138 CHRONOLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS 



The introduction of the Cactus opuntia into the Mediterranean 

 countries, appears to have taken place as early as the last-named date; 

 for Matthioli states, That the plant was brought within his recollection 

 from the West Indies. — This species of Cactus has become abundantly 

 naturalized around the Mediterranean; and was seen in Egypt by 

 Forskal and Delile. 



According to Clusius and Barcia, the "papas" of Peru, or potato 

 (Solanum tuberosum), is described by Qarate, Petrus Cieca 40, and 

 Gomara. — The plant is figured by Lobel (Nova Stirp. adv. p. 317), 

 C. Bauhin, and Gerarde ; but according to Clot-Bey and Figari, has 

 only recently been introduced into Egypt. 



The Melilotus coerutea is noticed by Fuchsius, A. D. 1542, and by 

 Cordus, Gesner, Turner, Anguillara, Matthioli, Dodonaeus, and C. 

 Bauhin. — The plant, according to Clot- Bey and Figari, has only re- 

 cently been introduced into Egypt. 



In the last-named year, De Soto found the kidney-bean (Phaseolus 

 vulgaris) cultivated by the aboriginals of Florida. — In England, the 

 plant is often called the " French bean ;" a name that indicates a 

 Canadian route of introduction. Forskal appears to be the only writer, 

 who has met with the plant ("lubia Frandji") in Egypt. 



The " tanacetum Peruvianum" of Valerius Cordus, is referred by 

 Beckmann to the Tagetes erecta. — This plant is figured by Tragus, 

 Fuchsius, Matthioli, and Dodonaeus; and was seen by Forskal and 

 Delile in gardens at Cairo.* 



According to Garcilasso de la Vega (384), The black rat (Mus rat- 

 tus) was introduced into South America by European ships, in A. D. 



651; and was seen by Graham in gardens at Bombay; I have met with no evidence that 

 it is known in Egypt. 



* The "grase poley " of Cordus, is referred by C. Bauhin and Willdenow to the Ly- 

 thrum hyssopifolium. — This plant is noticed also by Gesner, Camerarius, Barrelier, 

 Tournefort, and Ruppius ; and was seen in Greece by Sibthorp ; but appears to have re- 

 mained unknown in Egypt. 



The "ribes hortense" of Tragus, Clusius, and Besler, is referred by Willdenow and 

 others to the red currant of the gardens (Ribes rubrum). — This plant, as suggested by 

 Dr. T. W. Harris, may have been derived from the mountains of Canada and Maine. 

 It was seen by Forskal at Constantinople ; but appears to have remained unknown in 

 Greece and Egypt. 



The "ribes sylvestre" of Tragus, and the "r. nigrum" of Dodonaeus and Dalechamp, 

 are referred by C. Bauhin and Willdenow to the black currant of the gardens (Ribes 

 nigrum). — This plant appears to have remained unknown in Greece and Egypt. 



The Scirpus lacustris is noticed by Tragus, C. Stephanus (p. 520), Gesner, Lobel, and 



