September 30, 1886. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER, 
805 
Allionii, Jacq.; Mserua uniflora, Vakl.; Oncoba spinosa, Forsk.; Tamarix 
nilotica, Ehrb.; Alcea ficifolia, L.; Linutu humile, Mill.; Balanites aegyp- 
tiaca, Del.; Yitis vinifera, L.; Moringa aptera, Gaertn.; Medicago denti- 
cnlata, Willd.; Seabania regyptiaca, Pers.; Faba vulgaris, Mosnch.; Lens 
esculenta, Mcench.; Lathyrus sativus, L.; Cajanus indicus, L.; Acacia 
nilotica, Del.; Lawsonia inerruis, Lamb.; Punica Granatum, L. ; Eipilo- 
bium hirsutum, L.; Lagenaria vulgaris, Ser.; Citrullns vulgaris, Schrad., 
var. colocynthoides, Sahweinf.; Apium graveolens, L.; Coriandrum sativum, 
L.; Ceruana pratensis, Forsk.; Sphseranthus suaveolens, DC.; Chrysan¬ 
themum coronarium, L.; Centanrea depressa, M. Bieb.; Carthamus tiuc- 
torius, L.; Picris coronopifolia, Asch.; Mimusop3 Schimperi, Hochst. ; 
Jasminum Sambac, L.; Olea europma, L.; Mentha piperita, L.; llumex 
dentatus, L.; Ficus Sycomorus, L.; Ficus Carica, L.; Salix Safaf, Forsk.; 
Juniperus phosnicea, L.; Pinus Pinea, L.; Allium sativum, L .; Allium 
Cepa, L.; Phoenix dactylifera, L.; Calamus fasciculatus, Boxb.; Hyphaene 
thebaica, Mart.; Medemia Argun, P. G. von Wurtemb.; Cyperus Papyrus, 
L.; Cyperus esculentus, L.; Andropogon laniger, Desf.; Leptocliloa bipin- 
nata, Bets.; Triticum vulgare, L.; Hordeum vulgare, L.; Parmelia fur- 
furacea, Ach.; Usnea plicata, Uoffm.] 
The votive offerings consist of the fruits, seeds, or stems, of twenty-nine 
species of plants. Three Palm fruits are common : the Medemia Argun, 
Wiirt., of the Nubian Desert, and the Hyphaene thebaica, Mart., of Upper 
Egypt, agreeing exactly with the fruits of these plants in our own day; also 
Dates of different forms resembling exactly the varieties of dried Dates found 
now in the markets of Egypt. Two Figs are met, Ficus Carica, L., and 
Ficus Sycomorus, L., the latter exhibiting the incisions still employed by 
the inhabitants for the destruction of the Neuropterous insects which feed 
on them. The Sycamore was one of the sacred trees of Egypt, and the 
branches used for the bier of a mummy found at Abd-el-Qurna, of the 
twentieth dynasty (a thousand years before the Christian era), were moistened 
and laid out by Dr. Scbweinfurth, equalling, he says, the best specimen of 
this plant in our herbaria, and consequently permitting the most exact 
comparison with living Sycamores, from which they differ in no respect. 
The fruit of the Vine is common, and presents, besides some forms familiar 
to the modern grower, others which have been lost to cultivation. The 
leaves which have been obtained entire exactly agree in form with those 
cultivated at the present day, but the under surface is clothed with white 
hairs, a peculiarity Dr. Schweinfurth ha3 not observed in any Egyptian 
Vines of our time. A very large quantity of Linseed was found in a tomb 
at Thebes of the twentieth dynasty, now 3000 years old, and a smaller 
quantity in a vase in another tomb of the twelfth dynasty, that is, 1000 
years older. This belongs certainly to Linum humile, Mill., the species 
still cultivated in Egypt, from which the capsules do not differ in any 
respect. Braun had already determined this species preserved thus in the 
tombs, though he was not aware of its continued cultivation in Egypt. 
The berries of Juniperus phcenicea, L., are found in a perfect state of pre¬ 
servation, and present a somewhat larger average size than those obtained 
from this Juniper at the present day. Grains of Barley and Wheat are of 
frequent occurrence in the tombs; M. Mariette has found Barley in a grave 
at Sakhara of the fifth dynasty, 5400 years old. 
The impurities found with the seeds of these cultivated plants show 
that the weeds which trouble the tillers of the soil at the present day in 
Egypt were equally the pests of their ancestors in those early ages. The 
Barley fields were infested with the same spiny Medick (Medicago denti- 
culata, Willd.) which is still found in the grain crops of Egypt. The 
presence of the pods of Sinapis arvensis, L., among the Flax seed testifies 
to the presence of this weed in the Flax crops of the days of Pbaraoh, as of 
our own time. There is not a single field of Flax in Egypt where this 
Charlock does not abound, and often in such quantity, that its yellow 
flowers, just before the Flax comes into bloom, present the appearance of a 
crop of Mustard. The Charlock is Sinapis arvensis, L., var. Allionii, Jacq., 
and is distinguished from the ordinary form by its globular and inflated 
pilicules, which are as characteristically present in the ancient specimens 
from the tombs as in the living plants. Rumex dentatus, L., the Dock of 
the Egyptian fields of to-day, has been found in graves of the Greek period 
at Dra-Abu-Negga. 
It is difficult, without the actual inspection of the specimens of plants 
employed as garlands, which have been prepared by Dr. Schweinfurth, to 
realise the wonderful condition of preservation in which they are. The 
colour of the petals of Papaver Rhseis, L., and the occasional presence of 
the dark patch at their bases, present the same peculiarities as are still 
found in this species growing in Egyptian fields. Th: petals of the Lark¬ 
spur (Delphinium orientale. Gay) not only retain their reddish-violet 
colour, but present the peculiar markings which are still found in the living 
plant. A garland composed of wild Celery (Apium graveolens, L.) and 
small flowers of the blue Lotus (Nymphca ccerulea, Sav.), fastened together 
by fibres of Papyrus, was found on a mummy of the twentieth dynasty, 
about three thousand years old. The leaves, flowers, and fruits of the wild 
Celery have been examined with the greatest care by Dr. Schweinfurth, who 
has demonstrated in the cleare it manner their absolute identity with the in¬ 
digenous form of this species now abundant in moist places in Egypt. The 
srme may be said of the other plants used for garlands, including two 
species of Lichens. 
It appears to have been a practice to lay out the dead bodies on a bier of 
fresh branches, and these were inclosed within the linen wrappings which 
enveloped the mummy. In this way there have been preserved branches of 
considerable size of Ficus Sycomoruq L , Olea europma, L., Mimusops 
Schimperi, H'., and Tamarix nilotica, Ehrb. The Mimusops is of frequent 
occurrence in the mura decorations of the ancient temples ; its fruit had 
been detected amongst the offerings to the dead, an i detached leaves had 
been found made up into garlands, but the discovery of branches with their 
leaves still attached, and in one case with the fruit adhering, has established 
that this plant is the Abyssinian species to which Schimper’s name has 
been given, and which is characterised by the long and slender petiole of 
the leaf. 
In none of the species, except the Vine to which I have referred, which 
Dr. Schweinfurth has di-covered, and of which he has made a careful study, 
has he been able to detect any peculiarities in the living plants which are 
absent in those obtained from the tombs.— (Nature.) 
(To be continued.) 
FREAKS OF TASTE. 
It is interesting to watch the fluctuations in tastes and diversity of 
opinions as they go and come in connection with flowers. So changeable 
are we that at one time we are found admiriDg a plant, and soon after 
passing it as unworthy of note. 
I have just been reading an article on the single Dahlia, in which the 
author says the Dahlia was accommodating in the hands of ambitious 
florists. It doubled and doubled until it became as full, formal, stiff 1 , and 
gigantic as possible. But later on a change occurred in popular taste. 
Double flowers palled, and the more simple forms of them were sought 
out. Fashion, very sensible for once, declared in favour of the single 
Daisies, Asters, and Dogwood, and he might have added single Dahlias. 
Reforms were taken up in all directions, and so he goes on. Now the 
question is, Are those reforms wise or desirable to the extent suggested ? 
Should we cast away our old familiar and favourite flowers that have been 
held in high esteem for many years in the past ? I am sure they will be 
regarded for many years to come. 
But my intention is not to find fault with plaudits of any flower ; 
merely to call attention to the curious freaks that human tastes are sub¬ 
ject to. They turn and return to the same thing. A plant at one time 
in the highest estimation, lost, revived again with renewed honours a few 
years later. 
To produce a double flower in any class has always been the height 
of a gardener’s ambition, and double flowers have been appreciated by 
the whole communiiy. A double flower always took precedence. There 
is no doubt this is an extreme view. There are many single flowers 
which, for distinctness of colour and exquisite lines, will always be held 
in admiration. But in general, double flowers, I think, will always have 
the preference. Double flowers are extra efforts of Nature, and we may 
admire them just in the same ratio that we admire an elaborate piece of 
mechanical work from the hand of man. The fact is that the simplicity 
of the design enables many to grasp wherein the beauty lies, whereas in 
the double forms the work is more intricate, and requires a higher educa¬ 
tion to be able to balance and distinguish the details of the subject. 
Single Dahlias, I admit, are very beautiful in their chaste lines and 
colours ; but when we look into the double forms and note the more 
extensive formation with the same distinctness, their petals so regularly 
set, we must allow them the preference. It may be (as it is) called stiff¬ 
ness by some, but I fail to see it in that light. For many years past the 
perfect formation of a flower has been the great criterion by which judg¬ 
ment has been given of their merits, and I am sure will hold its own for 
many a day to come. 
I do not wish to be thought as condemning single flowers ; but I do 
so when it is with the intention of degrading other old favourites, such 
as the double Dahlia. I only wish to show where such notions will carry 
us, not only in this but in many things. How often do we see plants 
discarded for years, even lost, and yet reappear in popular appreciation, 
as if they bad never been abandoned. Is fickleness a law of Nature ? 
For the advancement of the profession it is perhaps well it should be so 
to some extent. There is an old saying and often true, that changes are 
lightsome, and fools are fond of them ; but I would say it in another 
form for this subject: Changes are lightsome, and we all should be fond 
of them when they do not detract from the merits of old floral friends. 
Give us the single Dahlia, I say, or any other single flower. It need not 
interfere with our love for the double ones. 
Freaks of fancy are all the more curious because they have generally 
tended to detract from their parent forms. At the present day single 
Roses are the applauded ; but who would dare to place them on the same 
level or as superior to the double ? No one will try this, I am sure. 
There are many freaks of fancy just as curious in regard to other 
matters in connection with plants as this. When a new plant is first 
introduced with the slightest deviation from its parent it receives signal 
praise over its predecessor because it is slightly different, though without 
any mark of superiority, just because it can be called a new one, and for 
a time may carry one away by mere novelty. But eventually novelty 
palls. We appear to hold, as the Scotchman does, that all new things are 
bonnie (pretty). This is not always true when compared justly with the 
older ones. The aspiration to acquire new things is perhaps one of the 
best traits anyone can have. I love it because the effort gives you per¬ 
sonal insight into the merits of the novelty, and enables you t) judge fer 
yourself, and satisfies a craving to see that which we have heard cf. I 
have no blame to attach to parties recommending novelties. In many 
instances they may see beauty in their productions which we cannot. It 
is thus in every line we follow, and so we must put up with it, I suppose, 
to the end.— N. Robertson (in American Gardeners' Monthly). 
HARDY FRUIT GARDEN. 
Preparations for Planting.— A deep fertile loam containing 
enouga small stones to insure porosity and well drained is the best soil 
for fruit trees. If the soil in which planting is to be done does no; 
answer to such a description, then we must do what we can to alter its 
