MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 437 
These considerations leave room to regret that we 
have no meteorological observations made at Tim- 
buctoo, not only on the thermometer and baro- 
meter, but also upon the state of the heavens and 
the prevailing winds } such no doubt exist among the 
papers of Major Laing, as may be concluded from the 
terms of his letter, written from that city, the 21st 
of September, 1826*» 
G. Domn, — The Doum Palm-tree, {corypha t/iebaica 
D elite), belongs to Upper Egypt. It is remarkable 
that a tree of this species exists in the city of Tim- 
buctoo ; it is the only one, the other trees of the place 
being all balanites, 
H. Lotus {7iymphoea,) , — This again is a plant common 
to Egypt. In the latter country the root only is now 
eaten 3 but the negroes, like the ancient Egyptians, 
use both the root and the fruit, 
I. lliistle of the Desert. — This, according to the de- 
scription given of it by M. Cailhe, appears to be the 
hedysarum alhagi, (LI^N.) a well known plant, and 
which constitutes the provender of the famished 
camels ; in spite of its rough prickles, they eat it with 
delight in traversing the desert. 
* See ** Reflexions sur Vetat des Connoissances relatives au Dhioliba," 
page 25. 
