Chap. 19.] 
TREES OF BACTJilANA. 
115 
in reeds, white, like gum, and brittle to the teeth. The 
larger pieces are about the size of a filbert ; it is only em- 
ployed, however, in medicine. 
CHAP. 18. — TKEES OP ABIANA, GEDEOSIA, AND HYECANIA. 
On the frontiers of India is a country called Ariana, which 
produces a thorny shrub, rendered precious by the tears 
which it distils. It bears some resemblance to myrrh, but is 
very difficult of access, by reason of the thorns with which it 
is armed. Here, too, a poisonous shrub is found, with a roo^ 
like the radish,^^ and leaves like those of the laurel, By its 
powerful odour it attracts horses, and was very nearly depriv- 
ing Alexander of all his cavalry upon his first arrival there, 
an accident which also happened in Gedrosia. A thorny 
shrub has been also spoken of as a native of the same 
country, with leaves like those of the laurel, the juice of 
which, if sprinkled upon the eyes, is productive of blindness 
in all animals. Another plant is also mentioned, with a most 
remarkable odour, and full of diminutive serpents, the sting 
of which is sure to cause instant death. Onesicritus states, 
that in the vallies of HjTcania, there is a tree resembling the 
fig, and known as the occhus, from which a honey distiis 
for two hours every morning. 
CHAP. 19. (9.) TEEES OF BACTEIA^^A, BDELLIUM, OE BEOCHON, 
OTHEEWISE MALACHA, OE MALDACON, SCOEDASTTJM. ADULTEE- 
^9 It is unknown what plant is here alluded to by Pliny, hut Sprengel 
suggests that it is the Acacia latronum. 
From the description, this would appear to be a sort of poisonous 
horse-radish. 
There is a tree in India, as we are informed by Fee, which is known 
as the Excsecaria Agalloclium, the juice of whicii is remarkably acrid. 
Sailors, on striking it with a hatchet, and causing the juice to spirt into 
their eyes, have been in danger of losing their sight. It is possible that 
this may be the tree here alluded to by Pliny. 
62 He borrows the account of this marvellous shrub from Theophrastus. 
No such plant is likely to have ever existed ; though small, and even large, 
snakes may occasionally take refuge among shrubs and hollow trees. 
6^ There is Uttle doubt that the Hedysarum Alhagi of Linnaeus is here 
meant, from which a kind of honey or manna flows, known as ^' Eastern " 
manna, or tereniabin. It is not so high as the flg-tree, and is found in 
Khorasan, Syria, Mesopotamia, and elsewhere. The manna distils prin- 
cipally in the morning. 
I 2 
