106 CHRONOLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS 



emperor, took place. He protected and encouraged learning and 

 the arts. 



In reference to the condition of Northern Europe it may be ob- 

 served, that Clovis, the first Christian king of France, began to reign 

 in the same year (see Clinton). 



In " A. D. 602," the accession of Phocas, the thirteenth Byzantine 

 emperor, took place. 



In " A. D. 610," the accession of Heraclius, the fourteenth Byzan- 

 tine emperor, took place. 



In Egypt, according to Forskal, the Coix Jachryma is called " dima 

 Ayoub." This being a Coptic name, with a Scriptural allusion, 

 seems to indicate, that the plant was known to the Early Christians. 

 The C. lachryma is figured by Dodonaeus : it is a Tropical pro- 

 duction, derived from India, or perhaps originally from the Malay 

 countries. 



In " A. D. 616," the Persians once more invaded Egypt ; captured 

 Alexandria, where they established themselves ; and retained posses- 

 sion of the country for ten years. 



According to Sharpe, About this time, Thomas, a Syrian bishop, 

 came to Alexandria, to correct the Syriac Version of the New Testa- 

 ment, made about a century before by Philoxenus. He compared the 

 gospels with three Greek manuscripts in the monastery of St. Anthony : 

 and his corrected Edition, is the last effort in sacred criticism attempted 

 at Alexandria, or in any part of the East. 



The rheum barbarum of Isidorus Hispalensis, is referred by Sprengel 

 to the medicinal rhubarb. — This drug is also mentioned by Rhazes, 

 Mesue, Averrhoes, and Ibn Baitar : it is brought by the caravans 

 from Interior Asia ; and Barthema (or Vertoman) speaks of the sale 

 of rhubarb in Korasan. 



According to Kasimirski's Version, the banana (Musa sapientum) 

 is mentioned by Mohammed, in the Koran. — The plant is noticed by 

 Avicenna, Serapion, and Leo Africanus; and was seen by the early 

 Portuguese Pilot, both at St. Thomas in the Gulf of Guinea, and at 

 Alexandria. I found the banana growing in the open air at Madeira 

 and Malta, and ripening its fruit at Alexandria ; and am informed by 

 Mr. Nuttall, that it does so in certain situations even at the Azores. 



According to Kasimirski's Version, the tamarind (Tamarindus In- 

 dica) is mentioned in the Koran xxxiv. 15. — Cailliaud states, that 

 tamarind pods are imported in quantities by the Darfour caravans : 



