172 



POPULAR ECONOMIC BOTANY. 



The mention made of cotton in the Scriptures ranks next 

 in antiquity to those above recorded ; it is however obscure^ 

 and woukl not easily be noticed even by the learned reader. 

 Dr. Eoyle^s own words will best explain it. In the Book 

 of Esther the word karpas occurs in chapter i.^ verse 6^ in 

 the account of the hangings in the court of the Persian 

 palace at Shushan^ on the occasion of the great feast given 

 by Ahasuerus ; where ^ were w^iite^ green, and blue hang- 

 ings^ fastened wdth cords of fine linen and purple to silver 

 rings and pillars of marble.'' The word corresponding to 

 green is in the Hebrew Icarpas, and is rendered in the 

 Septuagint and Vulgate by the word carbasinus. It seems 

 to mean cotton cloth, or calico, formed into curtains which 

 were white and blue. Such may be seen throughout India 

 in the present day, but padded with cotton and used as a 

 substitute for doors and window-shutters, and known by the 

 name of purdahs. The colours are usually either blue and 

 white, or red and white. They may be seen in the Hall of 

 Audience of the Emperor of Delhi, which is described by 

 Bishop Heber as a ^ beautiful open pavilion of white marble, 

 richly carved, flanked by rose-bushes and fountains, and some 

 tapestry and striped curtains hanging in festoons about 

 it.'' Dr. Royle also with much probability suggests that 



