INTRODUCED PLANTS OF EGYPT. 



401 



obovata in the desert near Cairo, and gives ' sanna of the Hedjaz' 

 as its Egyptian name. 



The medicinal rliuharh, seems to be mentioned by Paulus yEgineta; 

 the drug, being probably imported by the caravans through the 

 interior of Asia. Barthema, or Vertoman, (a. d. 1503,) speaks of 

 rhubarb being sold at Korasan. 



I have not found figures of the dourra (Sorghum vulgare), on the 

 Egyptian monuments; but I have seen dourra stems, intermingled 

 with those of the Papyrus, in a parcel exhumed at Saccara ; possi- 

 bly as ancient as the time of the Romans. According to Delile, 

 the dourra, is mentioned by Heliodorus, in his account of Meroe. 



Dodonseus, figures the Coix lachryma. Forskal, found this plant in 

 Egypt; where it bears a Coptic name having a Scriptural allusion, 

 ('dima ayoub') ; and this circumstance, seems to indicate, that the 

 plant was known to the early Christians. The Coix lachryma, is 

 a Tropical production, derived from India ; or perhaps, originally 

 from the Malay countries. 



The banana (Musa sapientum), is mentioned by Serapio, Avicenna, 

 Leo Africanus, and according to Kasimirski, in the Koran. In the 

 Voyage of a Portuguese pilot (who set out a. d. 1520), the banana 

 is mentioned, as occurring both at Alexandria and at St. Thomas in 

 the Gulf of Guinea. The banana, ripens its fruit freely at Alexan- 

 dria ; and I am informed, that it does so, in certain situations, even 

 in the Azores. I have seen the plant growing in the open air, both 

 at Madeira and at Malta. 



According to Kasimirski, the tamarind, is mentioned in the Koran, 

 (xxxiv, 15). Cailliaud states, that tamarind pods, are imported in 

 quantities by the Darfour caravans. And it appears from various 

 authorities, that the tree itself, has been repeatedly introduced into 

 Egypt. 



G. The Early Muslim Period. 



The Muslims, obtained possession of Alexandria, in a. d. 641 ; 

 and for nearly a tliousand years Egypt, was in a good measure 

 withdrawn from the knowledge of Europeans. Indeed, Europe, 

 during the greater part of this same period, does not afford us much 

 light respecting her own condition. While amid the general dearth 



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