398 



PHYSICAL HISTORY OF MAN. 



The /X-jxuppi^a of Dioscorides and Pliny, according to the received 

 opinion, is the liquorice, (Glycyrhiza glabra). — Forskal and other 

 modern travellers, have met with this plant under cultivation in 

 Egypt. 



The xoKx^w'j of Dioscorides, is usually considered to be the Colchicum 

 autumnale. — The C. auturanale, is enumerated by Clot-Bey and 

 Figari, among the plants indigenous to, or at least, long known in 

 Egypt. 



The xuTrpoj of the modern Greeks, appears to be either the Phyllirea or 

 the Ligustrum vulg^are : and I have been unable to trace the latter 

 plant to Egypt. On the other hand, the account by Dioscorides of 

 the Egyptian xu^pof, the "bruised leaves of which redden the hair," 

 corresponds in many respects with the henna, (Lawsonia). I have 

 not found the use of henna, represented on the Egyptian monu- 

 ments : but some of the mummies, are said to have their nails 

 stained with this substance. 



The Ricinus, or castor-oil plant, is distinctly described by Dioscorides; 

 and is spoken of by Pliny, as a plant not long known in Egypt. 

 It was doubtless brought from India, or perhaps, originally, from 

 the Malay countries. 



The aXixaxagos of Dioscoridcs and Pliny, according to the received 

 opinion and the modern Greek usage, is a species of Physalis. 

 Pliny moreover, mentions the plant as existing in Egypt. — The P. 

 somnifera, has been found in Egypt, by Forskal, Delile, and other 

 modern travellers. 



The aXor} of Dioscorides and Pliny, is evidently the aloe plant. The 

 drug obtained from this plant, is also mentioned; and as "impor- 

 ted from India;" though doubtless, originally derived from Socotra 

 and the Somali country. — Forskal, Delile, and others, have seen 

 living plants of the A. vulgaris, in the gardens of Cairo. 



Dioscorides and Pliny, both mention the ginge?'; referring to the dried 

 root, imported from India, or possibly from the Comoro Islands. — 

 In reference to the latter place of origin, the following statement of 

 Cailliaud, may be compared: That ginger, "is rare at Quamamil 

 (on the Bahr el Abaid), is called by the Negroes 'zymbane,' and 

 comes principally from Abyssinia." 



Pliny, speaks of a sensitive plant, as existing in Egypt : doubtless, 

 exotic, and probably derived from India. 



The ' sebesten' of Pliny, is usually considered to be the Co?'dia ere- 



