Chap. 51.] 
PIANTS OE THE INDIAN SEA. 
211 
is a palm-tree ^ also in the number of the sea-shrubs. Beyond 
the columns of Hercules there is a sea-shrub that grows with 
the leaf of the leek, and others with those of the carrot,^^ and 
of thyme. Eoth of these last, when thrown up by the tide, 
are transformed ^ into pumice. 
CHAP. 50.— PLANTS OE THE KED SEA. 
In the East, it is a very remarkable thing, that immediately 
after leaving Coptos, as we pass through the deserts, we find 
nothing whatever growing, with the exception of the thorn that 
is known as the thirsty" thorn ; and this but very rarely. 
In the Eed Sea, however, there are whole forests found grow- 
ing, among which more particularly there are plants that bear 
the laurel-berry and the olive ;^ when it rains also certain 
fungi make their appearance, which, as soon as they are touched 
by the rays of the sun, are turned into pumice. The size of the 
shrubs is three cubits in height ; and they are all filled with 
sea-dogs,^^ to such a degree, that it is hardly safe to look at 
them from the ship, for they will frequently seize hold of the 
very oars. 
CHAP. 51. PLANTS OE THE INDIAN SEA. 
The ojficers of Alexander, who navigated the Indian seas, 
have left an account of a marine tree, the foliage of which is 
green while in the water ; but the moment it is taken out, it 
difficult to determine. Professor Pallas speaks of an Alcyonidium ficus, 
which lives in the Mediterranean and in the ocean, and which resembles a 
fig, and has no leaves, but its exterior is not red. 
Fee queries Avhether this may not be the Gorgonia palma of Linnaeus, 
which has received its name from its resemblance to a small palm-tree. 
51 These three, Fee thinks, are madrepores or zoophytes, which it would 
be vain to attempt to identify. 
52 That is, they dry up to the consistency of pumice. 
53 Sitiens.*' Delille considers this as identical with his Acacia seyal, a 
thorny tree, often to be seen in the deserts of Africa. 
5^ Probably zoophytes now unknown. 
55 Fee suggests that he may allude to the Madrepora fungites of Lin- 
naeus, the Fungus lapideus of Bauhin, These are found in the Eed Sea 
and the Indian Ocean ; but, of course, the story of their appearance during 
rain is fabulous. 
56 Sharks ; see B. ix. c. 70. 
5^ The companions of Onesicritus and Nearchus. 
