ïijiri
CH R O N O LO G IC A L A R R A N G EM E N T
“ 454 B. C .” (Blair, and Sm. b. d.), mission of the Romans to Athens, to procure the laws of
Solon.
452 B. C. ( = 443 + his “ loth year,” in the Mahavamsi iv), Susanaga succeeded by his son
Calasoka, now Hindu king. He is called Tulakutchi in the Avadana asoka (Burn. i. 358).
“ 451 B. C.” (Sm. b. d.), at Rome, Appius Claudius Crassinus and T. Genucius Augurinus
consuls; and in conformity with a plan adopted on the return of the mission to Greece, decemviri
appointed, including the two consuls, and the Laws of the ten tables promulgated.
“ 450 B. C .” (Sm. b. d.), at Rome, decemviri continued, and two additional tables appended,
making the Laws of the Twelve tables.
In this year (431 “ about 65 y e a r s ” of Pamphila = 496, Sm. b. d.), Hellanicus the historian
about 46 years old.
Acacia seyal of Nubia. A thorny tree called in Egypt “ s e y a l” (Del.); and the AKAN0 AI;
A EYKAI worn there in garlands according to Hellanicus, as well as the M EA A N A I kind — (Athen. xv.
24), may be compared : the “ akantha ISuke ” is described by Theophrastus iv. 2. 8 as a tree covered
with thorns, but its wood is weak and not durable, while on the other hand the “ mSlaina” kind
(A. Nilotica) is used for ship-building, and the flowers are coronary: the “ sijal ” is enumerated by
Forskal p Ivi as affording charcoal of the best quality; and A. seyal was observed by Granger,
Bruce, and Delile, in the Desert between the Nile and the Red Sea from Syene and Thebes to the
Valley of the Wandering towards Suez, the thorns white. The “ m’salla,” to all appearance the same
species, was found by Grant along the Nile from 9° N. to 18°, forming forests much broken by
elephants feeding on it. The “ akanthes thipsathds ” according to Theophrastus iv. 7. i the only
tree growing along the Red Sea beyond Coptum, or the “ spina sitiens” of Pliny xiii. 50, may also
be compared.
“ 449 B. C.” (Sm. b. d. . . . ), at Rome, the decemviri illegally continuing in power until the
death of Virginia by the hand of her fa th e r ; when they were deposed and the old form of government
restored, Valerius and Horatius being appointed consuls. The power of the plebeians was then
increased by the Valeria Horatia laws.
The same year = “ i6th year of A rtax e rx es; ” the latest date in his reign on the Egyptian monuments
(C. Mull, fragm. Maneth.). The war against the Persians renewed in this year, the Athenians
sending assistance to Amyrtaeus. And before its close, death of Cimon commander of the Athenian
fleet on the coast of Cyprus (Sm. b. d.).
The MEAEAfPIAES of Sophocles — (Plin. xxxvii. 11) is admitted to he Giiineafowj'Hmmda
meleagris. Imported (according to the Scylacean Periplus 112, and Mnaseas) only from Pontidn or
Cratliin, on the African coast outside of the entrance to the Mediterranean ; but of course, derived
originally from the country South of the Sahara. The “ mglSagris” is mentioned also by Aristotle,
Clytus Milesius, Menodotus, Pliny, and Athenaeus. Those carried in the festival of Ptolemy Philadelphus
at Alexandria (Callixen.) were possibly derived through a new route of supply; for in the
time of Browne, Guinea fowl were brought into Egypt by the Darfour caravans.
The HAEKTPOAi associated with “ milSagrithSs,” but attributed to India by Sophocles — (Plin.
xxxvii. II), is of course^7/7« copal: brought together with the birds from the country South of the
Sahara. By Mnaseas, the associated “ electrum” is attributed with the birds to the above-named
spot in West Africa; and the same source of supply is given by Asarubas (Plin. 1. c.). The “ suc-
cinum indicum containing lizards” seen by Archelaus (Plin. 1. c.), is clearly gum copal; carried
from the Eastern coast of Equatorial Africa. This gum while flowing often envelopes leaves and
insects, which continue visible in its hardened state ; and in one instance, a young lizard thus enveloped
was shown me.
Psoralea bituminosa of the Mediterranean countries. A leguminous plant called in Greece
“ agrio triphulli ” (Fraas); and the poisonous T P I't Y A A Ofo of Sophocles, — prescribed as medicinal
by Euryphon 2 morb. 25 to 38, Nicander, Simus, exhaling according to Dioscorides the odour of
bitumen, is referred here by writers : P. bituminosa was observed by Sibthorp, Chaubard, and Fraas,
frequent in stony places from the Peloponnesus throughout the Greek islands. Westward, the
“ triphullon ” or “ asphaltibn ” or “ knikion ” or “ menuanthSs ” or “ oxuphullon ” is identified in Syn.
Diosc. with the “ tripholioum akoutoum othoratoum ” of the Romans; the “ acutum trifolium” is
identified by Columella vi. 17. 2 with the “ asphaltibn” of the Greeks; by Scribonius Largus, with
the “ oxutriphullon ; ” and the “ trifolium” called by the Greeks “ minyanthes ” or “ asphaltion” is
distinguished as coronary by Pliny xxi. 30 to 88; P. bituminosa is described by Matthioli p. 608,
and Dodoens p. 566 (Spreng.) ; is termed “ trifolium bitumen redolens ” by Tournefort inst. 404 ; is
known to grow in Italy and other parts of Southern Europe (Pers., and Lenz).
Onopordum Arabicum of the Mediterranean countries. A thistle called by the Arabs of Barbary
“ suchaha” (Matthioli), in Greece “ agkathi ” (Sibth.); and the r PA I A i ; AKANOHS; PAPPOi
of Sophocles — (Plut. disp. epicur. 19) may be compared; also the “ akantha aravike ” growing
OF A C C OM P A N Y IN G A N IM A L S A N D P L A N T S . 271
according to Dioscorides in rough uneven places, astringent and resembling in character “ lëukë
akanthë,” and in the added Synonyms identified with the “ akanthin: ” O. Arabicum was observed
by Sibthorp frequent in Greece. Westward, the “ akantha aravike ” is further identified in Syn.
Diosc. with the “ spina ” of the Romans ; but the account by Pliny xxiv. 65 of the “ spinae arabicae ”
seems taken from Dioscorides : O. Arabicum is termed “ carduus tomentosus acanthi folio altissimus
lusitanicus ” by Tournefort inst. 441 ; and is known to grow in Portugal and Southern France (Pers.,
and Spreng.; see 0 . Illyricum and Silybum marianum).
Narcissus serolznus oi the Mediterranean countries. Possibly the KAAAIB0 TPY5 : NAPKIS
S 0 5 of Sophocles oedip. 682 to 713:— the late-blooming “ narkissos” of Theophrastus vi. 6 is
referred here by Fraas ; and N. serotinus was observed by him, and Chaubard, frequent in mountainous
situations in Greece. Westward, the “ sera comans narcissus” of Virgil geor. iv. 122 is
referred here by writers ; N. serotinus is termed “ n. autumnalis minor ” by Clusius hist. pl. 252 ; and
is known to grow in Algeria, Morocco, and in various parts of Southern Europe (Desf. i p ’ ->83
Schousb. i. p. 141, and Pers.). r - j,
448 B. C. (Sm. b. d.). Sacred war between the Delphians and Phocians for the possession
of the Oracle and temple; the Lacedaemonians assisting the Delphians, and the Athenians the
Phocians.
“ In or about this year ” (Sm. b. d.), at Athens, a prize for comedy gained by the Archilochi of
Cratinus.
Acer creticum of Crete and Greece. A species of maple called in Greece “ sphënthamni ” (Fraas)
or “ sphëntani” (E. Soph.); in which we recognize the 5 <I>ENaAMNINAI of Cratinus, — Aristophanes
acharn. i8i, Plutarch, and Athenaeus, that of the plains distinguished as “ glëinôs ” according
to Theophrastus iii. r i : A. Creticum is described by Plukenet phyt. pl. 251; is termed “ a.
orientalis hederæ fo lio ” by Tournefort cor. 43 ; was observed by Sibthorp on the mountains of
Crete ; by Chaubard in the Peloponnesus, and regarded by him as the special maple of Greece • was
observed however by Hogg as far West as Sicily. “ A . obtusifolium ” mentioned also by Tournefort
cor. 43, and observed by Sibthorp on the mountains of Crete, is regarded by Chaubard and Fraas as
not distinct.
^ Melilotus Cretica of the East Mediterranean countries. Called in Greece with other species
‘ tariphulh” (Fraas): the MEAIAi iTOS of Cratinus, — and Aristotle, mentioned as coronary by
Alexis, and Nicander ther. 897, as remarkable for permanence of odour by Theophrastus caus. vi.
14 the be.st kind according to Dioscorides growing in Attica and Cyzicum and around Carthage
saffron-coloured and fragrant, is referred here by Fraas: M. Cretica is termed “ m. cretica fructu
máximo” by Tournefort inst. 407; and was observed by Sibthorp, Chaubard, and Fraas, in the
Pefoponnesus, conspicuous in the spring from the beauty of its fragrant yellow flowers. Westward
is descnbed by Bauhin prodr. pl. 142 ; and was observed by Desfontaines ii. p. 193 in Barbary. ’
Ruta graveolens of the Mediterranean countries. Called in Britain herb o f grace or rue (Prior)
in France “ ru e ” (Nugent), in Germany “ raute,” in Italy “ ru ta ” (Lenz), in Greece “ pëganôs,” or
by the Turks “ jaban sedef ” (Sibth ) ; in which we recognize the p H TANO N of Cratinus — Aristophanes,
Philoxenus of Cythera, Aristophon, Aristotle, Theophrastus, Nicander, Athenaeus ii. 62 to
U J ' * “ Peganoii këpëutbn ” of Dioscorides : R. graveolens was observed by Forskal, Sibthorp,
Uiaubard, and Fraas, from the Peloponnesus throughout the Greek islands to Constantinople, frequent
both wild and cultivated ; and according to Persoon, and CIot-Bey and Figari, has been long known in
foe gardens of Egypt. Westward, the “ pëganôn këpëutbn ” is identified in Syn. Diosc. with the “ rbuta
ortënsis” of the Romans ; the “ ru ta ” is enumerated by Pliny xix. 45 as long cultivated in Italy, on
record under the consulship of Cornelius Cethego and Quintius Flamininus ; is mentioned also by
Ovid, Petronius, and Martial : R. graveolens is described by Dodoens pl. 1 19, and Lobel pl 52 • is
termed “ r. .sylvestris major” and “ r. hortensis latifolia” by Tournefort inst. 257; was observed
by Forskal wild near Marseilles; is known to grow also in Barbary, Italy, and other parts of Southern
Europe (Shakesp., Pers., and Lenz), is besides cultivated as far as Britain. Eastward from the
Mediterranean, is called “ saturee ” in the environs of Bombay, where it was observed by Graham
“ m gairiens ” but “ by no means common ; ” has however been long cultivated in Hindustan (Ainsl.
mat. md.) : was observed by Thunberg in Japan, and called “ mats kase so.” . By European colonists,
was carried before 1669 (Josselyn) to Northeast America, where it continues in gardens. The plant
according to Lindley was “ once in repute as an emmenagogue, antispasmodic and anthelmintic,”
and “ is still used in the fonn of ‘ rue te a ’ in domestic medecine.”
Ruia Chalepensis ot the East Mediterranean countries. Closely resembling the preceding, but
distinguished by its fringed petals, and called in Greece “ apéganos” (Forsk., and Sibth ) o r b y the
Turks “ sendef,” in Egypt “ sændeb,” in Yemen “ schedab” (F'orsk.), in Egyptian “ vatshbutsh ” —
(transl. Luke, and ms. Borg.), being probably the “ pëganôn ” cultivated in Palestine of Luke xi 42 ■
R. Chalepensis was observed by Forskal, and Delile, in the gardens of Egypt, where according to
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