THE BOTANICAL EXPLORATION OF 
ARABIA. 
BY 
E. BLATTER. 
This brief sketch is intended to contain everything that has been 
done or written towards the botanical exploration of the vast penin- 
sula of Arabia. It gives the names of collectors, botanists and travellers 
and, where possible, short- notes on their lives and activities. 
The country, except the Sinai Peninsula and parts of Yemen, is 
still very little known, geographically as well as botanically. Many 
books of travel have been included because very often they are the 
only source from which we are able to glean valuable information re- 
garding the vegetation of extensive areas. 
The matter has been arranged chronologically. On the left margin 
of the page the year is given during which a traveller visited Arabia 
for the first time or during which a book was published. Where several 
explorers have visited Arabia or when several books have appeared 
during the same year, the names are arranged alphabetically. 
I wish to express my indebtedness to my Assistant, Mr. Joseph 
Fernandez, who has helped me considerably in the preparation of this 
paper. 
B.C. 
1800“ I5©@ B.C. — The oldest reference to Arabian plants is found in 
the Old Testament books Genesis and Exodus where mention is made 
of Midianite traders between Arabia and Egypt and of the wanderings 
of the Children of Israel in the Sinai Peninsula. References are found 
in the following : 
Celsius. — Hierobotanicon, sive de plantis Sacrae Scriptuiae 
dissertationes breves. Upsala, 1745-7. 
Hiller. — Hierophyticon, sive (ommentarius in loca Scrij^turae 
Sacrae qua3 plantarum faciunt mentionem. Treviris, 1725. 
l-rsiniis. — Arboretum biblicum. Xuremberg, 1699. 
rrsliiiis. — Arboreti biblici continuatio. Nuremberg, 1699, 
Ciiltrera. — Botanique biblique. Geneva, 1861. 
Balfour. — The plants of the Bible. London, 1885. 
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