INTRODUCED PLANTS OF EGYPT, 



369 



painted blue ; but the margin of the leaves, even in the most care- 

 ful representations, is invariably entire. The N. cserulea, is proba- 

 bly indigenous, or spontaneously disseminated in Egypt : for plants 

 that are strictly fluviatile, agree in their geographical distribution 

 with fluviatile animals. — I met with the dried flowers of a blue 

 Nymphsea, (probably N. stellata,) in the Indian drug-shops at 

 Mocha. And also, with a third species of blue Nymphsea, (distin- 

 guished by its dentate leaves,) growing on the island of Zanzibar. 



Large river-barges, propelled by numerous oars, are represented in 

 the Saccara tomb: and the timber for their construction, if not im- 

 ported from abroad, or from the Upper Nile, must have been de- 

 rived from cultivated groves. 



The fruit of the common Jig^ (Ficus carica.) — Figures of the entire 

 tree, occur on the Pharaonic monuments. 



The fruit of the pomegranate^ (Punica granatum.) — Figures of the 

 entire tree, occur on the Pharaonic monuments. 



The fruit of the rvater-melon, (Citrullus.) — Figured also, on the Pha- 

 raonic monuments. Water-melons, are mentioned in the Books of 

 Moses; and under the name still given to this fruit in Egypt. 



The fruit of the hairy cucuinher, (Cucumis chate.) — Figured also, on 

 the Pharaonic monuments. This species of cucumber, is cylin- 

 drical, and devoid of papillse ; and if I understood aright, is called 

 'gutteh' at Cairo. It seems, tlierefore, to be one of the plants men- 

 tioned in Exodus, ix. 32. 



Some figures, among the offerings of fruits, are possibly intended for 

 heads of the artichoke, (Cynara scolymus.) — This plant, is com- 

 monly cultivated in Egypt at the present day; and, according to 

 the received opinion and the modern Greek usage, is the xivapa of 

 Sophocles and Ptolemy Evergetes. 



Other figures, among the offerings, correspond very well with the 

 shallot, (Allium Askalonicum.) — This plant, according to the mo- 

 dern Greek usage, is the jn^-ow of Theophrastus. Alpinns, is the 

 only author I have met with, who mentions the shallot in con- 

 nexion with Egypt. 



Herodotus mentions, seeing an inscription having reference to the 

 construction of the Great Pyramid ; and as interpreted to him, con- 

 taining notices of the three following plants : 



The xpo(j.(j.ua; according to the received opinion and the modern Greek 

 usage, the onion (Allium cepa). — This plant, is unequivocally re- 



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