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INTRODUCED PLANTS OF EGYPT. 393 



the Solanum nigrum. — This plant, has been found in Egypt, by 

 Forskal, Delile, and others.* 

 The fAsXiTsia of Theocritus, according to Fee, is the fAsXirfrfcipuXXov of Dios- 

 corides, the 'apiastrurn' of Varro and Pliny, and the Melissa offici- 

 nalis. — Hasselquist, met with this plant, both in Palestine and in 

 Egypt. 



The 'pomum' of Cato (who 'died b. c. 149'), and of Virgil, accord- 

 ing to the received opinion, is the apple, (Pyrus malus). — The 

 apple, appears to be a native of Europe : but it is commonly cul- 

 tivated in the Arab countries; notwithstanding the inferior quality 

 of the product. 



The 'rapum' of Cato and Pliny, according to the received opinion, is 

 the turnip, (Brassica rapa) : and according to the modern Greek 

 usage, the ' bunias' of Columella and Dioscorides, is the same 

 plant. — Various modern writers, speak of the cultivation of the 

 turnip, in Syria and Egypt. 



The 'scamoneum' of Cato and Vegetius, according to the received 

 opinion, is the scammony. — Convolvulus scammonia, the plant 

 which affords this drug, was seen in Egypt by Hasselquist. 



* The " red-fruited ifxjyyog''' of Theophrastus, may be compared with the Solanum 

 dulcamara. — This plant, is figured by Mathioli ; but I have not found it mentioned as 

 existing in Egypt. 



The tniuivio. of Theophrastus, Dioscorides, and Phny, according to the received opinion 

 and the modern Greek usage, is the garden peony. — I have not found this plant mentioned 

 as existing in Egypt. 



Theophrastus, had heard of 'red lilies;' and this, appears to be the earliest notice of 

 the Lilium martagoji. — Belon, met with the L. martagon at Constantinople. I have not 

 found the plant mentioned as existing in Egypt. 



The ■rrapSsviov, enumerated among edible plants by Theophrastus, may be compared 

 with the Mercurialis ; a reference, favoured by the modern Greek usage ; as well as by 

 a statement of Cato. — Hasselquist, met with the M. annua, in Palestine : but I have found 

 no species of Mercurialis mentioned as existing in Egypt. 



The pa or p^iov, mentioned by Theophrastus as brought from beyond the Bosphorus, is 

 by some writers, considered to be garden rhubarb, (Rheum raponticum). — The garden 

 rhubarb, is figured by Parkinson (a. d. 1640) ; but I have not found the plant mentioned 

 as existing in Egypt. 



The XaTTa&ov of Theophrastus and Pliny, may be compared with the Rumex imtientia. 

 — This plant, is still cultivated as an esculent in Europe ; but I have not found it men- 

 tioned as existing in Egypt. 



The Tpayo-iroj/wv of Theophrastus and Pliny, according to the received opinion and the 

 modern Greek usage, is the salsify, (T. porrifolius). — I have not found this plant men- 

 tioned as existing in Egypt. 



99 



