Zoega and others, the Greek 

 letters with some additions, were first employed in writing the Coptic 

 language. — With one exception, all the so-called Coptic inscriptions 

 and manuscripts hitherto discovered, have proved to be Christian : 

 few of them (according to Champollion-Figeac, p. 228) are older than 

 the Seventh century ; and they continue down to the final extinction 

 of the language and literature, in the Sixteenth century. 



In "A. D. 268," the accession of Aurelius Claudius, the thirty- 

 fourth Roman Emperor, took place. His name has been found on 

 coins issued in Egypt. 



In "A. D. 269" (Clinton), Queen Zenobia of Palmyra invaded Egypt; 

 and for some months, retained possession of the country. 



In " A. D. 270," the accession of Aurelianus, the thirty-fifth Roman 

 Emperor, took place. His name has been found on coins issued in 

 Egypt : as also, the name of Domitianus, an unsuccessful aspirant. 

 From this time (according to Zoega, Tochon, and Sharpe), all traces 

 of the precious metals disappear from the Egyptian coinage. With the 

 exception, that in one or more instances, the Roman Legion in Egypt 

 coined silver into money for their own pay. 



According to Sharpe, the Church of St. Mary was built at Alex- 

 andria during the reign of Aurelianus ; and the first public service of 

 Christianity in Egypt, was probably held within its walls. 



In " A. D. 275," the accession of Tacitus, the thirty-sixth Roman 

 Emperor, took place. His name has been found on coins issued in 

 Egypt. He was succeeded by Florianus ; whose authority was not 

 acknowledged in the East, and whose name has not been found on the 

 Egyptian monuments. 



In "A. D. 276," the accession of Probus, the thirty-eighth Roman 

 Emperor, took place. 



In "A. D. 282," the accession of Carus, the thirty-ninth Roman 



