INTRODUCED PLANTS OF EGYPT. 



389 



According to Forskal, the Vicia lutea, is in Egypt called 'bachra.' 



The wxpos of Theophrastus, may be compared. 

 The Trifoliiim Alexandrinum, is extensively cultivated in Egypt; 



where it is called 'bersym.' The Eputfi/xov of Theophrastus, may be 



compared. 



The opo/3off of Theophrastus, according to the received opinion and the 

 modern Greek usage, is the Ervum ervilia. — Alpinus, speaks of the 

 cultivation of this plant in Egypt. 



The ai7iXw4. of Theophrastus, according to the received opinion and 

 the modern Greek usage, is the cultivated oat, (Avena sativa). 

 Pliny, speaks of the oat being used for food by the people of the 

 North. — And this use of the plant, is also mentioned by Mathioli. 

 The oat, has a native name in Egypt; where it is occasionally cul- 

 tivated for feedinij cattle. 



The ifif, mentioned by Theophrastus, as "the only spice which Europe 

 produces," may be compared with the Iris Florentina, or orris-root. 

 — I have not found this plant mentioned as existing in Egypt ; 

 where, however, other species of Iris occur, both wild and culti- 

 vated, according to Alpinus and Forskal. 



The a-j-ivaoj of Theophrastus, according to the received opinion and 

 the modern Greek usage, is the Artemisia absinthium. And in- 

 deed, Pliny speaks of this plant, as known to the Romans from 

 the earliest times. — The A. absinthium, is enumerated by Clot-Bey 

 and Figari, among the plants long known in Egypt. 



The agpoTovov of Theophrastus, Dioscorides, and Pliny, according to the 

 received opinion, is the southern-wood, Artetnisia ahrotanum. — De- 

 lile, met with this plant, in the gardens at Alexandria. 



The spu^po(5avov of Theophrastus and Dioscorides, according to the use 

 of the term by the modern Greeks, is the madder, (Rubia tincto- 

 rum.) This plant is mentioned by Pliny. And it is said, that 

 some of the mummy-cloths, are dyed with madder. — Delile and 

 others, enumerate the R. tinctorum, among the plants cultivated at 

 tlie present day in Egypt. 



The aUciia of Theoplirastus and Paulus vEgineta, from the use of the 

 term by the modern Greeks, would seem to be the Althea officinalis. 

 — This plant, according to Clot-Bey and Figari, has been recently 

 introduced into Egypt. 



The xopiavvriTov of Theophrastus, may be compared with the coriander, 

 (Coriandrum sativum). Pliny states, that "the best coriander 



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