140 
thought to have reference to camphor, but this substance 
does not seem to have been known even in later times. It is 
probably more correctly translated the cyprus (xunpoi) of 
the ancients, which is the henna or Laivsonia inermis, 
extensively used by Asiatic women for staining their 
fingers and feet of an orange colour; and by the men 
their beards, previous to dyeing them black. 
Some substances clearly indicate the trade carried on in 
ancient times : thus, Galbanum (Hebr. chelbenah) was 
probably obtained from Persia ; so, the Balsam-tree (Hebr. 
baalshemeii) though cultivated in Judea, was no doubt 
originally introduced from Arabia ; while Myrrh (mur) 
must have been imported partly from Arabia, but also 
from the opposite coast of Africa. Frankincense or Olibanum 
(Hebr. lebonah, Arab, loobari), is found both in Africa 
and India. The Fitches (ketsach), thought to be the 
seed of Nigella sativa, continue, like the Cummin (Hebr. 
common), with which they are mentioned, to be employed 
as condiments in the East. 
The Gopher Wood of Scripture is so differently trans- 
lated by different commentators, that it is difficult to form 
even a conjecture on the subject ; besides being used at so 
early a time, and mentioned only once. It need not have 
been alluded to, except that the Arabic version translates 
it saj, which is the teak, and not likely to have been 
the wood employed. The Ebony (hobnim) may have been 
the Indian ab?wos, but it was also obtained from Ethiopia. 
The Shittim-wood is generally supposed to be the black 
Acacia, or one of those growing in Upper Egypt, which 
attain considerable size ; as Acacia vera, nilotica, Seyal, 
and tortilis. But the word (shittim) is remarkable for 
its resemblance to the Sanscrit shishum, which is also 
that of a dark-coloured and most valuable wood, imported 
from India into Arabia even in the present day (v. p. 128). 
