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CH R O N O LO G IC A L A R R A N G EM E N T
“ When the Tcheou conquered the Chang ” (topog. Cant., and Pauth. p. 472), eight barbarous
nations in communication with China.
\The same year ( = 1095 + “ 27 y e a r s ” of Euseb. i. and ii., and Syncell., see also Cephal.),
accession of Mithraeus or Metraios as Assyrian emperor.
Aconilum napellus of the mountains of middle and Eastern Europe. Called in Britain monkshood
ox aconite (Prior), in Italy “ napello ” or “ aconito ” (Lenz), in Greece “ akoniton,” in which we
recognize the “ akoniton” discovered by Hecate, wife of Aeetes king of Colchis and mother of Medea
— (Diodor. iv. 45) ; growing in the countries on the Black Sea according to Theopompus, and Strabo,
mentioned also by Heraclides, Antigonus Carystius, Euphorion, and Aelius Promotus, and the
“ akoniton pontikon ” used by physicians of Syn. Diosc. iv 78 : the “ parthalianhSs ” whose root
was placed in meat to destroy wild beasts, according to Aristotle an. ix. 6, and Nicander alex.,
identified in Syn. Diosc. iv. 77 with the “ theluphonon ” or “ thcrophonon ” or “ muoktonon,” may also
belong here ; A. napellus was observed by Sibthorp in the Peloponnesus. Westward, Calpurnius
Bestia consul B. C. i n was accused of poisoning women with “ aconitum,” and this material is mentioned
as a poison by Ovid, by Pliny xxv. 75 and xxvii. 2 as the most speedy poison known : A.
napellus is described by Lobel pl. 679, and Clusius hist. ii. pl. 96 ; is termed “ a. cEeruleum seu napellus
primus ” by Tournefort inst. 425 ; is known to grow wild on the mountains of Italy Switzerland
and Eastern Germany (Spreng., and A. Dec.) ; is besides cultivated and naturalized throughout
middle Europe, and was already in Britain in the days of Gerarde. By European colonists, was carried
to Northeast America, where it continues to be cultivated for ornament. The plant according
to Lindley is “ a true narcotico-acrid poison,” and “ numerous fatal cases of its application are
recorded.”
About this time (Sm. b. d,), Clymenus king of Orchomenus slain by Perieres at the festival
of the Onchestian Neptune, His son and successor Erginus marched at once against Boeotian
Thebes, and compelled the inhabitants to pay an annual tribute.
Lonicera periclymeniim of Europe and the adjoining portion of Asia. Called in Britain woodbine,
in Old English “ woodbinde ” or “ woodvynde,” in Anglo-Saxon “ wudu-bind ” or “ wudu-winde ”
(Prior), in Germany “ ge issblatt” (Grieb), in Italy “ periclimeno ” (Lenz), in Greece “ agrioklema”
(Fraas), in which we recognize the “ piriklumSnon ” identified through Syn. Diosc. with the “ klu-
minon” named after king Clymenus (Plin.) and called in Egyptian “ klumSnion” or “ agonon” or
“ oxioni : ” — the “ kluntonon ” is described by Dioscorides as having a tetragonal stem and plantainlike
leaves, the mountain kind best, the juice of the root and whole plant astringent and refrigerating
administered in potion, and the bruised leaves applied to recent wounds : L, periclymeniim was
observed by Sibthorp, Chaubard and Fraas, in Greece and Cyprus, along hedges as well as on the
mountains. Westward, the “ klumSnbn ” by some called “ smilax” or “ kalukanthSmon ” or “ clio-
phuSs ” or “ epatitis” or “ anatdlikbn” or “ thutikdn” or “ m irg in e ” is identified in Syn. Diosc. with
the “ ouoloukroum ” or “ ouoloukroum maious ” of the Romans; the “ clymenus h e rb a ” is described
by Pliny xxv. 33 and xxvi. 48 as growing in woodland and mountainous situations, the stem “ inani
articuiis praecincta,” the odour “ gravi,” and the seed ivy-like and administered in wine; L. pericly-
menum is described by Tragus f. 311, and Fuchsius p. 646; is termed “ wald-winde ” by Gerarde
(in Tabernsem. ii. 616), “ caprifolijim germanicum” by Tournefort inst. 608; and is known to grow
in Italy and throughout middle Europe as far as Denmark (fl. Dan. pl. 908, and Pers.).
Lonicera caprifolium of the wooded portion of the Mediterranean countries. Called in Britain
caprifoly (Prior), in Italy “ caprifolio” or “ madreselva” (Lenz), in Greece “ agrioklema” (Sibth,,
and Forsk,), in which we recognize the “ .sylvae matrem ” identified by Scribonius Largus 129 with
the “ pgriklumSnou” of the Greeks ; called by some “ kluragnon ” — (according to Syn. Diosc,), and
described by Dioscorides as twining around other shrubs in hedges and cultivated places, and having
at intervals leaves “ pSriiilephota ” surrounding the stem (compare also Periclymenus brother of
Nestor, Horn. od. xi. 285): L. caprifolium was observed by Forskal, Sibthorp, and Chaubard, frequent
in hedges from the Peloponnesus throughout the Greek islands to Constantinople. Farther
South, the “ pgriklumenon ” by some called “ kalukanlhSmon ” or “ epatitis ” or “ aigine ” or “ klem-
atitis ” or “ karpathon ” or “ splenion ” or “ glxine m6iz5n ” or “ mursine ” is identified in Syn. Diosc.
with the “ polidn aphrothites ” of the prophets, and “ tourkbn ” of the Egyptians. Westward, with
the “ lanath ” of the Numidians, and “ ouoloukroum maious ” of the Romans; the account of the
“ periclymenos ” by Pliny xxvii. 94 seems chiefly taken from Dioscorides; but L. caprifolium is
described by Matthioli p. 691 (Spreng.), is termed “ c, italicum” by Tournefort inst. 608, and is
known to grow wild in Southern France (Mut., Gren., and A. D e c .) ; is besides planted for ornanient
throughout middle Europe, and has become naturalized in various localities as far as Britain (J. E.
Smith flor. 260, Wats., and Bromfield). By European colonists, was carried to Northeast America,
where it continues to be cultivated for ornament.
1 117 B. C. ( = 1 1 14 + “ 3 y e a r s ” of Judg. ix. 22), not later than this date, Abimelech son of
Jerubbaal made by the “ men of Sechem ” ruler “ over Israel.”
Lycium Europceum oi the Tauro-Caspian countries and mountains of Tropical Araliia. Called
in Greece “ ramnos” (Sibth.), in Egypt and Yemen “ ausadj ” or “ ausaedj” (Forsk.), in which we
recognize the “ ramnos” identified in Syn. Diosc. with the “ atathin ” of the Numidians; or “ a tth ”
o f Jotham son of Jerubbaal — (Judg. ix. 14), and Psalm Iviii. 9: L. Europium was observed by
Hasselquist in Palestine; by Alpinus, Forskal, and Delile, at Alexandria and Damietta. Among
the Greeks, the “ ramnos ” was regarded sacred to Aesculapius (Pausan. iii. 14), is mentioned also
by Sophron, Euphorion, Eupolis, Theophrastus, Nicander; and is described by Dioscorides as a
shrub with straight thorns growing along hedges : L. Europaeum was observed by Sibthorp, and
Chaubard, frequent in hedges in Greece. Westward, the “ ramnos” is identified in Syn. Diosc. with
the “ spina kervalis ” of the Romans, but the account of the “ rhamnus” by Pliny xxiv. 76 seems in
part taken from Dioscorides: L. Europa^um is known to occur also in Italy, Barbary, Portugal, and
France (Pers.). In its wild state, was observed by Pallas trav. iv. not far from Astrakan ; by Forskal,
among the mountains of Yemen.
“ Before the time of Homer” (Strab. iii.), the Phoenicians, in possession of the best part of
Africa and Spain, discovered the Islands of the Blest (Canaries), not far from the extremity of Mauritania,
opposite Gades (Cadiz). ■
“ 1116 B. C. under the Tcheou dynasty” (Stan-Jul.), the following plant known to the Chinese.
Carlhamus tinctorius of Eastern Asia. Called in Englisli gardens safflower (Prior), in Germany
“ saflor ” (Grieb), in France “ safranoh ” or “ faux safran ” (A. Dec.), in Italy “ zafferano falso ” or “ sara-
cinesco ” or “ zaffrone ” or “ cartamo ” (Lenz), in Greece “ saphlanoni ” or “ asphouri ” (Fraas), in Egypt
“ dsfar ” or “ qortom ” (Forsk ), in Egyptian “ tshoug ” (Lex oxf.) or “ jouj ” (Kirch.) or “ shoush ” (ms.
Par.), in the environs of Bombay “ koosumba ” (Graham), in Japan “ benino fan n a ” or “ k o o k va ” or
“ kurenai ” (Thunb.), and as early as this year used in China in cosmetic pigment; imported in “ 115
B. C. under the Han dynasty ” (Stan. Jul. industr. chin. 83), but at present cultivated and exported
(parcels examined by myself) : was observed by Kaempfer, and Thunberg, under cultivation in Japan
as well as growing spontaneously, and occasionally employed by women to tinge the lips. Westward,
is enumerated by Mason v. p. 512 as “ e x o tic ” in Burmah and extensively cultivated, “ the best
yellow dye in the country, and mixed with other ingredients ” to “ dye red and to give a variety of
tints : ” is termed “ crocus indicus ” by Rumphius v. pl. 79 ; was observed by Roxburgh under cultivation
in Hindustan ; by myself, commonly cultivated on the Deccan, for the use according to Graham
“ of dyers and for the oil obtained from the seeds ; ” and according to Gibson cultivated “ also
in Guzerat to a small extent.” Farther West, “ krdkopSplds ” saffron-coloured clothing was known
to Homer il. xxiii. 227; the term “ krokovaphes ” dyed with saffron occurs in Aeschylus ag. 1092,
“ krokdtithion ” and “ krokbtos ” saffron robe in Aristophanes lys. 48 and ran. 46, “ crocotula” saffron
garment in Plautus, “ tunica crocina ” in Catullus ; the “ cnicon ” mentioned by Pliny xxi. 53 to 107
as unknown in Italy, an “ aegyptia herba ” with seeds yielding oil, may in part belong here ; and the
“ kurthum ” or “ usfar ” is mentioned by Ebn Masawia, Abi Othman, Abu Hanifa, Ebn Masah, Maser-
jawia, Rhazes, Edrisi, and Ebn Baitar: C. tinctorius was observed by Abd-allatif, Forskal, Delile,
and Clot-Bey, under cultivation in Egypt; by Grant in descending the Nile was found cultivated “ for
its o i l ” at Kartoom in 15° 30'; was seen by Fraas experimentally cultivated in Greece ; is described
by Caesalpinus, and Bauhin iii. p. 76; and is known to be now cultivated in Italy (Lenz). By
European colonists, was carried to Northeast America, where it continues in gardens. (See C.
Creticus).
“ 1115 B. C. = 1st year o f Tching-wang, of the T ch eo u ” or Fifth dynasty (Chinese chron.
table). The earliest round cqpper-money having “ a squaxe hole in the middle,” issued during the
reign of Tching-wang (Pauth. 84). ,
Ranunculus thora of the mountains of middle and Eastern Europe, The acrid juice of its root
employed by Swiss hunters to envenom their weapons (Lindl.) as early perhaps as this date, in
accordance with the Latin word “ toxicum ” perverted from the Greek through the use of poisoned
arrows — (Nicand, alex. 207 and schol., Plin. xvi. 20) : the word “ toxicum ” occurs as eariy as
Plautus : the “ phthoram ” of the Waldenses or R. thora is described by Gesner hort. f. 244 (Spreng.),
and C. Bauhin pin. 284; is termed “ r. cyclaminis folio asphodel! radice major” by Tournefort inst.
285 ; and is known to grow “ near the limits of perpetual snow ” on the Pyrenees, Alps, and Carpathians
(Jacq. austr. pl. 442, Pers., A . Dec., and Lindl.). Eastward, the “ thrudn,” a magic plant
of the Colchians (argon. Orph. i. 916), is identified in Syn. Diosc. with the “ pdntathrudn ” or “ struh-
n onm anik on ;” the “ thruorbn ” or “ pSritton ” or “ struhnos manikbs ” is described by Theophrastus
ix. II. 6 as having a head like the fruit of the plane tree, and Dioscorides adds that the head is
sessile ; the “ manicon ” is further identified by Pliny xxi. 105 with the “ dorycnion ” poison in which
spear-points were dipped; and in Alexipharm. praef. and 6, and Galen comp. med. x. p. 356 with the
“ thoruknidn” plant: R. thora was observed by Sibthorp on the mountains of the Peloponnesus.
(See Atropa belladonna).
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