134 CHRONOLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS 



The Trifolium procumbens: — Seen by Sibthorp in Greece and Cy- 

 prus ; and by Hasselquist at Damietta. 



The Galega officinalis: — Noticed by Hieronyraus Fracastor, Gesner, 

 Dodonseus, and Gerarde ; and seen by Sibthorp on the mountains of 

 Northern Greece ; but according to Clot-Bey and Figari, only recently 

 introduced into Egypt. 



The Mentha rotundifolia :. — Noticed by C. Bauhin and Tournefort ; 

 and seen by Sibthorp in Crete and other parts of Greece ; but according 

 to Clot-Bey and Figari, only recently introduced into Egypt. 



And the Lamium amplexicaule : — Seen by Sibthorp in Greece; and 

 by Delile in cultivated ground at Damietta.* 



During the reign of Sultan Kayt-Bay, Europe, having become the 

 home of many enlightened nations, was in the midst of the Revival of 

 Literature; a result, to which the invention of printing largely con- 

 tributed. 



IX. THE MODERN MUSLIM PERIOD. 



In A. D. 1492, Columbus sailed on his First Voyage; and Egypt 

 ceased to be the main or only channel through which foreign animals 

 and plants were transmitted to Europe. The broad ocean now became 

 the theatre of commerce ; and the old routes were comparatively 

 neglected. In the midst of the new order of things in the surrounding 

 countries, Egypt appears to have remained in a measure a neutral 

 point ; slowly reached, and but slightly influenced. 



According to Gomara xvi. and xvii., Columbus procured from the 

 aboriginals of the West Indies " batatas que son rayzes dulces," or 

 sweet-potatoes (Convolvulus batatas). — This plant is noticed by Mo- 



* The European gooseberry (Ribes grossularia) was probably cultivated in Europe 

 during the Early Muslim Period. — The plant was seen by Sibthorp and Bory de St. 

 Vincent, wild on the high mountains of Crete, and of the Peloponnesus ; but it appears 

 to have remained unknown in Egypt. 



The horse-radish (Cochlearia armoracia) was probably cultivated in Europe during the 

 Early Muslim Period. — The plant is noticed by Petrus Placentius, Fuchsius 660, Mat- 

 thioli, Gerarde, and T. Johnson ; was seen by Belon at Constantinople ; but appears to 

 have remained unknown in Syria and Egypt. 



The cockscomb (Celosia cristata) was probably known in Europe during the Early 

 Muslim Period. — The plant is noticed by Lobel, Bauhin, and Rumphius ; has a native 

 name in the gardens of India; was seen by Forskal, both in Yemen and at Constantinople; 

 and in all probability, has been sometimes planted in Egypt. 



