PLANTS. 245 
being fofter, and of a loofer texture ; for which 
r eafon it lafts longer, and does not wear out fo foon 
a s ours, which frequently wears out the falter, on 
Recount of its Itilfnefs. The common people in 
Egypt are cloathed in linnen only, dyed blue with 
indigo; but thofe of better fortune have a black, 
jdoak over their fhirt, or linnen. Flax grows very 
high in F-gypt. I have feen a Hem four foot high, 
a nd as thick as the Item of the common Ruth. It 
flowers in winter. 
*2. Ornithogalum umbellatum h Umbellated Star 
of Bethlehem. 
I found it in Smyrna, 
13. Aloe perfoliata vera m . Mitre-fhaped Aloe, 
This is a kind of fymbolick plant to the Maho- 
metans, efpecially in Egypt, and in fome meafure 
dedicated to religion; for whoever returns from a 
pilgrimage to Mecca, hangs this plant over his 
beet door, as a token of his having performed this 
holy journey. The fuperftitious Egyptians be- 
heve, that this plant hinders evil fpirits and anpa- 
llll ons from entering the houfe; and on this ac- 
a perfon who walks the ftrcers in Cairo, will 
p d k over doors of Chriftians and Jews, ’who 
T lVe m all ages been fond of trifles. I fcarcely re- 
member to have feen this cuftom anywhere but in 
■airo. It is a plant very common in the gardens of 
*-2ypt. 
wJf E Egyptians diflil a water from this plant, 
ucn is lold m the apothecaries mops at Cairo, and 
1 Lin. Syft, Nat. P. 441. N. 9. 
» 3 
‘ P.458. 
is 
