ANTIQUITIES AND PLANTS OF INDIA. 



359 



The donkey, according to the published Versions, is mentioned m the 

 Institutes of Menu; and even, as used for riding by Brannins. 

 Arrian, too, speaks of the donkey being used for riding in India. 



The camel, according to the published Versions, is mentioned in the 

 Institutes of Menu ; and likewise, as used for riding by Bramins. 

 Herodotus and Arrian, both speak of Indians riding on camels. 



The domestic cat, according to Deslongchamps, is mentioned in the 

 Institutes of Menu. 



The gigantic reeds of India, mentioned by Herodotus, can only be 

 referred to the bamboo. — This plant, at the present day, is cultiva- 

 ted, although rather sparingly, in Western India. 



Rice, according to the published Versions, is mentioned, in the Sama 

 Veda and in the Institutes of Menu. Theophrastus, speaks of rice 

 being found by Alexander in India. 



Barley, is mentioned, according to Stevenson, in the Sama Veda; and 

 according to Deslongchamps, in the Institutes of Menu. Theo- 

 phrastus, speaks of barley being found by Alexander in India. 



Wheat, according to Theophrastus, was found by Alexander in India. 



Gardens of myrtle trees, according to Arrian, were seen by Nearchus 

 in India. — I met with some stocks of the myrtle, in a European 

 garden in the Dekkan. 



The Banian Fig (Ficus Indica), is distinctly described by Theo- 

 phrastus; who states, that it was found by Alexander on the river 

 Acesines. — The tree, only in rare instances acquires numerous 

 trunks. 



The sugar cane, or rather its manufactured product, is mentioned, 

 according to the published Versions, both in the Sama Veda and 

 in the Institutes of Menu. 



The hemp, with the cloth made from it, is mentioned according to 

 the published Versions, in the Institutes of Menu. 



The Jlax, with the cloth made from it, is mentioned, according to 

 the published Versions, in the Institutes of Menu. — I met with the 

 tiax under cultivation, in the Dekkan. 



The lentil (Ervum lens), according to Theophrastus, was found by 

 Alexander in India. — At the present day, the lentil is abundantly 

 cultivated in India; and its native name, ' mussoor,' seems to indi- 

 cate, that the plant was received from Egypt. 



According to Deslongchamps, the Institutes of Menu, prohibit the 

 higher Castes " from eating the onion, (Allium cepa,) the garlic (A. 

 sativum), and the leek (A. porrum)." — These three plants, are cul- 



