i '■
1 1'
Eastward from the Caspian, was observed by Roxburgh in Hindustan, and is known to occur in
Anam (Dec., Steud., and Lj^dl.). Across the Atlantic, is known to occur from Lat. 67° (Hook.) to
Kentucky (Short), and being semiaquatic possibly indigenous, observed by myself in the outskirts of
towns from the Lower St. Lawrence to Philadelphia, and not in wild situations. Clearly by European
colonists, was carried to Buenos Ayres and Valparaiso (Hook.). The leaves according to Lindley
are “ said to be used by beggars to produce ulcers.”
Atropa belladonna of Europe and the adjoining portion of Asia. Called in Britain dwale or
deadly nightshade i f xmr), in France “ belle-de-nuit” (Nugent), in Germany “ tollkirsche,” in Italy
“ belladonna ” or “ solano maggiore ” (Lenz) ; and probably the real origin of the proverb in question :
— the “ struhnos manikos ” of Theophrastus vii. ty .q a n d ix. 11. 6 is referred here by Scarlatus:
the account by Dioscorides as far as the black flower and soft black berries like those of ivy, seems
to correspond: A. belladonna was observed by Sibthorp on mount Athos. Westward, is described
by Anguillara p. 90, Dodoens p. 456, and F. Columna phyt. pl. 12 (Spreng.) ; is termed “ belladonna
majoribus foliis et floribus ” by Tournefort inst. 77 ; is rare even in Northern Italy (Lenz); but is
known to grow in mountainous wooded situations as well as in waste places throughout middle
Europe as far as Britain (Jacq. austr, iv. pl. 309, and Pers.). By European colonists, was carried to
Northeast America, where it “ has escaped from gardens in one or two p la c e s ” (A. Gray). The
berries according to Lindley are “ sweetish ” and very dangerous, inducing “ intoxication accompanied
witli fits of laughter and violent gestures ” and finally “ convulsions and death : ” the plant is used
medicinally as narcotic, and “ especially in producing a dilatation of the pupil when its infusion is
dropped into the e ye.”
Phillyrea latifolia of the Mediterranean countries. Called in Italy “ fillirea” (Lenz), in Greece
“ aglanthinia ” or “ phullika ” or “ phulliki ” (Sibth.), and the ‘I> VV I H shrub of dense woods described
by Homer od. v. 477, — is referred here by Hogg: the “ philuréa ” is enumerated by Theophrastus i. 9. 3
as e v e r g r e e n th e “ philluréa” of Dioscorides large as the “ kuprS” with leaves broader than those of
the olive and fruit as in “ shinS,” is referred here by writers : and the “ utm ” of Elbekri, Gafeki, Ebn
Joljol, and Ebn Baitar, is referred here by Sontheimer: P. latifolia was observed by Sibthorp, Chaubard,
and Fraas 93, frequent from the mountains of Crete and the Peloponnesus throughout the
Greek islands; and by Clot-Bey, in the gardens of Egypt. Westward, is figured by Matthioli pl.
(Spreng.), and Clusius hist. pl. 51 ; is termed “ ph. folio leviter serrato ” by Tournefort inst. 596; was
observed by Flogg “ not uncommon in the woods of S ic ily ” (Hook, journ. b. 1834); and is known to
grow wild in Italy and other parts of Southern Europe (Pers., and Lenz).
Phamnus alatcrnus of the Mediterranean countries. Called in Italy “ alaterno” (Lenz), in
Greece “ kitrinoxulon ” (Sibth.) or “ phulliki” or on Crete “ elaitrinos ? ” (Fraa.s), and possibly the
shrub in question : — the “ philukS ” described by Theophrastus iii. 3. 3 to v. 7. 7 as an evergreen
shrub always leafy, is referred here by S prengel: R. alaternus was observed by Sibthorp, Chaubard,
and Fraas, frequent in bushy tracts in company with the preceding and the wild olive from Zacynthus
to Attica. Westward, the “ alaternus” is mentioned by Columella vii. 6. i ; by Pliny xvi, 45, among
trees bearing no fruit and never planted, regarded as condemned by religion and impropitious : R.
alaternus is described by Clusius hist. i. pl. 50 ; is termed “ alaternus ” by Tournefort inst. 59s ; and
is known to grow in Italy, Spain, and on the Balearic Islands (Pers,, and Lenz).
Cynodon dactylon of Tropical Eastern Asia. A grass called in Italy “ gramigna” or “ gramegna”
or “ capriola” (Lenz), in G r e e c e '“ agriatha ” (Sibth.), in Egypt “ nedjil ” or “ nisjil,” in Yemen
“ ubal ” or “ sabak ” (Forsk.), in Egyptian “ makrosthén ” (transl. Sept.) or “ anouphi ” (Syn. Diosc.);
in which we recognize the A/ PO&TIA' of Homer od. vi. 90, — springing up on the paternal estate
of Aristodemus and terminating through his suicide the First Messenian war (Plut. superst. 8),
figured by Polygnotus (Paus. x. 31), when in flourishing condition according to Democritus one
of the signs of water (geopon. ii. 6), termed “ éiliténes” creeping by Theocritus xiii, 42, mentioned
also by Aristotle an. v.' 19, Theophrastus, Polybius, Diodorus i. 43, Athenaeus viii. 4, Apuleius, and
Paulus Aegineta: C. dactylon was observed by Forskal, Sibthorp, Bory, and Fraas, frequent from
the Peloponnesus to Tenedos, its roots as in the days of Dioscorides employed in decoction as
diuretic (Walp. trav. p. 432) ; is known to occur in waste ground along the Taurian mountains
(Bieb.). Westward, the “ agróstis ” or “ amaxitis” or “ aigikon ” is identified in Syn. Diosc. with
the “ ié val” of the Numidians, “ aparia” of the Spanisli, and “ gramén” of tlie Romans; the “ corona
■graminea” was bestowed on L. Siccius Dentatus tribune in 454 B. C. and victor in one hundred and
twenty battles, subsequently on others enumerated by Pliny xxii. 5; the “ gramen” is mentioned
also by Livy, Columella vi. 31, and as “ vulgatissimum ” by Pliny xxiv. 118: C. dactylon is described
by Dalechamp, and Lobel; is termed “ gramen dactylon radice repente sive officinarum” by Tournefort
inst. 520; was observed by Forskal on Malta and near Marseilles; is known to occur also
in Barbary and along the Atlantic as far as Cornwall in Britain (Pers., Dec., and Wats.). Fartlier
South, the “ agró stis” is enumerated by Agatharchides as growing in the countries along the Red
S ea : C. dactylon was observed by Forskal, and Delile, in Egypt, employed according to Clot-Bey
especially for feeding cattle; by Forskal in Yemen; and is known to occur on Madagascar, the
Mauritius Islands, and in Austral Africa (Boj.). Eastward, is called in Bengalee “ doorba,'’ in
Telinga “ gericha,” in Tamil “ arugam-pilloo,” by English residents huriallee grass (D ru ry ); was
observed by Graham around Bombay and on the Deccan “ abundant everywhere and in general use
for feeding cattle,” and considered by the brahmins “ sacred to Ganesha; ” by Retz, and Roxburgh,
in other parts of Hindustan, according to W . Jones as, res. iv. 242 “ the sweetest and most nutritious
pasture for cattle ; ” is enumerated by Mason as indigenous in Burmah ; is known to grow also in
China and on Luzon (Kunth) ; but in Australia, I found its progress inland at least encouraged by
residents. Farther East, C. dactylon was observed by myself on New Zealand and throughout the
rocky clusters in the Pacific, usually along the seashore, but to all appearance introduced by the
ancient Polynesians into the Hawaiian Islands. Westward from Europe, may have drifted without
human aid to the American shore, but has become “ troublesome in light soil,” occurring in cultivated
and waste ground from Lat. 41° to Georgia, Natchez, and the West Indies (Walt., Pursh, E l l , Nutt.,
Chapm., and A. Gray).
981 B. C. (;= 1002 y. d. “ 12 — 34 years ” of Phoenician annals in Menand. Ephes., and
Jos. c. A. i. i8), Hiram succeeded as king at Tyre by his son Baleazar; thirty-six ( = “ 43 — 7 ” )
years old, — and wlio reigned “ seven ” years.
In or about this year ( i Kings x. 4, and 2 Chron. ix. 3), the queen of Sheba visiting Jerusalem.
(She appears to have come from the Abyssinian coast, and is claimed by the Abyssinians as one of
their queens).
Brucea antidysenterica of Abyssinia. A shrub growing especially in tlie valleys of the low
country and called “ wooginoos,” — considered a most valuable remedy in dysentery and severe
cases of diarrhoea (Bruce trav. v. pl. 69, and Grev.). Unknown as a remedy in Europe (the “ brucine”
and “ brucea bark ” of druggists belonging to Strycbnos nux-vomica, according to Guibourt, and
Lindley). Botanical specimens have however been brought to Europe, and are described by Miller
pl. 25, and L ’Heritier pl. 10.
Hagenia Abyssinica of Abyssinia. A Meliaceous ? tree twenty feet high and called cusso ;
indigenous in the high country, — planted besides near churches, and considered a specific against
wonns (Grev.).
Posa Abyssinica of the mountains of Abyssinia. — Probably the “ sweet-brier” observed by
Bruce on the Taranta mountains (Grev.).
Braycra anthelmintica of Abyssinia. A Rosaceous tree called there “ cabotz” as early perhaps
as this date : — its dried flowers sold in small packets, and according to Brayer are an effectual
remedy for tape-worm wheiXall otlier medicines have failed (Kunth, and Lindl.).
Cordia Africana of Abyssinia. An ornamental tree called “ wan.sey ” and about twenty feet
high ; — to which divine honours are paid by the Seven tribes of Galla, their representatives meeting
under the shade to choose a k in g ; who is crowned with a chaplet from this tree, and has carried
before him wherever he goes a sceptre of the wood: C. Africana was observed by Bruce, and Salt,
“ common in Abyssinia and planted in all the towns” (Grev.). And from transported specimens, is
described by Lamarck (Steud.).
980 B. C. ( = 1071 — “ 33 — 12 — I — 8 — 37 y e a r s ” of Castor in Euseb.). Not later than
this date, the formal change of Dynasty at Athens, Thymoetes, son of Oxyntes and the last of the
Theseidce, succeeded liy Melanthus of the fifth generation from Neleus. Melanthus, driven out of
his kingdom of Messenia by the Dorians, found refuge with a large body of followers in Athens, and
was there elected king (Herodot. v. 65, Strab. ix. p. 393, and Paus. ii. 18. 7).
976 B. C. ( = 975 y. 8 mo. = 339 + “ 6 + 4 + 6 20 -|- 21 y. 4 mo. + 6 + 120 y.
4 mo. + 42 + 2S + i 7 + 6 - | - 4s + 8 - ) -6 4 -7 + ' 2 -|- 44 + 44 + 44 + 49 + 35 +
9 + 6-|- 9 + 4 + 41 years.” of the Euseb.-Maneth. table, the Afr.-Maneth. table giving
107S — “ 26 — 4 6— 4 — 9 — 6 — 7 yrs ” = 978), accession of Sésóghósis, Sésóghis,
or Sliishak, head of the Twenty-second dynasty. The name of king Sesonk occurs
on a stela at Silsilis, and on moveable articles — now in the “ museums of London, Paris, and Berlin”
(Glid. analect.).
The great unfinished hall of the temple at Karnak commenced by king Sesonk.
Jeroboam fleeing to Shishak in Egypt before — the death of Solomon (i K. xi. 40 and 2 Chron. x. 2).
974 B. C. ( = 9S1 — “ 7 years ” of Phoenician annals in Menand. Ephes., and Jos. c. A. i. 18),
Baleazar succeeded as king at Tyre by his son Abdasfratus ; twenty ( = “ 29 — 9 ” ) years old, and
who reigned “ nine ” years.
973 B. C. ( = 1005 y. 116 d. — “ 40 years ” of ten lunations of i K. xi. 42 and 2 Chron. ix. 30),
Solomon succeeded by his son Rehoboam, fourth Jewish king.
After “ tliree days ” ( i K. xii. 5 to 20) division of the Jewish nation ; Jeroboam becoming king
over the revolted portion. 24
■4
ft
4 »
i -
ir