112 CHRONOLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS 



radish : at the present day, the plant is abundantly cultivated through- 

 out the Arab countries, to the Dekkan inclusive. 



The ameum of the Capitularia of Charlemagne, has been referred to 

 the Ammi majus. — This plant was seen by Sibthorp in Greece; by 

 Hasselquist in Palestine ; and by Delile, growing spontaneously at 

 Alexandria. 



The dragontea of the Capitularia of Charlemagne, and the " thar- 

 khun" of Ibn Masawia, Abu Hanifa, Ehazes, Avicenna, Symeon 

 Sethus, and Ibn Baitar, are admitted to be the tarragon (Artemisia 

 dracunculus). — This plant was seen in Egypt by Hasselquist. 



The tanarita of the Capitularia of Charlemagne, is considered to be 

 the tansy (Tanacetum vulgare). — This plant is figured by Dalechamp; 

 and is mentioned by Lobel, as cultivated in the English gardens. It 

 was not seen in Greece by Sibthorp ; and according to Clot-Bey and 

 Figari, has been only recently introduced into Egypt.* 



The millefolium of a medical formula of the time of Charlemagne, 

 and of Macer Floridus 58, is probably the yarrow (Achillea millefo- 

 lium) . — This is a Northern plant ; noticed by Lobel ; not seen in 

 Greece by Sibthorp ; and according to Clot-Bey and Figari, only re- 

 cently introduced into Egypt. 



In " A. D. 809," the accession of El-Amin, the sixth Abbassid khalif, 

 took place. 



In "A. D. 813," the accession of El-Mamun, the seventh Abbassid 

 khalif, took place. He protected and encouraged literature and science; 

 was himself an astronomer ; and by his direction, a degree of Latitude 

 was measured. Coins, issued during his reign, are figured by Marcel, 

 p. 51. 



The " khawlanjan" of Ibn Masawia, Ibn Amran, Rhazes, Avicenna, 

 and Serapion, and the "galanga" of Macer Floridus 70, and Nicolaus 

 Myrepsus, are admitted to be galanga; the aromatic root of Alpinia 

 galanga. — The plant grows wild in Hindostan ; and Alpinus speaks 

 of the medicinal use in Egypt of the imported root. 



The "badinjan" of Ibn Masawia, Rhazes, Avicenna, Serapion, Ibn 

 Baitar, and Makrisi, according to Egyptian usage, is the egg-plant 

 (Solanum melongena). — At the present day, the egg-plant is abun- 

 dantly cultivated in Egypt. 



* The nepeta of the Capitularia of Charlemagne, and of Walafridus Strabus, is con- 

 sidered to he the Nepeta cataria. — This plant, according to Sprengel, is figured by 

 Brunfels. It was seen by Sibthorp at Constantinople ; but appears to have remained 

 unknown in Egypt. 



